To keep boat or sell

[brgbassmaster]

In a dillema right now. Bought a 98 champion about a year ago paid cash. Carpet perfect, all guages work, gel coat perfect, no fading just a few scratches, trim perfect,  seats perfect, graphs work. Always stored inside. Arizona boat.  But...so far replaced steering cable, new ignition switch, new starter, new trailer bearings, 3 new interstate batteries, needs new bunks prob by next year and needs new livewell pump and just noticed small leak on a carb. Motor is 115hp love the boat. Dillema is do I keep putting money into it for stuff that hasn't been replaced since 1998 or do I go and get a newer boat that I will more than likely have a payment For? This is tough lol. 

[A-Jay]

Sorry to hear you're having some challenges.

There may be not be a 'right' answer - perhaps whatever is right for your situation & piece of mind.

Replacing parts periodically on an almost 20 year old rig is standard procedure.

Although at times I bet it can feel like is perpetual, once most everything that can be replaced & needs to be replaced is, you might get a break for a while.  Right now it probably feels like you have a "Payment". 

Besides the $$ it can cost you time on the water, which we both know you have precious little of - especially right now.  

The benefit of No Boat payment may seem like little consolation if you can't fish and you're repairing something every other month or whatever. 

But a payment can sting a little too.  Guess it depends on what you feel stings worse, the lost money or the lost money & the lost time ? 

I like New here.  Not newer - NEW. 

You get to start fresh, you will know the entire history and although you may still have some repairs & even missed time on the water - for the first few years, and in all but the most unusual of circumstances - you'll be under warranty.   

Good Luck with your decision.

A-Jay

 

[brgbassmaster]

That's what is going through my head. I never buy anything new and always buy cash. My 07 tundra is paid for my 2012 civic too and this boat so buying new is completely foreign. But with a boat as finnicky as they are. A new boat like u said u will know history on it if i bought new and maintained it perfectly which I do with my vehicles. My wife and myself like being out if debt but it us annoying repairing this thing every other month right now lol. 

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, brgbassmaster said:

That's what is going through my head. I never buy anything new and always buy cash. My 07 tundra is paid for my 2012 civic too and this boat so buying new is completely foreign. But with a boat as finnicky as they are. A new boat like u said u will know history on it if i bought new and maintained it perfectly which I do with my vehicles. My wife and myself like being out if debt but it us annoying repairing this thing every other month right now lol. 

I hear you - it's funny because I am totally the opposite.

I buy everything new - Never ever used.

Guess someone has to do it - 

I do keep my gear in really good shape - so re-sale is never a problem.

But then I buy new again. 

If you can wait another 20 years, I might be ready to sell the Pro-V Bass - I'll give you a great deal though . . . .

A-Jay

[Scott F]

If you like the boat you have, I'd keep it. Before you've paid off the new boat, you'll be replacing the batteries and trailer bearings on it. If you want to make an investment, you may think about just replacing the motor. That's where most of the problems you may have in the future are going to happen.

[fishnkamp]

Those were great boats. Having to do repairs and upgrades on a boat that old should be expected. You listed a pretty good list of things in great condition. To sell or fix is a personal one, however I have owned 11 jon boats, canoes and bass boats in 40 years.  None of your "problems" are anything more than normal replacement items considered to be normal wear and tear.

 

 I helped a friend with this decision recently. He owned a 1999 Ranger 300 series dual console. He kept complaining about the boat and suffered a lot of breakdowns.  He is a very good auto mechanic, but if he had a bad battery he would replace only the bad one.  Not long after he would have to replace another one. Finally he started having rough running engine issues. He kept talking about how he loved the hull and upon inspection his hull, seats and carpet were fine. 

 

Here is what I did. I made him decide what boat would he buy if he had all the cash to purchase one and make a list of the options he would put on it. Then I had him go to the bank and see what his monthly payment was going to be and for how long.

We then made a list like this. No more partial repairs.

Update the trailer with new tires, new bearings, new winch, new jack and new led lighting.

3 new batteries and a new trolling motor.  

I had him go to our local Merc dealer and get an estimate to completely service the fuel system on the engine including a full rebuild of the carbs, replace fuel filters, install new thermostats and poppet valves, zincs,  and all brand new fuel lines, as these have begun to be a problem since we must run ethanol blended fuel.

In his case he added two new HDS 10s also.

After all of the things he would change and update were included it added up to a pretty substantial final cost.

He figured it out it would only cost 2 years worth of payments at the same rate as a new boat would cost, but for 8 years more .  I explained my thought process. If you are going to make say a $350 ( for example only, I never saw his actual payment number) for 10 years would you be satisfied making the same kind of payment and instantly upgrade your current boat and trailer for a much shorter time.

