Looking at purchasing a new boat.

[Smossy]

So with all the problems of my welded Jon Boat ive had in a few threads - weve decided after Im done painting it we may just sell it.
 Ive been looking to get a new welded Jon boat. Want something with our name on it, alittle bigger, something thats officialy "ours" and something that is just gonna be tough.
I dont make much money, but we go after what would make us happy..
Ive been looking toward one of the Tracker Grizzly 1860 I think it is.
18 foot welded Jon Boat with a pretty nice wide open setup. It runs around $2700-3000 But I think thats with no motor or trailer.
Not sure that we could afford the whole shabang that runs around $8200 for a trailer and a 25hp 4 stroke.

So to some of you boat guys, any advice? I plan on financing it all if we can get approved - both me and the girl.
We love the water, we love to fish, we love to be away.
I think it would be a great investment.

[sirmissalot]

Curious why you're leaning towards a Jon boat? I think they make sense when they are small, but 18ft if it were me I might consider a slight V, unless you're planning on making it a sled. I'm not sure what your intentions for this boat are. I certainly agree with going welded

[Smossy]

Curious why you're leaning towards a Jon boat? I think they make sense when they are small, but 18ft if it were me I might consider a slight V, unless you're planning on making it a sled. I'm not sure what your intentions for this boat are. I certainly agree with going welded

It is a v hull Jon boat. Still a flat bottom. Yeah mostly for lakes and ponds. Will get use for trapping to. Possibly some small sound use for kings.

[Bofire]

  I have been llooking around for a possible size up grade on my boat. From what I have seen there are some OUTSTANDING  buys in almost new used boats for about 50 cents on the dollar for new. I can't see paying the new price and depreciation.
Carl

[turkeyfeather]

For what your looking at spending you could get a very nice used boat (probably much less). A boat is good entertainment, not a good investment. Save some money and buy a house instead.

[sirmissalot]

I would think you'd want to keep it small for the trapping part. I agree with looking for a used one either way.

[Smossy]

For what your looking at spending you could get a very nice used boat (probably much less). A boat is good entertainment, not a good investment. Save some money and buy a house instead.

We are buying a house. Thanks though.

[turkeyfeather]

For what your looking at spending you could get a very nice used boat (probably much less). A boat is good entertainment, not a good investment. Save some money and buy a house instead.

We are buying a house. Thanks though.

Cool, good for you.    I still say go used though. Houses require lots of extra money beyond the mortgage costs.

[Fishstiq]

Craigslist is your friend man!  No need to spend $8200 on something like that.  I think you've seen my little boat, it came from cl and we are into it $5000.  That's for a 17ft, fiberglass center console with a 115hp yamaha on the back.  A little aluminum car topper and a small motor to push it shouldn't cost that much.

I'll keep an eye out for ya and post up any possibles I see.   

[Smossy]

Im not dead set on 18 feet really its just what I been lookin at. We have a 14 foot and it seems kinda cramped with all our stuff thats all.

[jackelope]

 

If you're trying to buy a house, the last thing you should do is finance what is potentially the worst possible investment in God's free world(a boat).
I agree with the rest that say to buy used, and buy what you can pay cash for.

Good luck with your search.
 

[Buzz2401]

Buying a new boat would be a huge mistake.  Been there done that.  Find a good well taken care of used one.  Just because a boat is new doesn't mean you won't have problems with it.  A new boat loses about 25% the second you sign papers. 

[turkeyfeather]

If you're trying to buy a house, the last thing you should do is finance what is potentially the worst possible investment in God's free world(a boat).
I agree with the rest that say to buy used, and buy what you can pay cash for.

Good luck with your search.

Excellent point. Taking a loan before closing on your house could kill your home loan on the spot.

[Smossy]

Craigslist is your friend man!  No need to spend $8200 on something like that.  I think you've seen my little boat, it came from cl and we are into it $5000.  That's for a 17ft, fiberglass center console with a 115hp yamaha on the back.  A little aluminum car topper and a small motor to push it shouldn't cost that much.

I'll keep an eye out for ya and post up any possibles I see.   

I never did see your boat man. Im just looking at possibilities. I dont know brands well so I look up what i find and like.

[Fishstiq]

$600, 15hp motor...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/4491799935.html

$650, 14ft aluminum boat with trailer...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/4504948739.html

Or, a package deal, $1800 boat motor and trailer plus anchors and some other gear, and with a duck blind paint job....

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/bod/4485022889.html




Not trying to tell you what you should do, just giving you some options.   

[BigD]

Save your money until you have the couple grand in cash, even if its next year. Bum a ride here and there this year, I'm sure someone will hook you up if you ask in the open seat thread. Shop Craig's list next year.

[Smossy]

Buying a new boat would be a huge mistake.  Been there done that.  Find a good well taken care of used one.  Just because a boat is new doesn't mean you won't have problems with it.  A new boat loses about 25% the second you sign papers. 

Interesting point. Ill consider that. Ill gladly get a used one I just dont another sears boat thats like 40 years old lol. I just cant save for crap but Im great at forking over money for payments. kinda why i wanted to finance. Ill never have enough c.o.h. to drop like that.

