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Buying boats #13662860 08/10/20 04:55 PM
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plk1122 Offline OP
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Hey Folks,

I was just wondering how often you have bought a boat/get a new boat and what factors go into your decision (if you had the same boat, why haven't you got a newer one?). I know everyone is different. I've seen some people get a new boat every few years, some have had the same boat for 20 years. (this is all for friendly discussion, everyone comes from different backgrounds and has different situations).

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13662880 08/10/20 05:04 PM
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Burbarry Offline
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I bought my first boat last year 2005 nitro. It was well taken care of and motor runs great. I did redo all of the wiring as the previous owner didn't know what he was doing with all of the electronics and almost caught fire. With that said I will probably keep this boat till the motor dies. At that point I may just look for a used motor and keep the boat. Reason is I fish alone most of the time. Its only a 16.5 foot boat. But it gets me around on the water. I mostly use trolling motor once I get to my spot anyways. I plan to remove carpet next year or winter time. Once I have new carpet I will buy new seats and it will be like a new boat again. Previous owner left boat out in the elements so the seats and carpet are trashed. Before he sold it to me he paid to have it all buffed and polished. So the paint looks new when I got it. I did take it under some deep trees and get a few minor scratches. I'm not worried about them as they're just surface scratches.

If I could afford a new longer boat I would do that as often as my checkbook would allow me to. I like to have family down and take them out fishing. A little longer boat would be nice for the space and ride in choppy waters. I just go slow when storms roll in or get to the shore and follow it back to the ramp currently. A couple times were a little scary out there but made it safe.

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13662925 08/10/20 05:36 PM
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Jamoke Offline
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Bought and older used ranger years ago, great looking boat, ran great at first then started having problems, had it in the shop more than in the water. Sold it, bought a new Alumacraft in 2011, nothing special, small boat easy to load and unload. Good fair weather boat, will go anywhere in the lake. Not great in High wind or bad weather (wet ride). Had it payed off for years, starts every time runs great. Upgraded TM and graph. I really want a slightly bigger boat, one that I could use in the bays, one that handles wind and spray better, smoother ride. One that has a larger weight capacity. Then I remember that this boat is payed off, and really does what I need. I only go to the coast once a year. And I can fish with my buddy in his boat when the weather gets worse. So I wont buy again until this thing craps out. Same with my truck!!

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13663015 08/10/20 06:38 PM
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Warranty is a factor, Generally you need to feel good about your boat. For some that is a newer boat for other s that is no payment.

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13663019 08/10/20 06:42 PM
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I have been thinking of getting a new boat. I found a one year old same model, motor, rigged exactly the way I wanted one rigged. Had 80 hrs and 5 years warranty on motor. It was priced 17,000.00 less than a brand new one. And this is in a Ranger which has the highest resale on used boats.
When you buy a brand new boat you pitch 15 to 20k out the window.

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13663031 08/10/20 06:50 PM
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R.J.E. Offline
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I had four Stratos boats in a row and had it not been for Johnny Morris I would have bought another one, great boats. Recently purchased a Triton from Texas Boat World, a great experience all the way around and I would highly recommend them if you wish to buy a new or used boat. I just feel better when the boat motor etc. is under warranty, however I can see the other side of not having that payment also.

Re: Buying boats [Re: 9094] #13663298 08/10/20 09:29 PM
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wh2004 Offline
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Originally Posted by 9094
I have been thinking of getting a new boat. I found a one year old same model, motor, rigged exactly the way I wanted one rigged. Had 80 hrs and 5 years warranty on motor. It was priced 17,000.00 less than a brand new one. And this is in a Ranger which has the highest resale on used boats.
When you buy a brand new boat you pitch 15 to 20k out the window.



Depends on the boat.

Re: Buying boats [Re: wh2004] #13663320 08/10/20 09:42 PM
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Okie Poke Offline
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Originally Posted by wh2004
Originally Posted by 9094
I have been thinking of getting a new boat. I found a one year old same model, motor, rigged exactly the way I wanted one rigged. Had 80 hrs and 5 years warranty on motor. It was priced 17,000.00 less than a brand new one. And this is in a Ranger which has the highest resale on used boats.
When you buy a brand new boat you pitch 15 to 20k out the window.



Depends on the boat.



No matter what, you pitch a good chunk out if you're the first owner, on any brand. Key is to find an almost new that the guy has to sell and catch the deal around Nov or Dec.


