Jon boats are one of the most popular models found on Pennsylvania waters. They are small, easy to trailer and cost far less than fiberglass models. If you have every thought about adding a jon boat to your fishing experience now is a perfect time – owners are upgrading before summer so some good deals can be had.

But how do you know if you are getting a good deal or the next Titanic? How much can you spend?

As with most big purchases, it is important to set a spending limit in advance. Here are some questions to ask yourself when determining your personal limit.

• Will you be paying cash or financing? Paying with anything but cash will add to the overall, long term cost of your purchase.

• How or where will you store the boat? Unless you have space in your driveway you will need to rent a slip or storage space for your new boat.

• Have you considered the registration cost? Every state requires motorized boats, including those equipped with an electric motor, to be registered. Pennsylvania may also require titling, depending on the size of the jon boat. Although titling is a one-time cost, the registration will be reoccurring.

• Incidentals. Aside from the boat, trailer and registration fees, you will also need the required safety equipment. Life jackets, sound-producing devices, flares (depending on where you will be using your boat) and even the fire extinguisher are required and come at a cost.

Once you have determined your budget and deducted the fees and equipment mentioned above, stick to it; more importantly, be prepared to walk away from a deal that is more than you can afford.

WHERE TO SHOP

There are multiple options for where to buy a used jon boat. Obviously, you can head to a local boat dealer. You can also cruise the neighborhood and see what is sitting along the road with a for sale sign hanging from the bow. Then there is the Internet. A growing number of buyers are turning to online sale pages, used boat forums and even social media for their next boat. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but all are possible sources of great deals.

WHAT TYPE OF JON BOAT

DO YOU NEED?

One of the benefits of the jon boat is its versatility. They come in a wide range of sizes and can be configured for a variety of activities, ranging from hunting or fishing to enjoying a day on the water with your family. Before you can select the perfect boat for you, you need to find out what that boat is.

• How will you be using the boat? Will you be hunting, fishing, or cruising? Do you need a bow fishing platform or a duck blind? How about a camouflage paint job?

• How many passengers will you be taking with you?

• What type of motor do you need and how much horsepower?

• Where will you be using the boat? If you are planning to use your jon boat in saltwater or even larger bodies of fresh water, you will need a different boat than if you were dunking worms in the local pond.

Once you find a boat, it is time to make sure you are truly getting a deal, not a lemon. You need to treat this as the big money purchase, a long-term commitment it is.

• Are there any signs of past damage? Inspect the boat thoroughly before committing to a purchase. Look for peeling or mismatched paint, welds or missing rivets, excessive dents or dings, etc. – anything that indicates the boat has been repaired

• Is the paperwork in order? Remember, in almost every circumstance you will be required to register your new jon boat and, depending on where you live, obtain a title. As with a vehicle, this will require the seller to provide specific paperwork, and if that paperwork is missing or out of order, it will be difficult, or even impossible, to get your boat on the water legally.

• Will the seller allow a sea trial? You would not buy a car without first taking it for a test drive, and a jon boat should be no different. At the very least, the seller should be willing to meet you and take you out on the water, giving you a chance to see the boat in use before committing to a sale.

• Is there a warranty? Most used boat sales, even at a dealer, are as-is transactions, meaning once you sign the paperwork and drive away, the boat is yours, problems and all. But this does not mean you cannot negotiate a warranty.

• What will cause you to say no? Having the best list of pre-purchase questions is an exercise in futility if you do not also ask yourself what is my limit?

How many problems or issues are you willing to accept? Knowing when to say no will keep you from getting sucked in by the excitement of possibly owning a new jon boat and walking away from a bad deal.