I agree....not all are trying to keep up with the "Jones" but many are and regret it later. I know a man who drove his "old truck" til the day he died......he was wealthy......people who didn't know him assumed he didn't have much because of where he lived and what he drove......"perceptions". Some buy nice stuff because they can while others buy stuff because they want to give others the perception they can. As long as a man is taking care of his responsibilities, there is nothing wrong with him spending his money on "wants" or "toys". Just my opinion....Prices are based on what the market will bear.....whether ice chests, shoes, or boats.

My next boat will be a 1 or 2 year old 20 footer from either Ranger or Phoenix. If I lived closer to good fishing I would already have it. The way I look at is, I make good money and fishing is my hobby. I don't spend much money on anything else so I will pay 40-50k on a new, "used" boat. Il let the initial owner take the big depreciation hit, then il have what I want. If I had to finance a boat for a long time, I wouldn't buy it. I would just buy what I could afford. Could I buy a 70 k boat, yes, but I feel like buying a year or 2 old one is much smarter..

im a guy that could afford to buy a 70,000 bass boat on 5 year note. But the way I look at it is after you add insurance, gas,oil,lures,rod n reel,maintenance, and whatever else comes up. That would put too much stress on me and fishing wouldn't be fun. Maybe that's why so many people are mad out on the water.

One day after I get out of school I might be lucky and get one of these caliber rigs but for right now with school and going everyone fish the college circuit I'll keep my 01

I have been to many dealers and I have yet to see any of them hold a gun to anyone's head making them buy a boat they could not afford.

LOL

The prices are what folks are paying. However, I don't agree that a 21' Ranger is like buying a Mercedes. Where is the Chevrolet/Ford in that comparison? A 21' boat with nothing but the basics for $25k?

I've got a 17' Triton that's 18 years old. I just can't imagine replacing it with a $70,000 boat, regardless of what features it may or may not have. The Triton does just fine, although I'd like to be able to get out on windier days sometimes. A 21' boat might be nice, and I'd probably be willing to drop $20k-$25k eventually if I could swap it for a new one and that cash. But $40k+ for a new boat is beyond insane. $50k, $60k, $70k+ is ridiculous. People paying that have more money than sense, unless they're making a living out of it. Just as simple as that to me IMH.

I just can't wait until today's rigs are 10 years old so I can afford one of those bad boys!

Here's an example I just ran across that only $12,500 and looks to be worth every penny. You could take this boat fishing on any lake tomorrow and not worry.

http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/5282883187.html

Never saw a realtor hold a gun to someones head either. Over pricing and getting creative to convince people that they could afford something over priced really worked out great in that market. I'd like to see some statistics on boat sales and see how sharply their prices peaked. I tried searching for info but couldn't find any

I trade out every 4 years and usually put 7-10,000 in my pocket but I finance for 6 years and my CU is great on interest 2.9% is normal sometimes lower 3 at the most. You stretch one out 12-15 years at 9+ interest yes that not a very smart move and you will be stuck with it or will be severly upside down if you trade in or sale.

Not me it dont I love it doesnt bother me a bit.

Seems to me the new premium boat prices track right inline with the fully loaded Chevy Suburban prices. I bought a new LTZ 4X4 Suburban earlier this year. Sticker price was $74K...

Not happy about it but it is what it is.

I think everyone should pay cash for a boat. And I think the amount paid should be what they win over the course of a year in tourney fishing. Haha. If that would happen, everyone would be in old Nitros like me.

Maybe

Some would be bank fishing.

I don't think a hobby should be a burden on the bank account. At least it is that way around here in my house. I bass fish, and it pays for itself. My wife likes building craft stuff. She has wholesalers that buy them from her and it pays for itself.

You do not have to spend 70K to get a decent bass boat. To be clear I could easily afford one, but the math doesn't make sense in my book. Last year I bought a 2 year old TZX 190 skeeter with 20 hours in mint condition for $21K. The boat is only 18 feet, so there are some exceptionally windy days where someone in a 21 footer will be a bit more comfortable. Also, the boat is also only 175 horse, so I top out around 62 mph. The way I see it another $50K would have got me a little more comfort and about 10 mph on the top end. Unless you don't care about money or are a top notch tournament fishermen I don't see how anyway makes the math work on a $70K boat. To each their own though!