Frequently Asked Questions
Finance
How long can I finance a boat?
There are a lot of factors that determine how long a lender will finance a boat package. Factors include; the finance lender, value of the package being financed, if the package is new or pre-owned, and of course credit worthiness. We see packages financed for as little as 24 months to as long as 240 months.
Is a down payment required?
Most lenders nationwide will require a minimum down payment of 10%, though there are always exceptions. Some lenders are willing to finance 100%, though it will depend on the loan value, credit worthiness, etc.
What should I expect to see for an interest rate?
As with many questions about financing, the answer is, "that all depends!" Factors that influence an interest rate include; the finance lender, credit worthiness, value of the package being finance, year of the package being financed, down payment, etc. We work with a variety of local and national lenders to ensure that you get the most competitive rate, though it may also be beneficial to speak with your local lender to see what they are able to offer. Sometimes a personal relationship or membership with a specific lender can lead to a more competitive rate.
Can I finance a pre-owned boat package or outboard engine?
Absolutely! We do have financing available for pre-owned packages and outboard engines. Though, the list of available lenders is much shorter than a typical new boat purchase. With used package purchases, you may be asked to put more money down, reduce the term of the loan, or pay a higher APR, though there are always exceptions. We currently work with Capital One and Yamaha Marine who offers a great credit card financing program for people purchasing new and uses outboard engines, as well as used boat packages powered by a Yamaha outboard engine.
Can I finance an onboard engine only?
Yes! Depending on the value of the engine, some national and local lenders will accept an engine only loan. Though, or most popular engine financing program is the Capital One and Yamaha credit card financing program. This program has helped hundreds of individuals finance outboard engines this year.
Sales
How do I find the value of my current boat, and what can I get for a trade value?
NADA.com is perhaps the best tool for determining the value of your boat package. It is a tool that we use daily at our facility and a tool that is popular with most financial lenders. This great website allows consumers to choose the year, make and model of their boat package, and receive up to date average and retail values for their boat package. As dealers, we are also able to view what NADA calls a "trade value" or low value for the package. This value is typically 10-15% back of what NADA determines as the average value of the package. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, as condition and aesthetics play a huge part in the value of the package. You can also use the "Trade-in Your Boat" page within our website, and let us do the work for you!
When is the best time to buy a boat?
In the past, many buyers would have considered winter the best time to purchase a new boat package. "Boat Show Season" brings vendors from all over the region to compete for sales at local boat and sportsmen's shows. Not to mention boating season is still a few months away for many boaters. Today, these rules need not apply. Many of our great manufacturers offer incredible savings and incentive year round. When you are ready to take that step, we will be here to ensure you get the right boat and the right price.
Why go with an aluminum hull?
The aluminum boat market has absolutely exploded in the Northwest over the past 10 years. There have been some incredible hull design advancements that make the ride of an aluminum hull near equal to that of a fiberglass hull. These boats are built tough and built to fish. Another positive is the ease of maintenance of most aluminum boat packages.
Why go with a fiberglass hull?
Most owners of fiberglass boat packages boast about the excellent ride a fiberglass hull will give its owner. This hull's material and style adds a little more weight to the hull often resulting in a smooth and very quiet ride. The decision on which hull material you choose ultimately takes into account personal preference and aesthetics.
Should I go with an outboard style boat or an I/O style boat package?
The engine style that you choose really depends on how you plan on using the boat package. Most fishermen prefer an outboard engine. This engine style is very easy to maintain year round and can take you into waterways and fishing locations that are shallower than those an I/O engine can navigate. While I/O’s are still used for many fishing applications today, they are much more popular for pleasure style hulls. These engines are great for bowrider packages that are used for skiing. The only downside to an I/O style engine is that it can be a little more work to winterize and maintain throughout the year. They are also much more difficult to replace should there be any major engine issues.
How do I choose the right brand of outboard engine?
