What Time of Year are Boats Cheapest?
If you’re hoping to buy a boat at the best price, timing can be key. In this post, we’ll share an inside look at when boats are typically most affordable and the factors that affect pricing throughout the year from our perspective as a long-standing marina and boat dealership on Lake Hopatcong, NJ.
Why Boats Can Be Priciest in the Peak Season
For those looking to get into boating, buying a boat in spring or early summer seems ideal. After all, who doesn’t want to be out on the water as soon as the season starts? The demand for boats surges in spring and early summer, which can lead to higher prices and more limited options.
Buying a boat “in season” or right before the peak season can also have other drawbacks beyond cost. The influx of boat buyers during peak season can mean longer wait times for delivery, which could lead to the potential of missing out on the height of summer.
When Are Boats Cheapest?
Fall and winter can be the best time to buy a boat at the cheapest price. Dealerships often aim to clear out current-year models to make space for next season’s lineup, creating a more favorable buyer’s market. For example, while our boat dealership presents buyers with great values year-round, we often offer our Boating Club and luxury rental boats at end-of-season pricing to make room for new models in our fleet for the coming Boating Club and rental season.
Beyond potential savings, buying in the off-season also allows you to get necessary maintenance, service, or even upgrades on the boat during winter or early spring to avoid missing time on the water. At Bridge Marina, our service department helps guests with everything from winterization to maintenance to custom upgrades on their new boats, like power bimini tops or dual battery switches.
So, When’s the Best Time to Buy a Boat?
Ultimately, buying a boat is as much about passion as it is about timing. If you come across the perfect boat for you and your family, there may be no better time to buy. However, if your goal is to get the best possible deal, planning your purchase around the off-season can help you make a more budget-friendly investment.
Looking for More Boat Buying Tips?
At Bridge Marina, we’re passionate about helping our guests find their perfect boating fit. That’s why we offer a host of free tools and resources for brand-new boat buyers:
- Use our free boating cost calculator to help better determine the true costs and commitments involved with buying and maintaining a boat.
- Get free, personalized advice from our professional team.
We’re also keen on sharing straightforward boat reviews on all kinds of models, so potential buyers can get an ‘up close and personal’ look at a boat’s features and capabilities. We encourage you to check out our Playlist of Boat Reviews and Test Drives on YouTube here.
Find Your Perfect Boat with Bridge Marina
As a certified dealership for Four Winns and Starcraft Marine that also specializes in pre-owned boats, we offer a variety of new and used boats, with dozens of models in inventory at any given time.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, our friendly and trustworthy team is here to guide you through the boat buying process and help you find your perfect fit. Fill out this quick form, and we’ll get back to you! You can also call us at (973) 663-1976.
We look forward to connecting with you and getting you out on the water!