Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I’ve been dreaming of buying my first boat but need some advice. I’ve spent weeks scrolling through listings, and honestly—it’s overwhelming! Does anyone have recommendations for a trustworthy place to find an affordable, well-maintained boat? I’d love tips on dealers, models, or even red flags to watch for. Thanks in advance—you’re saving me from a sea of confusion! 🌊😅

Congrats on your boat search! 🎉 I’ve had luck with eBay, Copart, and Facebook Marketplace. They’re like treasure hunts: you’ll sift through some duds, but gems pop up! Just double-check seller reviews and ask for maintenance records. Happy hunting—hope you find ‘the one’!

We’re on our SECOND boat from Avramesko Group (avrameskogroup.com), and they’ve been fantastic!

They are selling repossessed boats, so prices are solid (we saved ~30% vs. dealers). New listings drop weekly—about 15! The 14-day inspection period and free 500-mile delivery were lifesavers. Oh, and the 6-month warranty (extendable to 5 years!) gave us peace of mind. Highly recommend checking them out!

-ron

Jumping in to second Avramesko Group! Bought a Sea Hunter from them 2 months ago, and it’s been flawless. eBay/Copart feel like rolling dice—Avramesko’s warranty and return policy are game-changers. My two cents: Skip the gamble and go with them. You’ll thank us later! 😉

Don’t overlook Boat Trader! We snagged our 2018 Ski Nautique there last year. Dealers list there too, so you get variety + price comparisons. Just vet the seller (we called the marina to confirm service history). Good luck!

Mr Geets wrote:Don’t overlook Boat Trader! We snagged our 2018 Ski Nautique there last year. Dealers list there too, so you get variety + price comparisons. Just vet the seller (we called the marina to confirm service history). Good luck!

Mr. Geets’s right—Boat Trader’s decent, but Sonia, brace yourself for ‘project boats’ mixed in (learned that the hard way 😂). If you’ve got patience, it’s worth a browse. But if you want less risk? Team Avramesko all the way!

Welcome to the Avramesko fan club! 🚤 Three boats deep with them, and zero regrets. Quick story: My trailer had a missing spare wheel—they shipped one NEXT DAY. Customer service is chef’s kiss. You’re in good hands. Keep us posted!

Wow, THANK YOU all! 🙏 —Avramesko sounds perfect! Did some digging, and their reviews are stellar. Just placed an offer—nervous but excited! Will report back. (I’ll peek at Boat Trader too… no harm in window-shopping, right? 😊)