Boater's Pre-Departure Checklist

Planning a trip on your boat? To ensure your safety and those of your passengers, check out the following boater's pre-departure checklist:

• Check the weather forecast for the area and time frame during which you will be boating.
• Make sure that the steering and throttle controls operate properly and all lights are working properly.
• Check for any fuel leaks from the tank, fuel lines, and carburetor.
• Check the engine compartment for oil leaks.
• Check hose connections for leaks or cracks, and make sure hose clamps are tight.
• Drain all water from the engine compartment, and be sure the bilge plug is replaced and secure.
• Check to be sure you have a fully charged engine battery and fire extinguishers.
• If so equipped, make sure the ignition safety switch and wrist lanyard are in good order.
• Make sure you have the required number of life jackets (personal flotation devices or PFDs), and check that they are in good condition.
• Leave a float plan with a reliable friend or relative.

Are there any other precautions you take before heading out?

Tips for Buying a Pre-Owned Boat

Pictured: 2009 Cobalt Boats 232 Bowrider

Purchasing a pre-owned boat appeals to the first-time boater looking for their first investment, or even an experienced boater looking for a second boat. Here are some factors to consider when shopping around for a pre-owned boat.

Buying From a Dealer

Buying a used boat from a trusted boat dealer can save you headaches and extra costs for you that might come along with buying from a private seller. We inspect every pre-owned boat so that it is ready and waiting for you to inspect it yourself. Just like a car, you want to know every detail of the boat you are interested in - boat’s aren’t that different than purchasing your dream car.

Marine Sales of Pickwick stands behind every one of our boats and offers servicing and maintenance. You can take comfort in knowing that you can bring your boat back to us for regular maintenance and upgrades.

Buying From a Private Seller

Thinking about purchasing a pre-owned boat from a private seller? Most private sellers do not allow you to test drive the boat that you are interested in purchasing. Most private sellers also don’t stand behind the boat sale or offer mechanical and other help should a problem arise once the boat is yours.

Should you find that you have completely fallen in love with a boat from a private seller - look for scratches, dents, cracks – open all doors and cabinets. Check the cables and steering. You may even consider hiring a qualified professional boat surveyor to look over the boat and to do a complete certified inspection. Always make sure that you’re working with a well known, local, and highly recommended seller.

Avoid Long Distance Online Boat Sales

Steer clear of long distance online boat sales. You may end up spending more money in traveling expenses, only to come back home with a broken boat or even worse, not coming home with a boat at all! Never purchase a boat online without inspecting it first, or hiring a certified professional to inspect it.

Our Annual Pre-Owned Boat Sale is happening now. We have the area's largest selection of pre-owned boats to choose from. We have a boat to fit your lifestyle and budget. Financing and extended warranties are also available. We invite you to stop by our showroom and explore our wide selection of new and pre-owned boats.

The Nashville Boat & Sportshow - January 23-26, 2014

Marine Sales of Pickwick is kicking off its 2014 boat show season at the Nashville Boat and Sportshow, January 23-26, 2014. The Nashville Boat Show is being held at a new location - Music City Center. You will find everything you need for boating and fishing fun at the show. Get ready for four days of boating fun for everyone!

Come explore our selection of yachts for every lifestyle and activity. Stop by and visit our Yacht Brokers in Booth #428 at the Nashville Boat and Sports Show!

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

We've Got You Winterized!

Marine Sales of Pickwick is proud to announce that all boats submitted to our Service Department for winterizations as of 12/5 have been completed and are ready for winter. Our service team worked hard to assure all our customer's boats are safe from the winter freeze.

Our Service Department is now ready for Winter Services. The winter months for boat owners can seem very long, however the winter months actually provide the perfect opportunity to complete those much needed items such as routine engine/outdrive services, gelcoat repair, buffing, canvas/upholstery repair, wakeboard tower installation and stereo upgrades. Schedule all your boating needs now with our service department and we will have your boat ready in time for the 2014 Boating Season! Call our service department at 731-689-3700.

