Is it a lemon or a good deal?
Boat Buyers Guide helps prospective boat owners become saavy shoppers.

Posted Wednesday, April 26, 2006

 
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Have you found a great deal on a used boat and want to know if there have been manufacturer recalls that needed correction or major complaints from other owners? Do you know what the fine print means in a sales contract? Or, if you're selling a boat, do you know what an "exclusive listing" means?

The answers to these questions and many more are answered in a free guide, Buying and Selling a Boat, from BoatU.S. Consumer Affairs. It is now available online at http://www.BoatUS.com/guide

The 34-page guide will help the novice navigate unfamiliar waters and remind the seasoned boat owner of landmarks to steer by and trouble spots to avoid when trading up or selling. Unlike buying an automobile, the guide explains what to look for when buying a new or used boat, such as manufacturing standards, surveys and sea trials. Also likely to be unfamiliar to the prospective boat owner - and clearly spelled out in the guide - is information on warranties, federal documentation, osmotic blisters, marine insurance and boat loans.

For sellers, there's a checklist to help evaluate your boat's condition, information on the pros and cons of selling on your own versus using a broker, and how to write a sales agreement. Important information is also included on how to use the BoatU.S. Consumer Bureau's free services, including the boating industry's only Recall Alert Registry that tracks safety defects for new and subsequent boat owners, the only national online complaint database for boats, engines and service providers such as boat dealers, and a dispute mediation program.