To buy or not to buy, that is the question.

[thomas15]

This is not a question, rather it's an opinion. I hope I'm not in violation of forum rules.

 

I have been wanting to mention that I really appreciate the majority attitude here regarding spending for a boat. I appreciate that most here consider boats what they really are, unless we are professional, our boats are a want, not a need, and that caution should be applied to making a boat purchase that is really more than we can or should act on. 

 

I grew up on the Jersey Shore in the 60s and 70s, everyone had a boat. Literally everyone. One of my friend's parents got caught up in the boating/yacht culture, buying bigger and bigger boats and all the social pressures that comes with it. A 48' offshore cabin with twin screw diesels and a 19' runaround for the kids was something to talk about down at the post office, but when his business slowed down they lost it all, home, boats, bragging rights...everything.

 

We, spouse and me, were never in danger of a total financial meltdown but we did acquire more liabilities than we should have. It took a lot of time and effort, measured in years for us to reverse that situation. Having no obligations on my fishing hobby (and boat) has more than anything added to my enjoyment of the sport. I would rather go a year without catching a single fish than spend another month paying off unnecessary debt.

 

This is my personal choice and opinion, others might disagree but I'm impressed by the wisdom and restraint many exhibit here on this forum when the topic of the actual expense of a boat comes up.

[Standard]

Every time I'm tempted to buy a boat, I remember that my kayak works perfectly well. 

 

And that I hate fishing around other people and being limited to boat ramps.

[WIGuide]

Solid information about not overextending yourself is great, and nobody should go broke over a boat as other bills should take priority. Personally, I can't see myself without one though. I've been a boat owner since I was 11 or 12 and haven't been without one since. If I found myself in a situation where I had to sell mine, I'd end up buying something older and smaller to get by until I could afford something nicer again. Fishing is quite honestly my passion and tomorrow is never a given so while I'm here I'm going to do what I can to enjoy life and fishing is a big part of that. 

[Zcoker]

I was in the mix, to buy or not to buy, and opted for one these newer powered kayaks and absolutely love it! Although I can afford a boat, it just wasn't in the cards for me. I've owned boats before, more a bay pleasure craft that I also fished from, purchased new. Back in the day boats were nowhere near the price they are today! It was all the hassles that came along with it: lugging it around, finding a place to store it. Luckily, I rented out someone's garage down the road from where I lived. Because of all the hassle of even getting the boat along with hitching it up, taking it out to places that I didn't really want to fish, lining up at the jammed packed ramps, bringing it back and hoping the person was at home where I stored it to unlock the garage, the cleanup, maintenance, cost, etc.....I used it less and less until not at all and eventually just sold it. The kayak has always impressed upon me a unique thrill of continuum, never gets old and always represents a great adventure to come, all at next to no cost (or hassle) compared to my boat ownership! 

[TOXIC]

As for a boat being am”want” vs a “need”, I have some friends that would dispute that statement.  Myself included.  Many of my friends are in super high stress jobs and having a bass boat is a needed respite from the day to day issues they deal with.  I was part of that crowd before I retired and I’m not so much that way now which is why I held on to my last boat and use it recreationally.  My fishing partner who I go on fishing trips with and fitsh with most every weekend has the latest and greatest and normally doesn’t keep a boat more than 2 years before upgrading.  Unfortunately as a result, my boat sits more than I would like and now I have to do some serious maintenance like draining fuel, replacing bulb/lines, new fuel and water separator filters, pull injectors for service, new water pump and impeller and a few relays that have gone bad.  That’s the cost of me owning a boat and I’m not complaining.  I tried going without one for a while and it was torture regardless of how much I used it.  

[Darth-Baiter]

unless a boat is used to get to and from work, or something like that.. or is used for work, it would never be a need 

 

some people can afford "wants" easily.  that is the beauty of it.  you get to determine that for yourself.  it has HUGE and benefitual entertainment value, but it is still a want.

 

i think people can justify just about anything in their own minds.  go for it.  bottom line and bare minimum, you gotta use it.  i see so many boats in storage.  i had to use storage for 4 months and i became buds with the owner.  he said most boats never move.  that is criminal to the boat and your finances.  

