Now might be the best time to buy a boat in SWFL

Boats in downtown Fort Myers are up for grabs, and now might be the best time to buy because savings during this time of year may be the best compared to any other.

“Interest rates are very good right now, said Bob Schmidt with Marker 5 Financial Services.

Schmidt says this is a good time to be in the boat selling business.

“It’s very competitive out there,” Schmidt said. “They’re not as low as a home equity line or something like that, but they’re very favorable.”

Schmidt said people who come out to the Fort Myers Boat Show looking to buy should to be ready to put 10% down for most boats available. For big-ticket boats, potential buyers likely will need 20% down to get those low rates.

“Our industry’s been booming these last few years,” Schmidt said.

Someone else who agrees with him Schmidt is Bryan Waid of Fort Myers Marine. When asked if now is a good time to buy, Waid agrees now “absolutely” a good time.

“People have been buying more boats because they can get financed for the boat that they want rather than buying something that they don’t necessarily want, but it’s less expensive,” Waid said. “If we can maintain the course, rather than going way up or way down, I think it’s beneficial for everybody.”

Boats are on display in the water throughout Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers and on the streets downtown for the Fort Myers Boat Show through Sunday. Tickets for the show are $13 for adults. Kids under 16 get in free with a paid adult.