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re: Buying a Boat
Posted on 6/15/24 at 2:44 pm to TopWaterTiger
Posted on 6/15/24 at 2:44 pm to TopWaterTiger
quote:
Unless you find a hull you really like and have the budget to repower to new engine.
This is what I did. Boat has a 135 Opti on it now. Figured whatever extra years I get out of it are gravy and if it needs repair outside of periodic maintenance then it’s getting scrapped in favor a new larger hp 4stroke. Damn thing runs like a top though
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Posted on 6/16/24 at 12:11 am to tigersaint74
I’ve bought a lot of boats. All of them have been used. Jet skis, fishing boats, pontoon boats, just bought a Chaparral 264 Sunesta. All have been used and I’ve always come out pretty good. I just shop around and don’t get in a hurry. Wait on what I want and if it’s a good deal.
Save your money and pay cash. That way you don’t have to use it per so many times a year to justify the monthly note you are paying. If it breaks down you can afford to fix it or walk away from it if it’s catastrophic failure.
Do a really good inspection or pay someone else if you aren’t qualified. Google or YouTube what you need to inspect both the engine and hull. Eventually I’ve had to replace transoms, carpet, seats, reseal lower units, rewire it, you name it, but the boat was paid for and with no note, I could afford to work on it.
They say the happiest 2 days of boat ownership is the day you buy and day you sell it, but I’ve never had a boat that I’ve felt that way about. But I don’t mind working on them and really enjoy spending time on them.
Save your money and pay cash. That way you don’t have to use it per so many times a year to justify the monthly note you are paying. If it breaks down you can afford to fix it or walk away from it if it’s catastrophic failure.
Do a really good inspection or pay someone else if you aren’t qualified. Google or YouTube what you need to inspect both the engine and hull. Eventually I’ve had to replace transoms, carpet, seats, reseal lower units, rewire it, you name it, but the boat was paid for and with no note, I could afford to work on it.
They say the happiest 2 days of boat ownership is the day you buy and day you sell it, but I’ve never had a boat that I’ve felt that way about. But I don’t mind working on them and really enjoy spending time on them.
Posted on 6/16/24 at 7:09 am to tigersaint74
One thing I didn't see mentioned was that if you buy a used boat from a private party, you'll likely be exempt on taxes. If you buy it from a business, you'll have to pay taxes..... for consideration if price is a factor.
Posted on 6/16/24 at 9:48 am to tigersaint74
Most of us have to go through a boat or 3 just to figure out what boat is "right" for us, and then life changes, and you have to start over.
More than likely, the first boat you buy won't be the "right" one. So if possible, don't take a depreciation hit on it, so you can buy your next one (or just sell it and be done if you really don't like owning/maintaining a boat).
If you were my son, I'd tell you to be patient, talk to people with your same family/boating goals, and shop used. It'll work out.
Yes, they all have ongoing issues, new or used.
More than likely, the first boat you buy won't be the "right" one. So if possible, don't take a depreciation hit on it, so you can buy your next one (or just sell it and be done if you really don't like owning/maintaining a boat).
If you were my son, I'd tell you to be patient, talk to people with your same family/boating goals, and shop used. It'll work out.
Yes, they all have ongoing issues, new or used.
Posted on 6/16/24 at 9:50 am to saintkenn
You consider selling it on a consignment basis? The Boat Yard on the west bank does it well.
Posted on 6/16/24 at 1:08 pm to tigersaint74
quote:
Looking to buy my first boat for my family. If I were to buy a new one, does the value of them drop considerably after you drive off with it like some automobiles and is it better to look for a good deal on a used boat in great condition?
Depending on what you purchase, they hold value pretty well. Say you pay 80 grand. Ten years from now you'll likely get 45 or 50. I think they hold value better than automobiles. I buy bass boats. But I'm sure offshore boats prolly hold value well. Don't think about value change in the short term. You are not buying to for the short term.
Posted on 6/16/24 at 2:38 pm to aTmTexas Dillo
Like stated above if you buy new something will be broke to bitch about by the end if Summer. I got 3 a duck boat, bay boat, and offshore boat it's a constant battle to keep the sobs running. The one with the 25hp is quite a bit less expensive. The more horsepower and type of fishing you want to do expect the cost to up substantially. Trout and bass about 5x less expensive than chasing tuna 75 plus miles offshore. Me personally I'm an offshore guy pick your poison only live once!
Posted on 6/17/24 at 5:47 am to tigersaint74
My advice to any 1st time boat buyer; for the next year rent a boat every time you and your family go out on it.....IF you rent one more than 5 times, then buy one.
Posted on 6/17/24 at 9:43 am to Wtodd
quote:
IF you rent one more than 5 times
Outside of a Lake or Destin, FL. There aren’t a ton of boat rentals available
This post was edited on 6/17/24 at 9:44 am
Posted on 6/17/24 at 11:34 am to tigersaint74
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Posted on 6/17/24 at 2:38 pm to Tridentds
In my experience "low hours" can also be another way of saying "boat sat in storage the last 2-3 years" and that could mean ongoing exposure to elements and no use. That comes with problems too.
Posted on 6/17/24 at 2:53 pm to Wtodd
quote:
My advice to any 1st time boat buyer; for the next year rent a boat every time you and your family go out on it.....IF you rent one more than 5 times, then buy one.
