New Boat or a Paid Off Boat

Hey Guys, Been a long time since I posted on here, but I have a question. I recently got my 2009 Skeeter 21I with a 250 Yamaha paid off, it only has 38 hours on it, so my brother in law tells me it will be a nice trade in on a new boat with new technology. So I ask all of you this question.

What would you rather have? A 4 year old boat that looks brand new PAID OFF!! Or a Brand NEW boat with all the new technology and a nice new PAYMENT, not talking about electronics, I have all the newest electronics.

Just Wondering

No brainer, keep what ya got

Paid off. Take that extra money and keep your boat and tackle looking new and travel to lakes you wouldn't normally get to fish.My question is why buy a new boat if you don't even fish enough to put more than 10 hours a year on the motor?

Paid off for sure.

No doubt---
My 2008 Toon is paid for and has 2009 electronics paid for--

Its a very good feeling not having payments and the choices that gives me--

No more hours than your using the boat,silly to buy a new one.Just my 2 cents

If you have new electronics, what exactly has advanced in five years that you need? With your hours, you are spending about $1000 an hour to run your boat. How do people get more money than they can even spend without asking others what to do with it?

What new technology exists that you can't add to your paid off boat?

And give the hours on your boat, how do you justify the additional cost.

Do you like your boat?

Well as bad as i want a new boat just cant bring myself to making payments again. And mine is a lot older than your. Take that money and buy new gear or go to a new lake.

Guys, I apologize, I didnt make myself clear, I know what I am doing, I am keeping my boat, what I am asking is under the same circumstances what would YOU do, Just wondering thats all.

I never said I had more money than I know what to do with, just asked what YOU would do.

If I had that boat and lived on pines "one of my top 3 favorite lakes" I'd be fishing now n not on Tff. I'm jealous if it makes ya feel better haha!

HAHA, would be doing exactly that, but today we are doing the family Shreveport trip, will be there tomorrow though.

I don't know if you're tolling are just not very smart.

So I'll go with not very smart for now.
First of if I had a 09 boat I would have 100's of hours on it I'm not going pay on something I'm not going use that's just stupid.
Now your boat is paid for take it to the shop because it's going need work there's water in the tank and lines.

Good thing I already quoted you so everyone can see your original post.

Did you mean trolling, and did you mean "OR" just not very smart? Instead of "are" HAHAHA

I was wondering if someone would give a response like this, Dude you know nothing about my situation, I didn't know I had to explain why my boat has so few hours, I could have said I own an oilfield Company and have been working 80+ hours per week the last 4-5 years,and just have not had the time. I really don't know how that qualifies me as stupid, but hey, whatever you think. I thought this was a forum you could communicate on. My Bad

I would buy a new one if I owned an oil company.....just saying.

Don't own an Oil Company, I own an Oilfield Company....BIG DIfference

And as far as my original post, someone said something about having to much money in a previous post, what I was referring to, was that no where in my original post (#1) did I ever mention anything about money, It was not a statement about how much money I have, that is by far not the case. Let me say that again...when I said " I didn't mention how much money I have" that was not a statement about what I have, it was saying that I never mentioned money.

Auto correct does that.
I'm going to take the high road you're not worth breaking rules on this forum .

Oh really, after calling me Stupid, I believe I took the high road, and don't see you anywhere in sight.

When did I call you (stupid)?
I said you're A.) Trolling are b.) not very smart.

In my opinion I said it's (stupid) to pay for something you don't use.

Ok, that's your opinion and I respect that, but you did say you are gonna with " not very smart" kinda the same thing I would think, maybe I am not trolling, and maybe I am a little smart. not real sure why you took my post so offfensive to make you respond like that, man I was just asking a question like thousands do every day on here. Maybe I did not explain myself like I should have but good grief, I was not trying to pick a fight.

Apparently we are all Jealous that we don't have your boat....

For me a 2009 Skeeter with 38 hours is a new boat.


Reggie

People are going to read to much into something that's posted here. Keep the paid off boat. And tight lines

I would keep the paid off boat for sure.

I have a 2000 ZX-202C that is "Paid For" and the 200 HP OX66 Yamaha has hundreds of hours on it.
I could afford to buy a new boat but why would I need to if the one I already have does what it needs
to. I have n HDS-12 touch and a HDS-10 gen 2 plus 2 Minn Kota Talons so I am fairly up to date as far as electronics. JMHO

I like not having a payment

Both!

I believe I'd give my brother in law a lesson in time value of money...

Thanks, I truly appreciate most all of the responses.

Skeet you have to admit this is a rather odd question to be posing given the fact that there is such a wide diversity of people on here most of which spend half their lives eating, sleeping and breathing fishing stuff and all of which have a unique set a variables to deal with....Finances being at the forefront in most cases.

If I were in YOUR position, this is what I'd do, in chronological order:

1) Put any thoughts about trading in the current boat for another "newer" boat and additional payment out of my head. What I currently own is about as new and current with the latest equipment as most of the upper tier rigs sitting on show room floors now. There is nothing to be gained by throwing money at a problem that doesn't exist.

2) I would immediately take my boat to my trusted boat mechanic and have him do a complete check of it from stem to stern including all electrical equipment, hull and motor for function and integrity. Boats do not like sitting for long periods of time. Just because it isn't being used much does not mean its in good working order. Motors/lower units and fuel systems in particular tend to have problems from sitting up and my boat is probably in need of what would be the equivalent of a 300 hour service.

3) I would figure out what had gone so wrong in my personal or professional life that I was not able to get out on the water with any more than 38 hours run time in a 4 year period in a 4 year old boat, and I would fix that too.

