As summer winds down and September arrives, many boaters start thinking about the season ahead. While spring and summer may seem like the obvious times to shop for a new boat, the fall months can offer several advantages for buyers. At Travis Marine, we believe the off-season is an excellent time to explore your options, plan your next boat, and take advantage of seasonal opportunities. Our Why Buy Now: The Smart Buyer’s Guide highlights several reasons the fall is a great time to begin the boat-buying process.
Boat Selection:
Smart boat buyers have come to know that our best selection of inventory is available during the Fall months of October, November, and December. Given the popularity of our brands, selection gets very slim as we enter the late Spring through Summer months. In the boating industry, the “off season” is also the only time you can design and order a custom boat. For boat buyers, timing can make a difference. Shopping in September gives you an opportunity to start looking before the traditional fall buying months arrive. Whether you have a particular boat in mind or are still comparing models, getting an early start can give you more time to consider available inventory and options.
Design and Order Your Dream Boat:
Being a seasonal industry, our customers typically do not have the opportunity to personally design and order their dream boat. Making a purchase during the Fall months gives you the time to custom order your boat and have it ready for the upcoming season. When you are making this type of investment, why settle for less than “exactly what you want”? For buyers interested in a custom boat, fall planning can be especially important. Instead of waiting until boating season is already underway, September is an opportunity to begin discussing specifications, features, and the boat you want for the upcoming season. Planning early can also help make the buying experience more relaxed. You can explore your choices, talk through your priorities, and work toward having your new boat ready when the next boating season begins.
Seasonal Boat Savings:
Manufacturers must build boats in the Winter months to support sales through the Spring and Summer months. To do so, they incentivize their distributors to place orders and take deliveries through the off-season months. We then pass these additional seasonal savings on to the buyer. There is absolutely no better time to buy (including the Boat Show) as these discounts fade with the coming Spring. One of the biggest considerations when buying a boat is value. Fall and winter are traditionally important periods in the boating industry, and seasonal programs can create opportunities for buyers who are willing to purchase before spring.
If you’re researching boat prices, new boat deals, or seasonal boat savings, September is a smart time to start the conversation and learn what opportunities may be available.
Best Trade-In Value:
You can avoid an additional year of depreciation. YOUR BOAT WILL BE ONE YEAR OLDER NEXT SPRING. We are also more aggressive with trade-in values this time of year, as we need to restock our pre-owned inventory for next season. If you’re considering trading in your current boat for a new one, the timing of your purchase can also be part of the equation. Rather than waiting until next spring, fall gives you the opportunity to discuss your boat trade-in sooner and explore your options for upgrading.
For current boat owners, this can be a particularly useful time to evaluate what you want from your next boat. Maybe your family has grown, your boating habits have changed, or you’re ready for different features and capabilities. Starting the process in September gives you time to make those decisions before the next boating season.
Service/Storage Savings:
If you trade now, we absorb the cost of your current boat’s winterization, service, and storage. We will have your brand-new boat ready for you in the Spring! For many boat owners, the transition from one boat to another involves more than simply purchasing a new vessel. There is winterization, service, and storage to consider as the current boating season comes to an end.
At Travis Marine, our fall approach is designed to help simplify that transition for qualifying trade-in customers. Instead of putting off the decision until spring, you can begin the process now and work toward having your brand new boat ready for you in the Spring!
Start Planning Your Next Boat This September
Buying a boat is a significant investment, and the right time to start shopping depends on your goals, desired model, and availability. For buyers who want more selection, are interested in a custom order, are considering a trade-in, or want to explore seasonal savings, the fall months offer important opportunities to consider. September is the perfect time to start thinking about what you want your next boating season to look like. From exploring inventory to discussing custom options and trade-in opportunities, Travis Marine can help you take the next step.
When you are making this type of investment, why settle for less than “exactly what you want”?