Whether you're purchasing your first boat or upgrading to a newer model, it's natural to have questions. At Clarks Landing Yacht Sales, we're committed to making the buying process simple and enjoyable. Our knowledgeable team has helped boaters throughout New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. find the right boat for their lifestyle while providing the support needed long after the sale. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about buying, financing, maintaining, and owning a boat.
In choosing a boat, the most important thing to outline is how you'd like to spend your time on the water! With New Jersey’s strong fishing and pleasure boating scene, we offer several models that deliver the best of both worlds. One of our experienced salesmen can help place you in the right boat. Browse our new boat inventory to start exploring available options.
Barnegat Bay is one of the most beautiful assets to our state, enjoyed by boaters in many different ways. That being said, a lot of models offer different benefits depending on the type of boater you plan to be. View our boat inventory to compare models that may be a great fit for Barnegat Bay boating.
During a sea trial, vigilance is important. Your main task is to determine whether the boat will work for you personally. Does it check off all of your boxes? Does it feel comfortable at the helm? Is the bow seating comfortable while underway? Does it feel well within your capabilities?
All of these questions are great in determining if the boat is a good fit for you. In regard to technical aspects, we always recommend having a sea trial done for extra peace of mind. Browse our available boats to find options worth taking for a closer look.
Buying a boat can take anywhere from 1 week to a couple of months, depending on the route you take. If a boat is in stock, the process is usually pretty quick. If you’re building a boat from the manufacturer, we often see the process take a little longer. We aim to place you in your dream boat in the timeframe that you'd like, and try our best to ensure we meet any deadlines. Browse our in-stock boat inventory to see what is available now.
Nope! This is one of the best benefits of buying from Clarks Landing. We are here with you every step of the way in the buying process, and especially in the “after”! We have a dedicated team here to answer any questions you may have. We also offer Captain orientations that allow you time with an experienced Captain to learn your individual boat! A lot of our customers are first-time boat buyers, and we love to see them thriving on the water in no time. Contact our team if you have questions before getting started.
Point Pleasant offers access to some of the best boating destinations along the Jersey Shore, with nearby waterfront towns, beaches, and popular gathering spots to explore. A local favorite is Treasure Island on the Manasquan River, across from Clarks Landing, where boaters anchor or pull up to the beach for swimming, relaxing, and family fun.
Other popular destinations include Barnegat Bay for cruising, Tices Shoal for summer boating gatherings, and Manasquan Inlet for access to the Atlantic Ocean. For longer trips, many boaters cruise south to Atlantic City, where marinas like Farley Marina at Golden Nugget offer dockage, restaurants, and entertainment. With access to rivers, bays, and the ocean, Point Pleasant is an ideal home port for exploring the Jersey Shore by boat. Learn more about our New Jersey marina.
Deciding on new vs. used can be tricky and depends on what you prefer. Pre-owned boats offer proven reliability, a lower purchase price, and less initial depreciation. Cons can include a lack of warranty, fewer customization options, and the need for more intense surveys. Shop Pre-Owned Models.
We vigorously inspect our pre-owned boats, and our service team will go over the entire vessel prior to listing. Despite this, we always recommend a marine survey prior to the purchase of a pre-owned boat. Your accredited marine surveyor will inspect the boat out of the water and underway. This helps you have a good stance on the condition of the boat prior to taking delivery. Browse our pre-owned models to see available boats.
Hidden costs depend a lot on the age of the used boat you're purchasing. Boats that are much more advanced often incur more maintenance fees than expected. We recommend budgeting about 10% of the vessel's value to have on hand, in case of any needed maintenance in the first year of ownership. Once you have a good idea of the workings of your new-to-you boat, hidden costs become expected costs, and the process becomes much easier to handle. View our used boat inventory to start comparing options.
Yes! Pre-owned boats qualify for financing, and we have the team to help you get there. Your salesmen can help you with this process. Learn more about our boat financing options.
New boats depreciate quite a bit in their first year, while used boats tend to stay steady. Boats can always be a bit finicky, so oftentimes the value of having a warranty can alleviate some of the depreciation drop. Browse our new and used boat inventory to compare your options.
Annual boat ownership costs typically run about $5,000 to $15,000+ per year when you factor in marina slip/storage (often $2,000–$10,000), insurance (hundreds to low thousands), routine maintenance/repairs, fuel, and registration. The exact amount depends on the size of your boat, how often you use it, and where you store it. Contact our team to talk through what ownership may look like for you.
Yes! Clarks Landing offers a complimentary service and captain's orientation with the purchase of a new boat. Contact Clarks Landing to learn more about what is included with your purchase.
To prepare your boat for resale later, work on keeping good maintenance records and saving receipts so buyers can see your boat has been well cared for. Regular cleaning, timely maintenance, and proper storage go a long way in keeping it looking great and holding its value. Try to avoid major custom modifications, as a well-maintained, original boat is usually easier to resell. Request a free market analysis when you are ready to sell or trade.
Boat insurance is not legally required in New Jersey, but it’s highly recommended and often required by marinas or lenders. Most policies typically include:
While not required by law, insurance helps protect both your investment and liability on the water. Clarks Landing can also help connect you with marine insurance providers familiar with Jersey Shore boating.
Yes! We offer slips from 28’ all the way up to 65’. Our slips are on fixed docks, all newly renovated. Every slip has a water and electrical connection, and we offer some upgrades to help keep your boat in top shape. View our seasonal slip rentals to learn more.
Clarks Landing offers seasonal water dockage and off-season dry docking. Winter in the Northeast can be unpredictable, so we recommend dry storage for the colder months. Learn more about our marina and dockage options.
