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boat buying

NOAHNOAH Member Posts: 9,690
edited February 2011 in General Discussion
was thinking of buying a used boat this spring. but now am not so sure ,cost of gas,cost of upkeep, insurance,maintenace.
big boys toys[:0]already have the gun habit,that cost alot[:0].
but with all the cost of anything/everything going up,just don't know[V]. your thoughts[8]

Comments

  • garanchgaranch Member Posts: 3,681
    edited November -1
    With your user name I think it would be a good idea.
  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    If U can't do ALL the maint. and repairs yourself,U better have a FAT BANK account!
  • mt3777mt3777 Member Posts: 73
    edited November -1
    used boat, small motor, aluminum construction.

    no insurance needed!

    a small boat that gets used a lot will catch more fish than a big fancy one you can't afford to run!
  • jev1969jev1969 Member Posts: 2,691
    edited November -1
    If you're worried about the cost of upkeep, maint, repairs etc don't buy a boat. Buying a boat is like re-marrying your ex-wife. You can have alot of fun as long as you go into it knowing that it's gonna cost you through the nose. [^]
  • woodhogwoodhog Member Posts: 13,115 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've owned one boat or another for forty years. Never been sorry.
  • CbtEngr01CbtEngr01 Member Posts: 4,340
    edited November -1
    With the price of gas, the only boat I'd buy is something I could make money or food with(shrimping, flounder gigging, oystering, etc)
  • Blade SlingerBlade Slinger Member Posts: 5,891
    edited November -1
    I found used boats are a hole in the water to through money in[xx(]
  • wpagewpage Member Posts: 10,201 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    With risk in oil. Consider sail.
  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by jev1969
    If you're worried about the cost of upkeep, maint, repairs etc don't buy a boat. Buying a boat is like re-marrying your ex-wife. You can have alot of fun as long as you go into it knowing that it's gonna cost you through the nose. [^]

    Absolutely correct!
    I have a 21 foot open bow runabout that I keep on a small river. I bought the boat, trailer, hoist, and canopy all new in 2008. Yes, it can be expensive to own and operate a boat, but it is sure fun and relaxing. We take 10-12 day trips each summer and get out for cocktails and/or dinner at least 3-4 times a week all summer long. My son water ski's and wake boards a few times a year when he's in town. It's especially fun to take people out who don't have a boat! My hoist is remote control 12 Volt electric with a built in solar panel charger and I lift it right up and tight under the canopy so air can circulate but rain and sun can't get at the boat while it's just sitting. A good coat of wax every spring and I just wipe it off above the gunnells and we enjoy it all summer long! Just a few more months and we will be back on the water!![:D]
    The interesting thing about boating is, whether you are looking at a $100,000.00 boat or a $500.00 boat on the water you can never tell who is having the most fun out there!!
  • LaidbackDanLaidbackDan Member Posts: 13,142 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How many cubits were you thinking of?
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    B.O.A.T. Break Out Another Thousand.

    The rule of 44....You will break, lose or damage something that costs AT LEAST $44.00 every time you get aboard your boat.

    Boat: a hole in the water, surrounded by wood, fiberglass or metal that consumes copious amounts of money and fuel.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,404 ******
    edited November -1
    What size boat were you considering?
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    if you know what you're doing in terms of assessing, buying, operating, and maintaining a boat; they can be a lot of fun and rewarding.

    if you dont have all of those bases covered, it will cost you a never ending amount of money; either in paying someone else to share those talents with you, or the repairs stemming from thinking you can do it yourself when you cant. one way or another, its going to cost you.

    what are the two happiest days in a boat owners life? the day he buys the boat, and the day he sells it.
  • NOAHNOAH Member Posts: 9,690
    edited November -1
    15 -18 ft fish& ski, 2-4k something i can handle alone but want to take wife for a spin on weekends i live in N. TX so plenty of lakes and used boats and no i am not a mechanic so that is a factoralsoquote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
    What size boat were you considering?
  • longspur riderlongspur rider Member Posts: 2,620 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I won a high dollar boat once. I owned it just long enough to get it sold. Never used it. The guy I sold it to lost his but on it, mainly due to his inability to maintain it. Made him a heck of a deal on it & he still lost it.
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    they aren't that bad as long as you don't try to have trump towers on the water. Mine is 20', with a simple depthfinder, and cuddy cabin. For a radio, take a boom box. The only real expense is if I need engine work done.

