I knew some p1's would get it.

If you can swing it, and are comfortable with the financial aspects of it (depreciation, etc.) By all means go for it. Short of being a professional fisherman I personally can't see spending that much on a boat. In reality it's no different than people I know who have lots of money tied up in race cars or airplanes. if it's your passion do it.

okay i missed, what is chris chris????????????????????

I agree totally. I financed my first Ranger for 12 years, paid it off in 10, then saved and looked for and found a barely used 2010 Ranger Z series with only 53 hours on a Mercury Opti. I sold the first boat and paid cash for the Z. I've had it one year and been totally pleased.

Bought my 94 skeeter right before I turned 16 and put 2 years on it for $250 a month now im 17 and almost got it paid off. When I get it paid off I plan on looking for a slightly newer boat then working my way up newer and newer.

Working on it in between my sponcer commitments.

I finally got my dream boat 3 years ago. Put down 20K and financed 40K for 10 years. Just like some of the others folks, I wanted to keep my payments low. I did pay extra and with a couple nice bonus checks it is now paid off.

Ok so the boat I have now is 15.4ft. 1980 caravelle stinger. Has the original 1980 merc 70hp on it. Runs good but I want more room and power. I don't make 100k+ a year if I did I would finance a new boat for 4 years and 1000+ a month wouldn't bother me. So when I finance a boat I will do the longest term I can. I will also pay double or triple the payment and have that minimum payment just incase. Btw my grandfather bought the boat new that I have back in 1980. He gave it to my dad in 94 and my dad gave it to me in 2006. I guess I'm dumb and 1 french fry short of a happy meal cause I would finance for 30 years if they would let me. I don't know why yall trade up every 3 years. I fish everyday literally! Not my personal business I just prefer to fish everyday. Ot helps me with my disability I got from the army. Keeps me sane, the ones that think I'm stupid are probably just jealous cause your wife runs your family. I'm a grown man and NO ONE tells me when or when not to fish or how to use my money. If you want to finance for along time go for it. If you want to pay cash go for it. I don't care how rich you are. We are on here for fishing not a measuring contest! Btw 6"3/4 there ya happy!

Ding ding. We have a winner. Same here. Just bought my first real bass boat this year and I am 46. I'm in the retirement industry (financial services) and just couldn't bring myself to take that much away from my retirement for new boat. The key here is patience and diligence. The right deal will come along and when it does you'll know it.

Bass Tracker bought in 2010 for 11K 5 years/6.64 APR payments are $182 a month.

IMHO, if you have to ask, you shouldn't be doing it. Life is too short to put yourself in a financial bind to finance a toy. Lots of good used boats out there between $5k and $25k that will fit your needs/budget. There's obviously a difference between putting $5k down on a $15k boat and financing a couple hundred bucks a month veruss putting nothing down on a $50k boat with a $1,000 monthly payment. So some level of common sense needs to apply.

I've got a '97 Triton TR-17 that I paid cash for and fishes just fine. Made some great memories in that boat.

It's amazing what common sense will do for you.

Financed my boat at Credit Union this year for 1.89. -0- down

I think the boating industry in general is going to receive a shot in the arm in the near future that may save it from eating its self. This is going to come in the form of technology taking the legs out from under high oil prices.
I don't think it is a question of "IF" this happens but "WHEN"....
That being said, when this goes down boat prices should follow suit and if they do it will effect the entire market and unfortunately leave a lot of folks hung out to dry that have bought boats built in the past few years....

Don't finance. Marry rich!