The Best Time of Year to Buy a New Boat for Deals

JJ Ballew

Customer Service Manager

Buying a boat is an exciting adventure — whether it’s your first boat or an upgrade to your current vessel, the idea of getting on the water is enough to get anyone pumped. But before you take the plunge, there’s one important thing you’ll want to consider: timing. If you’re looking to snag the best deal on a new boat, knowing when to buy is just as important as picking the right boat. So, when is the best time to buy a boat for deals?

1. End of the Season: Fall and Early Winter

One of the best times to buy a new boat is at the end of the boating season, usually in the fall, but extending into early winter.

Dealerships Want to Move Inventory: Boat dealerships are often looking to clear out their current stock at the end of the boating season, especially as they start preparing for the next year’s models. New boats coming in mean the old models need to go. This makes fall a prime time to score discounts on boats, particularly on last year’s models.

Less Demand: Most boaters have already had their fun for the season, and the weather is getting cooler, so demand drops. With fewer people buying, dealerships are often more willing to negotiate on price to make a sale.

End-of-Year Promotions: Many manufacturers and dealerships offer end-of-year promotions to move inventory. These can include cash rebates, discounted prices, and even free add-ons like accessories, extended warranties, or service packages.

2. Winter: Post-Holiday Deals

If you’re willing to wait a little longer, the post-holiday winter months (January and February) can offer excellent deals as well.

The Off-Season: Winter is the off-season for boating. Most people are focused on colder-weather activities, and boating is the last thing on their minds. This means dealerships are more likely to offer steep discounts to entice buyers who are brave enough to shop in the cold months.

Boat Shows: Winter is also the season for boat shows, typically held in January and February in many cities. While boat shows can be a great opportunity to see a wide variety of boats in one place and meet with manufacturers, they can also offer deals or incentives for buying at the show. Boat shows are where manufacturers show off the new models, and dealerships often have great discounts on display models or inventory that they want to move quickly.

End-of-Year Dealer Incentives: While this period falls after the holidays, many dealerships and manufacturers still have leftover incentives from the previous year. This can include manufacturer cash incentives, dealer rebates, or financing deals that carry over from the previous year’s sales goals.

Here at Sportsman we are currently running a great promotion for new model year 2023, 2024 and 2025 boats. To get more details you can check out our Clear The Deck Sales Event

3. Early Spring: Pre-Season Sales

You might be tempted to think that spring, just before boating season begins, would be a good time to buy a new boat. And, in some cases, it is — but it’s not always the best time for the lowest price. Here’s what you need to know about early spring purchases:

Increased Demand: As temperatures rise and people get excited for the boating season, demand begins to pick up. Dealers often raise prices as the season gets closer, so you may not see the deep discounts you would in the fall or winter months. However, you can still find some good deals in early spring if you’re looking at pre-owned or leftover inventory from the previous year.

New Model Year Release: New models usually hit the market in late winter or early spring, and dealerships will want to make room for them. This can result in price cuts on leftover boats from the previous model year. This can be a great opportunity if you’re not hung up on having the absolute newest model but want a boat in excellent condition.

4. What About Summer?

While summer may seem like the ideal time to buy a boat — after all, it’s when people are out enjoying the water — it’s generally not the best time for deals.

Peak Season = Peak Prices: During the summer months, demand for boats is at its highest. People are in the market for a boat to enjoy the current season, and dealerships know this. As a result, prices tend to be higher, and discounts are fewer and farther between. If you’re not in a rush to buy, waiting until the end of the season can save you money.

Fewer Discounts: Since summer is the peak of the boating season, dealerships aren’t as eager to negotiate. Additionally, there are fewer promotions or end-of-season incentives offered during the summer. You're paying more for the convenience of buying when everyone else is.

5. The Sweet Spot: Fall and Winter (For Maximum Savings)

To summarize, the absolute best time to buy a boat for deals is usually in fall or early winter.

• Dealerships are clearing out old stock.

• Prices are lower, with fewer buyers.

• Manufacturers offer deals or rebates to boost end-of-year sales.

• You can catch off-season boat shows for exclusive offers.

If you’re patient, you could snag a great deal on last year’s model, especially if you’re willing to go through the process of negotiating and waiting for the right time.

Buying a new boat is a big investment, and timing can make a huge difference when it comes to getting the best deal. Fall and early winter are generally the best times to buy a boat if you’re looking for discounts and promotions. The offseason means less competition, motivated sellers, and a greater chance to negotiate on price. But don’t forget about post-holiday winter sales or early spring deals on leftover stock.

In short, while there’s no perfect time to buy a boat, buying off-season can save you some serious cash — and get you on the water without the hefty price tag! Don't forget, if you want to get a good deal on a brand-new Sportsman Boat, this is the best deal Sportsman Boats has ever ran — Clear The Deck Sales Event