Pontoon boats are among the best sellers in boating, but even they slow down as fall approaches—which means it’s a great time for buyers. (Regency Boats)

The leaves are starting to turn, the nights are cooler and the geese are winging south. It’s a time when many boaters are beginning to haul out their rigs and winterize their engines. 

In “Scandimerica”, most boaters will soon put their open water boats in mothballs and break out their ice shanties, while across the South, the millions who fish all summer are now headed to the woods to hunt all winter. And the kids are all back in school—no more blasting around the lake on PWC’s or bouncing along behind the pontoon on a tube.

In other words, it’s a great time to buy a boat.

Just when most boaters no longer want to go boating, hundreds of used rigs start showing up on BoatTrader and other sites—and retail sales outlets offer the best deals of the year as they feel the pressure to move unsold 2025 inventory before the fall boat shows create a buzz for 2026 models.

Whether you’re after a fishing boat, a pontoon, a personal watercraft, or a wake-surfing machine, fall may be the best time of year to shop.

Why Fall Is Prime Buying Season

Fall is time for dealers to slash margins so you can pressure them to cut their prices to the bone—they’d a lot rather sell a floor model for a modest profit than have to store it all winter. And manufacturers may help out with perks such as extended warranties, free add-ons, or attractive financing. Even if your boating season is ending, purchasing now allows plenty of time for customization, rigging, and delivery before spring 2026.

For anglers, fall is prime time to lock in a serious fishing machine before next year’s tournament season. Aluminum fishing boats—brands like Lund, Tracker, and Crestliner—often carry hefty rebates this time of year. Fiberglass bass boats from Skeeter, Ranger, and Bass Cat are likewise discounted, particularly models with last season’s electronics or outboard configurations.

Fishing boats can offer some excellent deals in fall, especially in the North where “hard water” season is not far off. (Tracker Marine)

Saltwater anglers also stand to save. Bay boats and offshore center consoles, especially mid-size models under 26 feet, tend to stack up on dealer lots. Because outboard manufacturers such as Yamaha, Mercury, and Suzuki launch new engines every few years, dealers want to unload boats with “last year’s” motors before buyers hold out for the latest release.

Note that if you’re buying a fish boat, you might be able to wrangle some perks in the electronics as a sweetener to do the deal. Dealers sometimes throw in upgraded sonar/gps, trolling motors, or shallow-water anchors like Power-Pole or Talon at cost when clearing out inventory.

Pontoons: Comfort at a Discount

Pontoons remain one of the hottest categories in boating, with their mix of comfort, versatility, and easy handling. But because manufacturers constantly update layouts and upholstery options, 2025 models will soon look “last season” in showrooms filled with refreshed 2026 designs.

That creates an opportunity for families and weekend cruisers. Buyers can often negotiate steep discounts on popular models from Bennington, Barletta, and Harris, especially those with standard 115- to 150-hp engines. If you’ve always wanted to bump up to a tri-toon with more horsepower and considerably more speed, fall may be the moment to do so without breaking the bank.

Storage can sometimes be negotiated, too. Some dealers might store your pontoon indoors for the winter as part of a fall purchase agreement, so you won’t have to take delivery until spring.

PWC’s: Fun for Less

Personal watercraft (PWCs) such as Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner, and Kawasaki Jet Ski are often impulse buys in summer, but the real bargains appear once September arrives. Dealers that stocked up heavily in spring may still have a row of unsold units by fall.

PWC’s are boating’s best-sellers due to their affordability and family orientation—and now is prime time to buy one for the best price of the year. (Yamaha WaveRunner)

Since PWC models evolve quickly with new colors and electronics each year, even a leftover 2025 can feel like a deal compared to a pricier 2026 model with only minor tweaks. Extended warranties are common incentives, and some dealers will even include trailers or cover packages.

Water Sports Boats: Wake and Surf Savings

Wakeboard and surf boats are the crown jewels of water sports, often carrying six-figure price tags. But fall is the best time to shave tens of thousands off MSRP. Brands like Malibu, MasterCraft, Supra, and Nautique typically debut their next-generation tech and hull tweaks at major fall shows. Dealers know buyers may hold out for the latest innovations, so they’re extra motivated to move the “current” models.

This category also sees strong trade-in activity, with owners upgrading every few years. That means both new and gently used 2025 models hit the market in fall. If you’re ready to surf endless waves behind your own boat, the next few months may deliver deals you won’t see again until next year’s off-season.

Timing and Strategy

Walking into a dealership in October or November, you’re in the driver’s seat. Boat shows create extra urgency: sales managers want clean books before hauling boats to events in Miami, Chicago, or Fort Lauderdale. If you’re serious about buying, come prepared with financing pre-approval and be ready to sign quickly when the right deal appears.

Another strategy is to target boats with unpopular color schemes or floorplans. While they may not be showroom darlings, they often come with steep markdowns—and once you’re on the water, no one cares about the accent panel shade.

The Bottom Line

Fall may feel like boating’s finale across much of the nation, but for buyers, it’s the opening bell. With 2026 models stealing the spotlight, 2025 inventory becomes negotiable, and dealers are eager to move product before winter. Whether you’re fishing, cruising, carving waves, or zipping across the lake on a PWC, now is the time to find a boat that fits your lifestyle—and your budget.

— Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com