Pre-Owned Boats For Sale in MO & IL
The Cope Marine Way
“We sell fun” and have - for 50 years! Cope Marine has provided boating customers of the bi-state area professional sales and quality service since 1964. We represent quality boat manufacturers and have received every service award from them with pride. As a family-owned and family-operated business, we strive to help all our customers make their boating dreams a reality.
Reputable Boat Brands
Cope Marine offers a selection of boats from well-known, reputable boat brands for any lifestyle and/or occasion. With over 250 boats in our inventory, we offer new and preowned boats for a variety of activity levels such as fishing, tubing, cruising, and more! Our inventory includes brands such as Apex Marine, Bayliner, Crownline, Evinrude Engines, Lund boats, Mercury, Southbay, Starcraft, and Triton.
Benefits of Purchasing Pre-Owned Boats
There is nothing wrong with buying preowned boats, especially when it has so much to offer! Buying used is a great way to allow more room in your budget for amenities and features that fit your style. Not to mention, the cost for insurance will be significantly less. A used boat can look just as pretty on the water as a new one and run the waves like one too! We survey our inventory closely and only stock boats that are up to code and meet our high-quality standards. Stop by one of our locations and we are happy to give you a tour!
Financing to Fit Your Needs
When you purchase your boat through us, you can get a loan from your preferred financial institution. We're affiliated with both national and local lenders to get you the loan you need at the best rate possible. With a minimum down payment and approved credit, we'll get you out on the water within a few hours of picking out your boat!
Used Boat Buying Guide
When you’re looking around for your next boat, you’ll probably have a lot of options to choose from. In addition to the brand-new models, there are plenty of great used boats out there, and one of them might have all the features you need at a much more affordable price. By buying used, you’ll not only save some cash, you’ll also be able to test out boat ownership to see if it’s the right choice for you.
Hunting around for a used boat can be a challenge and you’ll want to make sure that you’ve done your research. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled some tips. If you have any questions or you want to check out our selection of used boats for sale, visit Cope Marine in O’Fallon, IL, and Branson West, MO.
Why Buy Used?
One of the biggest and most obvious perks of buying a pre-owned craft is the lower price tag. Used boats cost significantly less than new ones even when they’re in great condition. You’ll also have more options in your price range than if you were buying a new model.
If you’re new to boating and you’re on a tight budget, buying used is a smart way to get a better understanding of the mariner lifestyle without costing you too much. Used boats are also better for beginners because during the learning phase you might make some mistakes that can damage your craft.
What to Look For
As you start shopping, make sure to carefully inspect each model you’re considering. Look for cracks at joints, fittings, and screws. Any cracks longer than two inches could indicate an impact or crash that has structurally damaged the boat. If pieces of the gel coat are missing from the hull or if there are large repairs, this can also be a cause for concern. Check the oil to see if it’s milky, which might indicate that the boat took on water at some point. If you feel any metal shavings in the oil, this could mean engine components are grinding against each other. By performing these inspections, you could ultimately save yourself a lot of money in repairs.
Take a Test Ride
A used boat can look amazing when it’s docked, but you never know how it performs, so you’ll want to take it out for a test ride. You need to get a feel for how the boat runs and handles different conditions. Check to see how it functions at different speeds and also when it’s idling. Watch out for any unusual delays, odd sounds, or abnormal vibrations. If everything runs well and the boat is within your budget, you might’ve just found a winner!
When buying a pre-owned vessel from a reputable dealership, like Cope Marine, you can rest assured that it has been thoroughly checked. Stop by our dealerships in O’Fallon, Illinois, and Branson West, Missouri, to check out some quality used boats for yourself.