basshawg48 Loc: Louisiana

i have 20ft ranger bass boat and yes they are lots of upkeep but everything of pleasure is. its a 2007 and if i do get rid of it i will be replacing just too much bass fishing to do.

Jim Sargent Loc: Payson, AZ

I am retired and a widower so fishing is my primary recreation. My current boat is my fifth. I disagree on horsepower. My experience is that two things are critical. An underpowered boat is a constant source of frustration and a boat that is difficult to launch and load will drive you crazy. So for me buy the best boat you can afford and use it.

johnklang Loc: Oakhurst, CA

I'm at a time in my life when I can afford a boat and can't imagine not having one. Had a 14" Alumacraft with a 25 hp Evinrude two stroke that for 18 years sat in the driveway most of the time. I used it very sporadically over the years and did little to no maintenance on it. The Evinrude always started without much effort, much to my surprise. I sometimes fog oiled it and sometimes I didn't. I can't even begin to guess why I didn't pay the price for failure to maintain but I didn't. Now I have a 17' Crestliner VT with a 60 hp Merc for the past 4 plus years, bought new. I've had no trouble with it (that I didn't create myself) and change oil and lower end oil according to their recommendations. Next will be the impeller. I use it once or twice a week all year so it doesn't sit idle. Can it be expensive? Yes it can because you can damage it yourself, have unplanned breakdowns, and you start to buy goodies for it like better fish finders and trolling motors and on and on and on. On the other hand, my former fishing partner bought two used boats and blew the engines on both within a year of owning them before he bought a better boat (new) than mine. Now his sits on his property because he moved to a small farm and has a new baby with his wife. He works a full time job and operates a tomato/vegetable farm. Now he misses having opportunities to fish. So that probably doesn't help you make up your mind much but if you do take the plunge, I would suggest getting the best you can afford and have the engine checked out prior to purchase. Also you have to consider the water you intend to fish on. It its on small lakes, you might get by with a trolling motor. Bigger lakes and rougher water you'd have to consider what makes you feel safe and gets you where you want to go. Good luck. P.S. I also like most of your daily jokes. Most....lol.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Thanks John and to all that have answered so far and will respond on the "love/hate" relationship people seem to have with their boats. I hope to buy a modest Jon or bass boat with a small motor at some point to fish local lakes. John, if you like most of my jokes, you are either easily amused, have very low standards or are just being nice.

Stilltrying Loc: FTW-Tx

Good question. Since you asked.
I bought a used boat little used, for a reasonable price from a co worker.
There are expenses. License, trailer,
Registrations, vests,floats,fire extinguisher…….insurance,electronics,
Motor maintenance ,batteries, storage and or cover, gas,…..trolling motor…
Launch fees, oh trailer hitch ….
It never stops. If you really like fishing
It’s ok but as you can see, it like other pass times it adds up.
It’s cheaper to decide where you want to catch fish and get a guide. They can even help you find a good deal as well as teach you something.
I enjoy my boat but it was fish ready
And a really good price.
I have fun, meet people, travel, and occasionally catch fish.
From ft. Worth Tx

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

I've used a guide once with a friend of mine. FS members were nice enough to pay his half of a guide with more than enough donations. He has gone through some very tough times having his girlfriend pass away and moving. We had a good time and caught some nice fish. The guides here in NE TN charge anywhere from $250-$350 for 4 hours. They provide everything including snacks and drinks plus all the gear. Not sure what they charge for taking just one person. We did learn a lot. Fishing from the shore or public dock here is okay but it has obvious fishing limits.

The reason for the question was because I've heard the expression, "my happiest day was when I bought my boat. My second happiest day was when I sold it." Since we have a lot of boat owners on the site, probably thousands, I wondered what they thought about that expression.

Thanks for your input. It helps.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

I have my second boat right now. The first one I got for a good price, enjoyed the heck out of it, and sold it for a small profit when I had to pull $$ together when the Wife and I were buying a house. ...And she still griped about the money I wasted on a boat! She can't do math, I guess.

The boat I have now, I got CHEAP, same for the motor. Needed a lot of work, but that's a hobby for me. So, the day I bought it was a happy day for me and when I sell it, it'll be a sad day - because it'll mean that I've gotten too feeble to play with it any more.

johnklang Loc: Oakhurst, CA

Guilty of all the above. Used to work construction years ago and used to sit in the job shack after work and drink beer and tell jokes. Fun times. I'll p.m. you with a couple you might share if I can figure out how to do that.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Just go to the Main Page. Above the Home, Intro and Chit Chat sections, it should say Private Messages. Click on New Private Messages. Put in ghaynes1 where it says Proceed and go below that to type the joke.

Justoldjim Loc: JUNCTION CITY, OR.

I could not tell you; I have had boats all my adult life never sold one before picking out my next

HooknJack Loc: Orland Ca.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

I have had more boats than I remember, some good, some bad, some purchased new, some used, but I have never lost any money when I sold them. I have always enjoyed them. Go for it!

markwice Loc: Laurens, SC

It's just like anything else you have to care for it and keep it clean.

Waterdog101 Loc: London, Ky

I’m an old retired man now, owned a boat of some kind most all my life, the last boat I sold, I had owned it about 10 years, if you ever had a pet dog when you were a small boy and it died, then you remember how sad and alone that made you feel, well after selling my boat every time I walked through the garage and no boat sitting there, I felt like I’ve had a pet to die, needless to say I now own two boats, a pleasure boat for when the grandkids visit, and a 32 year old 17’ aluminum boat for river fishing.

Justoldjim Loc: JUNCTION CITY, OR.

You don't take the grandkids fishing?