[airshot]

How true...I have also veen a boat owner since age 12, currently 73.. still a boat owner !!  Thru these many years, my boats have been rowboats, kayaks, speed boats, small cabin cruisers, back to canoe, jon boat etc.  While always having a boat, sometimes it was a bare minimum boat.. Never bought a new one, most always sold them for more than I paid for them,  never afraid to buy fixerups, whatever I could afford.  Only once in my life did I ever get a bank loan for a boat and then I paid off a three year loan in one year.  For more than 25 years, I also worked three jobs to help pay for my toys and put braces on my kids teeth. Couldn' t be without a boat, but willing to cut back to whatever boat I can afford at the time.  Never been a  "keep up with the Jonses" kind of person...also haven't had to visit the poor house !!

[Cbump]

3 hours ago, Zcoker said:

I was in the mix, to buy or not to buy, and opted for one these newer powered kayaks and absolutely love it! Although I can afford a boat, it just wasn't in the cards for me. I've owned boats before, more a bay pleasure craft that I also fished from, purchased new. Back in the day boats were nowhere near the price they are today! It was all the hassles that came along with it: lugging it around, finding a place to store it. Luckily, I rented out someone's garage down the road from where I lived. Because of all the hassle of even getting the boat along with hitching it up, taking it out to places that I didn't really want to fish, lining up at the jammed packed ramps, bringing it back and hoping the person was at home where I stored it to unlock the garage, the cleanup, maintenance, cost, etc.....I used it less and less until not at all and eventually just sold it. The kayak has always impressed upon me a unique thrill of continuum, never gets old and always represents a great adventure to come, all at next to no cost (or hassle) compared to my boat ownership! 

Everything you said is literally the exact opposite for me and why I own a boat and sold the kayaks. When I start missing my kayaks I remember the pia It was hauling them around, launching, not being able to fish where I really want, etc. 

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

unless a boat is used to get to and from work, or something like that.. or is used for work, it would never be a need 

Literally nothing in life except food, water, and shelter is a need then. I disagree though. I definitely need a boat. Because I NEED my life to be fulfilled. 

[gim]

4 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

bottom line and bare minimum, you gotta use it.  i see so many boats in storage.  i had to use storage for 4 months and i became buds with the owner.  he said most boats never move.  that is criminal to the boat and your finances.  

I agree.  My previous neighbor had a pristine Lund Rebel with a 25 hp 4-stroke outboard in his garage.  I saw him use it ONCE in 10 years living there.  I know for a fact that his wife wanted to get rid of it too, but he refused to.  I asked him if he was interested in selling it a couple times (I have friends interested in a well kept used starter-type boat like that), and he also refused.  I don't quite understand this.  What's the point of having it without using it?  Its taking up a garage space where his truck could be parked.

 

I do not think a boat is a need either.  But I understand that some people see it as a way to relieve stress and its a passion of theirs.  I'm all for it.  I grew up in a family and we always had a fishing boat.  Owning my own was a dream of mine when I was able to.  I didn't dream of owning a kayak.  I will say that if I didn't have a boat, I would surely have a nice fishing kayak though.

 

Its shameful how some people maintain their boats too, I might add.  A lot of people around here just park them in the yard or out back for the winter.  The trailer rusts, the hull is nasty, and the outboard is going to fail.  We have more boat owners per capita than any state here in MN, and for some reason a sizable demographic of them don't give a rip.  I see my boat as kind of a third vehicle that I use on a seasonal basis.  It requires preventative maintenance annually, and other items that need to be addressed every few years too like batteries and trailer tires.  Anyone that complains about the cost of owning a boat has never had children either.

[Tennessee Boy]

I’m 60 and I’ve been fishing my whole life.  I remember well the thrill I got as a kid when I learned to catch bluegill on a lure from the bank.  I remember the thrill I got when I learned to catch bass while wading creeks as a teenager.  I remember the thrill I got when I caught my first bass in my first boat,  a used Bass Tracker.  What thrilled me then doesn’t thrill as much now.  My spending and my expectations for boating and fishing have grown as I my personal wealth has grown.   What’s important is I thoroughly enjoying the journey along the way.  I currently fish out of a 2018 Ranger RT188 with a 90HP motor.  It’s not the nicest boat on the lake but what thrills me now is I’m retired and can enjoy fishing seven days a week.  There’s no way I would trade another year of work for $100,000 bass boat.
 

