Need some help.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by PHILDO on April 7, 2011 at 3:39pm

Iam also scared! I didnt know you were into older miltary men!

Aaron Christel said:

Well, I'm scared now and will be quiting fishing. I'm not going to sell my boat because I don wish that nightmare on anyone. I'm just going to put it in the backyard with police tape around it so no one can get near it.

All kidding aside, Jake is dead on right here. I have an oler ranger that I have been planing on restoring since I got it 3 years ago. Problem is, every time I have extra cash to put into I, something breaks and that money goes to just keeping it running.

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

I think people need to ask this young man a few more questions before encouraging ANY type of outboard purchase.

 

Here's some perspective Tyler:  

 

I bought my first boat 4 years ago at the age of 27 years old. I have a college degree, and an income that allows me to bring in much more than I spend, and I still get stressed about the money it costs to maintain a motorized boat.  I bought a $3,500 dollar 16 foot 1995 sylvan, with a very reliable 1996 merc 25hp, and I've had a carb clean, electrical work, trailor welding, a new axl and bearings, bearing buddies, and had to replace the trolling motor.  Also had to have the boat towed at an expensive rate when I blew a bearing. Had to buy 2 new batteries, and a new tire. Throw in tabs, insurance, life vests, fire extinguishers, anchor, and other crap.   I've spent in four years, probably over $3,000 dollars in repairs and thats on a boat in which the MOTOR....has had almost no problems.  Some of this has been my fault for not keeping up the maintenance as well as I could have like using "stabil" and greasing the bearings...but you either need to be handy, or have money to get Maintenance done, and there will always be something to fix on the boat no matter how good you are.  Some of the things that come up will keep you from being able to use it at all.   When the motor doesnt start, and you can't fix it, and you can't afford a mechanic.....your gonna be real frustrated with your $2,500 dollar investment that you can't even use.

 

My good pal Zach Chandler who chimed in above, got a great deal on his boat.....but if you ask him how much he's spent on it....it's a good chunk of change, albeit maybe not as much as I've spent on my boat. 

 

Tyler:   Tell us more about your situation?  Do you have a job?  do you have a vehicle that can tow this boat?  Do you live with your parents?  If so, do you want to move out, and do you know how much it costs to live on your own?

Can you afford the oil, gas, life-vests, fire extinguishers, and regular maintenance, or handy enough to do maintenance yourself?  What about batteries that will need replacing, what if your Trolling motor craps out, or the depth finder dies, or what about something as simple as Insurance for the trailer?

 

My point here tyler, is that you might be able to afford a $2,500 dollar cost....but the boats in that price range can cost a TON of money to maintain in very short order. 

 

For 8 years before I owned a boat I owned a Pontoon boat that cost me $400 dollars, and has had ZERO maintenance costs, and I have used it more this year than my actual boat.  I've caught 9 largemouth from it in 3 outings, and in my 1 day from my boat I got skunked fishing for smallies on the River.   You can fish ponds, big lakes, rivers, and you can actually cover some good ground on a pontoon boat.....and while you can't cover as much ground as you can with a boat, you can get to where some big fish live.

 

I know the idea of owning a boat is "neat" but I'm here to tell you that at 18......thats something I wouldnt do knowing how much they really cost.  I would encourage you to save your money, and get in position to buy your first home as soon as you can afford a mortgage.  Your going to live a long life....buy a pontoon boat to get you on the water, and to hone your bass fishing skills and knowledge.  Buy a boat when you have a good foundation under you.

 

Alot of guys your age think that buying a dog is a great idea.  I have one of those too, and I'm here to tell you that the vet bills, food bills, and everything else adds up to WAAAYYY more than what the dog originally cost.   Boats are 10 times worse.

 

If you can stomach all of that.....Then listen to the advice above, and do your homework.  Make sure the trailer is in VERY good condition.  Inspect the winch, the electrical wiring and lights, look at the tires for good tread, and see if the area around the bearings is rusty or neglected.   Look at the boat batteries to see how old they are, and see if there's corrosion around the terminals.  Does the boat look well taken care of? 

 

Again...just my opinion, but I think $2,500 dollar boats are that cheap because they are small, and NEED WORK.   You'd be better off saving up and buying a $5,000 dollar boat in a couple years.  Your gonna get a much better/bigger/safer/more equiped boat, and I'll bet my life that it will cost you the same amount of money when you add up all the costs in 5-10 years.

 

Good luck. 

Ps.....Sorry for the Parnicky.   My typing skills are pretty good.  

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on April 7, 2011 at 4:16pm

Phil, not army rangers, texas rangers. I have a thing for Arthor Rhodes. Get it straight.

Permalink Reply by Pat on April 7, 2011 at 6:55pm

wise beyond your years.......

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

I think people need to ask this young man a few more questions before encouraging ANY type of outboard purchase.

 

Here's some perspective Tyler:  

 

I bought my first boat 4 years ago at the age of 27 years old. I have a college degree, and an income that allows me to bring in much more than I spend, and I still get stressed about the money it costs to maintain a motorized boat.  I bought a $3,500 dollar 16 foot 1995 sylvan, with a very reliable 1996 merc 25hp, and I've had a carb clean, electrical work, trailor welding, a new axl and bearings, bearing buddies, and had to replace the trolling motor.  Also had to have the boat towed at an expensive rate when I blew a bearing. Had to buy 2 new batteries, and a new tire. Throw in tabs, insurance, life vests, fire extinguishers, anchor, and other crap.   I've spent in four years, probably over $3,000 dollars in repairs and thats on a boat in which the MOTOR....has had almost no problems.  Some of this has been my fault for not keeping up the maintenance as well as I could have like using "stabil" and greasing the bearings...but you either need to be handy, or have money to get Maintenance done, and there will always be something to fix on the boat no matter how good you are.  Some of the things that come up will keep you from being able to use it at all.   When the motor doesnt start, and you can't fix it, and you can't afford a mechanic.....your gonna be real frustrated with your $2,500 dollar investment that you can't even use.

