Boat search rant

[meleana]

We live in a lakes region where it seems like everyone owns a boat and the lake(s) is crazy crowded with them.

Once in a while a neighbor invites us on his pontoon. This year I purchased a season pass to go out an unlimited amount of times on a lake ship, mail boats, cocktail cruises on smaller vessels, etc for $200. I live just up the road from the docks.

Yeah- not the same as having your own boat, but can’t beat the price!

 

[1242Vintage]

We live near the shore of a very large reservoir. On summer weekends love to cycle over by our local boat ramp and take a break where all the polished chrome “super size ski boats” are being launched. Lots of sparkly chrome and colorful fibre glass going down the ramp. And then there’s the cost of the large truck needed to tow that $100k boat.

 

[skipro33]

Not sure what state you are in, but here in California, we are dealing with some sort of mussel that clogs up pipes. Every lake has it's own inspection and 30 day quarantine where you have to bring your boat to the lake, let them inspect it, they put a seal on the boat to the trailer so you can't use the boat and in 30 days, return and boat on that lake. Every lake has it's own inspection and quarantine. I have over a dozen lakes within an hour's drive from my home, so if I want to boat on, let's say 3, that's 30 days each between boating on those lakes and I have to drive the boat there twice; once for the inspection and tag, then again on the day I actually want to boat.
On top of that, California now requires a boat driver license. The on-line class is free if you are savvy enough to find the one site through all the other pay sites. the class is between 4 and 8 hours long, depending on how educated you are on the rules. I went out last week and was stopped THREE times by 3 different LEO's on the lake to check my license. Not my fishing license, I was fishing, but my boat driver license.
Anyways, I tell you all this because so many boat owners are getting sick and tired of not able to just take the boat out when they want and where they want, so they are selling them. Heck, I'd sell mine except I would never get back out of it anywhere near what I've put into it. My boat is immaculate, much like my truck and camper I posted in another thread and it's a 1993. Everything is kept in perfect condition. I probably couldn't get more than $1,000 for it and I've put over $3,000 in it in the past 2 seasons. But I digress; check California Facebook Market place if you live near. Even if you don't live near. I once flew to El Paso, Texas to buy a boat. $90 one way on South West, met the dealer at the airport, rented a U-Haul truck and hauled it home within a couple hours of landing all because California has banned the sale of 2-stroke outboard motors and this boat was a repo with under 20 hours on it.
Good luck with your shopping!

 

[Flyfish1]

I grew up boating but never got into it until life calmed down and I could afford it. We owned several from 38 ft to 46 ft over the years, both sail and power. When I retired I was sure that we would use the 46 ft a lot and cruise the coast. Well we had been doing that for well over a decade, but had only been to Europe twice, never to Asia, Africa, etc.. SO after two seasons into retirement and many thousands of dollars we sold the 46 ft. and the 25 ft fishing boat and bought a relatively new 2023 28 ft center console. We have since been to Asia, Australia, Europe and more booked. I was happy to sell the big boat, slip fees alone were close to $10K per season, then there is storage, decommissioning, commissioning , maintenance , repairs, insurance and diesel. All in that boat alone was averaging $30K per year. And that's nothing compared to the big Viking Sportfish boats. It's an expensive game and one that while working didn't upset me too much. But in retirement we wanted to travel , not cruise up and down the Northeast coast to places we had been to a bunch of times and now live very close to. Life changes and I'm happy to have my fishing boat walkable down the street and spend a fraction of what I did before that and cash to travel more freely. I love boating and probably always will....just needed to right size.

Although yesterday they informed me that they had to put in 5 new AGM batteries...ouch!

 

[JoeWras]

Well, the important thing is, every boat owner is guaranteed to have two very happy days: the day he buys it, and the day he sells it. The days in between will likely be pretty frustrating.

B.ring O.n A.nother T.housand

I heard both this stupid acronym and your "best 2 days" saying from boat owners I worked with. All in fun. They went in together on the purchase and both seemed to genuinely enjoy ownership and usage, although they said the "thousand" thing was no joke, even in 1986.

If one is into it, I think it is a great retirement activity.

 

[folivier]

Boats are like anything else. There are good ones and bad ones. FWIW most of the boats I've owned have been good ones. A few problems here and there but mostly because I bought used. And I've thoroughly enjoyed all of them.
But I've always done my own work and maintenance except for more specialized engine mechanical work.
Now I'm surprised at how few people do any of the work. Very few people even clean or wax their boats but farm it out to detailers. That can make a hobby expensive very quickly.

