Why I do not have new boats.

[DeepCMark58A]

I do not finance toys so they tend to be modest. I really can't fault the Honda it is 23 years old. The pontoon is the lake cruiser for my wife and I during the week. It is a staging craft when we are out playing on the water.

Our kids host groups of friends that come up and stay and play on the water there is wear and tear with groups of people using it. I am not the kind of guy that is going to fret over a little dock rash or dings. It is like going thru sliding screen doors, usually 2 a summer.

The ski boat is another story. My son and I are the only operators.

 

[JimS123]

My position is that if I have to finance a "toy" I can't really afford it and I don't really need it.

I guess I have been luckier than most. Every new boat I have bought has never had to go back to the dealer......not for anything. I have done all the routine maintenance myself.

My single used boat - the tinny in my signature - was bought when it was 24 years old. 600 bucks. It cost me triple that over the years just to keep it going.

When on the sandbar often times people come over and comment how nice my boat is. If I said it was "new to me" I guess I would be embarrassed.

Once again....just my way of doing things. My Dad favored the used thing. He had to save all his money for "old age". The nursing home took it all. Not gonna happen to me. My kid's inheritance is already in jeopardy.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

My position is that if I have to finance a "toy" I can't really afford it and I don't really need it.

I guess I have been luckier than most. Every new boat I have bought has never had to go back to the dealer......not for anything. I have done all the routine maintenance myself.

My single used boat - the tinny in my signature - was bought when it was 24 years old. 600 bucks. It cost me triple that over the years just to keep it going.

When on the sandbar often times people come over and comment how nice my boat is. If I said it was "new to me" I guess I would be embarrassed.

Once again....just my way of doing things. My Dad favored the used thing. He had to save all his money for "old age". The nursing home took it all. Not gonna happen to me. My kid's inheritance is already in jeopardy.

Ever hear of putting property and assets in a trust?

 

[briangcc]

I buy new for the warranty. Have used it on all the new boats. Might be down a week at most during season but usually shorter than that as the marinas around me want us out on the water, not tying up space in their shop.

And I usually wait till I have a decent punch list so that its worth everyone's time.

Now...since my boys are getting older, and my oldest becomes a teenager next year, I've been half heartedly looking for a tin fishing boat for them to use. What fits in my budget is used. Been looking for something Starcraft/Sylvan/Crestliner/Spectrum that might need a floor/transom but would be an easy weekend project as I have all the wood working tools I would need to replace those items on hand. Deals can be found, and I have, for under $2k including paperwork.

Now is that going to be the nicest on the lake? Nope. But it'll be functional and ready for their use/abuse.

And that reminds me...my wife, myself and my oldest all need to take the boater safety class for 2025 or face fines... We're going to do an in person class - personal preference.

 

[cyclops222]

How many new Yamahahas will be running or running as well as the1980 ish Evinrudes and others from back then ?
Will there be a lot of spare NOS parts ?

 

[JimS123]

Ever hear of putting property and assets in a trust?

A Trust is necessary for anyone and everyone. Been there, done that. However, the jeopardy is not in that regard.

I did the computer program to estimate my life span. My goal is to draw down the assets so I don't waste any money and don't leave too much behind. My kids are doing better than I ever imagined. If I buy used crap there just might be too much left. Besides, my brand new boats make me feel good.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Now...since my boys are getting older, and my oldest becomes a teenager next year, I've been half heartedly looking for a tin fishing boat for them to use.

Kids and new boaters should all start with a 14ft tin boat with a small motor. They will run it into rocks, other boats, and the trailer plenty of times. Starting them on old stuff is the way to go.

My daughter has been steering my boat since she was 2. She's a teenager and can wheel that boat around better than either of my brothers. She's also very good on an ATV and snowmobile. However, I she's not allowed to drive the big boat (16.5ft) without me around and whenever she gets to the point of wanting her own boat, it will be my 1960s 12ft Starcraft with the 1957 Johnson.

 

[briangcc]

Well....it'll be in the 16-18' range, open bow, with full windshield and a 50-90HP outboard. Comparable to what we have now, just in tin form. That way if one boat can go out, so can the other.

Pretty sure that in NY you can't operate a boat w/o an adult until age 18. At least that's the rule we're going to enforce as parents. So since one of us is going to be onboard, we're going to be comfortable.

A 14' dinghy isn't in the cards...I'll have no buy in with the admiral for it for one. Another, I know how they handle in 6" of chop...my 15yr younger & less fluffy self got soaked in the front...and that would be the end of it right there. It's the very reason I ended up buying the Bayliner in my sig.

