How many have bought new boats?

[Josh_Bovaird]

Ive had a few problems with the boat this year and have really been thinking about going and buying a new one for the peace of mind and the warranty.  For those who have done it do you look back and regret?

[crypt]

would do it again in a heartbeat. the only thing keeping me from taking the dive is my wife.  that's not gonna last much longer. LOL !!!!!!!

[A-Jay]

No regrets here.  Did months of research.  Had a ton of help from several very generous humans willing to share knowledge & experience.  Saved up all my nickels & dimes.  Preparation equals Performance.  My only true regret would have been not getting it. Tomorrow's not guaranteed to any of us.

A-Jay

[slonezp]

I've bought 2. One in 2004 and the other in 2013. Had I not grown out of the first boat, I'd still be in it. I spent 3 years researching boats before I bought the 2013, As far as having regrets, the 3 years of research took all the doubt out of my mind. 

[Redlinerobert]

This makes new boat #3.  The peace of mind is worth the added cost to me.  I don't have much free time so when I do have the time to fish I expect my equipment to work.  It does.  

[Scott F]

I bought my boat brand new. Never did any research. That was back in 1988. It was more difficult to do research without the internet. I saw a different boat at a boat show and put money down. I was on my way out of the show when I saw the Ranger booth. I went and got my money back and bought the Ranger. I still have the same boat today. I never really saw a boat I wanted more than the one I have. At least I didn't want another boat bad enough to spend a lot more money on.

[Josh_Bovaird]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

No regrets here.  Did months of research.  Had a ton of help from several very generous humans willing to share knowledge & experience.  Saved up all my nickels & dimes.  Preparation equals Performance.  My only true regret would have been not getting it. Tomorrow's not guaranteed to any of us.

A-Jay

Man you have the boat I want except in pedestal seats,  a little out of my price range though.  

[S Hovanec]

I did and would do it again.  My only regret was getting the 17'/135hp instead of the 18'/150hp.  I've been happy enough with it to still have it after 11 years.

[Redlinerobert]

This will probably be my last bass boat for a long time.  Now that Ranger has been bought out and the fact that they don't make this model anymore, I'm thinking the build quality will probably suffer. 

[gim]

The thing is, boats usually don't depreciate in value nearly as quick as a car does.  Think about it.  Cars see wear and tear on a daily basis.  Boats, not so much.  Even a boat that gets used "regularly" isn't going to get used with the regularity that a car is.  I try to use my boat when I can, but 75% of the time its just sitting there on the trailer in the garage.  I looked at buying up to a 5 year old boat last year but the price wasn't much less than a new one.  Its not worth saving only $3 grand on a 4 year old boat for me.

[Allen Der]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

The thing is, boats usually don't depreciate in value nearly as quick as a car does.  Think about it.  Cars see wear and tear on a daily basis.  Boats, not so much.  Even a boat that gets used "regularly" isn't going to get used with the regularity that a car is.  I try to use my boat when I can, but 75% of the time its just sitting there on the trailer in the garage.  I looked at buying up to a 5 year old boat last year but the price wasn't much less than a new one.  Its not worth saving only $3 grand on a 4 year old boat for me.

it's not as much the lack of depreciation as it is the cost of new boats going up so much each year.

[crappie man]

I have bought many new boats and been without 2 yrs since sold last boat. I'd too am looking but I am taking my time because this time I'd like to find my last boat for at least 10 yrs anyway. A Jay I am also looking at the 1875 like yours but just not sure if down here that that would be best. Just can't decide if I go 40k plus which this one cost if better to go glass for about exact same money for same size and same motor. Or if I should just go with like the rt188 with 115. I had the rt178 with 75 and it was nice and easy to tow and store. Just may want to go back to bigger

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, crappie man said:

I have bought many new boats and been without 2 yrs since sold last boat. I'd too am looking but I am taking my time because this time I'd like to find my last boat for at least 10 yrs anyway. A Jay I am also looking at the 1875 like yours but just not sure if down here that that would be best. Just can't decide if I go 40k plus which this one cost if better to go glass for about exact same money for same size and same motor. Or if I should just go with like the rt188 with 115. I had the rt178 with 75 and it was nice and easy to tow and store. Just may want to go back to bigger

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Good Luck on your search & final decision.

A-Jay

[Josh_Bovaird]

18 hours ago, crappie man said:

I have bought many new boats and been without 2 yrs since sold last boat. I'd too am looking but I am taking my time because this time I'd like to find my last boat for at least 10 yrs anyway. A Jay I am also looking at the 1875 like yours but just not sure if down here that that would be best. Just can't decide if I go 40k plus which this one cost if better to go glass for about exact same money for same size and same motor. Or if I should just go with like the rt188 with 115. I had the rt178 with 75 and it was nice and easy to tow and store. Just may want to go back to bigger

I was looking at the rt188 until i found out my talons would void the hull warranty.  

[Way2slow]

I bought several new boats when I was young, back in the 60's and 70's but the only new I've bought since then is a couple of jon boats.   The last three I've bought have been auction boats.  Doing this I have been able to get boats needing some kind of repair, usually the engine, for about 20% their actual value. 

It's been a long time since I've had a shelter to store a boat under and I tend to use the crap out of them, put them in places most won't and clean them about once a year, whether they need it or not.  Any new boat I bought would loose a ton of it's value in just a few years, and look like it was rather old, so why not just buy one already fitting that description. 

However, I also know a hellavalot about boats and motors, so I pretty much know exactly what I'm getting and there's nothing I can't fix on one myself.  So, I don't have to worry about what kind of repair bills I'm going to get hit with after buying a used one.  All my repairs are parts only.

Now, with all that said, if I was not a master mechanic and my knowledge level was basically how to operate one, I would only buy new or fairly new boats, with the best, longest warranty I could get.  When that warranty ran out, I would sell that one and go buy another new one.

[RyneB]

I only have 2 regrets in purchasing my new boat. 1 is that I traded in a paid off boat, and 2 is when I scratch a brand new boat, it hurts a little more.

[Team9nine]

On my 4th, and LAST new boat (2 Stratos, 1 Triton, 1 Alumacraft) - so says the wife  Never had any regrets with the new ones. Nothing like getting to pick out, outfit and customize a boat exactly as you'd like it right from the get go. Also have never been comfortable with purchasing a used boat - though I've also owned at least 3 of those, though all were smaller boats. You just don't know how they've been treated and taken care of. Heard too many horror stories to drop big dollars on a larger "used" rig. You just have to decide if the cost of a newer boat outweighs getting along with the existing boat. Just like a car, they can nickel and dime you to death if you get a little unlucky.

-T9