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Essential Items You Need This Summer For Your Boat
Boating is one of the most refreshing and fun summer activities that you can enjoy, but there are some importnat items that you should bring with you to maximize your enjoyment. Some of the items OnlyInboards recommends including next time you take your boat out are: 1. Sports Gear There are a variety of different types of water sports people of all ages can enjoy with a boat. When your packing for your next outing remembr to pack, inner tubes, wakeboards, kneeboards and water skis. 2. Wake Towers These towers are specially designed to tow a wake boarder but can serve a variety of different purposes such as skiiing and kneeboarding. Everyone will enjoy "getting some air" next time they are on your boat. 3. Speakers Who dosen't love music blasting while on the open seas surrounded by wind and wavs. Wake Tower Speakers are mounted on the wake tower and will allow everyone to hear their favorite music while wakeboarding. 4. Lights Having the proper ligthing on your boat for night riding is very important. These lights not only provide visibility for the people on the boat, but for others to see your boat and overall safety. Besides having fun and entertaining activies on your boat for yourself and guests, it's important to always do a boat safety check before leaving the dock. It is essential that you make sure there is enough gas in the boat, the motor is running propertly, you have plenty of refreshments to stay hydrated in the hot summer heat and a first aid kit is suppied incase of any injuries. OnlyInBoards is the leading supplier of Wakeboard Towers, Rack, Supplies and more. For more information about our full range of Wakeboard equipment and supplies contact us today.
Learn moreHow to Install LED Speaker Rings in Your Boat
Today's blog post on Onlyinboards is a brief instruction on how to install LED Speaker rings in your boat with a step by step process. Step 1 - Disconnect Battery/Batteries Step 2 - Remove all speaker mounting hardware Step 3 - Disconnect all wires from speaker. Label all speaker wires for easy reinstallation. Step 4 - Choose which method of powering the LED rings is right for you. Examples: Tapping into an existing circuit, adding a new circuit, or wiring the LED rings to a key fob. Whichever method you choose, make sure to follow the manufacturer's recommended instructions. Protect the circuit by installing the proper size fuse for your application. Step 5 - Run your wires from the power source to each LED ring. (make sure to use proper gauge wire. We recommend no smaller than 24 gauge). Step 6 - Connect the LED rings to the wire you ran in step 5. The LED rings come color coded for ease of installation. Red for positive and black for negative. (The rings will NOT work if connected backwards). Step 7 - Reconnect your speakers to pre-existing wires that you disconnected in step 3 Step 8 - Reinstall speakers and all mounting hardware. Make sure you have sufficient clearance to allow for wires between the speaker and the factory speaker hole. In some cases, it may be necessary to slightly notch out a groove in the side of teh pre-existing speaker hole for the wires. Step 9 - Reconnect the battery Step 10 - Turn on and enjoy! OnlyInboards has a huge selection of LED Speaker Rings and LED Cupholder Rings for your boat
Learn moreAvoid These Boat Buying Mistakes
Buying a boat can be a fun and exciting experience, however, it is important to consider all of the pros and cons, as well as what your budget is when making this big decision. Prevent buyer’s remorse by avoiding these common buying mistakes. Failing to understand your needs. It is imperative to decide first and foremost what you will be using your boat for. Whether you are looking for a boat for water sports, fishing, or both, you must consider how many people will it need to hold, and what types of activities it will be used for. Buying too quickly. It is important to not make your decision too quickly. It is imperative to shop around and explore your options. By jumping into the first boat you see, you may not only be losing out on saving money by finding a better deal, but also missing out on a boat that mat better fit your needs or wants. Buying from the wrong place. With all the available options out there, it is important to but a used boat from a reputable source, like OnlyInboards. Not only will they be able to help you ensure you are getting the best deal, but they are professionals in the industry and can be a great resource tool for your buying needs. Not doing your research. When you have made a decision or are narrowing down your search, it is essential to perform a thorough check into your “potential” boat. Make yourself knowledgeable about it’s history, including any repairs and service history, as well as the owner history or accident reports. A detailed history can easily be done by simply obtaining the Hull Identification Number (HIN), which is typically found on the insurance paperwork or the title and registration and run it through a background check database. By doing this before you purchase your boat can save you time, money, and potential problems in the future. As always, it is also important to know the rules and regulations in regards to boating in your state, especially when it comes to licensing and safety requirements. Contact OnlyInboards, the Internet’s largest inboard specific website, to view our additional boating resources and tools, and to view our selection of used boats and accessories.
