$17,000 for Entry Level boat (Page 4): That’s all I need, right there Redneck. Hack 🇺🇸🍺🍺...

hacksaw Loc: Pasadena, Texas

Redneck bass boat wrote:

I'll stick to my custom 14 jon boat gets the job done and didn't bust the bank

That’s all I need, right there Redneck.
Hack 🇺🇸🍺🍺

ohn Loc: sykesville md

I found a little 14 ft flat bottom boat that was sitting along the road for about a month. Little bent up but i'm fixing it up. Hav8ng a hell've time getting ut titled

Sniper

I totally agree with you, about the cost of the Bass Boats are blown out of proportion. I like to see every boat manufacturer build a low cost bass boat about 10 grand, with sonar, decent electronics, nice trolling motor, and a 40hp motor, every one would be upgraded . some states like NJ has a outboard limit of 9.9 or 10 hp on most lakes, keep the 40 and buy new or second hand rebuild
For when you need it

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Sniper wrote:

I totally agree with you, about the cost of the Bass Boats are blown out of proportion. I like to see every boat manufacturer build a low cost bass boat about 10 grand, with sonar, decent electronics, nice trolling motor, and a 40hp motor, every one would be upgraded . some states like NJ has a outboard limit of 9.9 or 10 hp on most lakes, keep the 40 and buy new or second hand rebuild
For when you need it

Good luck with that dream Sniper. 40hp Merc with a tiller,$5,500, with regular wheel steering, power trim,etc. $7,400.

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

BeaverTooth wrote:

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?

Just musing… br br About a week ago I attended th... (show quote)

I’ve never owned a brand new boat. I think people that buy them new are out of their minds. There is no way ANY boat is worth 90k from bass pro ( Johnny Morris ) or any of the few other boats not owned by Morris. I understand popularity , boys toys, etc. , but no not me.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

I agree. There are too many slightly used rigs out there. The problem is the inefficient method of trying to find them. It will take a lot of time and research to find what you want. Just Sayin...RJS

patS8939 Loc: Honolulu (winter),Michigan (summer)

Your government has put a very large duty tax on aluminum. Remember the hard freeze in Texas about a year ago, well the refiner that supplies most of the boat manufacturers with resins for
Fiberglass boats, was totally distroyed.
Now the boat industry has to get resin from wherever. As you know the price being payed by manufacturers and dealerships has gone through the roof lately. Every item that
Goes into making the boat, motor & engine has to be shipped both to & from the manufacturer with very expensive diesel fuel and it’s drivers. I know these are the answers most want to hear, but this much higher cost of everything is also hurting me also.

TwoThumbsBruce Loc: Florida

I've had at least 8 boats in my life - sail, power, fishing, and from 13' to 32'. All but the first two (in 1958 and 1974) were used. The boat that brought the most joy was a 14' Fisher aluminum boat with a 10HP Johnson that ran like a Swiss watch. That one was about 10 years old and I bought it for $1000. I was working 6+ days a week then and would sneak out to the Fox river and hit my secret hotspots and that boat was so much fun. Even a hard bump was of no concern to this indestructible boat. Drove to Minnesota to Wisconsin to California, where I stupidly sold it.

There seems to be a prevailing opinion that everyone wants to be a pro fisherman, so you need 250 HP and electronics worthy of a space shuttle... Everything has gone up and we all have our budgets, but I think measuring the joy you will get should guide you ...

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

TwoThumbsBruce wrote:

I've had at least 8 boats in my life - sail, power... (show quote)

TTB some of my best days have been with my 9' pond boat. T-motor only. Can get where big boat can't. Everyone complains about prices. As long as consumers keep paying they'll keep raising. Like all the spoiled brat athletes n so called celebrities n their agents. Everyday working people make them famous then many think people can't live without out them. We protest n boycott things n solve nothing. If nobody went to any games for a yr or bought things other than essentials. Companies would figure it out. Teams would figure it out. Look what it cost a family of 4 to go to a ballgame of any kind Then listen to a player complain 20 million a yr isn't enough. The rich man does the dancing while the poor man pays the band 👍. As a society we all make our own choices n that's great. I worked to hard for my money to spend $100,000 for a boat or a vehicle when one for 10% of that will do just fine. 👍

little DAVID Loc: Farmerville, Louisiana

I recently bought an 86 bass pro tournament tx. Paid 1,600. I now have nit stripped to the hull. Putting about 1,500 to 2,000 in it. When finished it will be totally aluminum (no wood decks). Rewiring, new pour foam flotation, extended front deck, more storage , and anything else i can think of. Making to my liking. will just have to replace carpet or seadeck every 10 or 15 years if i keep it covered, maybe longer. I'm 72 now and it will last me the rest of my fishing career, unless I find a better project boat.

NickP Loc: Delaware, MD, Philadelphia

Personally, I wouldn’t buy a new boat. 2 years ago I bought an 18’ CC ‘95 C-Hawk with an Evinrude XP100 and a Venture trailer from a buddy for $2500! Deal of a lifetime for me actually. I had zero money in it and found a brand new motor at Danny’s Marine near OCMD for 10600, installed. There are good deals around if you look… the guy I bought it from purchased another boat, motor, trailer for $4500. A sea hunt w a 4stroke Johnson on the back. Opportunities are everywhere. Love my C Hawk tho! Good luck everyone!

Glenn R. Loc: Southern Illinois

BeaverTooth wrote:

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?

Just musing… br br About a week ago I attended th... (show quote)

I agree 100% I was in the same situation 6 years ago. I was looking seriously as new boats but couldnt believe the sticker shock.
A friend and coworker came to the rescue. His mother-in-law was selling her recently deceased husbands boat and was close to what I was looking for, although a much older model. Ron had taken care of it, and had even had the motor completely rebuilt by a Mercury repair center. It is a 1988 Dyna Trak 180 SS, Mercury 150hp XR4, double live wells, carpet in perfect shape. His wife said it would have been Ron’s wishes for the boat to go to a good home....she sold it to me for 4K. I know those deals are far and few between but luckily I was patient enough and met a very nice seller. Good Luck in your quest!

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

Grizzly 17 wrote:

TTB some of my best days have been with my 9' pond... (show quote)

RIGHT ON!

NickP Loc: Delaware, MD, Philadelphia

Perfect!

Passingbye Loc: Reidsville NC

BeaverTooth wrote:

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?

Just musing… br br About a week ago I attended th... (show quote)

I paid $6,500 for a fully loaded 16 foot Deep V unsinkable Bass Tracker in 1991 with two fishing finder's and depth finder..huge live wells with a 60hp fuel injected outboard. Handled like dream.. I bought an 1987 Sylvania with a 50hp for $1,800 last year..well maintained fully loaded. I catch fish, the boat just gets me to them. I looked at Bass Pro too. They can keep $22k for flat bottom jon boat.