Until folks start saying they are not buying that Brands new boat, Brand new truck, Brand new house, high dollar brand name shoes for that kinda of money it will only continue to get worse. We as consumers hold that ball in our court and can force companies to either reduce their prices or simply go out of business, and some will go out of business but most will adapt and offer items at reduced more affordable cost if they wish to remain in business. I say this all the time when walking the isles at the local BPS, why in the world does a 7 foot bass fishing rod cost 400.00? A crankbait cost $17? A swimbait cost $50?The answer??? Is Because someone is willing to spend that on a rod. Same with everything else.

But back to the boat market, With these prices I can only see this helping the used boat market value slowly begin to increase as more folks will shift their monies to a slightly used vessel at any where from a 20-40% saving over buying new.

There was a post similiar to this the other day and it is very true...there are numerous center console saltwater boats on the market brand freaking new that are 25-30 feet in length and these boats are fine pieces of equipment that can be had for that same 70K, yet a small 20 foot bassboat is selling for 50-70K, absolutey ridiculous. That 28 foot offshore boat has a helluve lot more "product" in it then any of todays bassboats. And alot of them are coming with the same same electronic packages that we commonly use. But Bassboat companies will continue to mark these boats up and blame it on cost increases and EPA regulations and blah blah blah...as long as there is a willing customer to spend their money on their product.

Those who don't learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.

http://www.floridabassnetwork.com

Those that buy these new highdollar boats on credit will lose their shirts when the SHTF. And it will before too much longer !!!!!!!

And about $1,000 for each day in fuel...

What you say is correct. But...it's all up to the individual. If to someone else, it makes sense to finance a huge amount of money, it's their decision. It certainly doesn't make them a fool. I think pretty much like you do, I won't drop a huge amount of money into a boat. But whatever you put into a boat it's still just a toy.

Quote, originally posted by rangerguy »

All you guys talk the talk but don't walk the walk. The first thing out of someones mouth when they buy one of the 17 or 18 foot boat with a 150 hp on the back, How can I get this lead sled to run faster. Don't believe me, just look at any of the Mercury, Yamaha, Honda or other Topic motor forums and you will see what I am talking about. Well if you buy the lower end boats and then go trying to make them run as fast as a 20 footer with a 250 hp on the back, then you might as well buy that boat in the first place. You are going to spend a ton of money on that smaller boat and still not run with the big boys and that is what 80% of you guys will be saying. Where's the Speed?

You are right. The only thing is some of the 18 footers out there are no where near lower end boats. But even if they were low end 18 footer w/ 150's some will still run with the so called "big boys". I had an 06 Basscat sabre w/ 150 xr6 that a 200 hp boat couldn't touch me and my partner tourney loaded. I don't consider that the sabre is low end, but it is Basscats smallest bass boat model.

http://www.fishingwithsvc.com
http://www.whopperbaits.com

For me, I got a nice used boat for under $10K and I'm loving it.

New outboard pricing is what drives me nuts. I can buy a new Chevy crate motor for $2K but a new Optimax 150 is $18,000. CRAZY