😎 Dallas Cowboys....eventual Superbowl Champions 😎



Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13663516 08/11/20 12:02 AM
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I've owned many boats over the years. Some new and some used. I always kept the new ones for 6-7 years and took excellent care of them so I didn't lose all that much when selling or trading. There was always someone around that knew me and my boats and would pay a premium for them.

I recently bought another used boat and I can assure you that there are some pigs out there that have been dressed up. If you aren't skilled at seeing what is under the "makeup" take someone with you that is. Lots and lots of boats that look great but have bad transoms or other major issues.


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Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13664169 08/11/20 03:48 PM
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I bought my first fishing boat in 1982--a bare hull aluminum "work" boat. I wanted to rig it out myself to suit myself. I sold it in 2015 and bought another aluminum boat, but center console because I got old, bad back, and tired of getting up and down out of a seat. My second boat was used--a "fixer upper". I knew that going in, but again, wanted to rig it out exactly like I wanted. It was more work than I thought, but I'm happy now.

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13664178 08/11/20 03:54 PM
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one.more.day.of.life Offline
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I bought my first new boat in 1974. Glastron bass boat. Kept it 13 years and sold it for half of what I originally paid, Next I bought a Champion bass boat. Kept it 25 years and sold to a friend. He kept it 3 years and sold it for more than he paid me (Go figure). Now I have a Nautic Star center console for last 10 years, Bought at Houston boat show where I saved well over $10,000 buying locally in North Texas. Book value is about $5,000 less than I paid for it. My point, I am the guy you want to buy a used boat from. Mine are kept in a building, used regularly and well maintained.

I get in trouble with wife. If something breaks in the house I fix when I get around to it. If boat needs a fix I do it immediately. Toys first.

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13664203 08/11/20 04:17 PM
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enjoying retirement Offline
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My first boat was a sketter the orignal owner did not take care of it so I was constantly working on it. I kept it for three years. My next boat was a Lowe boat deep vee the only problem with it was it was a riveted hull had a leak which I could never find. I kept that boat 4 years. In 2010 I purchased an Xpress H17 still have it almost replaced it but then got to thinking the boat was paid and I enjoy fishing with it. It has never given me any problems always starts it rides good I do not get wet with it so I have kept it and do not intend on replacing it any time soon.

Re: Buying boats [Re: one.more.day.of.life] #13664209 08/11/20 04:28 PM
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popcork Offline
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"I get in trouble with wife. If something breaks in the house I fix when I get around to it. If boat needs a fix I do it immediately. Toys first."
I am the same way. I have bought new each time I have owned a boat. My first was a Stratos that I had for 10 years, sold it when the lower unit exploded on the inside. Bought a Ranger 519 had it for 15 years and the wife told me it was time for a new one. I have a Skeeter ZXR21 ordered. Hope it is as good as the other two.

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13664440 08/11/20 07:55 PM
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plk1122 Offline OP
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I started out 5 years with a 14 foot jon boat just to learn from. After over a year of that, which was rough but learned what I wanted in a boat (like power tilt and trim, electric start and just overall bigger boat) bought a '05 18 ft Aluminum center console. Had this for 2 years. I really liked it, got blown around a lot and it didn't like rough water but had spot lock TM on it, caught a lot of fish out of it and it neve gave me too many problems (had trailer issues however). Then my FIL bought a new nitro and I got really into bass fishing. I longed for a boat with better storage (rod storage), one that could go over 35 mph and handle rough water/wind better. I debated awhile if I really needed a bass boat, I wouldn't really catch more fish, wouldn't do tournaments, would that money be better spent buying Amazon? But in the end, (Took a little convincing because I told my wife my center console would last me 10 years) got a '99 18ft cobra bass boat (going on 2 years). Even though my FIL's boat is nicer/larger/handles rough water better than mine, I can't justify buying a newer boat though I constantly window shop and dream laugh

Re: Buying boats [Re: plk1122] #13664510 08/11/20 08:59 PM
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Bruce Allen Online Content
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I bought my first new fiberglass bass boat in 1994. Paid it off in 1999. Kept it until 2013 after moving to Texas in 2001 and finally realizing with the wind and waves a 21' would be better than 18'.
Sold it and bought the used 21' with a 225 optimax.. Had it for a year when it got swamped in a storm and totaled. Why not a new one? Because by then new boats were out of my price range. Bought another used 19 1/2 with a 175 and while it was a great boat, a neighbor was selling a better 20' with a 200 for unheard of price. So I bought that Ranger and sold the Bumble Bee.

Still have the Ranger. Will probably have it until I get to old to fish.

Last edited by Bruce Allen; 08/11/20 09:00 PM.

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