Learn moreSelling your Inboard Boat - Best Practices
We get asked a lot about the best "tips and tricks" for selling your inboard ski or wakeboard boat. Obviously the first response will be to list it on OnlyInboards.com. But there are a few more things you should consider when listing your boat for sale. These will be listed in the order of importance from our experience only. 1. Price - Before you list your boat for sale you need to really think about how you are going to price it and come up with a realistic expectation for what you will take. My recommendation is to simply search for other boats that are as similar to yours as possible and see what they are listed for. For example, if you are selling a 2006 Malibu VLX, do a search on OnlyInboards and other sites like iBoats, BoatTrader, CraigsList, etc and see what those boats are listed for. When you are looking at these other boats for sale, take into account hours, condition and options on the other boats compared to yours. For example, not all 2006 Malibu VLX's are the same. Some might have 150 hours, some might have 600. Some might have the base motor, some might have an upgraded one. There could be a 10k difference between the lowest priced and the highest priced boat. The other thing to think about is that some of these boats you will find are listed way too high and will most likely not sell for anywhere close. Just because someone has listed a boat really high doesn’t mean it (or yours) will actually sell for that price. However on the flip side of this, if you are not in any hurry to sell then it never hurts to list it higher at the beginning. You can always come down on price but you really can't go up. 2. Pictures – This is simple. If you have one picture on your ad and it stinks, then 9 out of the 10 leads you get are going to ask you for more pics. You can save yourself a lot of time by taking high quality pictures of the exterior, interior, motor, driver’s area and any problem areas. I mention the problem areas because it’s much better to be up front about any issues your boat has then to have to tell a buyer later on. Plus it will make you look like a much more honest seller. But before you even think about taking pictures make sure your boat is CLEAN! When I am buying a boat, I always look at how well the interior was taken care of to help determine if a boat has been taken care of also. People who neglect the interior on their boats many times neglect the maintenance too. Obviously this isn’t the only measure of a boat’s mechanical soundness but it’s a good start. Make sure the pics of your boat are when it is looking its best. (However, make sure they are current pics) 3. Where to List – Although we run arguably the best inboard classified site there is, we still recommend putting your boat out there in as many locations as possible. Get it listed on OnlyInboards, Craigslist and any forums that you know of for your brand. Examples would be TheMalibuCrew.com, Mastercraft TeamTalk, PlanetNautique, MBBoatOwners.com, etc. These forums provide (generally) free advertising resources and can be a good add on. Plus, once you get your OnlyInboards ad completed, you can just link to the ad on OnlyInboards and won’t have to redo the entire thing on another site! As far as the other paid sites like BoatTrader, iBoats, etc., I have heard mixed reviews. I have personally sold over 15 boats in the last 7 years and not once have I used those other paid sites. However it’s up to you to determine if the cost is worth it. 4. Description - Have you ever seen a boat for sale that had the description, “Great family boat, good condition” and that’s it? That’s not going to help generate much interest in your boat. Think of your description as your commercial for the boat. In fact, your description should be like one of those new prescription drug commercials. You need to tell all the great things about your boat, but you also should list any problems or issues it has. One of your ballast pumps doesn’t work? Mention it! But of course you want to focus on the positives. List the options like wakeboard towers, ballast systems, bimini tops, any additional works you’ve done to it, talk about how the boat has been problem free (if it has). Talk about the wake, handling, ease of loading on the trailer…. Really anything that has been a positive with your boat ownership. Just be descriptive and put some effort into it. It blows my mind how many sellers (including dealers) don’t do this at all. Plus, the more content your ad has (text) the better odds it has of being picked up by the search engines giving you even more exposure. So, to recap – Decide on a price to list and a price you’ll take, clean the boat, get good pics, write a good description and list it on OnlyInboards.com and watch it sell!