By upgrading all the components in a system at one time that system starts off new again.  You gain dependability and get to enjoy your boat again.

I grew up as a mechanic in a family of 6 drivers, 5 were my parents, me, two sisters and a grandpa. I maintained all the vehicles. It took a lot  to convince my father to foot the bill two maintain those cars using my "systems" approach. If a car needed a front brake job it meant I would loose part of my weekend. I would argue to fix both front and back breaks. Gradually my dad realized using my method we had far fewer emergency repairs to do.  All 4 wheels were brought back to "new standards"  The next time I would do just a front break job as needed, no damaged rotors or drums.  

Give this idea a fair try. Sit on your boat and honestly evaluate what would be best to redo all at once.   Get a total price together. It most likely will include some work by your local dealer too.  Then see what makes more sense to you.

[slonezp]

In the last 12 months I've spent $2k on repairs and upkeep of a 4-1/2 year old boat which I purchased new. The only repair was for a power steering leak, Everything else was for maintenance. 4 batteries, a bearing repack, and a new cover(2 covers if you include the "universal" cover I had to buy to get me through until the custom cover was made). It happens. Purchasing a "newer" boat does not guarantee it will be problem free. Would really suck to have to pay a monthly note AND for repairs as well. I've been going thru a similar dilemma with my truck for the last 2 years. The cost of new trucks is what keeps me in the old one. 

[brgbassmaster]

All great advice for sure. Sounds like the best option is to keep it. As it is paid for and i dont drive it like i stole it. As frustrating as.some.days it can be. I dont work.on boats so always done by mechanic which of course costs labor. I'll prob keep it around for awhile after this carb repair and see what happens lol. 

[BrianSnat]

You can buy a newer boat and encounter the same issues. I would stick with what you have. You like it and know what it needs.  You can buy a newer boat and find yourself in the same position in a few years, by which time you will have replaced everthing in your current boat and it will be good to go for some time.

[S Hovanec]

After going through 3 project boats, and getting tired of fixing things, I ordered new.  The biggest reason was what I wanted was not on the used market, and most likely never will be til I decide to sell mine.  I wanted a specific model boat and specific motor and I wasn't gonna settle for anything less.  That was in 2005 and I'm still happy with it.

[NHBull]

What would you do if it was your car?

When the cost of repairs are 1/2 or Korea than a monthly payment, look to replace,.......but I am pretty good at spending other people's money.

 

Side note.....at my age, time on the water is precious, so I would have to factor  that into my decision 

 

[DogBone_384]

Are you a good mechanic?  A small leak carburetor leak isn't a big deal.  I'd keep it, make a prioritized list of what you want to do to it and pick at it as needed.

 

I kept my Suzuki RF900 motorcycle for 20 years, doing all maintenance/repairs myself.  It still looked new when I traded it for my current bike, which I hope to keep 20 years.

[WIGuide]

Do yourself a favor and start doing a little of your own maintenance. It's not hard, as most systems on a boat are relatively simple. Something like a livewell pump on a boat that age should be a cartridge style. Buy the new cartridge, move the lever and twist the old one out, and install the new one in reverse order. Connect the two wires where you cut the old ones and be done with it. Instead of spending $150 for some high school kid to do that at a marine dealership, you'll pay $35. Replacing bearings is something that can be done in your driveway with nothing but a few hand tools, some marine axel grease, and bearing replacement kits. Total cost probably somewhere in that $40-50 range. Your bunks are a straight piece of wood. Buy some new stuff, cut to the proper length, bolt to the trailer, and cover in carpet. Total cost should be somewhere from $50-75 dollars. If you do these jobs on your own, you'll spend less than just one monthly payment on a new boat. Although these jobs may take a little bit of your time, they can easily be done in an afternoon even by the first time shadetree mechanic. The worst part about dealers if they're like the ones around here is the cost and the time lost. They get swamped up by me so if you have to take your rig in they might not get to it for a week or two. I'd gladly devote a few hours to fixing it myself then not be able to fish for a few weeks. 

