Once you fall in love with power boating there's no turning back. It's in your blood forever. Shopping for a new boat can be challenging. So many decisions to be made and so many things to consider. It's often a bigger decision than buying a car, which is essentially a means of transportation to get you from point A to point B. A boat is usually a multipurpose investment that can be used for waterskiing, wakeboarding, barefooting, tubing, jumping, fishing, riding to your favorite hangout, weekend getaways, and more. Each of these events sometime require different qualities in a boat to get the best performance.
PURPOSE OF THE BOAT - Decide what your main purpose(s) for the boat will be. Do you want it strictly for tournament waterskiing or strictly for recreational wakeboarding? Or do you have kids that like to do a little bit of everything behind the boat? Will it mainly be a fishing boat that you'll occasionally want to water-ski behind? These factors will determine your engine type (inboard, inboard/outboard, or outboard). Boats.com explains some tips in its article, "Choose the right type of boat for your needs."
WARRANTIES - Extremely important. No matter how new your boat is, warranties can vary tremendously. This is an area in which you should do a lot of comparison shopping. If purchasing a new boat be sure to go with a boat manufacturer that stands firmly behind their product and is going to rise to the occasion when things go wrong. Boatbuying.com outlines things to consider when dealing with warranties.
NMMA & CCG CERTIFIED - Make sure the boat is certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The NMMA standards exceed the basic regulations set by the U.S. Coast Guard. Most boats but not all will have the Canadian Coast Guard Certification in addition to the U.S one if they have been constructed in the States. Make sure that if you are using the boat in Canada that it carries both certifications.
DEALER REPUTATION - Extremely important. This could make or break your boating experience. Make sure their service department is reputable and have quick turn around on repairs. Check the store out in person and do not rely on a great looking web site or a flashy ad. Take a drive and visit the location. Chances are that if the dealer looks after his premises, they most likely will look after your investment. Meet the people that are employed here, keeping in mind that after the initial sale is completed you are still going to need the services that the dealership provides. Get to know the parts and service personnel not just your salesperson. Follow this link to the Boating Industry Certification process and view the video on how to choose a dealer.
Marine Certification Video
WORD OF MOUTH - Find other people who own or have previously owned the brand or model of the boat you are considering purchasing. They can shed light on areas you may have never considered. Other boat owners will tell you the truth but keep in mind to speak to someone who has owned this particular brand. Most boat owners are very loyal to their particular brand and can be biased towards different products.
BOATING SAFETY - Take a safe boating course BEFORE you hit the water. The Water and Boating Safety Resources links page is an excellent source of boating courses and has great links to start instilling boat and water safety in your mind. Make sure that everyone who will be operating or just riding in the boat takes a safety course as well. Don't overlook knowing the proper way to tow a skier and how to retrieve a downed skier safely. Also see Drivers Corner, Boating Tips, and the article, "How Fast Should You Go?" which explains boat speeds for different boat towed sports.