Anyone considering buying a boat in 2024 or 2025 should know that a lot has changed in just the last few years. The market, the available options, and the selling points of common styles have all shifted in meaningful ways. Before you go out to buy a pontoon boat, bowrider, or something else, take a moment to dispel a few common misconceptions and prepare for what’s out there today.
How Boats Have Changed Over Time: Price, Styles & Features
There are three main types of boats most folks will consider for lake recreation: pontoons, center consoles, and bowriders. Each style has naturally evolved and improved over time, but recent changes have been quick — so quick that public perceptions haven’t yet caught up with the reality on the water.
The Price of Buying a Boat Today
One of the most immediately noticeable and often surprising changes is a common element across all three styles: rising prices. The cost of buying a pontoon boat, center console, or bowrider has gone up substantially over the last 4-5 years.
Pandemic lockdowns in 2020 were a major player in this price hike. It was a supply and demand issue. As indoor social gatherings and activities went on hold, people gravitated towards outdoor recreation options like boating. Lots of buyers met limited supplies of available boats, and prices went up.
A combination of other forces also conspired to ramp up sticker prices, including inflation, supply chain and material availability pressures, and workforce issues. As Chris Perera, an owner of boating news and listing websites, explains, “All these things have created the perfect storm. We are seeing double-digit per cent price increases in boats since 2019.”
According to National Marine Manufacturers Association data, the average retail price of a new outboard boat with an engine went up by 44% in just three years between 2019 to 2022. By 2024, the market had somewhat stabilized, but prices haven’t gone back down.
On top of sticker prices, services for boats are often not considered, but important to budget before purchasing. Boats will need service and storage over their years of ownership, too, which can impact any cost considerations when buying and owning a boat.
What to Look For When Buying a Pontoon Boat
Boat owners who are transitioning from other styles as well as buyers who are new to boating are often skeptical of pontoons. A lingering misconception persists that these boats are slow party barges, but the reality is that they’re much sportier now than many boating enthusiasts realize.
The engines, pontoon design, and other design elements of pontoons have changed a lot in the last few years. With current horsepower and designs that are better at cornering and handling rough water, a pontoon boat can be a great option for cruising around a lake, pulling an inflatable tube, and enjoying a versatile boating experience.
There are also so many options now that many buyers find pontoon boat shopping overwhelming. From performance to layout, motor size, a “tritoon” design, and more, you could have a dozen options on the same size class of pontoon boat.
Updates to the bowrider and deck boat market
Back in the day, an inboard/outboard motor was the go-to for performance, quiet operation, and reliability. However, there’s been a marked shift away from inboard/outboard styles and in favor of fully outboard engines. These types of boat engines used to be associated with smelly, loud exhaust, but this is no longer the case.
Modern outboard motors are not only less expensive to own and operate, but easier to service, very clean, and quiet. More and more boat buyers are opting for outboard engine configurations when they buy a bowrider as the best combination of efficiency, simplicity, and power.
What to Look For When Buying a Center Console Boat
Center console boats used to be considered purely fishing-oriented watercraft. A common concern for boat buyers considering one of these boats is whether there will be too little seating for recreational family outings.
Don’t count out a center console in your search, though. Newer models in this category are far more comfortable, spacious, and packed with amenities than the fishing boats of yesteryear. You can think of a center console design as more of a family/fishing hybrid watercraft that’s the ideal balance for someone who likes to go out alone and cast a line, but also likes to cruise the kids out to the sandbar on the weekends.
See Current Options From North Water Marine
No matter whether you’re in the market for an all-new boat or a pre-owned option in great condition, North Water Marine has numerous options to browse and evaluate. We can provide you with all the information you need to compare Coach Pontoons and Qwest Pontoons, Carolina Skiffs, Sea Chasers, Stingrays, and other favorite brands across a wide range of models and styles.
Getting it right is the most important thing — to you and to us. Our top priority is that the boat you choose matches what you’re looking for and fits with your budget. If you’re looking for guidance or advice, we’re happy to chip in. A lot of factors can go into the total lifetime cost of owning a boat, and our professional team will help you evaluate each part of the decision. Get in touch today.