Thinking about a NEW boat. . . But the Truck will have to go.

Jimi:

Boats are like swimming pools and I've had both. You'll use the hell out of it the first year, somewhat the second year and hardly at all the third year. They depreciate a tremendous amount and then are hard to unload. I guess that's not too unlike our trucks, but sooner or later, our trucks will increase in value. That will NEVER happen with a boat. Oh well, I guess you'll be able to get another truck in the future after you unlaod the boat. Good luck with you're decision.
 
includemeout said:
I have had a boat in my life Forever, however, I would check out the blue book prices on similar used boats.

Most small craft prices drop like a rock. There are some that hold there value IE: Cobalt, Boston Whaler, Grady White, Thompson (got one),
Sea Ray and some others. Do some homework before the sales person works you;)

There are many used boats out there at a Large savings( most of whch have had little use and have lots of extra goodies already installed ) just have a survey done by a reputal inspector before buying and they will let you know what you are getting into, right down to the hose clamps:idea:

It is a buyers market. My .03 cents worth

It is a buyers market for sure. I've done my fair share of research. IF I were to get a boat, I wanted to break even or even "down-size" from my truck payment, insurance and fuel costs which total to a rough figure of $850 - $900 collectively. Thats a monthly figure obviously.

I dont see me being able to make a lateral move from my truck to a boat. I'd still have to buy ANOTHER truck to tow it. I dont see being able to replace ONE truck payment and costs, with a boat AND a truck.

I'm still researching, but it doesn't look like its happening this summer. :) I'm not in any huge hurry to do anything. I've still got the mindset, if it happens, it happens.

RAM82A1 said:
Jimi:

Boats are like swimming pools and I've had both. You'll use the hell out of it the first year, somewhat the second year and hardly at all the third year. They depreciate a tremendous amount and then are hard to unload. I guess that's not too unlike our trucks, but sooner or later, our trucks will increase in value. That will NEVER happen with a boat. Oh well, I guess you'll be able to get another truck in the future after you unlaod the boat. Good luck with you're decision.

I'm not to certain this would be my case. I guess only time will tell. I definately agree about the depriciation. There isn't any way around that, period. Everything's replacable, but at what cost. . .

Thanks for your input Chris. :)
 
Jimi - your still mulling this over??? you need to S/C your truck and forget about this boat stuff!!! Your gas for the boat will be at least a grand a month during the summer(assuming you use it everyweekend).
 
BurntRubber said:
Your gas for the boat will be at least a grand a month during the summer(assuming you use it everyweekend).

I'm sure. Gas on the water is just rediculous. I'd use it every clear weekend as long there wasn't something else going on. . .
 
DONT DO IT You will regret it !Ive had boats .It will drain every $$ you have. Do NOT get bamboozeled into it. You will be paying for this all year. I live in a boating community and have my own boat slip and don't even own one anymore. If I could park my truck there I would.
Unless you are really into boating and you will use this thing at every opportunity stay away!!!
My advice is get friends who have boats . Go out with them. Offer to pay for gas. Take them out for dinner. You will be years ahead.

Good luck

steve:2in1: :2in1: :2in1:
 
chicks love boats. hmm, chicks love srt-10's too. guess it comes down to which one will bring in the most chicks!

j/k - but you can get a great boat for 1/4 the cost of your srt-10. so you can probably have both!
 
nycstev said:
DONT DO IT You will regret it !Ive had boats .It will drain every $$ you have. Do NOT get bamboozeled into it. You will be paying for this all year. I live in a boating community and have my own boat slip and don't even own one anymore. If I could park my truck there I would.
Unless you are really into boating and you will use this thing at every opportunity stay away!!!
My advice is get friends who have boats . Go out with them. Offer to pay for gas. Take them out for dinner. You will be years ahead.

Good luck

steve:2in1: :2in1: :2in1:

I was kinda hoping all the "rumors" of boats being a true money pit were untrue, but apparently so. . . I've already got a friend with a boat. :D

Thanks for the input Stevaroni. :)

AWDisuzu said:
but you can get a great boat for 1/4 the cost of your srt-10. so you can probably have both!

I'm exploring this avenue as well. I'm maybe thinking start small. Boats in the mid 90's seem to be levelled out. I can spend a few thousand and have a decent boat, and if I decide to sell it, I'm taking as much of a loss as a new and even newer boat.

Thanks though!

I've got a chick, so I would be bringing sand to the beach. . . :D
 
Hey ROZ, I'm just bustin' your onions. Do what makes you happy. Just never leave this site! (or leave the site, and leave your Avitar:bootyshake: ):D
 
pirateman said:
i own a boat dealership, trust me keep the truck

A little elaboration? :dontknow: :)

Your input would be appreciated.
 
Jimi, do what makes you happy , you will live longer.... :D as far you are interested here's my boat history :