Learn moreThe Run Down On Wake Board Towers
There was once a time where seeing a wake board tower was a rare occurrence. Now, they are everywhere. As the water sport industry grows, so does the wake boarding scene. Whether you are buying a new boat, or looking to add a tower to an old boat, you need to figure out what tower will be the right one for your needs. Even more important, ask yourself where you can find a quality wake board tower at a great deal. How do you buy the right tower for your needs that also works on your boat? The Run Down It is common for wake board boat manufacturers to work with various wake board tower companies to provide wake board towers that fit perfectly with their boats. Towers like these are called original equipment manufacturers (OEM) towers. Boats and wake board towers like these are typically the creme de la creme for wake boarding. Though creme de la creme may sound yummy, it is overbearingly expensive! To get the best bang for your buck, look for a local business who is knowledgeable in everything wake boards and sells quality products. The key is to find someone who can offer a variety of pristine wake board towers, along with gently used wake board towers in great condition. By looking at both used and new wake board towers, you can get a general idea of what your budget and preferences can handle. You may even find that a used wake board tower could be just as good as a brand new one, just cheaper! As a dominant resource on the web for buying & selling inboard specific wake board and ski boats, Only Inboards is the place to start your search for the right boat, wake board, rack, wake board towers, and much more. We strive to offer the best in inboard boat accessories for your needs.
Learn moreIs An Inboard Boat Right For You?
When deciding to purchase an inboard boat, it is always best to fully understand if this is the right type of boat for your needs. While inboard boats are usually the top choice when looking for a boat for water sports, here are some things to consider when deciding if an inboard boat is right for you. What Is An Inboard Boat? Inboard boat’s engines are inside the boat, usually located in the middle or near the rear. Inboard motors are powered by a transmission that is connected to a driveshaft, which runs through the bottom of the boat, connecting to the propeller on the outside of the boat. With this type of engine, the horsepower for the inboard boat can range from 90 to over 1,000 HP, allowing for ideal speeds for performing water sports. Benefits Of An Inboard Boat Inboard boats are typically the best choice for water sports and recreational use for several reasons. Not only are they designed for taking those sharp turns, but are easier to accelerate than outboard boats. In addition to these features, inboard boats are ideal for water-skiers and wake boarders because of the ability for the propeller to be moved, allowing for safer access on the boat. Inboard boats are also easy and ideal for your passengers to get on and off the boat as well. Inboard boats do perform best when used in freshwater versus saltwater due to the difficulty steering and navigating at low speeds or in reverse. Whether you are looking to simply relax or perform recreational water sports on your boat, inboard boats are one of the best decisions and investments you can make. It is important to consider your needs, as well as the locations in which you will use your boat in order to make the most educated decision for you. Visit OnlyInboards to view our large selection of used inboard boats on the Internet’s largest inboard boat specific marketplace.
Learn moreWhat to Look for when Buying a Used Boat
When making the decision to buy a boat, it can be extremely difficult to decide if you should buy new or used. With today’s economy, more and more people are looking to get more for their money and making the decision to buy used. By reviewing the following important things to look for when buying a used boat will help to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. The first important question you may ask yourself is, where do I buy a used boat? There are many options out there, such as boat shows, dealerships, and online sites like OnlyInboards.com. With online specialty sites like ours, you can view boats from other areas, providing you with more options at potentially better prices than anywhere else. After you decide where to look and you find a boat you are interested in, it is important to look into its service records. It is also a must to ask questions like, did the owner keep up with regular maintenance, how was the boat treated, and what accessories were added to the boat? By having more knowledge about the boat and the owner, you will be more aware of the care and attention they may have provided your potential purchase. The next step would be ensuring you have given the boat a thorough inspection, even if you are not sure what to look for. It is imperative to check for signs of heavy wear and tear in items such as the upholstery and carpet. Typically it is safe to assume that if the upholstery is not in good shape, the rest of the boat probably isn’t either. Another place to look for damage is on the floor of the boat. If there are any soft spots found, it can mean there is rot or damage that has been done to the floor. Another important factor to look at is the hour meter. The more hours on the boat could mean more wear and tear. There may also be the possibility that the hour meter may be incorrect. If this is the case, a dealership can hook up the meter and provide an exact reading. When buying a boat, be sure to be as educated as possible and ask questions! Visit OnlyInboards to browse our incredible selection of used boats we have to offer. We not only strive to provide our customers with the largest selection of specialty boats, but on your budget as well.
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