BeaverTooth Loc: Branson, MO

Just musing…

About a week ago I attended the Bass Pro World Fishing Fair in Springfield, Missouri. It was an amazing experience as I had never seen so much product targeted at the fishing community located in one place.

Bass Pro was spotlighting their 50th anniversary aluminum boat. It looks very much like the original bass tracker that came out on the market decades ago. It came outfitted with an entry-level Minnkota foot control trolling motor and a mercury 50 hp outboard. It cost $17,000 before tax which is about 9% in Missouri.

I was disheartened to see that boat prices had morphed to an all-time high, putting an entry-level bass tracker, plain Jane, aluminum boat at a price tag of $17,000. This nice little 16 foot, 50th anniversary special was parked next to 22 foot Nitro bass boat priced at $92,000. Not too many years ago, I sold a house in Springfield, Missouri for $91,000. Nowadays, a really nice bass boat cost as much as I used to pay for a house. Some will say that that is a ridiculous comparison, but it is the sort of thing that pops into my mind when I consider a price tag of $92,000.

I know that there will be some who will take issue with my critical view concerning boat prices, but if someone were to ask me if I thought that the boats I saw at the Fishing Fair were worth the price, I would have to say “no.” “No!” A fishing boat will never be worth that kind of money to me. Never! The answer may be yes to a professional fisherman, but for an ordinary, every day, common man who is looking to get out on the water, I would say that today’s boats are outrageously over priced.

Of course, it is always a matter of perspective and certainly financial ability. I am a senior citizen, living on a fixed income and simply do not have the kind of discretionary money that is necessary to purchase an expensive fishing boat. Would I like one? I could probably feel comfortable in a boat that I saw priced between $30K and $40K. Anything more expensive than that and I would probably feel so nervous about having it on the water that it may suck all of the joy out of the fishing experience. I am merely speculating.

Now, I will admit this… I would love to have a well-to-do friend, who owned a $90,000 bass boat, who loved to take me out on his boat for a day of fishing. That would be the best of all worlds!

What are your thoughts on today’s boat and motor prices?

Scudrnr Loc: Hancock, Wisconsin

I think they are outrageous, but I never had a desire to have a big really decked out boat even before the prices went nuts.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Well where's the pic of the 17K boat?

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

BeaverTooth: You are completely correct in being appalled at new boat prices. One good answer is stay away from any new boat. You buy a new boat, and like a brand new car, it depreciates 25 to 35% when you drive out.

The answer in my opinion, is to buy a used rig. This takes a lot of time and effort and best done at the end of a fishing season, but can be done any time. It take a lot of time, energy and patience. Once you have found a likely prospect, only come to an agreement that the rig must pass a professional inspection of all, boat, motor, and trailer! Insist the owner pay for all repairs.

This may surprise you, but there are always a lot of people who, for one reason or another, want to dispose of their rig! Whether it has some hidden problem, or not, you will not know about it until a trained mechanic goes over it completely and with a careful inspection. You do not want to buy a 'pig in a poke'!

I have been an Outboard dealer in North Texas and have been on both sides of the transactions. Also, I have owned several boats and have bought both new boats from dealers and used boats from other fishermen. You do not have to pay $90 grand to get on the water.

You might do a lot of searching on your computer and force yourself to stay in your price range. Remember, all these fishermen who are offering to sell a rig are willing to negotiate, if they wont, walk away. After all, you have what they want too, money! If you are deadly patrient, you can eventually get a suitable rig at a good price becasue there will be someone out there desparate to unload their rig! Just Sayin...RJS

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

If I remember correctly, that “starter” boat was about $7K when it first came out, but that may only have included a 25hp motor?
I can’t justify spending more on a new boat than I would on the new truck to pull it sorry.
However, I only missed the lottery by 6 numbers, so I am due 😂

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

It's not just biat prices guys. Take a look at you food prices,which is something that's not an option. The price of chicken, as an example is up 20%. Beef is even worse. Pork is up roughly 30%. Inflation is just getting started. Anybody want to go back to the 70s when you were paying 15% interest on home mortgages? I gotta stop here before I get into