 

[Flyfish1]

B.ring O.n A.nother T.housand

I heard both this stupid acronym and your "best 2 days" saying from boat owners I worked with. All in fun. They went in together on the purchase and both seemed to genuinely enjoy ownership and usage, although they said the "thousand" thing was no joke, even in 1986.

If one is into it, I think it is a great retirement activity.

Another one I heard " Sailing is like standing in the rain ripping up hundred dollar bills."

 

[Fermion]

Someone on our local craigslist was selling a 2007 Honda 5hp outboard for $1400. Where do they come up with these prices? Maybe all the listings are just double what people expect to get?

 

[skipro33]

Someone on our local craigslist was selling a 2007 Honda 5hp outboard for $1400. Where do they come up with these prices? Maybe all the listings are just double what people expect to get?

That's nothing. I want to upgrade my electric trolling motor. Over $4,000.
But, they are cool. I watched a guy launch his boat, then used a key fob remote to put his boat off the dock and GPS achor it while he went to park his truck and trailer. Other boaters then we're able to use the ramp. When he returned, he retrieved it back to the dock, climbed aboard and left.
The motor has sonar and can track a set distance from the shore, a set depth or a creek channel while the owner can focus on fishing.The GPS anchor will not only lock the boat to a specific place, but keep it pointing in a fixed heading too. Great for fishing rivers or any where there's a current or wind blow.

 

[OK EE]

Just gotta vent a bit here. I'll be buying an 18-21 foot center console in the fall. My summer will be full with travels so no point in buying until then.
So I'm looking on Facebook marketplace to get an idea of what type of boat I want and what my budget will be. I'm amazed and astounded at the junk that people post pictures of. Some of them might be a good deal but it's difficult to tell with all of the mold, ripped seats, leaves, and other junk. And some of the descriptions are ridiculous. Such as: boat. for sale. don't know what it is but it's for sale. ran a few years ago but I'm sure it'll run good. new motor only 50 hours, installed years ago. These are the titles! the descriptions are worse.
Why do people let a good boat sit until it's lost most of its value? But try and convince the seller it's worth less. I've seen some boats that might be a good project to bring back to life but at 72 I don't have the time for that.
It'll be a journey when I am ready to buy.

Boattrader is a much better site. You *can* find gems on FB marketplace, but it's rare.

 

[Koolau]

Another one I heard " Sailing is like standing in the rain ripping up hundred dollar bills."

A boat is a hole in the water into which you dump your money.

My issue with boats is that folks never seem to use them (unless they are commercial vessels).

 

[ktdtx]

Look around at the local boat dealers..often have used boats and some sell on consignment. They will also be the people doing work on it so it starts a relationship.

 

[Surewhitey]

Just bought my second boat... $50 (moving sale) & it doesn't sink. Crazy story about Cali but not surprising. Just went out yesterday to Lake Fork & caught 4, landed 2. Some big bass out there.

Used to have a 20' fish/ski. Bought used & sold for same price. The maintenance, storage, fuel and insurance is what it cost me. Keeping it simple from now on. Rent or kayaking.

 

[pb4uski]

Not sure what state you are in, but here in California, we are dealing with some sort of mussel that clogs up pipes. ...

Zebra mussels?

 

[Still Learning]

We had 11 boats over the years and did plenty of day/weekend and summer cruises, it was great. Purchased a new Carolina Skiff 18' center console when I retired 2019, did the maintenance myself and still upgraded until this year. Put the boat in the water last week to make sure everything was perfect and took a few rides before filling with fresh fuel.

My son in-law and has gone fishing with me the last few years. It was fun to gift the package to him and my daughter this week. They are recently married and purchased a house this year so a free toy for them with low hours. For me it was a great way to exit owning a boat.

 

[pb4uski]

I sold and bought used pontoon boats last year.

We had a 2001 Bennington 2080LX with a 40hp Honda outboard that we bought from a neighbor in 2014 and was a great cocktail cruise around the lake boat, but it was getting a bit long in the tooth even though it was well maintained. It also had a manual choke that I was used to an worked fine for me but DW and other guests who used it have trouble figuring it out. The straw that broke the camel's back is when I took 3yo DGS and DSIL tubing last summer that DGS kept putting his thumb up wanting more speed . With the 40 hp it topped out at about 15 mph.

I happened to see an ad on FB Marketplace for a 2015 Bennington 21SLX with a 90hp Command Thrust Mercury outboard. It turns out that I knew the seller. We went to see it and it was in like new condition because it was stored inside in the winter and on a lift under a canopy during the summer, so I made him a good offer and he accepted it and we had a deal.

