Yearly boat cost / upkeep ??s

[pwerwagn]

Buy the boat you want, it's your life and every day is a bonus. Most of the comments here are from older people who can now reflect back on life and recommend things based on that but they forget they were young once as well. You will get old soon and have a lifetime to buy a house, and deal with all of the responsibility that getting old brings. If you want a boat buy the one you want that makes you happy, sounds like you are on the right track.

Live each day like it is your last.

Im a little bit older (32), and I kind of agree with this. All of the other posts have merit for sure as well...but having what makes you happy means so much, and gives justification and motivation to why you are working so hard.

The first boat I bought was before buying a house (I think I was 19-20). It wasn't a 50k boat, but I also wasn't making nearly as much as you. So % of my income wise...people told me I was stupid. But it was the boat I always wanted, and I was happy with it for a long time (actually still have it). It kept me motivated.

You only live once! If you can responsibly buy what you want (and it sounds like you can)...go for it. I have too many friends that make more money than me and have nothing other than a big 401/savings. All they tell me is "I dunno how you do it, but we're gonna buy a nice motorhome/boat/etc one day".

Good luck in your search! Figure out what you want and wait for it to happen. It will!

 

[cicchetti_24]

Do what makes you happy.... Look forward to seeing what you get

If you are looking for like a 496ho your insurance shouldn't be that much. Mine with State Farm is 600 a year with an 800hp+ motor.

Yearly Costs are around 600-800 If I am doing plugs and wires servicing the drive oil and impeller.

Every couple of years trailer tires.

Where I find that I spend most on my money is I see something I want to do to it and it turns into thousands of dollars.

If you can find a turn key boat that you like go for it

 

[boatdoc55]

These are the other type of comments I want him to read. I don't disagree with you. :thumbup:
Sometimes when it doesn't come from "dad" they think things out differently.

I sold MY dreamboat, Earl Smith Texas Tunnel, in 1984, to buy my first house and it was the smartest thing I've ever done except marry my wife.

 

[3queens]

Lance Murdock might say

Bank accounts heal
chicks dig boats
and America has the worst boat to lake lice ratio in the world ............

I bought my first New boat at your age and it was scary but hell ya it was worth it

 

[Cole Trickle]

This 22 Velocity is a great price.

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?145796-22-Velocity-for-sale

You aren't joking.....this is a ton of boat for the $$$

If he bought this he could probably drag it to so cal use it for two years and sell it at a profit.

That now makes boating an investment[emoji12][emoji41][emoji106][emoji481]

 

[Deja_Vu]

You aren't joking.....this is a ton of boat for the $$$

If he bought this he could probably drag it to so cal use it for two years and sell it at a profit.

That now makes boating an investment[emoji12][emoji41][emoji106][emoji481]

Right!

My first boat was a 1995 Maxum SCL2000 cuddy. My youngest was 2 so we wanted a place for her to nap. Got it used in '97 for $14k.
We used that boat for 5 years and sold it for exactly what we paid! I was so happy I only spent a few grand on trailer tires and maintenance.

Used that money to buy the next boat... and repeated that process again with the current boat which is now paid off.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Right!

My first boat was a 1995 Maxum SCL2000 cuddy. My youngest was 2 so we wanted a place for her to nap. Got it used in '97 for $14k.
We used that boat for 5 years and sold it for exactly what we paid! I was so happy I only spent a few grand on trailer tires and maintenance.

Used that money to buy the next boat... and repeated that process again with the current boat which is now paid off.

I'm far from a crazy saving 401k monger...

I have had more toys over the years than most people by age 39.

I think a lot of people make bone head mistakes and get caught up in a project. When you buy something you need an escape plan so you can get out for close to a break even price.

Never buy a rotted out boat or car with hopes of restoring it. There are very few people with the skills and resources to make that happen on a realistic budget....there are a couple really talent guys here.

Buy a quality piece that's nice at a good price and it's almost like $$$ in the bank that you can parley in the future.

I have made the mistake of financing a boat over 15 years. Life happens fast and before you know it you have a kid and boating slows down the economy tanks so you can't sell it and it sits in storage not being used and still costs you $600 a month.

I still didn't do bad as I bought the boat for a deal and had a really good interest rate but I would still say it was a poor choice and a impulse buy to get new and big like everyone else in 2005.

I paid 16.5 for my 210 and it is 100x more fun to drive than my 80k 28' sleek and I could have flipped it and made $$$ no problem.

 

[Deja_Vu]

I'm far from a crazy saving 401k monger...

I have had more toys over the years than most people by age 39.

