Boat Costs

[crankbait2009]

For my FIRST boat, I am looking at a Jon boat (easier on the budget). I am hoping to have one by this coming spring........

I have been reading about engine maint, insurance, trolling motor, battery(ies), depth finder, etc.

Can anyone give me any other "cost" issues that I would need to be concerned about? I don't wanna do everything half *** but I also don't wanna get shocked with the amount of money it would take to own one. To me it's rather simple but there are a lot of things that can go wrong (engine, trolling motor, etc) that would require money! OH ya, and GAS. can't forget that one.

[00 mod]

Dont forget the add ons and requirements that all add up

Boat registration, life jackets, throw cushion, noise maker, fire extenguisher, paddle (requirements at least in my state)

Jeff

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

If fishing without a boat, I would just get a boat, the minumum requirements type stuff like OOMOD posted, and then fish.

You can always upgrade as you use it.

For me though, I call a battery, and trolling motor a requirement, and again for me, a depthfinder. Depthfinders can be bought used, and you can get much more bang/buck that way.

If planning an outboard, that is another battery.

Gas tank, and fuel line, can be a surprisingly expensive purchase that you will need if you don't buy a boat w/motor, or a motor with a tank/hose

[00 mod]

Also most motors above 25 HP don't come with the prop which is another $100+

Jeff

[slonezp]

If you're going to trailer it, liscense plates and trailer maintenance(lights and tires wear out). Monthly storage costs if you cant store on your own property. You'll need a battery charger. Ramp fees

[crankbait2009]

shoot me now!!

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

It's not as bad as it sounds.

You can find virtually anything used on craigslist. If you buy used, the prop isn't an issue on the motor. Trailer tires last a long time. Especially on a light rig, and battery chargers are cheap.

Trailer lights are cheap, if needed.

[Fishing Rhino]

Gas should not be a significant expense for your boat. I can fish all day with my Z7 with a 150hp Merc, and use less than five gallons of fuel. Most of the day is spent on the trolling motor. But, most of the ponds/lakes I fish are not large bodies of water. The first few times on any pond will find me using more gasoline, simply because I am running and gunning trying different patches of bottom.

Once I get used to a pond, I don't zoom back and forth. I methodically work my way around the pond from one known productive spot to another close by, rather than running helter skelter around the pond. I burn much more fuel towing the boat to and from the fishing hole. The ponds I regularly fish are anywhere from 30 to 60 miles from home.

[Nitrofreak]

Gas should not be a significant expense for your boat. I can fish all day with my Z7 with a 150hp Merc, and use less than five gallons of fuel. Most of the day is spent on the trolling motor. But, most of the ponds/lakes I fish are not large bodies of water. The first few times on any pond will find me using more gasoline, simply because I am running and gunning trying different patches of bottom.

Once I get used to a pond, I don't zoom back and forth. I methodically work my way around the pond from one known productive spot to another close by, rather than running helter skelter around the pond. I burn much more fuel towing the boat to and from the fishing hole. The ponds I regularly fish are anywhere from 30 to 60 miles from home.

I have to agree here with Rhino, my favorite lake is 95 miles from home, the lake is 17 miles from top to bottom, I will use roughly around 5 to 8 gallons of fuel for the boat.

The initial expence of owning a smaller boat is what is going to drive you crazy, so get one that you will be able to sell for close to what you invest,( what I mean by close is roughly half to 3/4 of what you invest, boats have a tendency to drop dramatically in value ) if you take really good care of it you will be able to get a great deal back from it.

Once you know how much personal property taxes are going to cost you etc... then you can decide if this is the right investment you may find that you can own a larger boat for almost the same money, make sure you read up on the rules and regulations for your area from the game and fishery's dept. so there are no suprises when you get checked on the water, a fine from one of these guys can set you back a good chunk of change.

Good luck with your decision and send us some pic's when you do get it.

[Glenn]

There's essentially 2 groups of expenses: startup and recurring. Obviously if you're buy a new boat, then there's the additional expenses for all the new equipment and gear (batteries, motor, PFDs, toolkit, first aid kid, etc. etc.) But those are 1-time expenses.

After that, it's just normal operating and maintenance expenses. You'll have a small engine, so gas and oil won't be that much. Neither will towing, licenses, and insurance. Keep in mind you'll need both a trailer and boat license, and possibly an engine license if your state requires it. It sounds expensive, but for a Jon boat, it shouldn't be very much at all. Throw in an annual tune-up, and that should be your only expenses after you're all set up.

Oh, and get an aluminum prop if your engine is less than 150hp. You don't really need a stainless prop for lower HP, and you'll save bucks.

Here's a great checklist to help you get started: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/boating_checklist.html

[crankbait2009]

thanks again for the help!!

[Fishes in trees]

Boats are holes in the water that you pour money into. That's the way it is - get over it. Besides, if you're addicted to fishing, the way most of us in this neighborhood seem to be, what's your option? What else are you going to spend your money on? One of the charms of fishing is that you can spend as little or as much as you want, go as hi-tech or as low-tech as you want. Either way, the primary tool for fishing success is the grey matter between your ears.

Good luck with your new boat. Boats are alot of fun. I have nearly as much fun playing with my boat as I do fishing out of it.

