Factors in Choosing a Boat

This survey asked about the kinds of things that are (or will be) important to you when you buy your next (or first) boat.

Total respondents: 4

Would you prefer a new or used boat? Or does it matter? 
50%
 New
25%
 Used
25%
 Doesn't matter

We're assuming you have a target price for your boat. When it actually comes time to buy a boat, will you:
25%
 Stick to the budget
75%
 Be willing to go over budget by a limited amount for the right boat?
0%
 Be willing to go over budget by a large amount for the right boat?

How important are the following to you when buying a boat:
Not
Important
 
Very
Important
No
Opinion
  The total price of the boat, motor and trailer
 
 
 
25%
75%
 
  The boat is the best technical fit for my needs
 
 
 
 
100%
 
  The HULL manufacturer has a good reputation for making a quality product
 
 
 
25%
75%
 
  The HULL manufacturer has a good reputation for customer service
 
25%
 
 
75%
 
  The MOTOR manufacturer's reputation of making a quality product
 
 
 
 
100%
 
Not
Important
 
Very
Important
No
Opinion
  The MOTOR manufacturer's reputation for customer service
 
 
25%
 
75%
 
  Buying a boat from the current model year
25%
25%
25%
 
25%
 
  Fuel capacity
 
 
 
25%
75%
 
  Maximum cruising speed
 
 
25%
75%
 
 
  Lots of storage areas and rod carrying capacity
 
 
 
50%
50%
 
Not
Important
 
Very
Important
No
Opinion
  A good interior layout for fishing
 
 
 
 
100%
 
  The boat's appearance and styling
 
 
25%
50%
25%
 
  The material the boat's hull is made of (aluminum, fiberglass, wood, etc.)
 
 
25%
25%
50%
 
  The type of motors available (2-stroke outboard, 4-stroke outboard, etc.)
 
 
 
25%
75%
 
  Creature comforts, like comfortable seating, spray protection, etc.
 
 
 
25%
75%
 
Not
Important
 
Very
Important
No
Opinion
  High-quality deck hardware, marine-grade wiring, etc. in the boat rigging
 
 
 
 
100%
 
  Quality workmanship - such as storage compartments with finished interiors, well-finished corners and joints, backing plates, clean wiring, etc.
 
 
25%
25%
50%
 
  The physical size of the boat (length, height, width)
 
 
25%
 
75%
 
  Fuel economy
 
 
 
50%
50%
 
  Recommendations of friends
 
 
50%
25%
25%
 
Not
Important
 
Very
Important
No
Opinion
  Recommendation of other owners
 
 
25%
25%
50%
 
  Recommendations of a Marine Surveyor
 
 
50%
25%
25%
 
  Being able to take a test drive
 
 
 
50%
50%
 
  Product reviews in print, web, or TV
 
 
25%
50%
25%
 
  A hull warranty of at least 5 years
 
 
25%
 
75%
 
Not
Important
 
Very
Important
No
Opinion
  A hull warranty of 5-10 years
 
 
25%
25%
25%
25%
  A lifetime hull warranty
 
 
25%
25%
50%
 
  Being able to buy the boat and motor as a package
 
 
 
50%
25%
25%
  Being able to pick the hull and motor separately
 
 
50%
 
25%
25%
  Having a dealer within 10 miles of home
25%
 
25%
25%
25%
 
Not
Important
 
Very
Important
No
Opinion
  Having a dealer within 60 miles of home
50%
 
 
25%
25%
 
  Having a dealer within 120 miles of home
50%
 
 
 
50%
 
  The dealer's reputation for fairness, good deals
 
 
25%
 
75%
 
  The dealer's reputation for rigging fishing boats
 
 
25%
 
75%
 
  The dealer service department's reputation for good work, fixing problems right the first time
 
 
25%
 
75%
 
Not
Important
 
Very
Important
No
Opinion
  Having a salesman you can trust
 
 
25%
50%
25%
 
  The financing deals available through the dealer
 
 
50%
25%
25%