Buying a boat you can't afford?

[seapower]

Get used to the fact that no one can really justfy a boat when you put it on paper, it will not add up. But my friend that's not why you buy a boat in the first place. The ocean and fishing in it is a passion, it's life to those who love it. Think about it (nothing against the ladies) if we thought about getting married the way you're thinking about this boat thing, no one would ever get married. I didn't wait to get married when I could afford it ,I met the woman I loved (and still do 28 yrs later)and did it, she became my life. It's really pretty simple, you either live your life or you don't. The choice is your's. I used to spend more money on beer and bourbon than I do on fishing. I may drown next week but I'll be sober. There's nothing wrong with having a short list of people who you'd enjoy fishing with, they expect to help with the cost of a trip. The best piece of advice I can offer is only take people with you that you like,don't take someone just because they can help with expenses. If you don't care for them before you shove off you'll hate em' before the end of the trip. At that point if they paid for the entire trip, you'd still hate it. Fish because you love it , no other reason.

[marc2061]

There are a lot of posts on some other sites looking for 2 or 3 to share expenses. Am I missing something? What I am getting at is , are people over their heads financially? When I bought my boat I calculated the purchase price, insurance , summer slip, winter storage, rough maintence costs and fuel and tackle based on the number of offshore trips I planned on taking.I bought a boat that was comfortable for me financially. I didn't buy the boat planning on paying 80% of the expenses and calling on my buddies to pay the rest. I realize gas/diesel is 4-5 bucks a gallon and if you bought two or ten years ago you didn't plan for that number. Would you go into a boat deal planning on 10 Canyon trips per year knowing you could only afford 2 yourself and your only hope of making the 8 other trips is to find others to pay the fuel bill?

"Are people over their heads financially?" was your question
answer is READ THE NEWS GENIUS! Yes !!! many people have found themselves a little financially stretched lately. This has become generally known as our economy goes into recession and the credit crises has taken over our country and fuel prices have crippled many industries. Those of us who love, live to fish are finding it a little harder on the wallet than we were used to. You are obviously smarter than the rest of the fishing world as you have purchased a boat you can afford.
If you fish as often as I do and as far as I do, you are feeling it too. Unless of course your boat you can afford is a kayak. If you are trying to impress a bunch of fisherman with your financial prowess, save it! The only thing that impresses fisherman is catches, boats, and things related to fishing better. You want to impress, tell not of your financial wizardry ,don't putting others down, rather show your wares. Lets see your catches , your boat, share your fishing knowledge.
Marc (just another guy trying to figure out how to fish as much as last year and afford it)

[Questsportfishing]

Boat runs on tanks...Not thanks! and if you plan on just getting off the boat you'd better be making some rum n cokes or cleaning the fish! Although getting two girls to wind down to some good music and ones your girl ...they still gotta bring sandwiches! How errogant ya gotta be to keep everyone else off your boat by saying how rich or uppity you are about how people share your ride.... someday your gonna wish that you had invited a friend and thier kids to fish with you and teaching people that there is 'some' responsability of just being on the boat / cleaning bally hoo poop off the rail or picking up a dock line to help tie up has a 'order' in the boating world.

[Doubled]

There are a lot of posts on some other sites looking for 2 or 3 to share expenses. Am I missing something? What I am getting at is , are people over their heads financially? When I bought my boat I calculated the purchase price, insurance , summer slip, winter storage, rough maintence costs and fuel and tackle based on the number of offshore trips I planned on taking.I bought a boat that was comfortable for me financially. I didn't buy the boat planning on paying 80% of the expenses and calling on my buddies to pay the rest. I realize gas/diesel is 4-5 bucks a gallon and if you bought two or ten years ago you didn't plan for that number. Would you go into a boat deal planning on 10 Canyon trips per year knowing you could only afford 2 yourself and your only hope of making the 8 other trips is to find others to pay the fuel bill?

Everyone who owns a boat, justifies and breaks down the expense to owning one. The increase in fuel, has affected so many things related to boating/fishing, that people can't do either of them without a little help. I guess since your rich, or a penny pinching accountant, your smarter then the average boater.

A boat is a toy. It is not a means of survival.(even though I would die without one). Remember the best boat is someone elses, so why not split the expenses to help him own it. NO FREELOADERS.

[Bert Rodgers]

[QUOTE=evileye;361755]There are a lot of posts on some other sites looking for 2 or 3 to share expenses. Am I missing something? What I am getting at is , are people over their heads financially? QUOTE]

Am I missing something, or is what one man can afford compared to another man still none elses damned business?

Bert

[evileye]

He guys , I'm not trying to be a wise ass, smart ass or anything else. I have owned my own boats for 15 years and have fished on Dad's boat for another 17 years. The question wasn't asked to put people down or put myself up as some super rich dude.( I am not) Center console MAKO owner. The heart of my question was trying to find out if people go into a deal knowing they can't swing the whole package.

[whowantstoknow]

There are a lot of posts on some other sites looking for 2 or 3 to share expenses. Am I missing something? What I am getting at is , are people over their heads financially? When I bought my boat I calculated the purchase price, insurance , summer slip, winter storage, rough maintence costs and fuel and tackle based on the number of offshore trips I planned on taking.I bought a boat that was comfortable for me financially. I didn't buy the boat planning on paying 80% of the expenses and calling on my buddies to pay the rest. I realize gas/diesel is 4-5 bucks a gallon and if you bought two or ten years ago you didn't plan for that number. Would you go into a boat deal planning on 10 Canyon trips per year knowing you could only afford 2 yourself and your only hope of making the 8 other trips is to find others to pay the fuel bill?

Evil eye....kudos for doing the math!..i see it everyday in my field. but alot of people fall victim to the i want what i cant have, or i want it now!...and they will do it anyway they can...not ever realzing what they are actually getting them selves in too..Since ive been in the industry ive seen every boat deal/partnership under the sun. Guys fight over who pays for what, whose turn it is..when the repairs come its always someone elses responsibility...it never turns out good. Christ its hard enough dealing with the loan/deal you make with a Mortgagee company..........

DONT EVER THINK YOU ARE GETTING A "SILENT" PARTNER...BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME SILENCE IS BROKEN WHEN SOMEONES GOT TO BREAK OUT THE CHECK BOOK!!!!

[Questsportfishing]

of Bush???...lol People do wierd things..

[iguana1]

For most guys I know it has a lot more to do with what an offshore trip is worth to them. For $300 I might take a shot alone or bring crew who don't pay (first timers). For $1000, I will go inshore or do something else.

The upside to this is that I will probably fish more on other boats and have some new crew on my rig. I will probably learn more and each gallon burned will benefit more people in this model.

[seapower]

Evileye, I guess that if your like everyone else, times ARE getting tighter. I've got a 25ft c/c, we're going out in the morning. Gonna make at least a 150 mile round trip in the Hatteras area. Instead of myself and 1 buddy it'll be myself and 2 buddies. I'm doing the math it's the only way any of us can afford it. But what it'll cost will be a max of $250.00 if nothing drastic happens. But where else can you get a full day offshore after tuna, dolphin, wahoo and possibly a blue for $250.00. I can't do it everyday, but man I'm not ready to sell my boat. If push comes to shove (as I'm sure it will) I start taking 3 buddies. Still doin the math!!!