If you’ve spent a spring on our area lakes, you already know the routine: the first warm weekend hits, and suddenly every marina is packed, every service team is slammed, and every recreational boater in Northern Indiana is scrambling to get on the water.

At Main Channel, we see this cycle every year and we also see the boaters who sail right past the chaos. The difference? They buy their boat early. If you’re thinking about a new boat for next season, here’s why buying now (and not waiting until spring) is the smartest, easiest, and most enjoyable move you can make...

1. Spring Buyers Face Limited Choices, Longer Wait Times, Higher Demand

Spring is the busiest time of year in the boating world. Most buyers show up in April or May hoping to pick out the perfect boat only to discover the selection has already been picked over.

Here’s what typically happens in the spring rush:

• Premium boat brands sell quickly, and the most popular layouts go first.

• Customization options become limited because production slots begin filling up months earlier.

• Service schedules book out fast, meaning new owners can’t get on the water as quickly as they hoped.

• Delivery timelines get longer, with many boats ordered in spring not arriving until well into the season.

Buying now means you’re shopping at the absolute best time for selection, pricing, and flexibility before the crowds arrive.

2. Early Buyers Enjoy Convenient Service & First Pick of Inventory

Want to compare models? Think through floorplans? Explore the difference between brands? This is the time our team slows down and can help support your decision and find the right boat for your family.

Buying early also gives you:

1. First access to incoming inventory

2. The best chances of securing your dream model

3. Full customization opportunities before production spots fill

4. More time to plan add-ons, upgrades, and accessories

Instead of making big decisions in the middle of spring chaos, you get a calm, focused buying experience designed around you.

3. We’ll Store & Prep Your Boat All Winter 

One of the biggest advantages of buying early is peace of mind. When you purchase your boat this season, Main Channel will store it, prepare it, and get everything ready for you long before the weather breaks for FREE. All new boat purchases receive free storage until May 2026. 

That means no fighting for shrink-wrap appointments, no waiting for de-winterization, and no hoping your boat will be ready for that first perfect weekend. Your boat is already here, already prepped, and already waiting for you so you can hit the water the moment the water warms up.

4. Enjoy a Stress-Free Summer

Most families don’t want to waste time stressing over inventory, service delays, or delivery timelines. Buying early gives you:

• A guaranteed spot on the lake this season

• Flexible financing options you can lock in now

• Weeks (or months) of extra lake time compared to spring buyers

• A smoother, more enjoyable start to the summer

And when boating is your family’s favorite way to spend time together, getting more days on the water is worth every bit of early planning.

Start Your 2025 Boating Season the Smart Way

If you know you’ll want a new boat next year, the best time to take action is right now. Beat the rush, choose from the best selection, and let our team handle the rest so your only job this spring is showing up and enjoying the ride.

Browse inventory today and get a head start on an unforgettable boating season.