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I would just look at your financial plan and you will know.
Boats are not investments obviously but they also don't become worthless once you buy them. I can show you a few stocks that recently have. There has been much debate over financing a boat or paying cash for it. Would I sell mutual funds today to buy a boat. NO. Would I take a loan on a boat if I had a big mortgage right now. NO.
If you are paying cash and have a good LTV on the house then go start rigging that Contender.
Every situation is different but that would be my blanket reco. I stretched my dollar by going partners on all my boats with my old man. Works great for us but could not do it with anyone else. Lucky I guess. It is what we do together.
Dang, guys I appreciate all the input and stories. When I was typing this I starting wondering, "I wonder if anybody will even reply", well I got two pages full of advice and support in a hurry. It just goes to show you that we still all have a common bond even though we bash and beat the heck out of each other on here sometimes. Thanks again!
Dang, guys I appreciate all the input and stories. When I was typing this I starting wondering, "I wonder if anybody will even reply", well I got two pages full of advice and support in a hurry. It just goes to show you that we still all have a common bond even though we bash and beat the heck out of each other on here sometimes. Thanks again!
Everyone ask these same questions at some point.
Only advice I would give you is buy used so you dont have to loose your shirt if you change your mind. You could get a hell of a boat for 100K.
I did the same thing last year. I bought another boat that coast 3 times what my old boat was worth. I asked myself "what the hell do I need a bigger and faster boat when the old one did everything I wanted".
But I could swing it and you know what? I'm glad I did. I'm enjoying the new boat.
But I have to ask the question; Why in this economy, are you buying new?" Man, there are great deals out there on used boats that people are trying to unload.
My financial situtation is like yours, but I'm older (62). I realized several years ago when I had several friends to pass, that Money is not the most important thing in life.
It's hard to justify the expensive toys, but my enjoyment more than pays the bill. I now have a full toy box, from Airplanes, Harleys, Corvettes (63) and two boats. Now comes the kicker, two months ago I was diagonised with Melanoma Cancer in my foot. I'm so glad that I got to use my toys while I was healthy. NO, I don't plan on pushing up daiseys, but I can't do the things I used to do. Life is too short. Enjoy it while you can.
Just reading your question on the first post got me thinking about my own situation. My kid will be ready for college in 9 years, I just started my own plumbing business in October (the absolute worst time to start a business in the trades in the last 25 years), and I have been really hustling and working hard for the last 6 months to prove to myself that I can kick ass no matter what the situation. I am finally buying a boat for myself and my family for so many right reasons. To celebrate success, to truly live life....rather than waiting to die, to make many memories, to share good times with friends and family. So what if I can't retire yet. So what if my mortgage isn't zero. Im not going to let life control me, I am going to control life. My purchase is nowhere near the coin that yours is, but just as significant. Now is the time to enjoy, not 25 years from now. Keith
I'll play devil's advocate and ask why you are asking a bunch of strangers w. no knowledge of your true financial situation whether or not you should drop "some serious coin on a bad asss jet boat."
I want a new Invincible 33 and could order one tomorrow, but won't, regardless of these testimonials. As much as I want to buy a new boat, I ask myself what it will do that my current boat (27 Contender) won't? I would look cooler and travel a little faster perhaps. A better ride in some rougher stuff, but I don't buy the THT hype of 40+ in 8fters. I may puff out my chest a little more and get into some of the YF/Inv pissing matches.
The days my boat sits on the lift, doesn't matter if it's a 42YF or a 17 Bayliner. The days that I use it, I am happy w/ what I have. Took my 2yo daughter on a few rides and to the sandbar last week and she didn't seem to notice it wasn't the Inv. She semed to have a good time. I've found that personally, it's more about who I am with and what we are doing rather than what I am on. I have been the the Columbus Day Regatta in a 50ft Bertram and a 23 Pro Sports, and had a memorable time in each. I have caught fish from the dock and from a 73 Tribute and had a good ride all the way.
If I had to buy a new boat tomorrow, I do not know if I would buy the new Inv or stay in the used market. I love the shine of a new boat, but love the value of the used boat. I guess that you have to look at your own situation and decide where your business/industry/finances are, and where you see them going and decide where you want to park the money.
My Father and I lived together all of my life. I've never posted about this on these forums. My parents split in 95 and I just wanted to stay here at the family homestead. I had no intentions of getting married and I did not.
Because of my choices in life and between Dad and I, financially, we did very well for ourselves and we enjoyed every moment of it.
I came home from work Friday April the 24th and found that while I was at work, my Dad passed away at 63 years of age and we JUST paid for our slip for the season the week before.
I'm heart broken, lost, and hate life right now... But Dad and I spent so many great times together be it with show cars, boats, you name it...
I wouldn't trade those times....
BUY THE BOAT! You nor I, will live forever, and if you can't enjoy it now, who else will enjoy it for you?
This quote is from the signature of another THT'er and I apologize for the plagerism but it seems appropriate.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a
pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly
used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW--What a ride!!!"
-Stuart Wilde-
My grandfather passed away a couple weeks ago ( Posted a thread here on THT). He was a very good guy and probably the most generous, toughest guys I will ever meet. He did very well for himself, survived the holocaust, came here with 20 dollars, had the money and means to do almost whatever he wanted. However, he never really went on vacation, didn't like Florida, never really bought anything nice for himself, didn't have any hobbies, his only real enjoyment was seeing his kids and grandkids. He had alot of pain in his life and the only thing he knew how to do was work. This was a man of very few faults and I think his only fault was looking out for his family's needs so much, that he never thought of his own enjoyment.
I think basically what I am saying is you can't bring your money with you, live life the fullest, enjoy it, if you have the coin, buy the best you can afford. There are more things to life than work and money. Money is just a tool to bring you happiness if you put in the bank, stock, or under the bed what is it really going to do for you?
__________________
Jeremy
2004 38 Henriques convertible
A couple questions that hasn't been ask is;have you ever owned a boat or grew up around one? Why the one you are asking about? What are your plans for use? Do you have the time for up keep and to use it?
What I am getting at is,the more yes's to the questions,the more would be to buy new verses used and what type of boat.
As far as should you buy yourself a toy? Only you and your wife can answer that.Hell,I own 5 of them.Its like candy once you buy the second one.
I bought my first boat, an 18' center console, when my wife was 5 months pregnant with out first child. Everyone thought I was nuts. My response was the advice you were given- if not now, when?
We all need balance in our lives to make them full filling lives. Mix the fun with the work and you'll be happy. Get the boat!
Sorry for your loss Stinger II, We are neighbors I live in New Stanton.
