After years of deliberating, I finally did it. I bought a boat! Now, my family has always owned boats, and I work at a boating magazine; so I’m no stranger to the lifestyle, but this was the first boat that was solely mine.
I’m 32 years old, so you may ask, why did it take me so long to pull the trigger? A few good reasons. For one, I hadn’t found the right boat (until now) that both fit my budget and my wish list. Two: we often joke that working for SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk won’t make you rich. This is one of the best jobs you can get paid to do, but we aren’t exaggerating on the ‘rich’ part. We do it because we love it. With that in mind, boats are an expensive luxury. We don’t need them, no matter how much we may want them, and I am a young professional with plenty of other necessary living expenses. But boats are a passion, and for some an obsession. And I finally got to the point where I was done waiting. I needed a boat.
Last spring I looked at a few used boats on Craigslist, one seriously, but either they needed too much work, were too expensive, or sold immediately before I could even see them in person. It got to the point where I was starting to give up hope. It seemed as though another summer would go by where I would have to rely on OPBs (other people’s boats). With used boats moving so quickly and having a few interactions with potentially deceitful sellers, I wasn’t feeling great about the whole process.
Then, in late June, I was out with a friend when my dad texted me a listing from Riverside Marine in Essex, MD, a long-time PropTalk supporter. It was for a 2019 Bayliner Element E18 with a 90-hp Mercury outboard. And it looked practically brand new. I immediately wrote back, “We need to see it tomorrow.”
The previous spring, I had an appointment with Riverside to see a smaller Element, but the boat sold before I could get there. This one was newer, larger, appeared to be in better condition, and was reasonably priced. It was too late to call the dealership that night, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I called them first thing in the morning and headed over as soon as they opened.
Upon arriving at Riverside Marine, another individual was already looking at the boat. I began to panic. Thankfully, they moved on to a larger model, and I could finally step aboard the boat I had already come to think of as mine. I am normally an indecisive person, but that was probably the fastest I have ever made a decision. My dad and I looked at each other, trying not to appear too eager, but we both knew... I said, “YES!”
I asked the salesman what the next steps would be. I felt confident in my decision, despite making it so fast, and here’s why: He said that to hold the boat, I needed to put down a $1000 deposit that was fully refundable. The boat had only one previous owner and was purchased from Riverside Marine. It had only recently come into their posession, but after putting down a deposit, Riverside’s mechanics would do a thorough inspection of the boat, motor, and trailer. If anything was found to be amiss, I had the option of getting my deposit back if I wished. Normally I wouldn’t advocate for a split second decision, but I had done my homework ahead of time. I knew that this was the model I wanted, and I trusted the seller. I had done my due diligence, which is all you can really do.
Thankfully the only issue found was a minor defect in the bimini, and they replaced the whole thing (which was incredibly generous). This was one of the smoothest purchases I have ever made, and I still have zero buyer’s remorse.
Prior to this, when my dad or I would occasionally find a used boat online, I just kept saying that I would prefer to buy a boat from someone I trusted. Riverside Marine is a fantastic family-owned company, and they have supported PropTalk for many years. So, I already felt like I was making a smart decision by going with them, and any lingering nerves about the whole process were completely assuaged thanks to their excellent team.
My salesman, Scott, walked me through the initial process of looking at the boat and answered any questions we had about its history and that model of Bayliner specifically. Mike in the finance department patiently and thoroughly explained the application process (I financed the purchase). And on the day I took my Bayliner home, I first went out on the water with one of their captains who went over every inch of the boat to make sure I was comfortable with both how it ran and each and every system, from the radio to the anchor locker to the bilge pump. Riverside really treats their customers well, and it shows. They want to make sure everyone is set up for success (whether purchasing a new boat or a used one, and whether it costs $150,000 or $15,000). I can’t say enough about how un-stressful the entire process was.
I took delivery of my boat on July 3, and I absolutely love it. I don’t have a name yet, but I have a strong contender. I’ll let you know when I know. I also plan to share more thoughts on my new-to-me vessel at the end of the season, so stay tuned. For now, all I can say is that boat buying can be a stressful process, but sometimes you just know. And when you know, don’t wait.
Buy the boat!
By Kaylie Jasinski