New or Used? – The Cash Flow Conundrum

Right, so you’ve walked through the preceding steps, and decided which boat you think comes closest to your own style and needs. Now the question – new or used? Buying a brand-new squirt can be an expensive proposition depending upon the boat you want, where you’re located, the kind of layup and graphics you want, etc. There are a fair number of used boats on the market today, so buying a second-hand boat may be a good option if cash flow is an issue, and you’re willing to put in the time to wait until you find one that closely matches your dimensions and desired cut.


Buying New

Buying new guarantees that you have control over every step of the process, from the moment the resin is poured into the mould to the day you take possession of the finished boat. You get to order the exact layup you want, design your own graphics (if you so desire; given a price range and carte blanche to work their magic, builders usually come up with some great-looking glitterwork on their own), and have the boat cut to exactly the comfort and performance level you choose. There’s often the opportunity to have a “float-cut” done, where you visit the builder and have the boat custom-tailored through what will likely be several cycles of having the two halves of the boat cut, taped together, and floated (with you inside) to see how the boat is trimmed, how high it floats, etc. Through this process, the performance can be dialed in to a point where the boat responds to the slightest weight shift or paddle stroke.

 

 

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