Timing is crucial for buying anything. And similarly, for boats, if you buy the boat at the correct time and the correct place, you may save some money; otherwise, you may have to spend extra on that. So, are boats cheaper in Florida? Or is it the same as buying one in your home state?
Boats are around 5% cheaper in Florida than other states because the demand is steady throughout the year since more boats are available in Florida (new and used) than in other states. It also needs high maintenance due to high temperatures & salinity, and long boating season drives the price down.
You will see an increase in price on boats in the boating season due to high demand in other states. Since year-round temperatures are favorable for boating in Florida (it gives no offseason for boating), the boat prices will be moderate year-round than other states (even in summer, you may see low prices in Florida than other states).
Another main reason for price reduction is due to a decrease in the boat’s life due to saltwater and the sunlight (high temperatures) in Florida, which fades and corrodes the boat easily and quickly. A lot of maintenance is required, so there is a bit of a discount on price all the time in Florida.
Due to that, many boaters will constantly be upgrading their boats to newer ones and selling the old ones—lots of used (and new) boats available. Lots of available boats drive the market price down. That HUGE supply of boats down there and in general, the higher the supply, the lower the price.
We will now see some of the popular boat (both new and used boats) discounts you may get in Florida. Those values are just average (approximate) values. Sometimes, you may get more discounts, and sometimes, you may not get a good deal.
| Boat type | New boat average price | The discount you may get for a new boat in winter | Used boat average price | The discount you may get for a used boat in winter |
| Pontoon boat | $ 40,000.00 | around 3 – 6% (approximately 1,000 – 3,000 dollars) | $ 25,000.00 | around 4 – 10% (approximately 2,000 – 4,000 dollars) |
| Jet boat | $ 52,000.00 | around 4 – 8% (approximately 2,000 – 4,000 dollars) | $ 30,000.00 | around 5 – 8% (approximately 2,000 – 4,000 dollars) |
| Jon boat | $ 2,000.00 | around 5 – 10% (approximately 100 – 300 dollars) | $ 1,000.00 | around 3 – 10% (approximately 200 – 350 dollars) |
| Bowrider | $ 35,000.00 | around 2 – 5% (approximately 1,000 – 3,000 dollars) | $ 25,000.00 | around 5 – 8% (approximately 2,000 – 4,000 dollars) |
| Deck boats | $ 30,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 1,500 – 3,000 dollars) | $ 20,000.00 | around 3 – 6% (approximately 1,000 – 3,500 dollars) |
| Bass boats | $ 25,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 2,000 – 3,500 dollars) | $ 15,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 1,000 – 2,000 dollars) |
| Skiff boats | $ 25,000.00 | around 4 – 9% (approximately 1,000 – 3,000 dollars) | $ 15,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 1,000 – 2,500 dollars) |
| Bay boats | $ 45,000.00 | around 2 – 5% (approximately 1,500 – 4,000 dollars) | $ 30,000.00 | around 4 – 9% (approximately 3,000 – 5,000 dollars) |
| Sailboat | $ 50,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 3,000 – 7,000 dollars) | $ 30,000.00 | around 7 – 10% (approximately 4,000 – 7,000 dollars) |
| Personal watercraft | $ 15,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 1,000 dollars) | $ 7,000.00 | around 5 – 8% (approximately 1,000 – 1,500 dollars) |
By looking at those values, you may get some idea about the discount you may get if you purchase a boat (new or used boat) in Florida. And those values are just average (approximate) values. Sometimes, you may get more, and sometimes, you may get less.
Reasons why boats are cheaper in Florida
We will now see some of the reasons why boats are cheaper in Florida than other states in a detailed way. (And some of the reasons may sound like drawbacks (which can concern many people, and that’s one of the reasons why they decrease the price a bit in Florida).)
1. Lots of boats will be on sale (more volume)
The U.S. state of Florida had the highest number of registered recreational boating vessels in 2019, with almost 936 thousand (source). With year-round temperatures favorable for boating, Florida is one of the states which are perfect for hitting the water most of the time in a year.