[brgbassmaster]

5 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

Do yourself a favor and start doing a little of your own maintenance. It's not hard, as most systems on a boat are relatively simple. Something like a livewell pump on a boat that age should be a cartridge style. Buy the new cartridge, move the lever and twist the old one out, and install the new one in reverse order. Connect the two wires where you cut the old ones and be done with it. Instead of spending $150 for some high school kid to do that at a marine dealership, you'll pay $35. Replacing bearings is something that can be done in your driveway with nothing but a few hand tools, some marine axel grease, and bearing replacement kits. Total cost probably somewhere in that $40-50 range. Your bunks are a straight piece of wood. Buy some new stuff, cut to the proper length, bolt to the trailer, and cover in carpet. Total cost should be somewhere from $50-75 dollars. If you do these jobs on your own, you'll spend less than just one monthly payment on a new boat. Although these jobs may take a little bit of your time, they can easily be done in an afternoon even by the first time shadetree mechanic. The worst part about dealers if they're like the ones around here is the cost and the time lost. They get swamped up by me so if you have to take your rig in they might not get to it for a week or two. I'd gladly devote a few hours to fixing it myself then not be able to fish for a few weeks. 

 

I can do all of these on my own. But thing for me is I just got back from 8 month deployment. And I like to spend as much time with family when im not overseas. It takes time to do these repairs. With my wife in school for computer engineering and taking accelerated 7 week courses all my time is spent with my daughter who is 2 years old. I have 0 time to do this stuff. 

[WIGuide]

59 minutes ago, brgbassmaster said:

 

I can do all of these on my own. But thing for me is I just got back from 8 month deployment. And I like to spend as much time with family when im not overseas. It takes time to do these repairs. With my wife in school for computer engineering and taking accelerated 7 week courses all my time is spent with my daughter who is 2 years old. I have 0 time to do this stuff. 

Make it a family project  haha. I hear you though, that's got to be your call then. On a side note, thank you for your service

[brgbassmaster]

32 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

Make it a family project  haha. I hear you though, that's got to be your call then. On a side note, thank you for your service

Thanks! Also went to take out the old pump cartridge for a quick repair. And my pump is under the dang gas tank! Talk about a pain!

[XpressJeff]

Just my $0.02!

 

You said you like your boat!

 

As A-Jay said, right now it may feel like a payment to fix all the pesky stuff. But, you like your boat!

 

Your location puzzles me though (Michigan OR Arizona). It makes a world of f difference in terms of fishing!

 

Choices might be:

 

1) If you live in Arizona you might entertain finding a good boat mechanic, make a single payment and have him go through it thoroughly. Sure you lose few days on the water but, what the beck, you fish year round in AZ!

 

2) If Michigan is real I would offer the same advice because you really like being out of debt AND you like your boat!

 

Like I said, just my two cents.

 

Just one bit of advice, if you want the maintenance done quicker buy a whole pump, not a cartridge!

 

Best of luck!

[brgbassmaster]

1 hour ago, XpressJeff said:

Just my $0.02!

 

You said you like your boat!

 

As A-Jay said, right now it may feel like a payment to fix all the pesky stuff. But, you like your boat!

 

Your location puzzles me though (Michigan OR Arizona). It makes a world of f difference in terms of fishing!

 

Choices might be:

 

1) If you live in Arizona you might entertain finding a good boat mechanic, make a single payment and have him go through it thoroughly. Sure you lose few days on the water but, what the beck, you fish year round in AZ!

 

2) If Michigan is real I would offer the same advice because you really like being out of debt AND you like your boat!

 

Like I said, just my two cents.

 

Just one bit of advice, if you want the maintenance done quicker buy a whole pump, not a cartridge!

 

Best of luck!

 

Haha sorry I'm active duty for 10 years right now. And currently live in Arizona but from Michigan so I fish both states alot. 

[XpressJeff]

Well, I am not one to tell you what to do, and I cannot!

 

However, since I happen to have a little experience in this area I suggest you keep your boat, and stay out of debt because you never know when your next set of PCS order is coming. 

 

From experience I will also suggest you stay out of debt because wives divorce young servicemen from time to time.

 

Just sayin!

[brgbassmaster]

1 minute ago, XpressJeff said:

Well, I am not one to tell you what to do, and I cannot!

 

However, since I happen to have a little experience in this area I suggest you keep your boat, and stay out of debt because you never know when your next set of PCS order is coming. 

 

From experience I will also suggest you stay out of debt because wives divorce young servicemen from time to time.

 

Just sayin!

Seen that many times in 10 years! I'm trying to PCS out east next march. Hopefully get outta the West coast

[XpressJeff]

Whatever you do, whatever branch you are in, please be careful.

 

Thank you for your service!

[gim]

Older boats and older cars and older trucks break down.  New boats and new trucks could also break down but that is less likely and they are often covered under warranty.  You have to decide whether the down time and repair costs are an equal trade off to the monthly payment - unless of course you don't have any payments!