Should You Trade Your Boat Before Winter?

If you’ve been thinking about trading in your boat, fall can be a surprisingly good time to make a move.

There’s no universal right or wrong answer when it comes to when you should trade in your boat. The best timing really depends on your family, how you use your boat, and what you want your next boating season to look like.

That said, there are some real advantages to trading in your current boat and ordering your next one before winter.

Why Trade Your Boat in the Fall?

For many boat owners, fall is a natural time to start thinking about what’s next. The busy summer boating season has slowed down, you’ve had a chance to figure out what you loved about your current boat, and maybe you’ve also discovered a few things you’d change.

If you’re considering an upgrade, trading in your boat in the fall can help you get ahead of the next boating season instead of waiting until spring.

Your New Boat Can Be Ready for Spring

One of the biggest advantages of ordering a new boat in the fall is timing.

When you place a factory order ahead of the winter season, you can plan for your new boat to arrive in time for spring boating. That means you’re not spending the first few weeks of the season waiting for your boat to be built and delivered.

Instead, you can spend the winter getting excited about your new boat and be ready to hit the water when boating season arrives.

When you trade in your boat with Seattle Boat Company before winterization, you have no service or storage costs or commitments for that year. That means one less seasonal expense to worry about as you transition into your new boat.

Fall Incentives Can Make It a Great Time to Buy

Fall can also bring some attractive incentives on new boats.

Manufacturers and dealers may offer special fall boat-buying incentives that can be comparable to pricing you might see around a boat show. Depending on the model and timing, these offers can make fall an appealing time to upgrade.

If you’ve been watching a particular boat, it’s worth asking what incentives are currently available rather than assuming you need to wait for the next boat show.

You Don’t Have to Pay for the Entire Boat Up Front

When you place a custom factory order, your initial cost may be limited to the required deposit, with the remaining balance due when the boat arrives.

For some buyers, that can make the transition from one boat to the next easier. You can secure your new boat now while continuing to enjoy the flexibility of planning for delivery in the spring.

Your dealer can walk you through the specific deposit and payment requirements for the boat you’re considering.

Avoid Winterization and Storage Costs

Trading in your boat before winterization can also help you avoid the cost and hassle of winterizing and storing your current boat.

When you trade in your boat with Seattle Boat Company before winterization, we take care of the winterization and storage for you. That means one less seasonal expense to worry about as you transition into your new boat.

And when your new boat arrives, we’ll store it for you until you want it delivered, so you can head into spring with your new boat ready to go.

You Can Take Your Time Choosing Your Next Boat

One of my favorite parts of shopping for a new boat in the fall is that you don’t necessarily have to rush the decision.

You can demo different boats, surf behind different models, step aboard different layouts, and compare colors, upholstery, and options before deciding what actually works for your family.

Maybe you’ve always owned a particular style of boat but want to see what else is out there. Or maybe you know exactly what you want but want to compare different configurations before placing your order.

Fall gives you an opportunity to do that.

And honestly, there’s something really helpful about being able to make a boat-buying decision based on how you actually spent your summer, not how you think you’ll use the boat next year.

You Can Potentially Get Ahead of New-Year Price Increases

Another consideration is manufacturer pricing.

Boat manufacturers can make pricing changes in the new year, so ordering before those changes take effect may help you avoid a potential increase on your new boat.

Pricing and manufacturer incentives vary, so there’s never a guarantee that prices will increase. But if you already know you want to upgrade, it’s worth talking with your dealer about current pricing and whether ordering now makes sense.

So, Should You Trade Your Boat Before Winter?

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading, fall can be a smart time to explore your options.

Trading your boat before winter may allow you to:

• Get your new boat ordered ahead of the spring boating season
• Take advantage of available fall incentives
• Avoid another round of winterization and storage costs
• Have your dealer hold your new boat until you’re ready for delivery
• Spend time comparing models, layouts, colors, and options
• Demo different boats before making your decision
• Potentially lock in current pricing before a manufacturer price increase

Most importantly, it gives you time to make a thoughtful decision.

Rather than waiting until the first sunny weekend of spring to start shopping, you can figure out what you want now and head into the next boating season ready to go.

Ready to Talk About Your Next Boat?

If you’ve been thinking about trading in your boat, fall is a great time to start the conversation. Our sales team can help you explore your options, compare models, take a demo, and determine whether trading in now makes sense for your family.

Have questions or want to see what your trade-in could look like? Get in touch with the Seattle Boat Company sales team today. We’d love to help you find the right boat for next season.