Florida has a never-ending boating season, and many people boat in Florida year-round, even during winter, unlike in other states where they don’t. And many boaters will constantly be upgrading their boats to newer ones and selling the old ones—lots of used (and new) boats available. Lots of available boats drive the market price down.
There are often more boats for sale in Florida than any other place. For example, if you go to the boat trader website and select Florida as the state, it tells how many boats are for sale in the state, and that number will always be higher than many other states.
That’s only with the boat trader website, but there will definitely be many more boats in sales on other websites and in offline stores as well. Lots of available boats drive the market price down. So, lots of boats in Florida are one of the reasons why boats are cheaper in Florida state compared to other states.
2. Long-lasting boating season will decrease the demand
Unlike in northern states where the temperature goes down very low or negatives in some states. In Florida, it isn’t like that; with year-round temperatures favorable for boating, Florida is one of the states which are perfect for hitting the water most of the time in a year.
Given Florida’s advantageous climate, boating season never really ends in a sense; practically every day can be an excellent time to get out onto the water. That long-lasting boating season will allow many boaters to spend some time and use their boats throughout the year.
When the demand is at peaks (like in summer in some other states), the prices will max out at those times, and vise versa is true. Since the demand is the same (moderate) throughout the year in Florida, the boat prices are moderate (cheaper) in Florida throughout the year.
Due to the moderate demand for boats in Florida (no sudden incline or decline in demand), the boat prices are moderate throughout the year. So, the long-lasting boating season in Florida is one of the reasons why boats are cheaper in Florida compared to other states.
3. Florida’s waters are salty, which affects the boat (the most)
Lots of boats on sales and long-lasting boating season are the two main reasons why boats are cheaper in Florida. The other side of the problems are maintenance problems (saltwater and high temperatures); since Florida’s waters are more saline than others, boats often get many problems.
The salinity of the water in Florida is more, which causes more wear and tear. This indeed needs more maintenance down the line, which can be a burden for many people; to reduce that, the boat dealers cut down the prices a bit so that people will buy boats without worrying about saltwater.
Saltwater is 5 times more corrosive than fresh water. So saltwater affects the boat more than any other waters. The affected objects are not only metal parts; there are some others as well. Here are the things that get affected by saltwater in the boat.
- Boat hull (constructed material)
- Outboard or inboard or i/o motor and its parts
- Trim tabs
- Anchor and anchor line
- Bottom paint will wear off or fade out quickly
- Electric hardware and bolts
Related post – Check my article on the Effects of saltwater on boats to know all those effects in a detailed way and some essential methods to prevent most of those effects.
4. High temperatures in Florida will affect the boat
Higher temperatures and sun will fade out the boat easily and quickly than any others. The boat’s paint will get faded out easily and quickly due to higher sunlight. The sun crazes fiberglass, and that constant spray demolishes the canvas and manufactures hardware as well.
More sunshine also equals more wear and tear, fading. But, nothing is harder on a boat that the freeze/thaw. It seems that the more freeze/thaws you have, the worse it is. Florida’s sun and salt damages are really mostly cosmetic, freezing giving delamination.
That indeed needs more maintenance down the line, which can be a burden for many people; to reduce that, the boat dealers cut down the prices a bit so that people will buy boats without worrying about temperatures. Going in extreme weather can sometimes cause health-related problems as well.
Combining high temperature with salt water will damage the boat easily and quickly. So, those two are other essential reasons why boats are cheaper in Florida compared to other states.
5. More maintenance is required for a boat in Florida
A lot better and more expensive care is required for Southern boats (in Florida) than of Northern boats. A boat requires more maintenance in Florida than in other states because the water in Florida is salty, causing more wear and tear. And higher temperatures and more sunshine also cause more wear and tear, fading down the line.
More maintenance is required for a boat down the line in Florida than in other states, which can be a burden for many people; to reduce that, the boat dealers cut down the prices a bit so that people will buy boats without worrying much about spending more money on maintenances in Florida.
