Buy one where you can pay it off in 5 or 6 years, then just keep trading up as soon as it's paid for getting a nicer boat each time.

This is pretty much what i did back in 1985, bought a new Ranger Bass Masters Classic, had it paid for in under 2 years, I have bought about 20 new ones since then, most were paid for when i drove off with it, a few had up to 18 month loan.

No, however purchase a boat same way you purchase a house, truck, property. Remain within a budget, make early and extra payments. Most importantly use the boat often, often, often.

If you can't afford one, change careers. Go used and older or smaller. Some guys have boats worth as much as a house. They must earn alot of $$$! I wanted a 21 ft. And could afford a 19 ft. But I'm fishing!

Thats the main thing

The last boat I bought new was a 1987 Ranger 373V Bassmaster Classic. Paid $18250 for it. Kept it 17 years and probably would still have it, had it not burned up in a boat shed fire. that was the last new boat for me.

For the price of a boat, gas, insurance etc getting to a lake you can probably afford to split two maybe three guided trips with a friend each month. I am seriously considering this myself.

Asking others how THEY afford a new bass boat has no bearing on I(ME) paying for a new bass boat!

Anyone else remember the years around Lake Fork when every little country house had a brand new Charcoal / Silver Skeeter Starfire 150 with Yamaha 150 sitting beside it?

Those boys flat wore out that lake with Blk/Blu lizards on pond dams, mainly because they knew the location every stock pond that was flooded.

Ahhh now those were the years, except for the Wasps...

d

Don't stop a what you can afford.......it's un-American.

But one that's a couple years old but taken care of. Save a bunch of money.