Has the bass boat industry hit a price-point barrier?

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:15 pm

I can't speak for anyone except myself, but even though I can afford it, there's no way I would consider paying more than 50+K for a fishing boat. These new rigs that are running 52, 54...even 55K simply are not worth it to me. What do you guys think?

Also, I suspect a lot of bassboat buyers in recent years relied on inflated home values and refinancing to find the big bucks for boats. Will the higher interest rates and falling house values adversely effect the high dollar boat sales?

Just thinking out loud,

.....NaCl

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:19 pm

YES!

That is why that 17' Stratos is so apealing. $13,000.00 and you're on the water! So what it's small and slow, fish can be caught!

I have said the same thing about $50,000.00 trucks, but they sell. Same with Gas, Milk, and houses.

Boats are a luxury item, so sales may slow; but guys seem to have the $$.

Time will tell....

Skeeterman · Post by **Skeeterman** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:27 pm

I know what your saying Dean,Its been getting rediculess for a very long long time. I remember when $30.000 was to much to pay for boat. Know $50.000 on up I don,t think so. I don,t care what boat it is its still to much. All I know is Im in the wrong Damm business.

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:32 pm

I was thinking, the motor has to be the bigest expense.

What does a 225 opti go for new? $20k?

Besides the motor, how much does fiberglass cost?

Mike Baskett · Post by **Mike Baskett** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:58 pm

50K?

I figured folks would mention 40K...maybe they did, 4-5 years ago. It's interesting to regularly see used boats for over 40K now. I don't follow incentive programs much, but from what I understand, Ranger Boats, even '06 models, don't qualify for incentive programs unless the person is the original owner. I don't see the logic in spending over 40K for a used boat, incentives or not. But that being said, I don't really see the logic in spending over 40K for a new boat, either, unless it is a necessary tool for your livelihood and you can legitimately depreciate it out as an expense on taxes. I find no fault in those who decide to pay what they do for any boat, it's their money and their choice. I just think these prices and the10-15 year loans for a boat are a bit extreme. But then that's why I still have a little 1994 Ranger 481V that's been paid off since 1997. To all you anglers with Z boats and I boats I applaud you for enjoying the great sport enough to invest so much in it. For all us other's who aren't quite as "Wanabe" as the "Wanabe Pro", enjoy the boat you have because there are a lot of folks out there that would like to have any bass boat to get them on the water. I mention Ricky-S because his posts are always positive and are well thought out and presented. He truly loves this great sport.

Hardshell · Post by **Hardshell** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:04 pm

Just like you Dean, I can afford a new boat and even got real close to buying a new one last spring. Until reality sank in and I asked this question to myself. Why would I sell a perfectly good boat that I've spent an enormous amount of time and money maintaining in tournament ready condition just to get another that I'd have to do the same things to in a short period of time? I looked in the mirror and saw an Ol' fool looking back asking that question and decided to drive Ol' Greene for a long time to come. Besides, I've owned 5 boats over the years and never had a "monthly boat payment" and these boats are getting almost to high to throw down a wad and walk out with so I guess I'm doomed to "Fishin' with the Grandson" for the forseeable future. I don't however think that because a few of us aging Boomers have fallen from the market that there'll be any decrease in prices of tournament rigged boats.

Hardshell-Jailer

B Becker · Post by **B Becker** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:36 pm

I know this maybe a tad off the topic and doubt that it answers the original question (which I can't answer).....I love this sport as do all that frequent this forum.....and I have come to the conclusion that I will always have a boat payment (until I win one or win enough to pay my boat off) and I don't mind shelling out $350 a month on a lousy RV loan.....my dad is my reason.....he is the one that taught me to fish and I have loved it ever since....he is retired now and can barely walk.....so I look at that and say, I'm going to do what I love to do now, and worry about it later.....if my legs or back give out when I'm old, then I'm sure Bass Pro Shop will hire me as a greeter

.....I would love not to have a boat payment, but divorces are expensive, you think I would have learned from the first one

So I'm so very thankful for those lousy15-20 year RV loans, because I get to do what I love to do, in the style that I work so very hard for...we only live once guys, life is truly short....before my uncle was killed in a helicopter crash, he said "what are you going to do with your money? take it with you when you die?".....live hard, fish even harder!!!!

912nitro · Post by **912nitro** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:11 pm

In 1978 I purchased a new Skeeter S.F. 175 with a new 175 Evinrude on it. from Jeff priester @ Nixons Marine for $ 12,000.00 out the door.

Top of the line, all the bells & whistles.
Today, even if i could i wouldnt buy new. its a matter of principle VS stupidity.
You can buy a 1 or 2 year old with 3 to 5 years warranty, & save yourself ten thousand plus $$$$$

Can you imagine all the Loomises & Powells & Allstars & swimbaits you can buy with that xtra money..........

I love this sport as much as anyone, & have had 5 performance boats, but jeopardising a familys home & wellbeing by continually refinancing for a new boat just to look cool, & to have others envy you is rediculus.
Its not a matter of will the economy get you , but When......

Slippy · Post by **Slippy** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:33 pm

damn 12k in 1978 would be like 56k now a days.....

someone has to buy the new boats, or there would be no used ones for us to buy.

flipthatjig · Post by **flipthatjig** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:57 pm

i have a z19 but i bought it used from a pro last year for 37k...i saved thousands....i know what u guys are sayin about the cost of boats now days...for example the new ranger z9 retails for almost 50k i dont think that includes taxes, shippin, freight and the upgrades i though nitros were supposed to be a cheapest boats in the biz....but u have to look at it this way a 2007 z 20 with a 250 e tec is equal to a brand new vette and a 2007 tracker with a 50 hp is a geo metro. not everyones gunna get to drive the vette.....
altho their are boat that cost 50k there are also boats that are cheaper that are new. heck get a used one like me. mine still turn heads down i-5 even though i bought it used.

o ya a dollar now days is less than a dollar back in the 80s...back in the 80s min wage was wat 3 bucks now its 7.50 and hour

Mike Phua · Post by **Mike Phua** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:17 pm

Okay lets get something straight here............

