re: Need some boat buying advice

Buy a 5 year old 19ft nautic star

This is long...sorry. First of all, do not buy a boat new....ever, unless you have money to absolutely throw away. This is not a car you'll drive every day. You need to know "exactly" what your use will be otherwise you'll have envy of those around you that have what you actually should have bought.

I know boats. I love boats. I'm against financing a boat however if you use it weekly or at least 30-40 weekends a year then so be it. Life is short so enjoy it. I've had small boats and I've owned yachts. In fact, at one time I had a Monterrey 22 footer open bow and 39' Carver yacht at the same time. I love being on the water. It's like a mini vacation every weekend. There's nothing wrong with spending money on something you love!

The crap about "break out another thousand" is usually from someone that doesn't enjoy boating and got themselves into "hobby" with actual costs. They think it's a car and they just want to put gas in and go. I don't own a Harley. I don't collect coins. Boating is a hobby and has costs like every other hobby. The bigger the boat, the bigger the costs. My brother had a 60' Hatteras. That BIG girl had high associated costs. shite breaks. Boats take a beating....but, man, they can bring some of the most enjoyable times of your life. Baby your boat and the costs will mainly be regular maintenance. By the way, I don't mind working on a boat. I've installed large generators from scratch (gas, electric, exhaust, etc.). Do your own maintenance otherwise you'll get raped. Be willing to work on your boat.

Know your possible future costs. Will the boat be saltwater or freshwater? Will you need a bottom job every few years? Will you trailer the boat or keep it in a slip (Get a tandem axle if trailering!!)? Do not buy a boat with an undersized engine. Two is better than one as the boat gets bigger but, again, associated costs. I love twin engines. I can control a 50 foot twin engine boat better than a single engine 20 footer.

Do not rush the boat buying process either. Take your time. If it takes a year to find the right boat at the right price then so be it. If the COVID last a while folks will be unloading boats on the cheap.

Last but not least, if you don't know boats don't trust anyone selling their boat. If you don't know boats get a survey! Even if you know boats you may miss something. A boat survey is worth it's weight in gold. It's the same as a home inspection before buying.

Mardigrastexan - great advice

First question nobody asks:

Can you swim? Can all family members who might go on said boat swim? When you answer yes to both, then answer question 2.

If you live on a navigable waterway, how deep is it? If you don't can you afford slip/storage fees? Can you afford the truck it will take to trailor it? Can you repair the truck engine...AND... the inboard outboard on the proposed boat?

Now: are you a fool? Buy a wooden boat.

If you are not a fool, do you like working with fiberglass? Can you do all the maintenance? Do you know the rules of the road? Can you afford boat insurance? Have you ever had heat stroke? Can you afford to lose it to a hurricane, a tropical storm, or an uninsured boater?

What seems like a great idea in April seems less so in July.

If you've always wanted one, go ahead. At least when you fall out of love with it, you don't have to pay a lawyer to divorce it.

Make sure you don't tow it with a 2wd or Honda Ridgeline you will likely die.

The state of some of these responses.

Nothing like a good boat show. Hopefully things get back to “normal” soon, and you can attend one.

Thank you i appreciate the advice.

quote:

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How long should i finance?

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I wouldn't do anything shorter than 240 months

What will be using the boat for?

Ignore all the asswipes being negative. Yes owning a boat is expensive . If you do not have basic skills like small electrical jobs and the ability to do things like change oil, filters and spark plugs owning a boat can be a nightmare.

The most important thing to do with a boat is to use it, use the hell out of it. If not the gremlins will come out

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