    remember, a boat that gets used will not break down anywhere near as often as a boat that sits for long periods of time. make sure you run the boat fairly often during the season, and they actually seem to appreciate it. let it sit, even inside, and stuff will start crappin out left and right.
  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,702 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you have to give any thought at all to whether or not you will be able to put gas in it and maintain it then you can't afford it anyway.
    Forget the boat idea and get yourself a good used canoe, almost completely maintenance free and environmentally friendly. Good for you too
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
  • dakotashooter2dakotashooter2 Member Posts: 6,186
    edited November -1
    Hint: You do not need (or in many cases want) to go 60-70 mph on the water. I have 2 boats, a 17' starcraft with a 3 cyl 70 HP that will get about 32 mph and a 12' aluminum sears with a 2 cyl 9.9 that goes about 24 mph. The first burns about 5-6 gal per hr the second about 5-6 gal per day. Do the math.

    Hint 2: Wide + more gas.... While more stable, wider beam boats require more HP to push and generally more gas.
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,524 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Better get a second job. The two happiest days of my life was buying my boat and selling it[;)]
  • nutfinnnutfinn Member Posts: 12,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't, gas will be at least $4 / gallon this summer [}:)] It is Hussein's fault
  • jev1969jev1969 Member Posts: 2,691
    edited November -1
    I bought a '24 Bayliner last spring for 2k. I put about 1k into, 1,500 for dock space and probably 500 in gas and misc items. 5k total but I had an absolute blast. Entertained a few ladies and had fun with my buddies. Sold it labor day weekend for 2,700. Some may say I'm out 2,300 but I look at it as a great price for a summer of fun. [8D]
  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    with your user name you are supposed to build one yourself...remember a cubit is a line of $100 bills defining dimensions of your ark
  • RtWngExtrmstRtWngExtrmst Member Posts: 7,456
    edited November -1
    You're going to need a pair of every species. Actually the species of 'GB Member' doesn't come it pairs.
  • NOAHNOAH Member Posts: 9,690
    edited November -1
    you funny [:D][:D]but all of you/ya'll are right in a way . will weigh it out , still have boat fever ahhhhhh[:D]quote:Originally posted by spasmcreek
    with your user name you are supposed to build one yourself...remember a cubit is a line of $100 bills defining dimensions of your ark
  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The two best days of owning a boat:
    The day you buy it and the day you sell it.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Just bought a boat myself.

    Now is the time to buy, before people all have the same idea, at the same time.


    I have a Carlson, with a 40 HP Susuki motor. It will be fish only, but I could pull a tuber if I wanted to. Not gonna happen though.
  • MMOMEQ-55MMOMEQ-55 Member Posts: 13,134
    edited November -1
    Most problems with boats come from owners who do not know how to own a boat. A proper maintained and handled boat will give you many years of good service.

    Prime example is my 1973 27' Penn Yan. My dad had it before me and properly maintained it. I have owned it for over 20 years now and have little problems with it too. All these years the maintenance that is required has been performed.

    I take this boat as much as 70 miles off shore almost every weekend during the spring and fall. Many weekends we are anchored next to Frying Pan Tower which is about 40 miles off the coast of NC for the whole weekend. Go out friday night and come in sunday night. But after each of these trips I spend about 5 hours doing routine maintenance. And she is always washed down as soon as I get her out of the water.

    I change the oil on her twin Volvos on a regular schedule and always install new impellers at the start of every season. At the end of the season I remove both props and have them balanced. I replace both of them about every 5 years. And I also replace the grease in both out drives every season. My aluminum trailer is mostly maintenance free. I wash it down real good every time and I shoot grease in all the Bearing Buddies. About every 3 years I have to buy 6 new trailer tires and replace all tie down straps.

