Exactly! Just because you see people in New expensive boats, it doesn't mean that you need one. I bought a mid sized older boat and couldn't be happier with it.

I am definitely middle class (teacher) I have an 03 Ranger 520 that I really like but I went fishing with my son in his 05 Tracker the other day and caught just as many fish as in my Ranger! You can catch fish out of anything. I will say that if I was on a tight budget I would be looking at an aluminum Tracker or something similar.

lots of good aluminum and glass boats out there for 8-15k. Factor in a 4 stroke motor on one and you can really eliminate a lot of the maintenance expenses and upkeep, along with much greater longevity. Your trailer may need replacing years before anything else fails.

I've fished from everything from float tubes and bass busters to a new 21 ft Skeeter to my current 04 G3 HP 180 I bought a few months ago. With a 115 4 stroke on it I really think it's bulletproof. I fish where I want and how I want and pick my lakes based on conditions. I like to fish shallow and this gets it done. I also like small, less pressured lakes and most of the big crowded lakes have a few smaller lakes under 2000 acres close by. Those are usually where you'll find me.

I own a Triton free and clear but between the marina and storing the trailer it $3200 a year. I pay it because being in my boat and fishing is the most fun I can have with my clothes on. Is it expensive, does it cost more than it should-you bet but its the way things are. I'll pay it til I'm too old to fish-hopefully a long time off.

I know there are some straight up STICKS in tourneys around here with older boats that will show up and take my money every time.

I'm like the others. Have a ten year old mid sized Ranger with a 150, but it's mine and I love it. Many many many memories with my dad and son in it.

Buy pre-owned!
On the motor, remember, not many fish caught at 60mph!

Just get the boat that you can afford and upgrade if you want to later. I owned a lot of older boats before I got a new one.

This is a very good topic. Every tournament we fish I pull into the parking lot and see the new jacked up 4wd pickups pulling 2-3 yr old boats. That's $125k just in truck and boat (assuming they bought new). I just can't believe there are that many people that can legitimately afford to pay the notes. The only explanation I have is this - they will finance a high dollar truck 7 years now. A boat can be financed 15 years. I guess that gets your payment low enough that you afford to own it and fish a tournament or two a month.

I think the biggest part of fishermen, especially tournament fishermen, is they feel like they have to keep up with the Jones'. They've gotta look cool and go fast. BUT they gotta be careful or their flat brim will blow off!

if you have a good credit score you will be able make a good deal for a new or used boat. if you dont have a car payment and you dont have a lot of debt on credit cards or other stuff you could easily get a new boat.

you just have to cut somewhere, to get you boat.

I like older boats and have paid cash for the last two I bought.
Last year I found a 2000 model F250 crew cab FWD 7.3 diesel pulling machine that matches my current boat and it had 96000 miles on it.
Happy Happy Happy!

There are quality used boats on the market at all price points. New carpet and seats can do wonders for an older boat. as long as the motor checks out with a reputable mechanic there should be no worries. Besides the fish don"t care what your fishing from. I was told once that all a boat is, is a means to get you to a fishing spot.

There are neighborhoods with 1000s of 1/2+ million dollar homes in all cities. People have money.

An 18.5 footer with a 150 will do just fine for a recreational angler. Find one you can pay cash for, or one that you can finance for 5 years and pay off in 3. Don't get yourself in a financial bind trying to pay off an expensive toy.

The two things you're sacrificing with a smaller boat are speed and rough water ride. If you're a recreational guy not fishing a major tournament trail, speed doesn't matter. If it's windy and the lake is rough, use a ramp that is close to the areas you want to fish.

You do what I did, and you buy yourself a 2003 decent bass boat...... they float pretty much the same way.... you replace a few parts, and you fish from it like crazy. I paid cash for mine, and of course it sucked up another chunk of cash on [censored] I didn't know needed to replaced... so there's always that... and you need to plan for it, but man, I have no issues with not having a new bass boat, even though I drool over them all the time.

Very hard for me to understand financing a "toy". I guess that is why some folks struggle, putting entertainment on credit cards and stuff. Only way I could justify financing a "toy" would be that the interest rate was basically nothing. I think everybody wants not things. Just not everyone can have them right when they want them.