Experience the handling, acceleration, ride quality, and real world performance of premium powerboats before you buy.
Feel the acceleration, handling, visibility, and ride quality in real conditions before making your decision.
Compare center consoles, catamarans, and performance V bottoms side by side with guidance from our team.
Our team tailors demos to the individual needs of our clients. Whether you are a new powerboater or a seasoned pro, your on-water experience is catered to you.
Explore trade-in and financing options to get on the water faster.
A performance boat isn’t something you fully understand from a showroom floor. On water demos allow you to experience acceleration, ride quality, handling, visibility, sound, and comfort in real conditions.
Whether you’re comparing center consoles, outboard catamarans, or high performance V bottoms, a demo helps you make a more confident buying decision while experiencing the boat the way it was designed to be used.
Performance Boat Center offers personalized demos at Lake of the Ozarks, South Florida and at events nationwide for qualified buyers looking for premium performance boats.
After submitting your demo request, you will receive a text message and email confirmation within seconds letting you know your request was received and when you can expect to hear from the PBC team.
Within 24 hours, one of our sales specialists with experience in the specific type of boat you are interested in will reach out to introduce themselves and help coordinate your demo experience.
Your PBC specialist may ask additional questions to better understand your boating goals, travel plans, preferred location, and the type of experience you are looking for so the demo process can be as simple and enjoyable as possible.
From there, a plan will be created for the date, time, and location of your demo. Your PBC specialist will also remain available leading up to your appointment to answer questions about the boat, the demo process, financing, trade ins, or ownership options.
To schedule a demo, you should be actively exploring the purchase of a powerboat and ready to experience boats that fit your needs and boating style. All demos are scheduled by appointment and designed for serious buyers looking to compare performance, handling, ride quality, and overall fit before making a decision.
Because many of the boats we demo are premium high performance models, demos are not offered as casual rides or tourist experiences.
Prior to your demo day, the Performance Boat Center team will coordinate your meeting location and demo details. When you arrive, you will be greeted by the PBC team and, if your demo is taking place at a PBC location, you may also receive a facility tour where you can meet the team and see the service department that will support your boat before and after your purchase.
From there, your boat will be staged at the dock for an initial walkthrough where the PBC team will review the layout, features, systems, and overall setup of the boat before heading onto the water.
Once underway, a PBC team member will operate the boat first to demonstrate the performance, handling, ride quality, and comfort in real world conditions. Depending on the boat, conditions, and your experience level, you may also have the opportunity to operate the boat during the demo.
After returning to the dock, you will have the opportunity to spend additional time going back through the boat, asking questions, and taking a closer look at anything that stood out during the on water experience. The goal of the demo process is to make sure you leave feeling informed, comfortable, and confident in your buying decision.
If you decide to move forward with a purchase, the PBC team will walk you through the next steps including financing, delivery, customization options, and ownership support to help make the process simple and enjoyable.
No. First time buyers are more than welcome to schedule a demo. Our team works with customers of all experience levels and will tailor the experience based on your comfort and boating background.
Each demo is guided by an experienced Performance Boat Center team member, and the boat remains under the responsibility of PBC until purchase is completed.
Customer drive time, speed, and maneuvers are determined at the discretion of the PBC team to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
For newer boaters, our team can provide limited guidance during the demo process, with more in depth instruction and coaching provided during delivery after purchase.
Performance Boat Center offers demos across our inventory, including center consoles, outboard catamarans, inboard catamarans, V bottoms, and other premium performance boats. If you are considering a custom order, our team can typically arrange a demo of the same model with a similar engine package to help you experience the boat before building.
Demos are available year round in both South Florida and Lake of the Ozarks, with spring and summer being the busiest demo season at Lake of the Ozarks and winter being more active in South Florida.
Certain brokerage boats may require financial verification and owner approval prior to scheduling.
The on water portion of most demos typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the boat, location, water conditions, and how long it takes to reach an area where the boat can be safely operated the way it was designed to perform.
Customers comparing multiple boats should plan for additional time. Most demo appointments typically take 1.5 to 2.5 hours total, which includes a dockside walkthrough before and after the demo, the on water test drive portion, and time to discuss questions, interest, and purchase options with the PBC team.
Customers should bring a valid driver’s license, weather appropriate attire, and footwear that is easy to remove when stepping from the dock onto the boat.
Performance Boat Center demos are designed to show how boats perform in real world conditions, so demos are not limited to only perfect weather days. As long as water and weather conditions are safe to operate, demos will typically continue as scheduled.
Passengers are welcome, but should be coordinated with your PBC representative ahead of time to ensure boat capacity limits are not exceeded and the proper safety equipment is available on board.
Performance Boat Center demos are designed for customers who are actively exploring the purchase of a boat and are prepared to make a buying decision within roughly 12 months of their demo date.
First time buyers are welcome, and our in house finance team can help you better understand financing options and what may be possible based on the type of boat you are considering.
Trade ins are also common during the purchase process and are not limited to performance boats. Customers frequently trade cruisers, wake boats, fishing boats, pickup trucks, and even classic cars toward their purchase.
For boats above $750,000, proof of funds or pre approval may be required prior to scheduling a demo.