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

I hear ya BT. In my personal opinion, the outrageous increase in prices in the last 5yrs or so is directed related to the price of Outboards. They have more than doubled over the last decade or so. If you get up in the high horsepower levels, tripled.
A 250 Merc or Yami, $25k, a Honda $36k. When you add 3 or 4 $2,500 12"fishfinders, a $3,000 trolling motor, power poles, 3 or 4 Lithium batteries with charging systems, and all the other bells and whistles, there you are.
OBG bought the Classic Tracker when they first came out, and they were $9,995.
You can still buy basic package Nitros for less money than many other brands, but the devil is in the add-ons. JB recently bought one, and Ben just bought one, I believe both are 18footers.
I'll be in the market next year, and it will be used all the way, unless I hit Powerball or MegaMillions, then it will be a Z21 Nitro with EVERYTHING.

El Rod Loc: Port A

Your exactly right. You can either pay cash for a boat or have it financed for 10-12 years. Either was it’s an expensive proposition. That’s why I kayak fish these days. My last power boat blew the 150 horse Yahama engine and to re-power the boat would have cost me 18,000$ at that time. I sold the boat and trailer and began fishing out of a kayak. Granted I can’t go 15-20 miles around looking for fish but I’m satisfied paddling right upon a school of Redfish. I’m on the water just like if I had my old power boat and it’s very easy to launch and nothing to load up. Just don’t forget your paddle. My Yak cost me 750$, paddle 270$, Pfd 80$, rigging it out probably 100$. Don’t get me wrong, I still keep my eye out for a good deal on a 16-17 ft. Skiff with a 40-60 horse motor on it but they are few and far between. I just made the decision that spending 50,000$ on a fishing boat is for someone else.

Whitereb Loc: Lake Guntersville Alabama

That’s why I bought an older one but I am able to work on it after I purchased a service manual for the 92 motor. So good luck. I have about 3400 into mine starting the 3rd season

Jeremy Loc: America

You ask what my thoughts on todays boat and motor prices? I say crazy. I have buddy’s with mega bucks and they won’t buy a new boat or RV.

My last boat I really love that I bought Cost me $100. I’m not joking. The guy just wanted to get rid of it. I love tinkering with old Outboards so it was a perfect match for me. It’s a 1968 Larson Tri-Hull Lapline. 🦈 Larson Shark is sane type. A bow rider with duel ice chests on the bow. I added a new canopy and a 12v crab Davit. I have flexible solar panels that can be deployed to crank the tunes. A Lowrance Fish finder and 6hp Johnson kicker. I’m happy. If I was a millionaire I’m sure I would have some of todays more modern equipment but this boat has a 1967 Bearcat 55. It’s a 4 cycle 4 cylinder. If you use the main motor it only burns a gallon in 5 hours of idling in gear. Kicker is about same. I enjoy functionality over fancy.

mbrillhart1957 Loc: Southeast Wyoming

In 1978 I bought a Bass Tracker 2 from BPS. It sold for $2295 with a 40hp Mercury and a Minnkota trolling motor. It was 16ft with 2 livewells one was aerated. BPS had only 3 models at the time, and they were being made by Terry Bass boat. I wore that boat out.
I've owned several boats since then. Like to think I am smarter now. I would never buy a new boat now. To many used ones that have little use on them. A guy buys a new boat uses a year or two and then it just sits in the garage. They are like cars they do depreciate.
I'm about ready for an upgrade and have been looking. Just not ready to part with the money. The boat I have now was a little older but not much use and had been sheltered all of its life. I bought it in November. The seller wanted $4200 for it. I flashed 30 one-hundred-dollar bills in his face. I left with the boat.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

There you go M, Cash is King!

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Beaver tooth you forgot shipping n setup charge. They put a t-motor on it knowing you'll upgrade because it all but useless in current or wind. The depth finder is a joke. I don't need a boat that will do 70+mph. To each their own. I don't need fancy just functional 👍👍

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

92000$ for a boat ridiculous I've got less than a 1000$ in my equipment when the wind quits blowing I'm going fishing

Elmwood21 Loc: Iowa

I bought this 2 yrs ago everything I need had 5hrs on motor 115, Ultrex trolling motor 2 hook fish finders 5 and 7 fancier ones would be nice but ok with me. I had older stratos wanted to get something newer, I am retired will be last boat rides a little rougher but use on small lake paid mid 20s. Great alternative to fiberglass I seen even some pros are using them