Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | Factor in the water you will be fishing, the price point you are willing to pay, and the features you want in a boat. Do your research and watch all the different resources where boats are listed for sale. You will be surprised what comes available. I needed a family boat for general outings (tubing, swimming, water skiing and an occasional fishing trip) at the time I bought my boat. I found a older (1986) 19 foot runabout and converted the bow by adding a floor, access hatch covers and trolling motor. It's a stable deep V that I can (and do) take on big water to fish or still use with the family for skiing or tubing. Paid for it up front for under 4K. Been using it now for 10 years with few problems. I spend more time on the water than my friends who have boats costing 30 - 45K. It's not the fastest boat on the water (top end is 36 fully loaded and gased with two large adults with a comfortable crusing speed of 31 at 3600 RPMs) but it gets me to where I need to go. When I first bought it, I convinced myself that I was making due unitil I could afford a real "fishing boat for Muskies." My kids are now grown and I no longer need a family boat. I can afford an expensive muskie boat but I don't want, or need a new boat because what I have is reliable, inexpensive and I don't have to worry about what it looks like (a few dings or scratches add character to the old boat). Don't worry about keeping up with the Jones'es and don't be conned into the mentality that you need the newest and the best to be properly outfitted to fish for muskies -- that's what the dealer reps want you to believe. The fish don't care what your boat looks like, but you have to be happy with the purchase you make and the costs you will incur in relation to the amount of time you actuallly spend on the water. A 35K Tuffy or a 50K Ranger look great but I can look at my family and smile knowing my money is going into a retirement fund and helping to pay college tuition vs. a 10 year bank note on a boat. If a new boat is your thing, have at it and enjoy your time on the water; but I really enjoy the fact that my costs are so low and I have the same access to water and success as the "new boat crowd."
Oh, one other thing..... "nuf said."
Sorry , couldn't help it ;^)
J
Edited by AFChief 11/24/2009 6:50 PM
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