Just about everyone knows that owning a boat is a lot of fun. There's nothing quite like being out on the water with a cold drink on a sunny day, surrounded by friends and feeling the wind on your face. That being said, when in the market to purchase a boat, it can be challenging to decide whether to buy new or used. As it turns out, in many cases, buying used is the wisest decision, and here we've laid out a few of the potential benefits. For more information on boats and yachts, pay us a visit at The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales), we're located in Branson, Missouri, also serving Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri.

1. Saving Money

The biggest benefit to buying a used boat as opposed to a new one is the money you'll save. Used boats, even if they're only a couple of years old, will be quite a bit less expensive than brand new ones. Too often, people will spend more than they can afford and jeopardize their financial futures just to be able to purchase a new boat. As long as you do the research to make sure that the vessel you purchase is in good shape, going with a used boat is usually a wiser investment than going with a new one.

2. Buying on Your Own Terms

When you purchase a new boat, it's not all that different from purchasing a new car or motorcycle. You usually will need to go through a dealership to complete the process, and sometimes in those situations you can end up getting pushed or steered in directions you may not want to go. When you buy used, you can search for and purchase your boat completely on your own terms, and no one will be trying to convince you of anything or upsell you. 

3. Customization

One of the coolest things about buying a used boat is that you can customize it to your own personal preferences. If you buy a brand new boat, you probably aren't going to want to alter it much, so you'll pretty much be stuck with keeping it the way it is for a while. With a pre-owned boat, though, there's no reason you can't make a few changes, such as repainting the exterior or re-upholstering the seating.

It can be tempting to buy a brand new boat, as it may seem like the cooler, flashier option. However, in most cases, by going with a pre-owned boat instead, you're going to be happier with your decision in the long run. For more information, come see us at The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales). We're located in Branson, Missouri, and also serve Springfield and Kansas City.