My thought is the boat doesn't make a fisherman or fisher woman..
I do however agree that boat prices have kinda gone out of sight...
But then again I'm not Mr. Perry *grin*

well Mr. Perry it's all about fishing with you and not about how good you look.. maybe the fish like you.. Bite still on Bridegport?

I would go even further and not buy a boat just a couple of years old, go even older. I have a pretty old boat that has been taken care of and looks like new. because I saved so much on the boat i have been able to splurge on electronics, got my hds 7 a few months ago and just ordered my hds 8. i find that people selling boats only a few years old think they are still worth what they paid for them. blows my mind. they are like cars, the depreciate!

I can't believe how much it costs to go fishing now and the cost of keeping up with everyone else. I have a buddy who just spent $7900 on graphs and one power pole. Gas is $4 a gallon. I have an 04 ranger with good graphs but if i plan to keep up with everyone else I have to update electronics and install power pole. That is ridiculous money. The power poles are great and they help tremendously in the wind. They are definitely an advantage. The electronics just go without saying. The technology on the new ones compared to my 10in. 104c is just stupid. I can't see how everyone can afford all of this.

Then you have new boat prices getting to $70,000, seriously, give me a break. Some of you guys must have great jobs. There has to be a cap when it comes to boats. Will they get to $100,000, I can't see that but it is trending towards it quickly. What do you guys think?

I agree with you on the prices, but would advise you to not try and keep up with the jones or worry about what other people are buying - who cares. I dont have a ton of debt and have a new boat,(I do owe money on my boat) but I did not buy my new boat until my truck was paid for. Once the truck was paid for I started looking for my new boat. I would not worry about what other people have, it should not be about keeping up with others, but tyring to catch more fish. I say this because I want a HB 998si on the front of my boat, but I am not willing to spend the money right now to get one. The only reason I want one is I know the effectiveness of good electronics. I have an 1197 on my dash, and this unit has helped me locate more and bigger populations of fish. I wish I had a unit up front with the same capability. Its my belief that I will continue to locate and find more places to fish if I have a nicer unit on the front of my boat - which is where I spend more time anyway.

The point I am making is - I only spend big money when I see an advantage on the water to do so. When I get enough money I plan to buy one cash, but I have to save money now. The same philososophy applies to my rods, reels, gear and tacle. I have bought numberous different rods and reels, and have found some really good bargain brands that meet my requirements. I have found many rods in the 50-100 dollar range that are great and no need to buy a $250 rod - It will not help me catch more fish. I have learned what I want to look for in a good rod. Same for reels - Most expensive reel I own is 1 shimano Curado, all the others have been reels I bought on clearance or ones I did some research on and found were really great reels. Most of my reels cost between $25-100. No one $200 reel in my boat - Why I have never lost a fish due to reel malfunction. The other point I am making here is yes prices are rising, but you do not have to buy top of the line everything. Be patient and diligent as there are items you need and use for much cheaper prices - Just like everything else.

Now if the price of gas goes to $5 a gallon I may become a yak fisherman - Just wish they would let yaks in major tournaments.

Not everyone lives on plastic or has everything financed. Don't paint with too broad a brush. Lots of grown folks on this forum that have the priorities in order and still have nice things.