A question for boat owners: I've heard the expression many times that goes something like this, "the happiest day for me was when I bought my boat and the second happiest day was when...

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

I've heard the expression many times that goes something like this, "the happiest day for me was when I bought my boat and the second happiest day was when I sold it."

I understand being happy when you bought it. I've never owned a boat. Just curious, why were you happy when you sold it? Too much maintenance? Too much work to launch it? Hook and unhook it and store or cover it?

I'd love to buy a very modest bass boat to use on some local lakes. Is it worth the work and money spent if you're happy when you sell it?

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

ghaynes1 wrote:

I've heard the expression many times that goes som... (show quote)

My 17 ft I bought in 2000 and still have it so I can't answer on that one. The bigger boat I was happy when I sold it because I was able to get the newer one with the money from it.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Gordon wrote:

My 17 ft I bought in 2000 and still have it so I can't answer on that one. The bigger boat I was happy when I sold it because I was able to get the newer one with the money from it.

Makes sense to me G.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

As both a boat dealer and a boat owner (2) this statement is often overblown. Yes, there are upkeep expenses, but what dosent?

Another trite saying is " A boat is a hole in the water in which you throw money!"

I suppose the biggest problem is when you've quit using a boat and cannot sell it, or get your asking price. Well, I've owned two boats,one I bought new, the other used,but was exactly the boat I always wanted, so when I decided to sell, it went quickly. Just Sayin...RJS

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Robert J Samples wrote:

As both a boat dealer and a boat owner (2) this st... (show quote)

Thanks RJS. I can understand the cost of gas being a concern for your motor but other than licensing the boat, is there that much maintenance for a boat used in freshwater fishing? I wouldn't think it would be that much. Aren't you buying some enjoyment?

D Tong Loc: San Francisco,Ca

Being a 5 time Boat owner and the loss of a Boat to fire 🔥 I can say there are ups and downs of owning a boat
Of course while you are out hopefully 🙏 having fun on your boat you don’t ponder 🤔 on the down side of having a boat
One of the sayings is B.O.A.T.
Break out another thousand
Boats can be costly with maintenance and upkeep especially if it’s a older model
I hope this was a help

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

D Tong wrote:

Being a 5 time Boat owner and the loss of a Boat to fire 🔥 I can say there are ups and downs of owning a boat
Of course while you are out hopefully 🙏 having fun on your boat you don’t ponder 🤔 on the down side of having a boat
One of the sayings is B.O.A.T.
Break out another thousand
Boats can be costly with maintenance and upkeep especially if it’s a older model
I hope this was a help

It helped. We will see what others have to say.

DC Loc: Washington state

own 2 boats have had lots of fun on both but if your boat is bigger than a row boat and has a good size outboard, a kicker motor, a troling motor, all the electronics, down riggers, pot pullers etc etc it keeps draining the bank account and the maintenance is expensive can easily be thousands of dollars a year. so there comes a point where you figure for the cost and the actual amount of time actually spent on the water it is cheaper and more productive to go out with a guide 2 or 3 times a year and fish from shore the rest of the time so you sell your boat and happy day your bank account is happy, you are happy with less hassle and higher catch rate with ihe guide using their equipment

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

ghaynes1 wrote:

I've heard the expression many times that goes som... (show quote)

Had us a 22' Sea Pro before the yak and it was all me with the cleaning, docking, hooking up and keeping up with the nickel and dime repairs that end up $$$$$$$ more than one ever plans on. Lets not forget what it cost to fill 75 gallon tank as well.

Than there is that can't get to some fishing spots that smaller boats and yaks can get to.

Yep, no brainer. Smiled even wider than the day we bought it.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I still have my 1998, 17’ Smokercraft and have spent very little on repairs over the years. I keep threatening to sell it, and get an upgrade, but it allows me to go just about anywhere I want to. I can get into shallow water and being a v-hull I can handle fairly rough water, too. The tiller model also allows me space for stuff and up to 4 adults comfortably. It is easy to launch and load by myself and trailers well, too. As exciting as a new boat will be, I will regret selling this one.
I would recommend you weigh your needs against your wants and start there. The fish don’t seem to care what you’re in. A 14’ rowboat with a 25hp motor may provide years of enjoyment. Add a trolling motor and a depth finder and when you decide to sell, you may get back what you paid for it, too!
You can also fashion a casting deck in the bow as others have shown as well.
I would recommend having comfortable seats with some back support for those long days on the water catching fish! 😉

DC Loc: Washington state

plumbob wrote:

Had us a 22' Sea Pro before the yak and it was all me with the cleaning, docking, hooking up and keeping up with the nickel and dime repairs that end up $$$$$$$ more than one ever plans on. Lets not forget what it cost to fill 75 gallon tank as well.

Than there is that can't get to some fishing spots that smaller boats and yaks can get to.

Yep, no brainer. Smiled even wider than the day we bought it.

if I were 30 years younger a yak sounds pretty good of course now I could never get down to get in one much less get back out of it but for those who still have the flexibility they really make sense as long as you know how to land those big fish without flipping it

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

DC wrote:

if I were 30 years younger a yak sounds pretty good of course now I could never get down to get in one much less get back out of it but for those who still have the flexibility they really make sense as long as you know how to land those big fish without flipping it

DC the wider the yak the better. I had a Bonafide SS127 yak as my first yak and i asked the guy being a newbie in the yak world, what were the chances of flipping it.

His reply was i would have to be doing something really stupid to flip it. There is a right and wrong way getting in a yak and the Bonafide it didn't matter. Because sometimes your footing gets tangled up and step where you aren't suppose to and yes, in you go. But in that craft never did flip it.

Granted getting up and down is only a challenge if you don't use the tools provided. A raised seat, grab bars or a rope tied to the bow to pull up with make life a lot easier. I have one bum knee and at 71 still hoping to use it in my 72's.

As for the big fish, just need to know your limits of reach.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

One other word of advice which I got off a t-shirt about 35 years ago…Don’t let your hp exceed your IQ!
No secret as to why I only have a 40hp Mercury on my boat. 😂
I can do 31mph with mine and it is plenty to get me off the water when bad weather arrives!
Good luck with whatever you decide, but a boat will open up a myriad of fishing opportunities for you alone, or with Bear!

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

OJdidit wrote:

One other word of advice which I got off a t-shirt about 35 years ago…Don’t let your hp exceed your IQ!
No secret as to why I only have a 40hp Mercury on my boat. 😂
I can do 31mph with mine and it is plenty to get me off the water when bad weather arrives!
Good luck with whatever you decide, but a boat will open up a myriad of fishing opportunities for you alone, or with Bear!

We've discussed it John. We don't need much. A 40hp Merc would be fine. Maybe a trolling motor. Maybe a Jon boat would do. As someone on FS once said, "I never saw anyone catching a fish running at 60 mph."

Randall w Loc: Pt angeles, Washington

Your happy when you sell it because boat stands for break out another thousand!