Economy still booming...as are boat prices.

El Capitan

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2014
3,828
Chicago IL./Vero Beach, Fl
Boat Info
1970 SRV 180 w 2.5L Mercruiser.
2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer
Engines
120HP Mercruiser
I’m recovering from sticker shock. Went to a boat show and any 20ft fishing boat w an outboard and trailer starts around $65k!!

Now I’m not in the market but I saw a good many newbies listening to the “...smaller payments over 15 years...”

“What the hell is going on out there?”
 
I've always been shocked at the price of fishing boats. It seemed to me to be paying relatively a lot more per length for a center console (for example) than a cruiser.
 
Same thing with wakeboard boats. I saw one last summer at a show that was almost $150K. :eek:

"easy monthly payments" is a phrase that should be outlawed.
 
I’m recovering from sticker shock. Went to a boat show and any 20ft fishing boat w an outboard and trailer starts around $65k!!

Now I’m not in the market but I saw a good many newbies listening to the “...smaller payments over 15 years...”

“What the hell is going on out there?”


And that's why I'm glad they sell fish in the supermarkets ;)
 
Prices for new boats have ALWAYS been beyond my means.

Even if it was $45k for that 20 footer, that would be more than most could afford.
 
I have purchased many used boats and many new boats. It is only foolish if it outside ones means. If it is not a struggle to spend 6 figures on a new boat, then it isn’t foolish, just a luxury and privilege to have the means to afford it.
 
I’ll add that used models of my boat 5-7 years old are going for very close to what I got mine for new - in some cases more. I got mine new with full hull and engine warranty.
 
Sometimes it’s just good to do something because you want to do it and you can do it.

IMHO: If you want a new boat and can afford it then you should get the new boat. Life is short and you can’t take it with you.

While I haven’t applied that logic to a boat yet, I have done it with other things and never had any regrets.
 
What people are paying for things today is very interesting too me...Boats included...

I'm on the outside looking in to a market of people that either have more money than the data shows, or they are over extended....

In some ways, we are all over extended when you think that our gov't is spending money over what we are giving them, and we will all ultimately be responsible...So, no matter how fiscally responsible you think you are, we will be paying for debt that is beyond our control.

But, that aside, I'm of the opinion the majority of builders are building at very high margins and paying big commissions -- Until the music stops...My thought is even though the margins are high, the overall volume is down...

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out...

If anyone knows some of the banks taking the debt, let me know...That's who I like to deal with...Do we ever learn? BTW- It isn't just new boats. Have you seen the asking price for used?
 
What people are paying for things today is very interesting too me...Boats included...

I'm on the outside looking in to a market of people that either have more money than the data shows, or they are over extended....

In some ways, we are all over extended when you think that our gov't is spending money over what we are giving them, and we will all ultimately be responsible...So, no matter how fiscally responsible you think you are, we will be paying for debt that is beyond our control.

But, that aside, I'm of the opinion the majority of builders are building at very high margins and paying big commissions -- Until the music stops...My thought is even though the margins are high, the overall volume is down...

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out...

If anyone knows some of the banks taking the debt, let me know...That's who I like to deal with...Do we ever learn? BTW- It isn't just new boats. Have you seen the asking price for used?
Quit your crying, you have a bigger boat than me and 95% of everyone......lol ;)
 
Prices for new boats have ALWAYS been beyond my means.

Even if it was $45k for that 20 footer, that would be more than most could afford.
by that logic , it is shocking to me how many people are driving around in $60k silverados and rams. these young guys in my firehouse are paying 700/ 800 month for these things! and still live at home!
 
[QUOTE="Boat Guy, post: 1088100, member: 31037"
In some ways, we are all over extended when you think that our gov't is spending money over what we are giving them, and we will all ultimately be responsible...So, no matter how fiscally responsible you think you are, we will be paying for debt that is beyond our control.

[/QUOTE]

At 65, I don’t know how much more their going to get out of me............
 
by that logic , it is shocking to me how many people are driving around in $60k silverados and rams. these young guys in my firehouse are paying 700/ 800 month for these things! and still live at home!
Same here. My current car was new when these kids were in middle school!
 
Lol. I paid $55k for my 735i BMW in 1992. I donated it to veterans last winter. I did finance it for 4 years but I got 295,xxx miles out of it. Had the tranny not blown I’d still be driving it.
My truck is a 2000.
My Harley is a 1970.
My Sea Ray is a 1970.

I think I’m seeing a pattern here :rolleyes:
 
Lol. I paid $55k for my 735i BMW in 1992. I donated it to veterans last winter. I did finance it for 4 years but I got 295,xxx miles out of it. Had the tranny not blown I’d still be driving it.
My truck is a 2000.
My Harley is a 1970.
My Sea Ray is a 1970.

I think I’m seeing a pattern here :rolleyes:
El C, I think you and I went to the same School of Finance when we were growing up.

My Sea Ray is a 1995
I have a 2010 13' Whaler
and a 1981 13' Whaler.
My wife's GMC is a 2012
My BMW is a 2005
and my Explorer is a 1998.

Our house is paid for as is our condo in AZ.
 
My car is a 2012. My wife’s was a 2011 that we would have kept if the engine didn’t crap out. My house is modest and paid off. We take the view of long term affordability.
 

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