How to Choose Your Boat
How to Choose Your Boat at the DFW Winter Boat Expo
The Largest Boat Show in North Texas Begins Feb. 2
First time boat owners sometimes get overwhelmed when they enter the DFW Winter Boat Expo presented by the United Boat Dealers of North Texas. The DFW Winter Boat Expo, which runs Feb 2-4 and Feb. 8-11, is the largest boat show in North Texas with over 650 boats and watercraft to choose from more than 20 North Texas Dealers and nearly 150 vendors.
The DFW Winter Boat Expo has a boat to meet all its visitors needs and wants and their experience. When looking at boats, the two most important questions to ask are what does the boat do and how does it perform. Buyers need to know that one-size-fits-all does not apply to boating. And, as important, boats can be customized to please the most discriminating buyer.
“Buyers have a great opportunity at the DFW Winter Boat Expo because nowhere else in DFW will they have 650 boats to compare and explore from under one roof,” said Bron Beal, United Boat Dealers of North Texas. “Buyers appreciate the time the dealers spend with them, educating them on everything from financing options to safety concerns to how many cup holders the boat has.”
When buying a boat, consumers need to think about three main questions: what will the boat be used for? What size of boat is needed? And, what is the buyer’s budget for a boat? The United Boat Dealers of North Texas offers these considerations when buying a boat:
Boat Type. Pick the right type of boat. Ask yourself (and your family) the things you want to do on a boat. Regardless of the activity, there is a boat for that. Below are some of the most common boating activities.
Water sports – from skiing to tubbing there is a boat to accommodate your sport. Water sport boats are the most competitive type of boat in the market which means there is a large selection. This boat type is often defined by their speed, maneuverability and towing capabilities.
• Ski Boats
• Wakeboard Boats
• Jet Boats
• Fish & Ski Boats
Cruising and Relaxing
• Pontoon Boats – are considered the most popular boat in the world. They are large and most come with couch like seats around the boat. Some even have large enough engine to pull skiers.
• Cabin Cruisers – Ever want to spend the night on the water? Cabin cruiser boats are just what you need. The amenities of these boats vary – from restrooms to sleeping areas to galleys.
Fishing – The selection of fishing boats is huge and range in size and technology.
• Bass Boats
• Sport Fishing
• Walkarounds
What size of boat do you need? How big do you want to go? Think about how many people will be on your boat, seating, performance choices, optional equipment and more. When considering the size, buyers need to know the beam (the widest part of the boat) to the length of the boat as well as how many people it will safely seat.
Another component to the size of the boat, buyers need to consider what size boat can they safely handle. Many buyers don’t know this answer. Thankfully, the dealers at the DFW Boat Expo will show buyers boats based on their experience level.
Determine your budget – Price always need to be a factor. Just like buying a car, buyers fall in love with the car they can’t afford. The dealers at the DFW Boat Expo can walk buyers through the financing options available.
Beal explains that boat financing works differently than automobiles, “Sometimes buyers are surprised at how much affordable boats are than cars. Financing options can go as long as 10 to 15 years in some cases, resulting in a monthly payment about half of what a comparable automobile would be because boats hold their value better than automobiles.”
Like automobiles, though, dealers have in-house financing through one of several major financing companies or the manufacturer. “Dealers are a ‘one stop’ service when it comes to financing, or buyers may choose private financing,” Beal states, adding, “If you are thinking of making a purchase on site, which many people do, you will need to make an earnest deposit. Deposits are negotiated by the buyer and dealer.”
The DFW Winter Boat Expo, presented by the United Boat Dealers of North Texas, will be at Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207, February 2- 11. Twenty North Texas boat dealers and nearly 150 different vendors will take part in the show.
Hours for the expo are:
- Friday, February 2 3 pm to 8 pm (Free Admission)
- Saturday, February 3 10 am to 8 pm
- Sunday, February 4 10 am to 4 pm
- Thursday, February 8 3 pm to 8 pm (Free Admission)
- Friday, February 9 3 pm to 8 pm (Free Admission)
- Saturday, February 10 10 am to 8 pm
- Sunday, February 11 10 am to 5 pm
Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children, and are only available at the door. Parking is free.
For more information on the 2013 DFW Boat Expo, go to http://www.dallasboatexpo.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/dfwboatexpo or Twitter: @dfwboatexpo.
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