There are several things to consider when choosing the outboard engine brand that is right for your needs. Some factors to consider are; manufacturer warranty, history of dependability, aesthetics of the engine (color, design, etc.), engine features (shaft length, starting mechanism, steering systems, trim systems, gauges available, etc.), internal makeup (how does the engine handle brackish water), maintenance schedule (some engines require less maintenance than others), and of course price! We would be happy to answer any questions you may have to help you decide on which outboard engine brand is right for you.
Service & Parts
What is ethanol fuel, and why should I be cautious of it?
Ethanol fuel is a staple at most major gas stations across the U.S. You have probably seen warning stickers at the pump warning you that a particular pump contains ethanol fuel. Its most common form is known is E10. This is a mixture of 90 percent gas and 10 percent ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Ethanol contains about 30% less energy content than gasoline. Ultimately the use of this E10 fuel will cause a slight dip in performance and fuel mileage, and can create even more problems in your fuel system. Ethanol will dissolve in water. As a result, if this E10 fuel is added to a tank containing water, or if water is introduced into a fuel tank containing this fuel, the ethanol will combine with the water, separate from the fuel and sink to the bottom of the tank. This process is called phase separation. If this water mixture is pumped through the fuel system and it passes the water/fuel separating device, engine damage can result. Also, the remaining fuel will now have less ethanol, decreasing the octane in the remaining fuel. This will leave the engine more susceptible to detonation failures. Finally, ethanol is a strong solvent that can dissolve corrosion and debris from fuel system surfaces. Hence, when first introduced to the system, E10 can create a lot of debris in the fuel system. You may have to change fuel filters more often until the system gains more exposure to the E10 fuel. Long story short, this fuel is bad news for marine engines. Unfortunately, it is something that is not going to go away anytime soon. Nearly 80% of our service work these days is fuel related.
Should I use ethanol fuel in my boat package?
If you can find non-ethanol fuel, or "clear gas," it is always the safest way to go. But, this fuel is typically more expensive than E10 fuel and can be very hard to find. Also, it does not always solve the problem. If you choose to use ethanol fuel it is important to take precautions to keep your fuel system healthy. And be sure that the fuel is no more than E10. Some pumps today are offering E15 fuels, which can void the warranty of some of the most prominent engine manufacturers in the business. See some of our recommendations below.
How can I avoid fuel-related issues?
Unfortunately, there is no way that has been 100% proven to stop the effects of E10 fuel. Even those individuals using non-ethanol fuels have reported some fuel related issues. Here are a few precautions that you can use that have helped our customers over the past few years.
i. Run a fuel stabilizing agent. There are hundreds of these on the market today, and we have tried nearly all of them. The product that we recommend is called Star Tron. We use this product in our lawn mowers, company vehicles, shop tanks, etc. While it has by no means eliminated the effects of E10 fuel, it has been a great asset in the fight against these expensive fuel system issues.
ii. Run your boat frequently! We recommend running your boat at least twice per month, even if just on the hose. This helps keep fresh fuel passing through the system. We have found that most issues occur in fuel systems that have sat dormant for more than 30 days.
If you do plan on storing your boat for the season, and there is E10 fuel in the system, it may be beneficial to drain the fuel system before storing the package. We typically drain the fuel tank, carburetors, hoses, etc. and ensure that the fuel filter and water/fuel separator is free of debris or replaced with new ones.
What is a typical maintenance schedule for a new engine?
Please see the engines owner's manual for your engines recommended maintenance schedule. For many popular brands, the manufacturer recommends a standard service at 20 hours, and 100 hours with a more major service recommended at 1000 hours. For optimum performance, it is always a good idea to have standard oil and lube changes at least once per year, depending on how hard you are running your boat.
How do I break in my new engine?
Please see your engine's owner’s manual for the proper break in procedure for your new engine. Many of our popular engine manufacturers recommend running the engine at varying throttle for the first couple of uses. Do not run the engine for any length of time at drastically high or low rpm. Stay away from trolling for long periods of time, and avoid give the package max throttle for long periods of time. This will help you break in the engine properly, and will also allow you to get accustomed to your new engine.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.