The more salinity and sun year-round do depreciate the boats faster, one cannot discount the economics. And a boat also gets damaged easily compared to other states. So, extra maintenance is another reason why boats are cheaper in Florida compared to other states.
The boaters will then sell the boat quickly compared to in other regions, so a lot of boats in sales throughout the year can definitely drive the market price down. Overall, those are some of the reasons why boats are a bit cheaper in Florida compared to other states.
Benefits of buying a boat in Florida
The main and primary benefit of buying a boat in Florida is boats are cheaper in Florida compared to other states due to lots of boats available out there and that HUGE supply of boats down there and in general, the higher the supply, the lower the price.
If you are not living in Florida, buying one would benefit you a lot due to a decrease in price than in your home state. And Florida has some of the largest and widest variety of boat dealers in the country. Many people visit Florida to get a good deal on a boat, and Florida offers tax benefits to encourage those purchases.
However, purchasers from out-of-state need to plan ahead for the potential tax consequences when the boat is registered in the home state. Florida entices nonresidents to purchase a boat in Florida by giving a tax break to those purchasers. Check this Florida sales tax website to know more about the taxes.
Drawbacks of buying a boat in Florida
Possible one drawback of buying a boat in Florida for a non-resident is transportation charges. If you buy a boat there and the delivery charges and all other expenses take more money than what you are saving on the boat, buying the boat in Florida is a waste of money.
But, if you think you’ve found a boat that is a good deal, and you cannot find one close to you, and the additional cost of driving, etc., still makes it a good deal, then why not go for it? And many people had bought boats from Florida to their home states.
Another drawback is sometimes you may find fewer discounts on newer boats. Here and there, people will tell new boats aren’t cheaper in Florida, and the transportation and other expenses may exceed your saving on the boat. So, you need to be aware of that as well.
When else can you expect boats on sale? (In other states)
Boats mostly go on sale during the offseason times (winter and fall ending) and even at the boat shows. However, you can see sales during other days, but the chances are less, and sometimes you may see a small decrease in the price compared to in winter & fall ending or at boat shows.
You can expect anywhere between a 5% to 13% decrease in price (discount) than on other days in winter. At boat shows, you can expect a 3% to 8% decrease in price. Those are average and approximate values; sometimes, you may get more, and sometimes you may get less.
Related post – Check my article on When do boats go on sales to know the reasons, benefits, and drawbacks of buying a boat on sale in a detailed way.
Are boats cheaper in the winter?
Boats are 5% to 13% cheaper in winter compared to other seasons such as summer, spring, and fall. But, it still depends on the place where you live, but often prices will go down a bit by the end of the fall & winter and bounces back to normal (higher) prices in the summer and by the end of spring.
The price drop depends on so many factors, such as seasonality (mainly), a brand, the place where you live, etc. We will now see some of the popular boat (both new and used boats) discounts you may get in winter or at the end of fall.
NOTE – These values are approximate and average values. Sometimes you may get more discounts, and sometimes you may get fewer discounts.
