Buy a boat? Y/N?

[drudixon]

Thinking of buying a 2012 Bayliner 195 bowrider. My neighbors have 2 jet skis and a pontoon boat, so all we're missing is a bowrider. We had a ton of fun last summer. I'm thinking new for the warranty and better financing options. Place by me has one for 25k which seems like a pretty good deal. I know when buying a boat, BOAT (Bank On Another Thousand). We live 10 minutes from Lake Allatoona. I enjoy wakeboarding and water skiing and this boat should be a great fit. Anyway, wondering what y'all think. Thanks!

[phikappa]

The two happiest days in a boat owners life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it.




Good luck!

[bigdogfarmhand]

You will use it one time. Then it will sit. Srs

I know..

[drudixon]

The two happiest days in a boat owners life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it.

Good luck!

Yeah, I've heard that, part of my apprehension.

You will use it one time. Then it will sit. Srs

I know..

We went every weekend for 2 months straight last summer. I think we'd get pretty good use. What'd you have?

[poundXpound]

Bust.Out.Another.Thousand

[Bando]

That's a lot of money for a small boat, I think I would look for something with a couple more years on it

[phikappa]

Yeah, I've heard that, part of my apprehension.

We went every weekend for 2 months straight last summer. I think we'd get pretty good use. What'd you have?

Seriously, it just depends on what kind of person you are. I remember when I would tell people that I wanted a Jacuzzi. Everyone told me just to get a Jacuzzi tub, because at least it could be used as a tub and the novelty of a real Jacuzzi would wear off. I'd stop using it...wouldn't maintain it...it would become just a hassle and eye sore. That was 10 years ago and I still use my Jacuzzi a couple of times a week, every week. It fits who I am.

[GKC45]

Boat's are great, but don't waste your money on a new one. They depreciation hugely the first two years. The money you save in depreciation on a 2-3 year old boat will more than cover any warranty cost savings.

[trickyB]

Tough Call. Boats Are Definitely A Money Pit. That Being Said I Love To Fish And Be On The WatEr. I Would Consider Looking At Gently Used Boats But Having New Is Nice In Terms Of Finish, And Realibity. I Always Buy New But I'm Not Very Mechanical. I Dont Want To Be Twenty Miles Out And Have A Problem Or Be Stuck At The Dock On A Nice Day Because Of Some Other Issue. Resale Value Is Important, As Is The Market. It Is No Fun BEing Stuck With A Boat You Dont Want Anymore BUT Cant Sell.

[Wayne Evans]

Well....

You seem confident you'd get the recreational usage from that sort of investment.
So....if you can comfortably afford the known and unknown maintenance/upkeep then maybe you'd decide to go for it.

Personally, I see the purchase as just another big thing to worry about and a financial abyss over time.
I would just rent (I really don't know how feasible that is) a boat for those intermittent desires for water recreation.

Your judgment call.

Do carry on....

[MiamiSpartan]

Don't buy a boat….talk one of your friends into buying a boat…..

[MiamiSpartan]

We are very fortunate…..the street we live on dead-ends 4 miles to the south at a deep water marina…several friends have boats, so we are never at a loss of access to one….We'll throw in the gas money, bring some beers and eats, and we are good…..MUCH cheaper than actually owning one…!!

[litljay]

The two happiest days in a boat owners life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it.




Good luck!

This is the first thing I thought of.

[BigJ66]

Boat - a hole in the water into which you throw money.

[virtualbrian]

Do you have a vehicle to tow it? Sounds like you'd use it. I'd go for it. But I might buy a preowned boat. Get a few good seasons out of it and trade up. Good Luck!

[Flounderbout]

A very wise man once said, "If it floats, flies or fecks, you're better off hiring"...

[pharmamarketer]

Invest the money. do not buy a boat

[erikjh]

Just know you'll spend money. Too much money. Even if you do use it there's always something.

[JDizleSwoleizle]

Don't buy a boat….talk one of your friends into buying a boat…..

I probably live 20 min away from you. Buy it, I'll bring some cold beer.

