6 Questions to Ask Your Boat Dealer

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While many first-time boat buyers start by researching their new-boat purchase online, working with a dealer can be a crucial part of the process. In addition to seeing the features and amenities of the boat models on your list in person at the dealership, having a dialogue with your dealer can help to make sure you purchase the right boat to fulfill your needs.

According to Joseph Smith, director of sales and finance at Berkeley Outdoors, a Mercury Authorized Dealer in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, an experienced boat dealer will start by asking you a series of questions.

&#;They will ask, &#;How often will you use the boat?&#; &#;What body of water will you be using it on?&#; &#;Will you be using it for fishing, or taking the family out, or both?&#;&#; Smith said. Your answers to these questions can help the salesperson to narrow down the list of boat models that are right for you.

Once you&#;ve found a couple of boats you want to examine more closely, it&#;s your turn to ask the questions.

Here is a list of things any well-prepared first-time boat buyer should ask the dealer.

1. &#;How does the boat perform with this engine package?&#; Be sure to ask not only about the top speed, but also about acceleration (hole shot) and fuel economy. If you are going to be loading the boat with people and gear, you may want to consider moving up to a more powerful engine or engines. &#;Make sure you are getting enough horsepower to meet your expectations,&#; Smith said.
2. &#;What new technology comes with this boat?&#; Today&#;s boats are often equipped with innovative products and systems that help to make operating a boat easier and more intuitive. As an example, Smith gives the Mercury VesselView Mobile® system, which connects your smartphone or tablet with your Mercury engine management system. &#;I think it can make the ownership experience that much more enjoyable knowing what&#;s going on with the engine,&#; he said.
   
   Another example is the Mercury Active Trim system, which uses changes in GPS speed to adjust trim on compatible outboards and drives automatically. It takes the guesswork out of trimming the drive for new boaters, and even more-experienced boaters can benefit from the resulting performance and fuel economy.
   
   
3. &#;What options are available?&#; Boats on display in a dealer&#;s showroom frequently are loaded with upgrade equipment, such as a higher-horsepower engine, hard top, extended sunshade, marine audio system, lighting and electronics, so customers can see everything that&#;s available. Make sure to ask your dealer what is included in the base price and what comes at an additional cost. Then review the list of options to see which options make sense for your area and the type of boating you plan to enjoy. &#;Don&#;t just focus on price. What you really want to ask is, &#;What is right for my needs?&#;&#; Smith said.
   
   
4. &#;What maintenance is required?&#; It&#;s important to learn about everything that is involved in ownership once you take your new boat home. How much maintenance does the engine need, and will you feel comfortable doing it yourself? How often will you need to bring the boat back to the dealership for service? &#;Ask your dealer to introduce you to the service department team, and get to know everyone at the dealership,&#; Smith recommended.
   
   
5. &#;What are the warranties?&#; Many boats come with a limited one-year warranty, but some manufacturers offer much longer coverage periods. For example, Tracker Boats, one of the brands offered by Berkeley Outdoors, has a five-year bow-to-stern warranty.
   
   Typically, the engine also will have a separate warranty from the boat. Mercury outboards owned for recreational use come with a three-year limited warranty and the marine industry&#;s only three-year corrosion warranty.
   
   
6. &#;Where are the local fishing and boating hot spots?&#; While not every dealer can tell you where the bass are biting, most of them are extremely knowledgeable about the boating facilities and services in the area, including the boat ramps, marinas, waterside restaurants, fishing guides, etc. If your dealer can&#;t answer all your questions, it&#;s a good bet he or she will be able to refer you to someone who can.

Your boat dealer is there to answer your questions, so ask away until you are satisfied. The answers will help you to make the right decision about which boat and engine to purchase, so you can get started enjoying your time on the water.

Bringing boat safety equipment when you set sail is both a good idea and a requirement of federal law. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) mandates a specific list of things you need on a boat by law. Many states expand on that list with additional requirements. No matter where you live, make sure you know about important boating accessories, for both your safety and comfort. It&#;s also a good idea to review your safety checklist as part of your regular boat maintenance. Learn more about the USCG&#;s requirements for recreational boats.