4) If I was unable to reconcile the issues I had in #3 I would put a For Sale sign on my boat as soon as possible and get as much of my money back as I could before it devalues any further. Losing money is never a good idea especially when it comes to expensive toys like boats and motorcycles if they are just going to sit around and not going to get used for their intended purpose. I'd cut my losses and move on.

C'mon man, make the time to take your family and friends fishing with you..... They'll love you for it. YOLO.

Skeet, don't know if this is the answer your looking for but here u go.
I would ask my BIL sure lets go get one how much you willing to spend a month or
make a list of a new top of the line boat, with everything you ever wanted on it, every option that u want
now go down the list and mark off the things that u could add to your current boat.
When your finished compare the list, if your list has more unmarked items than marked and
your BIL has about 500 a month to spend, go for it, you'll come out smelling like a rose
if not I would bling out the boat I own

Real simple keep the one you have and if it's electronics you need to be up to date. Update them.......I'm about to finance one and wish I could pay cash.......if I only had my old rig back........

This! And find a cheaper hobby!

Why don't you just ask your wife what she thinks about buying a new boat?

My choice would be the "Paid Off" boat. If you just plain hate the boat then go for the new one with payments, and hate the payments for another 4 to 6 years.
Ron

Skeet, I also have a paid off boat, nice feeling. I wouldn't worry about some of the comments on here.
A few people have negative comments about anything.

Thanks JerryC, much appreciated.

I don not regret posting this, I just wish maybe I would have explained it a little better, my question revolves completely around the tecnology aspect of my Brother in Laws statement.

I apologize to the board for not making my self clear, I just didn't know that the post would be picked apart piece by piece and analyzed from everything from, I got to much money, I am not very smart, and I need to spend more time with my family.

My family life is fine, we have many other things that we do together, when I am not working, we have many hobbies, but I would not dare go there for fear of being analyzed again, I love my Skeeter Boat, It is my sanctuary when I am alone.

Sorry Guys

Fitter, My whole reason for the post actually revolves around your #1, I just didnt explain myself very good, thats my fault.

My boat is serviced at least once a year, whether I use it or not.

My family and I do many many other things and are together everyday, we have many other hobbies, and are always together when not working, several watersports are included, thats part of the reason I have so few hours on my boat, we do many things when I am not working, including fishing together.

I truly appreciate the response.

In that case, I would just order me a spanking new Z521C. Because, all my life, I've been about if I can afford it, and I want it,....I buy it.

At age 74, I've kinda run out of money.

Don't really know what your brother in law is talking about by "new technology" over a four year old boat since you already stated you have "updated electronics". That's really the only area that's changed. Even the "new Skeeter models" are not that different. Slight changes to revitalize sales or convince people to trade up is the only changes that have occurred.

I agree. The boat is as good as a new one with new electronics. Especially with that low hours. Keep the boat and hopefully the job will let you fish more this year

Its all good Skeet, sounds like you have everything under control. The practical side of me was wide awake this morning at 2 AM as I was posting. I'm glad to see you took it as intended (no reflection on you), just a scenario of how I would handle the situation as presented. I hope here very soon you'll be able to take that beautiful rig out and get it broke In good and proper. Good luck to you sir.

BOOM, right there is what I was trying to get to, my fault I did not ask it in a way that I should have. Thank You Sir for the response.

What he said.

Thank You Sir, no I took it just like you stated, thank you so much. I really do love her she is beautiful

Tight Lines to you Sir..Good Luck

Keep the paid off boat...

That's a dream boat for a lot of guys

I would keep it, and tell your BIL to go buy a new one full of advanced technology.

Paid off

Definitly keep the one that's paid off. Use the money that you'd pay for a new boat for gas and tackle.

I bought a new fish finder for my 24+ year old fishing boat so you know what my vote is.

Something like 50% of all boats break down on their maiden voyage. First year on a new boat we had an electrical wire that would short out the whole boat and throw a fuse to the fuel pump....while underway. Happened several times. The shop couldn't figure it out until finally the wire stayed in contact with the metal and the guys were able to chase it down. There are bugs that have to be worked out of all new boats.

Also, its a good idea to have a new boat surveyed. A good surveyor can spot delamination and gel coat issues from the factory. Repairs like that may not show up for years and you don't want to be left with a 5-10 year boat just out of warranty you can't sell.

I can't really determine which one would be best unless I get a chance to quality control the situation. If you will PM me your address I'll come by, pick 'er up, and run it for a weekend, then I should have a full assessment of your precarious situation you are in and a well-thought out decision on what would be your most favorable outcome.

Buy a new one if that is what you want- Your money- YOLO

Mine is 17yrs old and paid for and I like it better every time I get in it. Yes I would love to get a new Blue Wave CC bit my old CC does just fine. All the electronic and trolling motor is worth as much or more than the boat is!

Paid off is nice.

I would follow Okies advice. After he runs it for a week it will be an easy decision. Get a new one.

Keep the paid off boat and go fish more often to other lakes.

Both.

My boat is 14yrs old and still runs great. You know it's not the age, size, or how many things you have on your boat, you catch the fish not the boat . Keep What you Got and Just go Fishing....

I'd keep the boat and upgrade as I feel I need. My current boat is older and paid off and has been for years. Nothing wrong with it. I put on new electronics 2 yrs ago, powerhead and carpet last year and may upgrade the TM this year.

But I've never been one that had to have new and shiny.

Don't even have to think about this one - go with the PAID OFF boat!! My boat is almost 20 years old, but she's long since been paid for, so I don't care too much about new technology.