Pickwick & Kentuckiana Unites Brokerage Services

Marine Sales of Pickwick and Kentuckiana Yacht Sales is proud to now offer Marine Sales Yacht Brokerage services from their two office locations. Combining the brokerage services opens up a lot of opportunities for customers looking to buy or sell their boats.

Matt Spitzer, new head of Marine Sales Yacht Brokerage says. "Two office locations in two different states creates more leads for our customers. Not to mention the fact that customers will now have a unified representation on three lakes including Barkley, Kentucky and Pickwick; on both the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers; and on the Tombigbee Waterway."

When you list your boat with Marine Sales Yacht Brokerage, millions of potential buyers are able to shop at home or work and view pictures, equipment and specification of your boat. Marine Sales Yacht Brokerage maintains internet advertising subscriptions with Yacht World, BoatTraderOnline, Boats.com. In addition to other internet advertising, we attend boat shows, use direct mail and advertise in print publications that produce potential purchasers for the boats we offer.

Matt Spitzer will closely monitor market trends and conditions to provide buyers and sellers with comprehensive and accurate information. We will also help provide competitive bank financing, marine insurance, vessel documentation service, facilitate storage, repairs, maintenance, overland transportation and water delivery at both locations.

If you are interesting in scheduling an appointment or hearing more about your opportunities contact Matt Spitzer today at mspitzer@martinesalesofpickwick.com or at 731-307-5641.

Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley Now Have a New Cobalt Boat Dealer!

Boaters on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley will no longer have to drive hours to look, service, or test drive their boat now that Cobalt Boats has authorized Kentuckiana Yacht Sales as its newest Cobalt Boat Dealer.

Clark Boone, Central Region Sales Manager at Cobalt Boats, was very pleased making the announcement this week to Kentuckiana Yacht Sales. Clark stated, "When you combine the history and tradition of Kentuckiana Yacht Sales with a successful long term dealer partner like Marine Sales of Pickwick, it's very exciting to be a part of this team entering into a mature boating market like Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley."

The six Cobalt Boats heading to Kentuckiana Yacht Sales are the Cobalt 220, 232, 24SD, 242WSS, R5, and 262.

Marine Sales Welcomes Kentuckiana Yacht Sales To Its Family

Marine Sales is proud to announce that it has acquired a new 10,000 square-foot showroom dealership in western Kentucky.

The dealership, Kentuckiana Yacht Sales, is located at 5888 Hwy 641 North in Gilbertsville, Kentucky, 3 miles south of Kentucky Lake Dam.

"We are excited to be expanding our sales operations into the Kentucky Lake area," says Ron Martin, Marine Sales of Pickwick General Manager. "With this new location, we have the opportunity to utilize our skills to create a premier boat sales facility servicing the Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Communities."

Pictured below: Ken Toby

Marine Sales projects huge improvements once its two locations combine its inventory, management, marine technicians, marketing, and infrastructure.  Marine Sales management team will also be strengthened with the addition Ken Toby who will run the operations in Kentucky.

“The Western Kentucky Lake Region for years has been a target area of expansion for our company." stated Mike Tutor, Dealer Principal of Marine Sales, LLC. "The Land Between the Lakes community represents an area that has a deep appreciation for lake recreation and boating. We believe this acquisition, along with its great team and loyal customer following, combined with the integration of our other product offerings, will help us expand and improve upon our ability to deliver the highest caliber of service Marine Sales is known for in this great boating community.”

An official grand opening for Marine Sales Kentucky location will be held in the spring 2014, after the dealership completes its full training and certification processes.

"Like at the Pickwick location, we want the Kentucky location to be dedicated to creating lasting family memories that start with an honest enjoyable sales experience." says Ken Toby, newly assigned General Manager of Kentucky. "As we transition into the new ownership, our main focus will be to learn and live by best practices and standards set by Marine Sales of Pickwick. We will hold ourselves accountable to promote extra-ordinary customer service and integrity, as well as work hard to match customers with the best products to suit their boating lifestyle."