By Jason Sealock for The Morning News

Springfield, Missouri - Planning to buy a new bass boat this year or next? Well with so many manufacturers, options, and dealers in the market, the act of buying a boat can be a daunting task for anyone. Questions like what size engine, what type of engine, what brand of engine, and what type of propeller require numerous decisions, and that's only the outboard motor. Then you have options for depth finders, trolling motors, chargers, storage, consoles, seats, and the list goes on for days.
    According to Lloyd Eckley, owner of Center City Marine in Springfield, Missouri, quality and price are the two most important aspects for a consumer when deciding which boat to buy. He and his son, Terry, have been running Center City Marine and selling boats for 18 years now, and they sell nearly 200 units a year. They carry a wide selection of fishing boats including Skeeter, BassCat, Lund, G3, Gambler, and Smokercraft. That's a lot of experience by any standards.
    In determining the quality of a boat, Eckley recommends that a customer do some research. Research the manufacturers background and see how they are currently performing in the market. He also recommends a customer factor in how long the manufacturer has been making boats, and scrutinize the design of the boat in terms of construction, materials, and even down to the shape of the boat.
    Along those same lines, it's a good idea to do that same research on delearships. Find out if a dealership has a good track record and if other customers would buy another boat from them. "We want the repeat business, so we want to take care of our customers. We have a good reputation because we treat people like we want to be treated and we want that customer to tell their friends about us. We focus on taking care of that person after the sell," Eckley said.
    Let's face it, buying a boat is an investment. A good boat, motor, and trailer will last 10 or more years with minimal maintenance. So it pays to shop around and be picky. Look for rebates and discounts, but don't get hung up on price alone. "More and more we are finding that people are more interested in quality over price. Because a boat is such a huge investment, you want something that's going to last and something that's going to have a good resale when you're ready for an upgrade," Eckley said.
    After the sale, Eckley recommends consumers bring their boat back for a checkup. Center City offers new boat owners the manufacturer recommended 10 or 20 hour break-in period checkup. They will hook your outboard up to sensors and computers and monitor the engine to make sure it's performing as expected. This will give a new boat owner piece of mind.
    "Skeeter is our top seller," said Eckley. The fish and skis are popular, and the bass boats sell themselves according to Eckley. Skeeter has an elite line of bass boats called the ZX Series. Then they have their value priced line, the SX series. Beyond that, you'll find their SL series for those who like to fish and to ski or just cruise around the lake with the family. They even offer deep hull and saltwater boats. Eckley says it's Skeeter's quality and the variety in their line of boats that makes them their best sellers.
    As far as outboards go, Eckley gives the Yamaha engines high marks. "We just don't see any Yamaha's in our service shop," he said. "Our service department keeps us up to date on what engines are getting brought back and what options seem to have the most trouble." And Yamaha has always been known for establishing good repore with their dealers, and that translates to better discounts and prices for customers.
    "1/2 ton pickups or SUV's with V-8 engines seem suited to pulling your larger top of the line boats, while a V-6 will generally do fine for boats smaller than 18 feet," Eckley added. Be sure to have the necessary wiring harness, a porperly sized hitch and ball for towing boats. A good dealership will be able to help you prep your vehicle for towing or at least recommend a place to help you.
    I have bought from Center City Marine and that positive experience is what prompted me to do this article. I own a Skeeter TZX-190 with a fuel injected Yamaha VMAX 150hp. My intention was not to sell you on Skeeter but to sell you on the benefits of shopping around and taking the time to find a dealership that will take care of you. Hopefully this will help you prepare for buying a boat in the future.
    Feel free to call Lloyd or Terry toll free at Center City Marine at (866) 876-2628. They will steer you in the right direction and even help you value a boat you want to sell or that you might be looking to buy. They're there to help you. Tell them Jason sent you and you're sure to have a positive experience.