Coincidentally, a neighbor two doors down was looking for a pontoon boat so we offered it to her and quickly had a deal.

A short time later, I delivered the pontoon to her in the morning and the seller delivered the newer pontoon to us in the afternoon. There were a number of things on the new one that weren't working but I have the dealer take care of those when he winterized it.

Depending on the weather, we usually use it 2-3 times a week or more since it is tied to the dock about 50' out the front door. Getting rid of the manual choke was a bonus since now DW and DBIL can easily start and use it. The new pontoon tops out about 25 mph so will hopefully keep DGS happy.

 

[threeonesix]

Not sure what state you are in, but here in California, we are dealing with some sort of mussel that clogs up pipes.

Maybe zebra mussels? They are rampant here.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

If you think zebras are bad, wait until you get quaggas.

 

[skipro33]

Maybe zebra mussels? They are rampant here.

This time it's the Golden Mussels:

 

[marko]

OP, having own boats from 17' to 52' over the past 60 of my 74 years, I can only say that finding the right boat is only the beginning of your boating misery adventures.

 

[kfsinc]

Long time boat owner here -- and we live on a lake now. I feel your pain as I'm looking to add a pontoon boat to the fleet the current fleet of two kayaks, a Waverunner and a Malibu ski boat.

A few thoughts: Be very careful buying/selling on-line. Lots of scams out there -- do NOT buy sight unseen.

If you're only going to use it a few times a year, renting could make sense. Boats are a maintenance headache even if you get a good one. A trailer and a tow vehicle add to that expense.

Insurance can be surprisingly expensive. Consider getting an umbrella liability policy to cover that time when things go terribly wrong.

Accessories like lines/fenders/life jackets/GPS etc and quickly add-up.

That said, BEST family investment ever. We spent that last two days on the lake with the grand kids and the last 30 years with the kids and their friends.

The search can be a pain, but you'll find something you'll love!

 

[folivier]

In our area there is only 1 boat rental and it is an hour drive to where we plan to buy. So that's a no go. I'll be buying used and typically do my own maintenance and repairs. I've owned boats all my life going back to a kid. Just have to wait until we buy a house in either of the 2 areas I want. One area I can get by with a smaller boat due to it being in more protected waters. The other area I'll have to cross Lake P. to fish so will need a larger boat. Another obstacle is most all recent boats have lower gunwales and higher casting decks which take away floor space. At 72 I won't be standing on a high casting deck. And I'm not looking for a "pretty" boat. Just something that takes minimal cleaning after fishing.
Can't even set a budget for the house or boat until we sell our cabin. But have a general idea.

 

[olyveoil]

Because boat sales are down by about half since they peaked in the late 80's. It's a buyers market, especially used, and probably will be from now on - we'll never see a peak like the 80's again, true for many discretionary buys. There will be way more inventory than buyers forever now. Most sellers don't realize.

Because boat owner/sellers are always thinking they're going to start using their boat more, and don't. So they hesitate year after year. And grossly overestimate what a boat is worth at resale. Buyers are way scarcer than most owners realize.

Because while boat operating expenses used to be reasonable (fuel, insurance, storage, launch, dock, etc.) - they're not nearly as affordable now, so it's much harder to sell a boat.

I owned boats for 25 years, loved it, but I'd never buy another one. It's way too expensive now to buy and operate. Fortunately I bought new and traded within 5 years, while the boat still had some resale value - and I was under no illusion I'd get top dollar back on resale.

Never buy a boat. Be best friends with the person dumb enough to own a boat.

Best day of a mans life is the day he buys a boat and the day he sells it.

Plenty of boats (new and used) being sold in FL and SC. Comparing to 40 years ago?--really not relevant.

 

[sengsational]

I was born in a house on a beautiful lake. We had a dock with many boats. I got my first command when I was age 6. I had captained 4 different boats by age 8. Only one, the catamaran, went to Florida (Atlantic side), when we moved. Again in Florida, a short walk to launch. I did have a tiny dive boat on a trailer, and scuba with my buddy kept us going for a few years, but then away to college and I sold it for peanuts (paid peanuts too, grocery bag boy salary).

Spoiled, I never trailered boats other than the tiny dive boat. I saw the same pattern. If you need to haul it to use it, the ratio of drudgery to being on the water means it quits happening.

I thought about a house with a dock on the reservoir lake around here, but, again, spoiled, the muddy mess is a turn-off.

I was trying to rent a boat in the EU, but they have a license requirement.

Oh, yeah, the thread was about boat buying on FB Marketplace. A lot of crap out there, for sure. Unless I could walk to it and launch it, I'd rent rather than buy.