Solid advice.
Wife and I both wanted a pontoon but having had multiple boats over the years(currently boat less) I wasn't ready. We rented several times in different locations. Fun but just as I anticipated the magic wore off a little and we both agreed that buying one just wasn't in the cards for now.
Renting can be pricey and its not the same as having one at your disposal but god it feels nice after a day on the water to pull up to the dock, throw the guy a 20 and let someone else deal with the boat.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 7:01 am to Wtodd
quote:
My advice to any 1st time boat buyer; for the next year rent a boat every time you and your family go out on it.....IF you rent one more than 5 times, then buy one.
Renting a boat will give one a false sense of ownership in my opinion. The obvious reason is the lack of work involved before it leaves the dock and once it gets back to the dock. Its all fun and games to use someone else's boat, its another level of commitment to ice one down and put it to bed every time it leaves the dock. Its a good idea to see if you will actually enjoy it but don't forget the joy of owning a boat comes from what happens when it is on the trailer, in the slip or in dry storage....in other words the other 18 hours a day, 365 days a year that the damned thing is working hard to go to rack and ruin while you're busy working to keep the damned thing floating. They are more jealous than any woman, if you skimp on the time and money spent on the damned things they will leave you heartbrok and possibly drowned.
Another thing about renting is you have to load your shite every time you use it and unload it. That sounds like something you would do when you own one but most owners leave a good bit of their shite in the boat all the time and have using the boat, the work required before and after, down to a science. This is probably not as big an issue with a boat used for cruising only but if you're talking about towing folks on various contraptions its a lot of work and if you're talking about fishing its much more work.
Finally renting means using the boat when it is available, on someone else's schedule. I had access to a fleet of rental boats in the Caribbean for 3.5 years. Cheap...$25 a day for pontoon and $50 for a 24' center console. I used them about 5 times in total and wound up owning 2 boats during this period...one inshore and one offshore....because even with a huge fleet technically available - about 20 CCs and 40 pontoon boats...they were either being repaired or being used and you had to reserve them a week or so out most of the time. Thats fine, again, if you are simply boat riding, but it doesn't work so well with fishing because the tide and weather may be less than ideal....and its a pain to have some time to use the thing but none are available.
Unless you pay waaaayyyyy too much for a used boat or have bad luck with it renting would cost about as much as a year or so of ownership. Unless you overpay for a piece of junk most of the time you won't take much of a beating if any if you buy used and own for a year or so...and it will give you a true account of what owning actually entails....it is way more than booking and showing up and leaving without a care in the world.
We have a marina on my "home" lake that rents pontoon boats for $375 for 8 hours, plus fuel. $2000 for Monday afternoon - Thursday afternoon. They do allow tubing on those boats. In my area you can buy a reliable, clean pontoon boat, motor and trailer for around $10k. That boat, unless you beat it to death or somehow damage it, will be worth $8-9K in my area for 3-4 years at least. There is also a Freedom Boat Club on this lake. $10K initial membership fee (3 years ago) and about $250 a day when renting. Thats outlandish in my opinion. Their boats are VERY nice...most of them are brand new demos from local marinas...but you can buy a pretty nice, reliable boat around here for $10K and if you don't use it recoup most of that in a couple of years.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 11:40 am to Clyde Tipton
quote:
There will be some bullshite wrong with the new one before the end of summer.
But new boats have a warranty usually one year. Can have it all fixed for free. Then after that year it is on you.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 11:54 am to Warmouth
quote:
But new boats have a warranty usually one year. Can have it all fixed for free. Then after that year it is on you.
We all know that. I think what he is implying is that anyone who has owned boats for any length of time knows that to own a boat means you will always have to work on them and repair things on the boat. The little warranty only last a year like you said, then it’s up to the owner to do the repairs or pay someone to do them. So just cash in on the savings of a depreciated lightly used boat.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 12:52 pm to Warmouth
quote:
But new boats have a warranty usually one year. Can have it all fixed for free. Then after that year it is on you.
When something goes wrong with a boat and you can't fix it yourself you are at the mercy of a bunch of other people in the same situation....loooooonnnnng lead times on parts and mechanics are covered up....2 months for simple things I would bet is the norm in most areas. I wouldn't know, I have never had anything go wrong with a boat that I couldn't make work somehow....won't say fix 'cause that ain't always the case but it would work....
Posted on 6/20/24 at 6:06 pm to Mister Bigfish
quote:
We all know that. I think what he is implying is that anyone who has owned boats for any length of time knows that to own a boat means you will always have to work on them and repair things on the boat. The little warranty only last a year like you said, then it’s up to the owner to do the repairs or pay someone to do them. So just cash in on the savings of a depreciated lightly used boat.
It has already been stated…there is not much difference in price between a new boat and a used boat that is not very old.
I bought my boat brand new 10 years ago and I see the exact boat (year and model) being listed for only 10k less than it cost me at the dealership.
The days of making a great deal on a used boat in great condition are over. You will have to pay now.
Posted on 6/20/24 at 9:04 pm to Warmouth
Edited. Misread post. Ignore
This post was edited on 6/20/24 at 9:05 pm
Posted on 6/20/24 at 9:07 pm to tigersaint74
You tired of having money?
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