OK well let`s see. "Back in the day" I bought a brand new 1969 Camero Ralley Sport for around $2500 (stick shift in the floor), and sometime after that (1973ish) I purchased a new 15' Demcraft Bassboat w/ Stick steering up front 75 HP Mercury for I think around $1800. Back then it was a chunk of change I thought. First home purchased some time after that (1973 I think)used for $13,500 (3/2/1) brick (payment of $133.per month). Yep the prices have gone up a bit but its all relative to time.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not paying that for a new truck either. I bought my 2004 silverado in 2008 with 40k miles for $13.5k + ttl. And with my $5k boat, I'm under $20k for the whole rig.

I agree that it's their money and they can spend it how they want. But that doesn't stop me from marveling about how someone has $60k to burn on a new boat that cost $30k 10 years ago.

I think one of the other posters got it right when he said that they're building for the rich now, because they wouldn't sell very many more boats at $30k-$40k than they do at $50k-$70k. So why not build the premium boats and sell less and make alot more every time you sell one? But they've priced the average fisherman way out of the new boat market.

I don't recall any bashing in this thread just people saying they couldn't afford it. Also boat prices have outpaced inflation by about 25% since 2000. While autos have paced at about 12%. And fuel in this country is still the cheapest in the world.
I think it is great that people buy new boats, it would be a crying shame if the industry disappeared but a lot of us that have been buying boats for years are dumbfounded at the current price of new boats whether it is aluminum or fiberglass. To be honest I worked for Humminbird as a factory rep from 1987 to 1991 and I am dumbfounded at the price of electronics. Johnson fishing will tell you that6 years ago 70% of their units went on new boats, now less than 40% go on new boats. That means that people are fixing up their old boats.
No bashing here just a bunch of TFFer's that are scared of being priced out of the sport they love.

Don't you wish you had kept that Camero? I had a 68 SS and sold it for 5K in about 1983 and thought I had taken that dude to the bank!

http://www.stratosboats.com/gallery.cfm?mid=5797

here is a boat for 14k that is new but has no bells and whistles.

Seen them at Cabela's looks like you could knock a hole in the side of it with a 1/2 oz jig.

Fishing even in tournaments should not be a "rich" mans sport. I have owned 4 bass boats all were purchased used with good electronics. Caompared with a new Ranger or Skeeter I can compete in any tournament without Breaking the bank. New boats are so out of reach I will never own one.

actually fished out of a friends of mine. Fished really good!!!! Was more stable than a lot of the bigger V hulls. Just wasn't going to win any races on the lake and the 12V trolling motor doesn't last very long.

Worked great in a pinch though!!

You are right about that 9094....I wish I had kept the Camero. I put about 75,000 miles on it in about 3 years and sold it for $1200. Looked like new!!!!

the cash meter will come full circle in a few years when the idiots that purchase the 50K boat and 40K truck realize they are unable to retire, while the rest of us that bought what we could afford/need are enjoying our financial resources instead of having to work at 70+ years old.

Guess I'm one of those idiots then tx_basser since I have a 2011 F-250 and 2009 Skeeter ZX250 (both bought brand new). At 32 yrs old I think I have plenty of time to worry about retirement which will probably be 70 by that time anyway!

got a brand new skeeter for sale(sx190/150vmax) for 27K brand new never been in the water won at basschamps. very reasonable price id say!

Guess I'm one too. I've worked hard to get where I'm at and have the discretionary income to spend on 'luxury' items.

I do feel for those that dream about buying a new boat. Prices are steep, no doubt. It's always been my dream, since I was a teenager to own one. I couldn't wait to see the new Ranger Bassmaster Classic boats every year in the pages of Bassmaster magazine. I always told myself that one day I was going to have one of them. Took a while, but I've realized one of my dreams.

Guess I don't look at things the same way. I don't consider it "bought" untill the last payment is made and title is in hand.

I only took a 20 year loan out, so she'll be paid off soon enough! Not everyone borrows money.

Im one also. I have a new Legend and i couldnt not be happier. Im 23 years old with a little girl and i worked with plenty of sacrafices to buy my dream boat. While my buddies were at the bar drinking beer i was sitting at home saving money or at work getting over time. I got a smoking deal on my boat and i am glad i bought it. I put more then half down and i financed it for 4 years