    I would venture to say that my monthly maintenance average is around $20.00 except for the years I have to buy new props and tires. That right there is my biggest maintenance cost. 2 new props coast 1k, 6 new tires cost around $700.00 Boats will cost you money but if you do your part that cost can be minimal. When I took over the helm from my dad I rebuilt both diesels and they are going strong after 20 years. I also replaced the boots and al bearings on the outdrives. My son will take over the helm some day and he will get many years of trouble free use out of her too.

    Now with the cost of diesel she may sit a little more this spring. Or I will just have to get more fishing buddies to chip in for fuel. 200 gallons it takes to fill her up but she goes all weekend on about half of that. Depends on if we troll or bottom fish. I love grouper so we mostly bottom fish. If the kings, tuna, or spanish are running then we troll.
  • NOAHNOAH Member Posts: 9,690
    edited November -1
    THANK GOD[:)]quote:Originally posted by RtWngExtrmst
    You're going to need a pair of every species. Actually the species of 'GB Member' doesn't come it pairs.
  • 4627046270 Member Posts: 12,627
    edited November -1
    remember the two best days in your life.
    the day you buy a boat, and the day you sell your boat.
    I sold mine, just could not use it.
  • bhale187bhale187 Member Posts: 7,798
    edited November -1
    I have spent nearly $3k this winter getting my boat back into shape for this summer. New tires for the trailer, new 350 long block, various other parts and labor.

    Boats are expensive, and can be a nightmare from time to time, but to me it's worth it for the great time my family and I have on the boat.
  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Boats are a lot like women. Good solid servicable ones are a fun to have and will not require you to empty your bank account. Get one with all the glitz, glitter, and accessories and it will break ya.

    Buy reasonable, take decent care of it and enjoy. I have a 16 foot fish and ski I gave $2500 for years ago. It doesn't impress anyone but we sure have had a lot of fun with it. I also have a 14 foot boat for small lakes etc. You know what, we've had a lot of fun with that one too.
  • NOAHNOAH Member Posts: 9,690
    edited November -1
    will buy a boat[:p]quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
    Boats are a lot like women. Good solid servicable ones are a fun to have and will not require you to empty your bank account. Get one with all the glitz, glitter, and accessories and it will break ya.

    Buy reasonable, take decent care of it and enjoy. I have a 16 foot fish and ski I gave $2500 for years ago. It doesn't impress anyone but we sure have had a lot of fun with it. I also have a 14 foot boat for small lakes etc. You know what, we've had a lot of fun with that one too.
  • thorhammerthorhammer Member Posts: 990 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This economy is causing people to dump their boats on the market.

    Good time to buy now, wait until April when they get their boats out

    of storage.

    Yes mine going on the market too. A 16 foot Alumacraft with a 40 HP

    Johnson, steering wheel not a tiller. Live well, bilge pump,

    trolling motor, 4 pedestal seats, rod rack. A karastan folding

    tongue trailer with guide rollers and i believe it's a year 2002.

    When i bought it for 7,250 I put another 500 into it. And I took

    good care of it. A new one would be 12-13K.

    Don't go less than 40 HP, I would also get an 18 footer if you go on

    large lakes that get sizable waves. Try not to get a tiller, a

    steerable boat with windshield is better. The rental cost per week

    is 550 for a tiller/50Hp, you can buy insurance except for the prop,

    you bend it on a rock you pay to replace it, big bucks.

    Lastly stay away from merc's, I've had problems with them that i

    don't care to go thru again.

    good luck, Thor
  • plinkedplinked Member Posts: 401 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'll never regret owning a boat just as I'll never regret selling it either
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    here is a bit-o-info

    My boat is a 1993 (as is the motor and trailer). I payed,.......get ready.....get ready.......$1500 for all of it.

    I have $3000 in it now with all the work I had done to the motor. I did that work as a way of "setting my mind at rest". The motor was perfect,..I simply have an idea of just how an engine should be,..so that $1000 was for peace of mind.

    You can absolutely STEAL a boat right now. Offer a wayyyyy low price. They will either say NO, and call you back in a few days to accept, or they will say OK just to get out from under it. The guy who I bought mine from ($6000 blue book) wanted $3000,..so I said "I'll give you $1500". Next thing you know,..I got the call[8D]
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