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

Boats are holes in the water that you pour money into. That's the way it is - get over it. Besides, if you're addicted to fishing, the way most of us in this neighborhood seem to be, what's your option? What else are you going to spend your money on? One of the charms of fishing is that you can spend as little or as much as you want, go as hi-tech or as low-tech as you want. Either way, the primary tool for fishing success is the grey matter between your ears.

Good luck with your new boat. Boats are alot of fun. I have nearly as much fun playing with my boat as I do fishing out of it.

This post makes no sense. So are you saying it will be expensive, no matter what, and deal with it, or that it can be inexpensive?

[614-Bass]

i got my first boat when i was 15 and it was a old jon boat i got for around 300 me and my grandpa fixed the leaky rivets, put in decking with plywood, carpet, a small trolling motor, a older 9.5 hp johnson and a used fish finder i got in the flea market on here. It didnt cost me much and it got me one the water, it was great for all of our 10hp lakes we have in ohio. i hardly had to put any money into it after i bought everything because my grandpa taught me how to keep everything take care of it.

I recently bought a new to me boat this past spring on craiglist. It's a 2000 lowe 16ft bass striker (like a tracker) it has a 2000 9.9hp johnson. The guy i bought it from took real good care of it and didnt use it a whole lot. I got a real good deal on it to. With the small motor i hardly use any gas so thats really nice.

Check craigslist alot until you find what your looking for at a good price and make sure the previous owner took real good care of it and be patient. If you do this you will not have to worry about the repairs and everything that people talk about. Sure your going to have to put some money into it here and there but as long and you are carefull not to buy a beat up boat you should be fine. Then you can save that money for extra things that you want to put in it like nicer fishfinders, ect. If a broke 18 yr old like me can do it anyone can as long as you are smart and take care of your investment.

Btw shoot me a pm maybe we can get together sometime this spring and do some fishing im up in columbus.

[ctf58]

What size Jon are you talking about? What size lake?

I got a 12' Jon, trolling motor, swivel seat and paddle that I will sell for $450. Never leaked a drop. Good little boat for electric only. I'll throw in a Interstate deep cycle battery for $50.

Just an example of what I started off with.

[tstone]

i have a 13' whaler with a 40hp merc on it. It only has a 6.6 gallon tank, and I can usually go 3 or 4 trips on one tank, if I fish local areas (hillsborough river is mostly no wake zone, and lake thonotosassa is small). Bigger lakes where I'm running around alot I'll usually use half a tank at most.

[crankbait2009]

i got my first boat when i was 15 and it was a old jon boat i got for around 300 me and my grandpa fixed the leaky rivets, put in decking with plywood, carpet, a small trolling motor, a older 9.5 hp johnson and a used fish finder i got in the flea market on here. It didnt cost me much and it got me one the water, it was great for all of our 10hp lakes we have in ohio. i hardly had to put any money into it after i bought everything because my grandpa taught me how to keep everything take care of it.

I recently bought a new to me boat this past spring on craiglist. It's a 2000 lowe 16ft bass striker (like a tracker) it has a 2000 9.9hp johnson. The guy i bought it from took real good care of it and didnt use it a whole lot. I got a real good deal on it to. With the small motor i hardly use any gas so thats really nice.

Check craigslist alot until you find what your looking for at a good price and make sure the previous owner took real good care of it and be patient. If you do this you will not have to worry about the repairs and everything that people talk about. Sure your going to have to put some money into it here and there but as long and you are carefull not to buy a beat up boat you should be fine. Then you can save that money for extra things that you want to put in it like nicer fishfinders, ect. If a broke 18 yr old like me can do it anyone can as long as you are smart and take care of your investment.

Btw shoot me a pm maybe we can get together sometime this spring and do some fishing im up in columbus.

thanks 614. That made a lot of sense.

I think things would be a little different if I didn't want to get my daughter a car for her 16th birthday . that is also what stands in the way.

I have been checking CL quite a bit to get an idea of whats out there. Some are very expensive and some others not so much. I could just imagine what will happen to the prices come spring/summer . we'll see what happens

Clint - UGH.........I will definitely have to get the word out when I am ready to buy!! Right now I'm just getting my hopes up!!! But I guess it doesnt hurt to ask questions to know what I will be up against.

on a side note, what exactly do you do if a boat that you want does not have a title in hand by the seller? Can you not obtain one? Is a titleless boat a HUGE red flag that should be avoided? I see a lot of boats on CL that people are up front in stating that there is no title with it.

[Daniel My Brother]

I've read a lot of stories about people buying boats without title's and they all end poorly. If someone says they don't have a title, save yourself the time and trouble and move along.

[slonezp]

I've read a lot of stories about people buying boats without title's and they all end poorly. If someone says they don't have a title, save yourself the time and trouble and move along.

X2

The other thing you'll notice about boats on CL is the good boats for a good buy get scooped up quickly and there are alot of "Too good to be true" boats which are just that. I spent 6 months looking for a 14-16' jon for my son last year (I refuse to let him take out my boat unsupervised). I found a refurbished 15hp motor that I got for a steal...but no boat. They were either too expensive or had stuff wrong with them.

Don;t get discouraged. You'll find something.