beeing young , 2 kids , i wanted a boat...bought with my last penny a streamlined 16' bath tub with a way to big 6 in line outboard Mercury. Used it 2 times to see that it was tooo small for 4 persons and before we could think about it blowed a piston. Exit boat 1. Boat 2 was a 22' Starcraft bowrider with a inboard Volvo. We had more space , mama on the sundeck , babys in the bow, papa pushing that engine till... yep, a rebuild.But it was a nice boat , ski etc...Trailerd it to France and had a fine holiday .
But then we wanted bigger , dreaming of a fridge , wish we could sleep aboard... Boat sold and a 26' Sea Ray cabin cruiser with fat 8 . Great boat , could still ski , fishing on the sea , trailerd it 3 years to the south of france for some weeks holiday. Now we could "live" aboard , could dive as much i wanted with all my gear aboard. But one day at the sea over here i almost run over a catamaran realizing that we were just drinking with friends , racing from port to port , blowing gas as it was water ... fun was over. My friend and i became more and more interested in a sailing boat.
Sea Ray sold , we to nautical lessons for our grade of "Yacht man" and "Yacht navigator". He bought a 29' Evasion Beneteau sail boat , i....wanted bigger.... Couldn't afford it , so build it myself.... :eek:That was 1994. Now 13 years later we sailed with my friend's while i'm building and building... :D Ok, that's also my hobby , the boat is almost finished , it will be my retirement refuse. It's a 50' motorsailer , 2 engines , complete with all equipment to live in as in a house.But you don't want to know what that baby has cost in those years , not to mention the hours working on it...:D
But ofcourse i'm glad i have done it ,even if i had the money now i don't think i should spend it on such a boat in one time... mama would put me away i'm afraid... :D :D
 
Roz-SRT said:
Thats a damn nice boat! :rock:

Do you keep it at the house or at a marina?

Thanks, I keep it at home most of the time. I am lucky to live 2 miles from the lake. I have a slip to keep it in the water for long weekends etc. I can't imagine not having it. I do agree with many of the posts here though. Buy used first! Make sure you are a boater at heart. From my experience the upgrade process is pretty easy and cheaper than buying a dream boat right off and finding out it's not for you.
 
I have been in the boat business for over 25 years. what i have found is there are 2 types of boaters. 30% will love it, can afford it. and will use the hell out of their boats. 70% will use them relentlssly for the first month and then they sit. Not what they thought it would be, upkeep and costs, kids bored already, new has wore off, dockage, etc. I am telling you this and this is how i make my living. I stock 40 to 65 new boats always and can prep and use anyone i want , but i choose to go home and sit by the pool. give it a lot of thought , if you decide that is what you want to do , contact me before you buy and let help you get the best deal you can get,
 
Jimi,
I can promise you, boats are money pits! In the last two weeks, I spent $1800 just getting mine ready for the season to take to the marina. But, I will say that EVERY weekend is a vacation for me and my family to get away from the rest of the world. I pay yearly slip rent just to have somewhere to keep my boat during boating season (6 months), but it's worth it. The hardest part is the winter months. When it's cold outside, it's hard to figure out why you invest so much in a warm weather toy. :dontknow: But when it warms up, you remember! ;) :D
 
I would honestly tell you to pass on the boat. That amount of money just doesnt make sense for a boat...Dont get me wrong, I just got back from Lake havasu and i saw some incredible boats..I was completely blown away..Its just crazy to just see some of the these machines do 150mph down the lake...They are powerful beauitilful and fun..But the cost is just insane...Even after you buy the boat they just keep on dippin into funds...After the first day i was kind fed up. I mean you can only do so much in the boat... I know how fun water sports but I woukd rather suggest some jet ski's...those little things are rockets and not that expensive..I think those are alot funner and your ladyfriend would enjoy alot more.. I hope this helps

If you really want to get a boat, just get a used one..Most folks take care of there boats..I really wouldnt worry about getting someones elses promblem
 
Duuuuude

Don't even buy a Four Winns. Its a recreational boat made to look like a wannabe ski/wakeboard boat. If you really want to ski or board, buy a boat intended for that purpose, you'll be really glad you did. Also, as most have mentioned, buy a used one 1-3 years old so you can save some big cash and get a real boat intended to do what you want it to do. Have fun!
 
Silverback said:
I guess the way I look at it is, I can drive the truck everyday. A boat you can use when you have the time.
exactly........ had a boat, but only can use sometimes........ i'd stay with the truck myself...... besides, who's the truck for anyways ??
 
General rule of thumb is plan on 10% of the purchase price (new) every year for storage and upkeep. Fuel is not included in that. Deffinately cheaper on maintenance to store it out of the water either on a trailer or dry stack. If you must leave it in a wet slip then paint the bottom.

Me, I've been around the water all my life, family has always had boats. I'm a beach bum and will always own a boat. I love everything about being on the water, fishing, watersports, or just loading up a group and going drinking. Is it a money pit... absolutely. Boats are expensive, using them is expensive and they bring other hobbies that are also expensive (tubes, wakeboards, skiis, BEER, fishing tackle, BEER)

My father just ventured into a new realm of boating for us, always had ski boats. He bought a 38' sportfisherman that lives in SC at our dock. Boat burns 36 gallons per hour (.7mpg) at cruise and holds 400 gallons of diesel. Needs oil (gallons not quarts) changes every 100 hrs and has to be hauled out every year for bottom paint. 2 motors, 1 generator, 2 A/C systems etc. Had to employ a part time captain to maintain the boat, weekly washings, bi-monthly waxing, all service work. Is it worth it?? We think it is, have cruised from Destin Fl around Key West up to Hilton Head Sc. We plan on cruising it to Maryland and back this summer. Been to Charleston fishing, Savannah for St Pattys, Jacksonville for Ga/Fl, floating RV that fishes. Its just over 1 year old and has almost 400 hrs on it, so we use the hell out of it.

Bottom line, only you can decide if it is worth it to you. We get more pleasure out of any boat we own than any car. Like others have said, buy one used, there are lots on the market that people bought and just didn't use and now they are selling. Since you're new at this market don't take the hit on a new one to see if you are or aren't going to like it. If you can get in a dry stack you don't even need a truck to tow it. Marina can handle all service work and boat stays protected from weather.

My friends have the best kind of boat... mine! But... gas, grass, or ass no one rides for free
 

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