Boat safety equipment checklist

Federal laws mandate different kinds or amounts of boat safety equipment depending on the size of the boat. However, all boats need to have the following boat equipment.

Life jackets

Each person on board must have an appropriate life jacket (also called wearable personal flotation devices, or PFDs). If you have children aboard, you&#;re required to have children&#;s life jackets. Jackets must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and in good condition. Types I, II, III, are all acceptable. Type V &#;special use&#; devices may be acceptable if worn in the circumstances they were designed for. Learn more about life jacket safety requirements and rules for life jackets on boats.

Throwable flotation devices

In addition to one wearable PFD per person on board, all boats must carry at least one Type IV PFD. Type IV devices are meant to be thrown to a person in the water, but they are not a substitute for a life jacket.

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Fire extinguishers

As of April 20, , a new mandate replaces B-I extinguishers with 5-B and B-II extinguishers with 10-B. The age and size of your boat will dictate the number and type of fire extinguishers you need. Nearly all boats must carry at least one 5-B or 10-B fire extinguisher. The only exception is for boats less than 26 feet long with a USCG-approved fixed fire extinguisher system that protects the engine compartment. Boats under 26 feet without a fixed system must carry at least one 5-B or 10-B fire extinguisher.

Other requirements include:

• Boats from and later must use 5-B and 10-B fire extinguishers, even if your old extinguishers aren&#;t expired.
• Boats from and older can still use B-I and B-II extinguishers, if they are still serviceable.
• Expired extinguishers, even on boats and older, must be replaced with 5-B and 10-B extinguishers. Fire extinguishers more than 12 years old should also be replaced with the new types of fire extinguishers.
• Boats 26-40 feet in length must have two 5-B extinguishers or one 10-B extinguisher. If you have a fixed system installed, you only need one 5-B extinguisher.
• Boats 40-65 feet in length need three 5-B extinguishers or both a 5-B and a 10-B extinguisher. As with other size classes, an installed fixed system extinguisher reduces the requirement by one 5-B extinguisher.

You can find the requirements in a table from the USCG.

Visual distress signals

All recreational boats need to carry USCG-approved nighttime distress signals. Boats larger than 16 feet need signals for both day and nighttime use unless they are participating in an organized event such as a race, are open sailboats less than 26 feet long with no propulsion machinery, or are manually propelled boats of any length.

Signals are divided into pyrotechnic (flare/smoke signal) and non-pyrotechnic (distress flag and electric distress signal). Pyrotechnic devices must be carried in sufficient quantities &#; three suitable for day and three suitable for night with combination day/night signals counting toward both requirements. Learn more about distress signal requirements.

Sound signaling devices

Federal boating regulations require vessels 39.4 feet or less in length must be equipped with a whistle, handheld air horn, installed horn or other &#;efficient sound signal.&#; Vessels longer than 39.4 feet need a sound-producing device that can be audible for one mile and last for four to six seconds.

Navigation lights

All recreational vessels must display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise. Navigation light rules vary depending on the size and type of boat. Consult the USCG Navigation Rules or other USCG materials to see the requirements for your boat.

Other things you need on a boat

Beyond the boat safety equipment mentioned in the checklist, the law also requires you to carry your boat&#;s registration number when the boat is in use and defines minimum ventilation requirements, depending on the boat&#;s age and construction.

In general, these standards require at least two ventilator ducts in every closed engine or fuel tank compartment on boats that use gasoline or highly flammable fuels. Some boats will need powered ventilation if they contain a cranking motor. The details vary by model year, so consult the U.S. Coast Guard Safety Circular to see the requirements for your specific boat. If you&#;re unsure whether your ventilation system is up to standard, consider a boat survey to ensure your vessel is in safe operating condition.

Some states require more safety equipment than these federally mandated minimums, so check the requirements of the state where your boat is registered as well as those of any states to which you plan to travel.

Finally, though they aren&#;t things that you need on a boat by law, the following boat safety and backup equipment can be good to have on hand.

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• VHF radio and cell to call for help if necessary.
• First aid kit that is well stocked and suitable for the number of people on board.
• Extra dock lines for tying up.
• Manual bailing service to remove water in case of a leak.
• Waterproof flashlight in case you need extra light or have a loss of power.
• Tool kit to perform basic repairs as necessary.