Ideas

[lynyrdsky1]

Hey everyone,

I've been thinking about getting a boat for awhile and most of my plans have fallen through. I was just wondering if I was to get a Jon boat what path should I go?

Should I buy just the boat and upgrade it?

Should I buy it with a few things and upgrade it like a motor seats and trolling motor?

Or should I buy it fully loaded?

My only problem is I got limited funds. That is why I was thinking just to buy a plane boat and upgrade it but not sure should I do that.

[GTrombly]

I would just buy a plain boat and add to it as new funds come in. You could probably get a better/newer boat that will last longer with the money you have now. Add to it over the years.

[tate]

If it were me I would buy the best boat you can afford and then add the extra's as you go.  That will get you in a good boat and you can spend a little time shopping and figuring out your best options and equipment to set it up.  The exception would be if you got a discount on buying a bunch of the extra's with the a boat or all the extras as a package. I bought a quality 12' jon boat probably around 20 years ago .... used it every year .... and with a wash and scrub it still looks great.  I just bought a new Alumacraft mod V and hope to get many years out of it.

[Marty]

My fishing partner started off with a 12' john boat and trolling motor. He has since bought a bass boat, but still uses the john boat for ponds. That little boat and motor opened all sorts of opportunities that he didn't have before.

If you're shorebound, this can make a huge difference in your enjoyment of the sport.

[jeremyt]

Lynyrdsky1,

I have been following your posts on this for a little bit and have yet to comment.  Let me  say a few things to you.  1 you are a young guy and you seem to really think things through from what I can tell by your posts.  I would give you this advice because I have been there and done that, made some really bad decisions and put myself and my family in a bad spot due to my desires.   

Figure an amount that you think you can afford, cut that by 30% to 40%.  Things always come up.  Stuff breaks and needs to be replaced.  You may have to save longer to get what you want, but fiscally its the smart thing to do. The costs associated with owning a boat do not come down what you see in front of you. Figure anything and everything that can happen will happen ( Murphy's law)  and they do.

To me it's a toss up.  Buy simple and upgrade as you go and as you can afford it, or wait and sve until you can afford exactly what you want.  No matter what you have it will get old after a while and you will want more.  I am not trying to discourage you from getting what you want, but I have been in your shoes ( a young guy) made some bad desicions and if I can pass anything along to anyone it will be to always think ahead on big purchases.

Good Luck.

[slonezp]

Buy a basic jon boat. Figure out what length you will need by the water you will be fishing and if you will be alone or with a partner. Then you can get a TM and battery. Then electronics. If you are mechanicaly inclined you can fabricate your own tackle storage, livewell, rod holders, etc. Then a gas motor. If you think about it, with a little patience you will eventualy have the boat you want. For example if you had $1000 to spend now. Maybe you could get a 12ft jon with a 40 year old 5hp motor, old TM and old electronics. If you took that grand and bought a 14ft you could equip it with a new TM and battery. Add the other stuff as you can afford it. And you'll end up with a much nicer rig.

Good luck

[lynyrdsky1]

Lynyrdsky1,

I have been following your posts on this for a little bit and have yet to comment. Let me say a few things to you. 1 you are a young guy and you seem to really think things through from what I can tell by your posts. I would give you this advice because I have been there and done that, made some really bad decisions and put myself and my family in a bad spot due to my desires.

Figure an amount that you think you can afford, cut that by 30% to 40%. Things always come up. Stuff breaks and needs to be replaced. You may have to save longer to get what you want, but fiscally its the smart thing to do. The costs associated with owning a boat do not come down what you see in front of you. Figure anything and everything that can happen will happen ( Murphy's law) and they do.

To me it's a toss up. Buy simple and upgrade as you go and as you can afford it, or wait and sve until you can afford exactly what you want. No matter what you have it will get old after a while and you will want more. I am not trying to discourage you from getting what you want, but I have been in your shoes ( a young guy) made some bad desicions and if I can pass anything along to anyone it will be to always think ahead on big purchases.

Good Luck.

Thanks man,

   My problem will be I will try going into a deal when I barely have the money to afford it. What you're saying makes perfect since and I probably need to wait and stock pile more money. Maybe if I save more I can get something better.

Austin

[jeremyt]

I'm glad you didn't take what I was trying to say the wrong way. I was by no means trying to discourage you, but being in your shoes I know it generally goes one of two ways. Either you settle for what you can afford and are not happy in the long run, or you go all out and have no money for anything else. I learned that the hard way and if I can pass along anything to you its that sometimes its better to wait.

I have finally gotten out of my financial sitiuation, have money in the bank and have a new to me 2006 tracker in the drive way and its paid for. I am 30 now so it took time but I am happy and not in debt. If you want a boat, my best advice for you now would be to start with a jon boatlike slonezp said and add on as you can afford it.

[bear7625]

It sounds like a Jon boat was not your 1st choice. If that's the case, you will regret it later. I would suggest looking on Craigslist and see what's available in a used boat. You might be surprised. Start a financial plan now and the boat of your dreams will be there in the future.