My kids have all grown up on our boats so they're familiar with the procedures...even if they haven't done them all yet themselves. Now getting them to their right of passage...peeing off the back of the boat...has been a work in progress for my younger (2)

 

[JimS123]

My kids have all grown up on our boats so they're familiar with the procedures...even if they haven't done them all yet themselves. Now getting them to their right of passage...peeing off the back of the boat...has been a work in progress for my younger (2)

I carry a can aboard and use it when circumstances require it. Down on my knees aft and my saying is: "I'm going to check the motor." The wife has seen it before and the boys do the same.

Today, I was out fishing by myself. NO one in sight. To heck with the can. One hand on the bimini and the boat lists just the right amount. About half way thru a gofast comes chugging by (behind me thankfully) and the wake caused some uncontrolled directional fluid flow.

I cleaned up the yellow spots on the side deck as soon as i got home.

 

[BWR1953]

The reason that we don't buy new boats is that we don't have the money to afford them. Whatever size/type/style we're talking about.

Period.

Jeff Bezos spent a half a billion dollars for his yacht. He didn't consider making sure his ancient 2-stroke had the proper link n sync.

He just bought whatever the heck he wanted. Because he could.

From what I've read, there are yachts which cost many times more than Jeff's boat.

If'n I had the bux, I'd definitely be buying new.

 

[racerone]

When you but a new boat they say it takes 10% of the purchase price to operate / maintain / enjoy it each year.

 

[cyclops222]

After the 30 % new boat depreciation.

 

[cyclops222]

After the 20 % new boat depreciation

 

[JimS123]

After the 30 % new boat depreciation.

That's true.

I bought a brand new 1984 Stingray 190 SVB and paid $9500 cash. Sold it in 2019 for $6500.

Yup. 35 years and about 30%.

 

[cyclops222]

They are born every minute somewhere.

 

[BWR1953]

I'm tired of dealing with old boat carp. I had a couple of old engines for sale, along with a bunch of associated parts. Got zero interest. Zero!

I pulled the ads and am giving the junk to my buddy for scrap.

My aluminum Chieftain project boat has been for sale for months and is still sitting in the yard. Only one guy showed up to check it out. Told me he was a millionaire but wanted me to sell it to him at scrap price.

People just don't want to mess with ancient stuff. And neither do I. I've had enough.

My wife doesn't want me out in the garage working on old boats anymore. And she definitely doesn't want to keep helping me!

She says we should just buy a new boat. I agree, but it'll have to wait a little while. But I'll be very happy when it happens.

 

[racerone]

Fact is the new boats come with computers to help start / operate the motor.----People like that compared to old technology where you needed some training.------It is not cheaper , just user friendly.

 

[JimS123]

Fact is the new boats come with computers to help start / operate the motor.----People like that compared to old technology where you needed some training.------It is not cheaper , just user friendly.

All our new boats eventually got old. They all ran great with meticulous maintenance, but some had carbs that usually required coaxing the first time out each year.

Regardless, technology is ever improving. Back in college my engineering professor said that technology doubled every 10 years.

My new 4-stroke outboard sits from October to May every Winter. Bundled up snug as a rug in the garage. Come Spring I turn the key and.........click........zoom. Can't beat that.

 

[BWR1953]

All our new boats eventually got old. They all ran great with meticulous maintenance, but some had carbs that usually required coaxing the first time out each year.

Regardless, technology is ever improving. Back in college my engineering professor said that technology doubled every 10 years.

My new 4-stroke outboard sits from October to May every Winter. Bundled up snug as a rug in the garage. Come Spring I turn the key and.........click........zoom. Can't beat that.

Your old prof was probably referring to Moore's Law which states that computer processing power essentially doubles every two years.

And I look forward to the click-zoom boat functionality again!

I bought my 1985 Bass Tracker Tournament TX-17 new and kept it for 8 or 9 years and had no problems at all. Great little boat. Used the heck outta that thing.

My hobby is fishing... not "tinkering" on ancient engines and old boats. I want to spend my remaining time on this planet catching them, not fixing old carp.

 

[racerone]

Overheard a customer at a dealer .----Enquiring about repairs to steering on a fairly new ( fly by wire ) outboard motor.----About $500 each for new sensors and 6 hrs labor.-----Gone are the days where you could buy a " tiller cable " kit at $15.95 and install it yourself.-----This new technology is great when it works.