The unemployeement numbers represent a segment of the workforce that even if they were employed could not afford a boat. They Are mostly minimum wage workers in the service industry.

Not saying that $90K isn’t ridiculous for a bass boat but if you value a big, fast, top of the line boat that is more stable, fishes better and is far safer in rough water than other boats, why not get one? One day you’ll get to a point where you don’t care who is laughing at you.

Some people value a high end boat far more than the $90K and as long as people do, that’s what they are going to cost.

Part of the reason boat prices are through the roof isnt because of the boat but all the accessories we didn't have 20 years ago. Spot lock trolling motors, Power Poles, multiple 12-16" graphs. That easily adds upwards of 20k to the price.

During 2020, people under age 59½ will not be charged the normal 10% penalty for early withdrawals if they take coronavirus-related distributions from their 401(k) accounts during 2020.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-you-raid-your-401k-for-cash-during-the-pandemic-2020-05-26

how many are tapping the 401 for a down payment or even full cash payment I wonder.

I can probably afford a nice jon boat with a rebuilt 25hp motor on it...:)

I’ve been saving money for several years and now that I have the money to buy a new boat, I just can’t bring myself to pay the prices out there. I’ll keep my 27 year old Basscat until it rots I guess. I can buy a good used airplane for the same price as a new bass boat. With the national debt at 26+ trillion and countIng, I have a bad feeling that another depression the likes we’ve never seen is just around the corner.

Every time I read these types of threads I go out and hug my boat . . . Don't be afraid to think outside the box - re-engining our 93 Dauntless was one of the smartest things I did. At one time I had a fleet of whalers for commercial work, and the Dauntless was the little boat that could (do it all) and still does.

A lot of people can actually afford nice things, more than most on the TFF realize...

As long as people keep buying new boats at these prices, they will never go down. Why would boat manufacturers lower pricing on a $75,000 bass boat when people are waiting in line for them?

This is exactly what I was gonna say! The highest unemployment numbers since the early 1900's yet people have too much money and crying for another goverment check.... it just doesn't make much sense and it is not just the fishing world either I talked to a real estate guy yesterday he told me houses were flying off the market and in high demand

I just picked up a tracker 175 for $3200 fishes just fine for me no need to spend 75k plus spend another 10k in graphs lol

I do not think the boat manufacturers are making a killing off of new boats, I think they simply have to sell them for what they are because that is how much they cost to build, they have to make a profit too. It is possible that all the folks buying up all the new boats can afford them, maybe in place of traveling all over the place they decided to stay at home, go to lakes that they can drive to. I do believe there may be some deals on 1 year old boats, maybe because they cannot afford them or maybe the boating thing is not what they thought it would be. I seriously doubt you will see new boats go down in price.

This, dealers can't keep bass boats in stock during this covid, its crazy

RUSSIA! RUSSIA! RUSSIA!

EPA regs and materials they have to use now along with the latest tech in cloth etc. all drive it up.
one of the main factors I think is it is a seasonal market, rvs are the same, motorcycles etc. all have a high season and a we ain't sellin squat season, this keeps prices inflated for the yrly avg/profit to be acceptable.


look at snow ski equipment, no way is there 3-500.00 worth of materials/labor in a pr. of quality skis. part is name recognition and part is how long they have to make a profit then get ready for all new next yr. same with boats.