My advice is to learn to enjoy fishing at the level you can afford.  The entry level cost to start fishing is less than $100.  When you borrow money you are borrowing against your future plus interest and that is never a good choice.  When you save you’re investing in your future plus interest and that will lead to prosperity and greater fishing experiences in the long run.

 

 

 

[Bird]

No answer is going to provide holy grail but perhaps opinion carries some merit.

 

I've had bass boats before kids and enjoyed them immensely but sold them for sake of family.Once the kids grew older I dabbled into fishing kayaks, had 3.

I kept going bigger and bigger and more stable and added electric propulsion but still felt cramped compared to the Bass boats.

Kept one kayak and bought a Bass Raider with high seats and 55lb trolling motor.

 

Bought a Bass boat a couple months ago and could literally kick myself for not doing it as soon as I retired instead of playing the boat game.

 

If you can afford a Bass boat, skip all the unnecessary steps like I did.

As an avid fisherman who is fortunate enough to be retired......a boat is an absolute must vs a want.

 

[thomas15]

Lots of thoughtful responses here. Thank you.

[airshot]

A neighbor down the road has a small nice little bass boat parked in his garage, has had it for many years, nice boat, probably worth less than 10K in todays market.  He recently bought a fancy new truck, loaded, the window sticker was well over 80K !!!  He leaves his new truck parked outside and his far less valuable boat in his garage, according to him, the boat is " far more valuable" to him.........

[slonezp]

Bought my last boat 10 years ago. Sold it 2 years ago. Will be buying my new last boat in the next year or so. Did I mention I bought a little 14footer a week after I sold the Lund? 

 

If it makes you happy....

[Zcoker]

17 hours ago, Cbump said:

Everything you said is literally the exact opposite for me and why I own a boat and sold the kayaks. When I start missing my kayaks I remember the pia It was hauling them around, launching, not being able to fish where I really want, etc. 

Literally nothing in life except food, water, and shelter is a need then. I disagree though. I definitely need a boat. Because I NEED my life to be fulfilled. 

 

Much of this yak/boat subject can depend on where one lives, imho. Here in south Florida, for example, there's a lot of places that don't allow boats. There's also a lot of places that's impossible to take a boat. And all these places offer up epic fishing, better fishing than I could ever dream of getting on a boat in some public lake around my area. Having the freedom to go wherever I want to get quality fish is quite fulfilling! 

 

 

[thomas15]

If I go back to my original OP, I'm not trying to say "don't buy a boat". I have a boat myself so for me to say "my brother, don't get one" is not what I was trying to communicate. 

 

Rather I was trying to express my gratitude to those here who advise caution and long term fiscal responsibility when considering such an expense. The same reasoning could be applied to any recreational activity not just fishing boats.

[Junger]

On 4/11/2023 at 9:19 AM, thomas15 said:

We, spouse and me, were never in danger of a total financial meltdown but we did acquire more liabilities than we should have. It took a lot of time and effort, measured in years for us to reverse that situation. Having no obligations on my fishing hobby (and boat) has more than anything added to my enjoyment of the sport. I would rather go a year without catching a single fish than spend another month paying off unnecessary debt.

 

This is my personal choice and opinion, others might disagree but I'm impressed by the wisdom and restraint many exhibit here on this forum when the topic of the actual expense of a boat comes up.

 

Everyone's financial situation is different, but the outcome is always the same if you bite off more than you can chew, especially with debt. For my situation, I had purchased a small little boat with cash and while it got me on the water, I knew I would be upgrading it in the future because I couldn't fish with my boys or take it to bigger water. A couple years later I had saved enough to put down about half of the price of the boat I wanted but didn't want to wait a couple more years to save up to buy it in cash. My boys are growing up fast, and I didn't want to lose any more years before they go off to college. So I financed the rest and I'm more than happy to make payments on my boat because it's brought us lots of joy.

[Cbump]

My daughter grew up on my boats. 

[Darth-Baiter]

Everyone finds fulfillment differently.  Some need a boat.  Sine need a younger spouse   Some need something else. Some need financial independence and zero debt. 
 

find your own fulfillment.  The OP didn’t draw a line in the sand to begin with. None that I could see.  

[Cbump]

Yes, I’d say owning boats has been pretty fulfilling for us. 

[Cbump]