[Smossy]

If you're trying to buy a house, the last thing you should do is finance what is potentially the worst possible investment in God's free world(a boat).
I agree with the rest that say to buy used, and buy what you can pay cash for.

Good luck with your search.

Excellent point. Taking a loan before closing on your house could kill your home loan on the spot.

Well as it stands now. We would be renting from the ladys parents. They have a great house that the current leasers are stiffing them on so were gonna get it and eventually wind up buying it. It may not be for a few years but its gonna happen. It will help her folks in the long run to.

[Rick]

Young,not making much money,trying to buy a house and wanting to finance a boat. 

This $8200 boat will end up costing you at least $10K after interest. When its paid off 5-6 years from now it'll be worth half that.

Don't forget insurance,maintanance,etc.

[Smossy]

Thanks for all the input guys even if its not what I wanted to hear but Ill think about everything more before we do anything drastic.

[Smossy]

Young,not making much money,trying to buy a house and wanting to finance a boat. 

This $8200 boat will end up costing you at least $10K after interest. When its paid off 5-6 years from now it'll be worth half that.

Don't forget insurance,maintanance,etc.

Nonono lol I was not planning on getting that one. Thats with motor and trailer and I got a motor and trailers are easy to find for a good price. I was talking like 2500-3000 tops realisticly.

[turkeyfeather]

Don't take this personal Smossy, but as advice from someone who made really bad money decisions when I was younger and learned the hard way. If you can't save a couple thousand dollars and have to finance it then you probably have no business buying it or looking at a house.

[deltaops]

Lots of advice on here.

From what I have read so far is that maybe in a couple of years you may be buying the house. You are thinking of financing for a boat. You are going to be renting until you can buy it.

Financing a new boat.... Yeah I wouldn't do it if you are going to buy a house later on.

The other option to think about is trying to get a small loan from your bank to buy that used boat but you have to be careful as to what you are getting into. Get the loan approved first so you know how much money you are working with, then you can start looking for that boat to fit the loan.

Know your payments and budget that in for the long haul, making sure to account for any emergencies that  may come up in the long run.

If you do not plan on buying a house for a couple years, make sure you can get that loan paid off before then. Building credit is a good thing and can help you in financing for a mortgage.

If you have any doubt about the loan and making payments, look for other solutions.

Use the boat you have and do not be in a huge hurry to get a new boat. As soon as you buy that boat, another one just like it will cross your path at a better deal.   

[Smossy]

Don't take this personal Smossy, but as advice from someone who made really bad money decisions when I was younger and learned the hard way. If you can't save a couple thousand dollars and have to finance it then you probably have no business buying it or looking at a house.

Thanks for the advice but I got the house part figured out and if i gotta learn the hard way then so be it. Everything else is just comfort.
I take my responsabilities very seriously and if theres bills to pay then they get payed. I hear what your saying but I got my girl and you guys to keep me in line.

[Buckmark]

For what it sounds like you want to do a nice 12ft+ alum boat will work great and they can be had for a price that you could easily pay cash for. in a 12ft a deep v will be what your looking for, not a "car" topper.
Lund, Smoker craft, Valco, Duraboat are all good brands to look for.

I just cruised through craigslist and found one of each that would work great for you
Lund 15ft with trailer for 900 bucks (pick up and small OB for a few hundered and your set)
Valco 12ft with 1990 trailer with some extras for 850
Smoker craft 12ft with a 6hp suzuki on a trailer for 1200 bucks
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/4507835293.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/4498080060.html

[Smossy]

Lots of advice on here.

From what I have read so far is that maybe in a couple of years you may be buying the house. You are thinking of financing for a boat. You are going to be renting until you can buy it.

Financing a new boat.... Yeah I wouldn't do it if you are going to buy a house later on.

The other option to think about is trying to get a small loan from your bank to buy that used boat but you have to be careful as to what you are getting into. Get the loan approved first so you know how much money you are working with, then you can start looking for that boat to fit the loan.

Know your payments and budget that in for the long haul, making sure to account for any emergencies that  may come up in the long run.

If you do not plan on buying a house for a couple years, make sure you can get that loan paid off before then. Building credit is a good thing and can help you in financing for a mortgage.

If you have any doubt about the loan and making payments, look for other solutions.

Use the boat you have and do not be in a huge hurry to get a new boat. As soon as you buy that boat, another one just like it will cross your path at a better deal.   

Best response all day. Thanks delta.

[fish vacuum]

Another vote for saving and paying cash for a used boat.

[Goldeneye]

Buy a used boat.  I've owned many and only one time have I bought new.  They all end up costing you more than the purchase price due to one reason or the other.  Put some money back out of each paycheck and hold onto it until you can purchase the boat. 


Remember what the word boat stands for.  BOAT  = Bring On Another Thousand

[Smossy]

Yeah thanks to you guys ive found a few decent boats that will meet my needs. Not gonna get a new boat. You guys talked me out of it.

[Becky]

  thank you all, at least he listens to you guys   

[Coastal_native]

This thread bums me out.  I just bought a new g3 gator tough jon, outfitter 1652 with a mercury 60/40 jet.  I pick it up Saturday.

I say do what makes you happy, smossy.  It may be a calculated risk, but the time to enjoy life is now. 

What a bunch of buzz kills you guys are...