 

My good pal Zach Chandler who chimed in above, got a great deal on his boat.....but if you ask him how much he's spent on it....it's a good chunk of change, albeit maybe not as much as I've spent on my boat. 

 

Tyler:   Tell us more about your situation?  Do you have a job?  do you have a vehicle that can tow this boat?  Do you live with your parents?  If so, do you want to move out, and do you know how much it costs to live on your own?

Can you afford the oil, gas, life-vests, fire extinguishers, and regular maintenance, or handy enough to do maintenance yourself?  What about batteries that will need replacing, what if your Trolling motor craps out, or the depth finder dies, or what about something as simple as Insurance for the trailer?

 

My point here tyler, is that you might be able to afford a $2,500 dollar cost....but the boats in that price range can cost a TON of money to maintain in very short order. 

 

For 8 years before I owned a boat I owned a Pontoon boat that cost me $400 dollars, and has had ZERO maintenance costs, and I have used it more this year than my actual boat.  I've caught 9 largemouth from it in 3 outings, and in my 1 day from my boat I got skunked fishing for smallies on the River.   You can fish ponds, big lakes, rivers, and you can actually cover some good ground on a pontoon boat.....and while you can't cover as much ground as you can with a boat, you can get to where some big fish live.

 

I know the idea of owning a boat is "neat" but I'm here to tell you that at 18......thats something I wouldnt do knowing how much they really cost.  I would encourage you to save your money, and get in position to buy your first home as soon as you can afford a mortgage.  Your going to live a long life....buy a pontoon boat to get you on the water, and to hone your bass fishing skills and knowledge.  Buy a boat when you have a good foundation under you.

 

Alot of guys your age think that buying a dog is a great idea.  I have one of those too, and I'm here to tell you that the vet bills, food bills, and everything else adds up to WAAAYYY more than what the dog originally cost.   Boats are 10 times worse.

 

If you can stomach all of that.....Then listen to the advice above, and do your homework.  Make sure the trailer is in VERY good condition.  Inspect the winch, the electrical wiring and lights, look at the tires for good tread, and see if the area around the bearings is rusty or neglected.   Look at the boat batteries to see how old they are, and see if there's corrosion around the terminals.  Does the boat look well taken care of? 

 

Again...just my opinion, but I think $2,500 dollar boats are that cheap because they are small, and NEED WORK.   You'd be better off saving up and buying a $5,000 dollar boat in a couple years.  Your gonna get a much better/bigger/safer/more equiped boat, and I'll bet my life that it will cost you the same amount of money when you add up all the costs in 5-10 years.

 

Good luck. 

Ps.....Sorry for the Parnicky.   My typing skills are pretty good.  

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on April 7, 2011 at 7:21pm

Tyler we already talked about this.  For your price range you are not going to get anymore than what you got!  Save another 5-8K and start looking then. If you work hard that will accumulate fast especially if you are smart with your money.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on April 7, 2011 at 8:10pm

B.O.A.T.  this stands for  Bring On Another Thousand!

Permalink Reply by Chris Blandi on April 7, 2011 at 8:19pm

I use my 9' dingy a hell of a lot more often than I do my bigger boat.  Do you have a little boat now ?  A little $500 boat with a trolling motor will get you by until you can save up for a better boat.  I bought my bass boat at 21 yrs old, that should be your goal IMO.  Why buy a boat and put yourself in that position when you can join a bass club and backseat in a 45k boat, have a ton of fun and learn new techniques from skilled fisherman ?

Permalink Reply by Anthony N Jay on April 7, 2011 at 10:43pm

buy a nicer boat than I did. I have put in around 1000 and now its depth finder/gps time.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on April 7, 2011 at 10:52pm

Thats a great deal if so. I remember seeing adds for that boat a while back. It would make a great starter boat. Pretty sure its a 176xt. Seems pretty cheap, surprised a local dealer hasnt swooped it up.

Shane Storie said:

 4500.00 is what it said, from what a freind told me, could be wrong ...

wouldnt suprise me tho, looks sharp...

Clif Kincaid said:

You sure it was 4500? It was 12-14k last year. It's a newer stratos from cabelas I believe. I think the ol man bought it but passed on and the son is selling it. I think it was barely used. Looks really clean from the drive by.

Permalink Reply by PHILDO on April 8, 2011 at 8:54am

Check out Pacific Boatland ! They might have something that will work for you! Ask for Willie .

Permalink Reply by tyler inderbitzin on April 8, 2011 at 9:16pm

 I do currently have a job that pays decent and im for sure on getting hours. I am currently living at home and plan to for a little while. I want to buy a boat now because i feel that if i buy it before i have more important things to pay for that i will atleast have a boat. You all make a very good point and i do need to take that into consideration. Thank you guys for all your help if you have any other ideas and or questions jus shoot me a message.

Thank you Tyler

 

 

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