I think a lot of people make bone head mistakes and get caught up in a project. When you buy something you need an escape plan so you can get out for close to a break even price.

Never buy a rotted out boat or car with hopes of restoring it. There are very few people with the skills and resources to make that happen on a realistic budget....there are a couple really talent guys here.

Buy a quality piece that's nice at a good price and it's almost like $$$ in the bank that you can parley in the future.

I have made the mistake of financing a boat over 15 years. Life happens fast and before you know it you have a kid and boating slows down the economy tanks so you can't sell it and it sits in storage not being used and still costs you $600 a month.

I still didn't do bad as I bought the boat for a deal and had a really good interest rate but I would still say it was a poor choice and a impulse buy to get new and big like everyone else in 2005.

I paid 16.5 for my 210 and it is 100x more fun to drive than my 80k 28' sleek and I could have flipped it and made $$$ no problem.

Solid Advice...

I was thinking of upgrading to a Magic Scepter or Conquest Boss Cat, but the more I think about it, the more I like my current boat.

I will probably just do a new interior and get an Obnoxious engine build

 

[underpressure]

I bought my first house and first boat at about the same time, I was 27...I had never even driven a boat, but learned fast. It was a modest little 17 footer with a 4 banger, but used the crap out of it. Don't regret getting into this sport at all, so many fun times. Does it cost a lot? Yea, but I could kick the bucket tomorrow, and have had a lifetime of fun along the way...

 

[Rkc]

It's hard to respond with how much I have been working. But I want to say that I am not completely against a vee. Nor am I set on one boat. I appreciate all of the info from everyone. As I said before. I'm in a spot where I can afford to buy a boat and it's not going to kill me or my bank. My biggest question is a cat truly that difficult to drive? It seems that most have said to try and head towards a vee. No I have no driven a cat before but can't even count how many different boats with vee hulls that I have driven. I am not new to the water, would just be new to a cat and a new owner. A cat is the style that I have wanted for quite some time. But I don't want to end up buying something that is going to take the fun out of a weekend on the river. From reading these posts I have decided to stay away from the built up/blown motors and go with something stock. Again I appreciate all of the info from everyone. And if you guys have any other suggestions on boats vee or cat to look at I am all ears.

 

[River Lynchmob]

It's hard to respond with how much I have been working. But I want to say that I am not completely against a vee. Nor am I set on one boat. I appreciate all of the info from everyone. As I said before. I'm in a spot where I can afford to buy a boat and it's not going to kill me or my bank. My biggest question is a cat truly that difficult to drive? It seems that most have said to try and head towards a vee. No I have no driven a cat before but can't even count how many different boats with vee hulls that I have driven. I am not new to the water, would just be new to a cat and a new owner. A cat is the style that I have wanted for quite some time. But I don't want to end up buying something that is going to take the fun out of a weekend on the river. From reading these posts I have decided to stay away from the built up/blown motors and go with something stock. Again I appreciate all of the info from everyone. And if you guys have any other suggestions on boats vee or cat to look at I am all ears.

All boats have their own quirks...all that is needed is a cool head, patients and seat time. It's also good to have someone that can give you pointers. We have all been where you're at and we made it to where we are...have fun, be smart and you'll be right!

 

[SJP]

Buy the boat you want. Be safe. :thumbup:

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

It's hard to respond with how much I have been working. But I want to say that I am not completely against a vee. Nor am I set on one boat. I appreciate all of the info from everyone. As I said before. I'm in a spot where I can afford to buy a boat and it's not going to kill me or my bank. My biggest question is a cat truly that difficult to drive? It seems that most have said to try and head towards a vee. No I have no driven a cat before but can't even count how many different boats with vee hulls that I have driven. I am not new to the water, would just be new to a cat and a new owner. A cat is the style that I have wanted for quite some time. But I don't want to end up buying something that is going to take the fun out of a weekend on the river. From reading these posts I have decided to stay away from the built up/blown motors and go with something stock. Again I appreciate all of the info from everyone. And if you guys have any other suggestions on boats vee or cat to look at I am all ears.

Get a cat. I have both and would never own a v again. Hard to drive, no, unless your an idiot. If that's the case any boat will kill you. It's just some common sense and respect the learning curve and you will be fine. Buy a boat that will hold resale value better than others, i.e. A brand that is still in business and has a following. I'm hooked on eliminators. I have had 20 plus boats life to date and 5 eliminators. To me they are the easiest to sell, have a huge following, regattas, etc., and hold their value well (as well as boats do).

Eliminator Daytona that is in your price range would be my pick. One with stock power will still be insurable and perform well because of the hill design. Our 26 Daytona with a 496 mag went 72 mph and was a great boat.