Wow $$$$$

[browntrout]

Just saw an add on craiglist for a new Ranger bassboat for $50,000. That is almost as much as I paid for my first house. No wonder kayak fishing is becoming so popular. When would you have time to use a $50,000 bass boat, you would have to be working all the time to pay for it. Lets not even mention the gas that it would use or the truck to pull it. I did not realize boats have become that expensive.

Roy

[Travis C.]

Boats have really gotten out of hand in the last 10 years. Glad mine is still in good shape (16yrs old) because I couldn't afford another new one.

[MNfisher]

Yeah, the Ranger 600 series, like the 621 for an example, is close to $70,000 brand new. Crazy!

[Fishaholic]

YUP, but I reckon I can catch just as many fish on OH with my Tracker that I paid $3K. :D Shoot for that money I can buy 6 new ones LOL

[Tennesseejugger]

Same here, I have an 89 Hydra-sports that I paid $3500.00 for. It has a rude XP 150 it is 18' with a minn 24v 80# thrust TM. It also came with two fish finders and the one at the console has GPS. I put in new carpet, seats, and extended the fishing deck. It has a bouble console and I added two windshields that I tinted myself. I also added a hot foot and Hydraulic steering. The boat was garage kept so the finish is in great shape. I am the second owner.

[txnative]

I had a nice 18' center console, but with gas prices being outrageous, I went to my current craft. I've outfitted it with a lowrance x135 depthfinder, two adjustable rod holders near the front of the cockpit, two ram tube-style rod holders behind the cockpit, a storage area capable of holding 6 conventional rods and 2 fly rods, an upgraded seat, an anchor trolley system, and anchors, stake-out pole, and drift sock.

It has a 1-manpower engine that runs on energy bars, coffee, Gatorade, and sandwiches. I have a top cruising speed of around 3 knots...maybe 4 in a good tailwind. It also features self-draining ability (this comes in handy in rough tailraces), interior dry storage, and I think there is a hidden ejector seat that seems to kick on in really rough water or when I stand up too quickly.

I wanted to add some trim tabs, but I'm having trouble finding a suitable mounting location. Also, I thought an on-board GPS unit with chart plotter would be nice, but I decided against it since I never go anywhere faster than 3 knots. Lastly, I've looked into a flux capacitor, and my only snag is finding a way to go 88 mph...my kayak gets hard to control around 75 mph, but I think it's because I need a paddle blade rotation/balance.


Chris

[Transplanted Sportsman]

It has a 1-manpower engine that runs on energy bars, coffee, Gatorade, and sandwiches. I have a top cruising speed of around 3 knots...maybe 4 in a good tailwind. It also features self-draining ability (this comes in handy in rough tailraces), interior dry storage, and I think there is a hidden ejector seat that seems to kick on in really rough water or when I stand up too quickly.

That is so funny right there TX!!!, when my 6 yo girl does not feel like going fishing all i have to mention is "biscuits from Hardees" and she gets ready faster that any school day when we are running late!! lol!!
My dad said I used to be the same way, I wonder where she gets that from!! I soon will be a Little Debbie pro staffer!!!


Chris[/QUOTE]

[Travis C.]

when my 6 yo girl does not feel like going fishing all i have to mention is "biscuits from Hardees"

That was my grandfather's routine for fishing. Every morning on the way a Hardee's stop was a given. We took out several order menus with that trailer's light post in our hay day.

[Pookie]

I'm currently looking at boats. I have my eye on a Skeeter that is in the mid-teens. I can't imagine what a note on a 60k bass boat would feel like. Maybe I am a cheapskate, but I couldn't imagine a note on a 60k automobile either.

A boat is just a toy. If you can afford to buy a toy, you can afford to pay cash.

[Transplanted Sportsman]

That was my grandfather's routine for fishing. Every morning on the way a Hardee's stop was a given. We took out several order menus with that trailer's light post in our hay day.

Travis, believe me! it is a given here as well, (and not only for her:D), but is always the thing to say to get her moving fast!!

[agelesssone]

Pookie,

Later this fall/winter, I will be selling my 18 ft 1990 Stratos with a Johnson GT 150 (total rebuild on it Sept 2011). I'm going to take some items off of it to put on my next boat but it comes with tons of storage, two livewells, both aerated, butt buddy seats front and rear, three place tilt and trim, (at the motor, throttle control, and at the bow). Some of the gauges stopped working but the fuel gauge works, the electrical gauge too. I think it's the tach and tilt/trim gauges that don't work.

Boat starts and runs great, idles all day at trolling speeds, loads on the trailer very easily. I often fish by myself and loading and unloading is a breeze. All new tires on the trailer, just purchased last year with a new spare tire mounted to trailer.

In case you don't want to spend in the mid teens, I'll be selling mine for somewhere around five G's.

[Jdkxtreme]

I'm currently looking at boats. I have my eye on a Skeeter that is in the mid-teens. I can't imagine what a note on a 60k bass boat would feel like. Maybe I am a cheapskate, but I couldn't imagine a note on a 60k automobile either.

A boat is just a toy. If you can afford to buy a toy, you can afford to pay cash.


Spoken like a true Dave Ramsey Fan..

[rsimms]

Politicians love talking about our lousy economy (in their efforts to get elected or re-elected).

Yet whenever I see full parking lots at launching ramps laden with $35,000 pickup trucks and boats to match... sucking down gallons and gallons of gas... I think "What bad economy??"

Our grandparents or great-grandparents who lived through the Great Depression know what a bad economy is.

We don't have a freakin' clue!!!

[nomad60]

Politicians love talking about our lousy economy (in their efforts to get elected or re-elected).

Yet whenever I see full parking lots at launching ramps laden with $35,000 pickup trucks and boats to match... sucking down gallons and gallons of gas... I think "What bad economy??"

Our grandparents or great-grandparents who lived through the Great Depression know what a bad economy is.

We don't have a freakin' clue!!!

Not to get off-topic but I agree with you. On any given afternoon/evening, just about every resturant here in Clarksville is packed to the gills (intentional pun since this is a fishing forum :)) and if you get there after 5, 5:30, you're going to be waiting a while to be seated.

[flyfish]

I'm currently looking at boats. I have my eye on a Skeeter that is in the mid-teens. I can't imagine what a note on a 60k bass boat would feel like. Maybe I am a cheapskate, but I couldn't imagine a note on a 60k automobile either.

A boat is just a toy. If you can afford to buy a toy, you can afford to pay cash.

Ahh, it's not too bad, they finance them for 15 years!! Wtf is this world coming to when a bass boat costs as much as a house?!?

[Travis C.]

Ahh, it's not too bad, they finance them for 15 years!! Wtf is this world coming to when a bass boat costs as much as a house?!?

Logic would suggest that if we stopped paying that much for them the price would have to come back down. BUT.. that won't happen.

My perception on the expensive fully rigged boat is and always has been that if it was part of how I provided for my family then I want everything available on it. Otherwise its a debt that the benefits don't out weigh.