Should You Buy a New or Used Boat?

It isn’t always easy to decide between buying a new boat and buying a used boat. Both approaches have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages to consider. Ultimately, only you can decide what’s right for you. That’s why Thayer’s Marine has created this comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing a new boat vs. purchasing a used boat. 

Performance 

If performance is what’s most important to you, buying a new boat is probably your best bet. Of course, a used boat that is still relatively new and/or has been well-maintained can still offer great performance. However, unless you perform an upgrade, a boat’s performance will never be better than when it’s factory-new. 

Cost

The moment a boat leaves the lot, its value starts to depreciate. That’s part of the reason why used boats, even ones that aren’t that old yet, tend to cost a lot less than the closest new equivalent. Used boats also tend to be cheaper to insure and license, saving you even more money when you buy used. 

Maintenance

New boats usually have some kind of warranty protection that can help pay for maintenance within the first couple of years of purchase, though what is and isn’t covered can vary. Of course, since the vessel is new, you likely won’t need any major maintenance within that time frame. Used boats will usually require some kind of servicing within the first few years, though how much maintenance is required depends upon how well previous owners took care of the vessel. That’s why it’s important to always inspect a used boat before you purchase it. 

Shop both new and pre-owned boats at Thayer’s Marine in Norwich, Connecticut. We are proud to serve communities like Springfield, Massachusetts. We also offer boat parts and servicing, so visit us for all your boat-related needs.