| Boat type | New boat average price | The discount you may get for a new boat in winter | Used boat average price | The discount you may get for a used boat in winter |
| Pontoon boat | $ 40,000.00 | around 6 – 8 (9)% (approximately 1,500 – 5,000 dollars) | $ 25,000.00 | around 9 – 13% (approximately 2,500 – 6,000 dollars) |
| Jet boat | $ 52,000.00 | around 6 – 9% (approximately 3,000 – 7,000 dollars) | $ 30,000.00 | around 10 – 14% (approximately 4,000 – 9,000 dollars) |
| Jon boat | $ 2,000.00 | around 5 – 10% (approximately 100 – 300 dollars) | $ 1,000.00 | around 7 – 11% (approximately 200 – 450 dollars) |
| Bowrider | $ 35,000.00 | around 7 – 10% (approximately 2,000 – 5,000 dollars) | $ 25,000.00 | around 9 – 13% (approximately 2,500 – 6,500 dollars) |
| Deck boats | $ 30,000.00 | around 10% (approximately 2,500 – 6,000 dollars) | $ 20,000.00 | around 10 – 12% (approximately 3,000 – 6,500 dollars) |
| Bass boats | $ 25,000.00 | around 7 – 13% (approximately 2,000 – 6,500 dollars) | $ 15,000.00 | around 9 – 14% (approximately 2,500 – 7,500 dollars) |
| Skiff boats | $ 25,000.00 | around 6 – 9% (approximately 1,000 – 3,000 dollars) | $ 15,000.00 | around 8 – 12% (approximately 2,500 – 4,500 dollars) |
| Bay boats | $ 45,000.00 | around 8 – 9% (approximately 4,000 – 8,000 dollars) | $ 30,000.00 | around 9 – 13% (approximately 6,000 – 10,000 dollars) |
| Sailboat | $ 50,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 5,000 – 8,000 dollars) | $ 30,000.00 | around 8 – 10% (approximately 7,000 – 9,000 dollars) |
| Personal watercraft | $ 15,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 1,000 dollars) | $ 7,000.00 | around 6 – 9% (approximately 1,000 – 2,000 dollars) |
Related post – Check my article on Are boats cheaper in the winter to know the reasons why they are cheaper (for both used boats and new boats) along with benefits and drawbacks in a detailed way.
Are boats cheaper at boat shows?
Boats are 3% to 8% cheaper at boat shows compared to buying at a dealer. That’s an average discount, and it can vary, and sometimes, you may get extended warranties on a boat and outboard motor instead of discounts. You can expect about 4% or 5% on a boat at a boat show than at the dealer.
Definitely, there will be a drop in price at boat shows than at dealers. How much you will get may depend on so many factors such as type of boat, the brand you are getting from, location, etc. So, the right (correct) answer is, “IT DEPENDS.”
But don’t worry; there will be some form of discounts on a boat either as a discount or extended warranties on a boat or outboard. We will now see some of the popular boat discounts you may get at boat shows. These values are approximate and average values.
Note – These are just average prices of the boats and average discounts you may get on that boat. In some places, you may get more, and in some places, you may get less. These are just average (approximate) values.
| Boat type | Average price | The discount you may get on the boat at a boat show |
| Pontoon boat | $ 40,000.00 | around 3% (approximately 1,000 – 2,500 dollars) |
| Jet boat | $ 52,000.00 | around 3 – 5% (approximately 1,500 – 3,000 dollars) |
| Bowrider | $ 35,000.00 | around 4 – 5% (approximately 1,000 – 2,000 dollars) |
| Deck boats | $ 30,000.00 | around 5% (approximately 1,000 – 2,000 dollars) |
| Bass boats | $ 25,000.00 | around 4 – 7% (approximately 1,000 – 2,000 dollars) |
| Skiff boats | $ 25,000.00 | around 6% (approximately 1,500 – 2,000 dollars) |
| Bay boats | $ 45,000.00 | around 4 – 7% (approximately 2,000 – 4,000 dollars) |
| Sailboat | $ 50,000.00 | around 5 – 8% (approximately 3,000 – 5,000 dollars) |
| Personal watercraft | $ 15,000.00 | around 3% (approximately 500 – 1,000 dollars) |
Related post – Check my article on Are boats cheaper at boat shows to know the reasons why boats are cheaper at boat shows and the benefits and drawbacks in a detailed way.
Key takeaways
Boats are relatively cheaper in Florida than other states because lots of used (and new) boats are available. And the long-lasting boating season will not suddenly increase the demand in any season (particularly). So, lots of available boats and never-ending boating season drive the market price down.
Other reasons why boats are cheaper in Florida is extra maintenance is required for boats due to extreme weather and salt waters than in other states. Those are some of the reasons why boats are cheaper in Florida compared to other states in the USA.
The U.S. state of Florida had the highest number of registered recreational boating vessels in 2019, with almost 936 thousand (source). With year-round temperatures favorable for boating, Florida is one of the states which are perfect for hitting the water most of the time in a year.
So, lots of available boats and never-ending boating season drive the market price down. That HUGE supply of boats down there in Florida and in general, the higher the supply, the lower the price.