[SnailblazerSS]

If you can, and will use it OFTEN during the season, and are capable of performing maintenance on it yourself. Keep it in the water in a slip 100% of the time and on a lift if possible.

I think what ruins boat ownership for so many people is the fun:cost ratio. If you have to hook up a trailer every time, prep and pack up a boat, drive to the ramp, launch, park the truck and load crap in the boat, come back in and depend on someone else to be competent/sober enough to either back the trailer in or drive the boat onto it, clean the boat after using it, and put it back into it's storage spot, it sucks. you'll start to hate how much of a hassle it is, and finding someone reliable to bring with to help. now on top of that account for fuel at roughly 1-2.5mpg, 20% the value of your boat on maintenance every season, storage, owning a truck and fuel costs for that, booze and food on the boat, insurance.....it adds up. All that isn't worth it to use a boat 5-6 times a season.

I had always been around boats growing up and decided to buy my own a couple years ago. I keep it in the water 100% of the time, downtown Chicago. I use it 2-3 times a week during boat season, weather permitting. Absolute best waste of money! 26' Velocity 260, it's got a 496 big block in it, does 67-72mph depending on conditions and people on the boat. Holds 5 comfortably if I want to drive fast and 8 until we get anchored and throw out a big raft to float around on. Put in an awesome stereo and enjoy the hell out of it.



I'll probably own this for another year or two, then get into a 30'+ cruiser I can spend the weekends or live part time, hold 15-20 people for partying out on the water, and have a lot longer range for cruising to places other than Chicago.

[mslman71]

I was so happy when I got rid of my boat. I thought the damn thing was going to drive me to the poorhouse.

[Smelly bull]

If you buy new, stay away from Bayliner. Their resale is marginal and they skip corners in craftsmanship. I don't know what dealers you have in the area (and that is important) but I love the Chaparrals..and the H2O line might fit what you want within your price range...kinda.

I frequent Iboats.com and recommend you take a look around there.

Btw, I now only own a Zodiac and the kids love it. I got up to 30mph (GPS) with both of them and my wife. When you are 18" or so off the water, it feels a lot faster..I can also tow with it, and we frequently go on Lake Michigan in it. Outboard was relatively expensive, but the boat wasn't to bad. Plus we can go a day on the lake and use less than six gallons...

[Smelly bull]

We look for these boats to jump their wakes....seriously good time.

[SnailblazerSS]

it's more fun jumping wakes WITH the boat. 60-65mph in 3-4' swells on Lake Michigan is a good time. I'm used to it, but scare most of my friends half to death with it still. I've had a legit 6' of air under the boat and nearly chit myself.

[SnailblazerSS]

My best advice would be to get something cheaper, enough so that you can pay cash. You don't need the biggest best fastest most fun for your first boat. Something nice enough to use with minimal maintenance and repair, and will give you a taste of boat ownership before you commit to $20k+ in financing for a toy

[Jordanski]

I have a few, and would never give any up. Unless for an upgrade or something. DO IT!

[frozensparky]

Personally I would buy used for my first just to make sure I was going to get the use out of to make it worthwhile. That's what I did with my first motorbike and boat

[GKC45]

Which ever way you go, this is definitely the best time of year to buy a boat.

[Brackneyc]

We boated for 15 years. Had two brand new ones, and one used in that time. Had 7 jet skis (not all at once). Loved the time on the water with the kids and wife. Maintenance isn't bad really. The gear can be expensive, but safety first.

One of my boats caught fire on the water. Scary for sure.

I'd say it is a toss up, with finances being the main concern. I never had an issue affording them, but I know guys who go deep into debt over their boats. I never would/did.

We were river boaters (Mississippi), as opposed to lake/ocean boaters.

[DocHoss]

I think YOU will really get good use out of it. So if you can fit it in your budget, go for it!

As long as I'm not around when you are at the wheel

We are very fortunate…..the street we live on dead-ends 4 miles to the south at a deep water marina…several friends have boats, so we are never at a loss of access to one….We'll throw in the gas money, bring some beers and eats, and we are good…..MUCH cheaper than actually owning one…!!

If I ever find your address, I'm showing up with a couple of cases!