1. Make sure you review the online BoatUS Guide to Buying and Selling a Boat at www.BoatUS.com/guide.  This comprehensive guide explains the buying process including pricing, sales contracts and sea trials.

2. Once you have your eye on a particular boat and before you start negotiating, get a “Value Check” from the BoatUS Value Check service at www.BoatUS.com/buyer/valueform.  Unlike “Blue Books,” we’ll share with you the actual recent prices BoatU.S. members paid for the same model.

3. Sign Up: For the weekly online BoatUS Classified Ads E-Newsletters at www.BoatUS.com/classifiedsnewsletter.  Take your pick of powerboat, sailboat, fishing boat and trailer boat classifieds.

4. If the used boat you have your eyes on could “talk” to you, what would it say?  Find out by going to the online BoatUS Consumer Protection Database at www.BoatUS.com/consumerdatabase, or by calling 703-461-2856.  It’s the only source of consumer complaints and safety information reported by boat owners, the US Coast Guard, manufacturers, marine surveyors and marine technicians.

5. Get a thorough, professional inspection from a marine surveyor who can point out a boat’s hidden flaws or other items that may help you negotiate a better price or avoid a problem boat. You’ll find a roster of surveyors at www.BoatUS.com/surveyors.

6. Get free advice:  Post your boat purchase question on the message boards at www.BoatUS.com/forum where fellow boaters can share their own knowledge or experience with a particular boat. You can also post a question at the new Boat Group forums at www.BoatUS.com/boatgroups.

7. Need financing? Apply online for a boat loan or get US Coast Guard documentation (sometimes needed for larger vessels) at www.BoatUS.com/boatloans.  If you’re not using a boat broker, BoatUS also offers a Settlement Service to help make the purchase process more secure at www.BoatUS.com/boatloans/service.

8. If you plan on insuring your boat you can learn about BoatUS policies, damage avoidance program or get a free online quote at www.BoatUS.com/insurance.

BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 members with government representation, programs and money saving services.  For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

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