Clarks Landing values customer service above all else. We have a team that offers everything from full service on your vessel, fresh bait, and cold ice, to easily accessible fuel docks serving Valvtect fuel. Aside from your boat’s amenities, we have newly renovated private slip customer showers and a fully stocked Ship Store with all of the necessities you can think of. Our parts department works for you, so even if we do not have something in stock, we can often get it within a day. We have ample parking, curated slip member events, and are local to many delicious restaurants. Our well-versed dock attendants can run bait and ice to your boat, too! View our marina amenities to learn more about slip membership.
Boat financing works very much like financing a car. A lender provides a loan to purchase the boat, and you repay the loan over time with monthly payments that include principal and interest.
The buyer typically makes a down payment, and the remaining balance is financed through a marine lender or bank. Loan terms commonly range from about 10 to 20 years, depending on the price of the boat, the buyer’s credit, and the amount financed.
Once approved, the lender pays the dealership for the boat, and the buyer makes monthly payments to the lender until the loan is paid off. Many buyers also choose to include taxes, registration, warranty coverage, and accessories in the financing. Learn more about our boat financing options.
Most lenders prefer buyers with a credit score of around 680 or higher to qualify for the best rates and terms. However, every situation is different. At Clarks Landing, we work with a wide network of marine lenders and banks that offer a variety of financing programs, including options for customers with lower credit scores.
Because we have strong relationships with many different lenders, we are often able to help customers find financing solutions that fit their specific situation.
If you have questions about your credit or financing options, Clarks Landing also offers in-house financing assistance. Our finance manager can review your situation and help you explore the best loan options available. Explore our boat financing page to learn more.
Clarks Landing can accept your current boat as a trade-in to help facilitate the purchase of your next boat. Not all brokers or private sellers have the ability to structure a trade-in as part of the transaction.
Trading in your boat can also provide a tax advantage in many states, as sales tax is typically calculated on the difference between the price of the boat you are purchasing and the value of your trade-in. This can help reduce the overall cost of your purchase while making the process simpler and more convenient. Request a free market analysis to get started.
A boat’s trade-in value is based on several factors, including the make, model, year, engine hours, condition, maintenance history, and current market demand for that type of boat. Comparable recent sales and the overall resale market also play an important role.
At Clarks Landing, our team evaluates your boat and reviews current market data to determine a fair and competitive trade-in value. This allows us to structure a deal that makes upgrading to your next boat simple and efficient. Get a free market analysis today.
Yes. When you trade in a boat as part of a purchase through a dealership, sales tax is typically calculated on the difference between the price of the boat you are buying and the value of your trade-in. This can reduce the taxable amount and help lower the overall cost of your purchase.
New Jersey also offers favorable tax treatment for boat buyers. The state currently charges a reduced sales tax rate of about 3.5% on boat purchases, and the total sales tax on a boat is capped at $20,000, regardless of the price.
Because tax rules can vary depending on how the transaction is structured, our finance team can walk you through the process and help make sure your purchase and trade-in are structured in the most efficient way possible.
Most boats should be serviced at least once per year, typically before or after the boating season. Annual service usually includes engine maintenance, fluid and filter changes, inspections, and checking key systems to ensure everything is operating properly.
For boats that are used frequently or run many hours during the season, additional service may be recommended based on the manufacturer’s guidelines. Routine maintenance helps prevent unexpected issues and keeps the boat running safely and efficiently.
At Clarks Landing, our service team can help create a maintenance schedule based on your boat, engine type, and how often you use it. Schedule boat service in New Jersey with Clarks Landing.
Yes. Clarks Landing services many boats that were not originally purchased from our dealership. Our service department provides maintenance, repairs, seasonal service, and upgrades for a wide range of boats and engines.
During peak boating season, service schedules can fill quickly, and priority may sometimes be given to customers who purchased their boats through the dealership. However, we always do our best to accommodate other boat owners whenever possible.
If you have a boat that needs service, simply contact our service department and we can review your boat’s details and help schedule the appropriate maintenance or repairs. Schedule boat service to get started.
Yes, we do. We work with reputable providers such as Brunswick Product Protection to offer extended warranty coverage and added peace of mind. In addition, you can also add extended engine warranty coverage backed directly by the engine manufacturer. Learn more about our boat service department.
Scheduling service is simple. You can contact Clarks Landing by phone, email, or by submitting a service request through our website. Our service team will review your request and help schedule a convenient time for maintenance or repairs.
When requesting service, it’s helpful to include details such as your boat’s make, model, engine type, and a brief description of the service needed. This allows our technicians to prepare properly and provide the most efficient service possible.
Because service appointments can fill up quickly during the boating season, we recommend scheduling in advance whenever possible. Schedule NJ Service or MD Service today.
Yes, we offer on-land winter storage for the colder months. We are a full-service facility and can take care of anything you need, even during the winter. Learn more about our New Jersey boat service and storage options.
Winterization timing depends on the weather trends for each individual year. Water systems should always be winterized prior to freezing temperatures. Motors should be winterized when freezing temperatures are approaching as well; however, many of our late-season fishermen with self-draining outboards are safe to wait until they pull their boat. Always keep an eye on the weather; anything under freezing requires intense caution. Check with your motor manufacturer for the most accurate timing. Schedule boat winterization service before temperatures drop.
We start launching boats anywhere from March to April, depending on the weather. Usually, once temperatures start warming up and there are no freezing temperatures in the forecast, we can start getting everyone prepped and ready to launch. Contact our New Jersey service team to prepare for spring launch.