First of all believe it or not it is actually harder to buy a boat than it is to buy a car or a home. The banks are more strict because these are luxury items. Fico score plays alot into whose gonna get bought and whose not. A 650 score when buying a car in some places may qualify you for tier 1 financing where in the boat business that is tier 4. So #1 you have to have good credit and the income to debt ratio cannot be over 40%.

So with those facts out...............all the guys you see running 50k boats around run'em cause they CAN!

Guys driving 500 series benz'.................cause they CAN!

Guys living in $1,000,000 homes............cause they CAN!

Guys with $20,000 watches....................cause they CAN!

GuyS fishing FLW...............again cause they CAN!

See the trend here!

There's different levels of wealth everywhere and products to support those particular brackets. Oh and by the way if these people didn't buy the $50,000. boats their wouldn't be $40,000 used ones a year later to purchase. Didn't think about that did you.

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:03 pm

"...lets get something straight here............ "

Good idea. Get this straight...I DON'T finance boats. I pay cash. And, yes, I CAN afford any boat I want. So, your theory of "because they CAN" is silly.

Many people who "CAN" simply don't see sufficient value in doing so. My 2005 BassCat is just as fast as most 2007 boats. It fishes just as well and it's already suffered its worst depreciation (first two years) so it makes good economic and good fishing sense to avoid buying a $50+K boat. I guess there are some folks whose big egos drive their purchases but most successful people are more thoughtful in their deliberations. And, for me, 50K is a price-point barrier.

At the rate things are going, the vast majority of people with brand new boats will be prostaffers who pay 20% LESS than the retail cost. ($50K boat for $40) And everybody else will be buying those staff boats a year later for less than 40K!

.....NaCl

MN · Post by MN » Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:10 pm

No Dean i dont think so.I spent 42 for my 2000 519dvs when they were 20'6".I can afford a new one and was really serios about getting a new one this year.Since i prefer Ranger of course i was going to get a Z-20.

Well after seeing a few of the Z's out on the water i thought mine was just as good in my opinion so why not just keep it and the 50k.

Now try buying a 26' Grady White express you better bring three time's that much,i know own one of those to.

I think Mike Phua said it best if a guy can afford it why not.Are they worth that much,no.

Slippy · Post by **Slippy** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:34 pm

i was at the ISE show this past weekend in San Mateo. Champion 21 foot was going for 54k. It was a beautiful boat but I will keep my paid for 2001 Skeeter zx200 for now.

Paul W · Post by **Paul W** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:40 pm

All these ultra high end boats are gorgeous, but dang, 50k for a freshwater fishing boat?? I could see paying that for a saltwater boat like a 22' Grady or something, but not a boat used for running around a lake.

Paul W

Kbeever · Post by **Kbeever** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:18 pm

....is the same reason why people keep buying any new toys...to keep up with the Jones.

I remember when I started bass fishing in 1983. If you had a 17' boat with a 150 Mercury on it, you were the man. As the years progressed, so did the standard size of the boat and size of the motor. I remember a couple years back when the Optimax 250 XS was only available from Mercury racing division and didn't carry a warranty....now that same motor comes with a 3 year warranty and is becoming the norm for most boats.

I do think the size of the boat has hit a plateau as a boat bigger than 21' just doesn't have much more utility and is probably considered a hinderance.

For those who don't wish to pay the $50,000 of a new boat, just wait a year and pick up one from one of FLW pro's who need a newer model to qualify for the extra incentives Ranger gives to those who buy a boat every two years. (Thisis a whole nother topic in itself)

Long Nguyen · Post by **Long Nguyen** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:33 pm

MN wrote:
Now try buying a 26' Grady White express you better bring three time's that much,i know own one of those to.

Now that's what I'm talking about. Let me know if you need a crew for Northern Cal!

Long

Mike Phua · Post by **Mike Phua** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:32 pm

NaCl,

Since your so educated in money and business why did you pay cash for the fastest single depreciating item one can buy?

BECAUSE YOU CAN! and you did! I think you proved my point without me having to repeat myself.

NaCl this is not a personal beef between you and I. My post was what it was because some people just have deeper pockets than others. Thats all and I apologize if I offended anyone.

aNNieNsaLTIE · Post by **aNNieNsaLTIE** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:34 pm

maybe all of us bass fishermen should not buy any boats for about 10 years, if so maybe the price range of these newer boats would drop about 10 to 15 thousand dollars.

saLTIE-

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:42 pm

the farther that the U.S.A. goes into debt the lower the value of the dollar goes and the more we all have to pay for things. When the interest rate goes up fewer people can afford house payments so fewer houses are sold which causes unemployment, which causes prices on everything to go up because businesses still have a basic nut to pay to stay in business with the handicap of fewer sales.
Over simplified? Of course but never the less true. It simply boils down to fact that if they want to stay in business they have to get more money for their boats or lay off some people. Which just make prices go higher

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:57 pm

if they are higher than the interest you can earn by investing the money then it is better to pay cash if you can afford it. After all the depreciation is going tio take place whether you pay cash or not.
I would much rather take the depreciation hit right away on the chin than to be making payments on something where the resale value is less than the total left to pay on it

Mike Phua · Post by **Mike Phua** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:11 pm

Jim you are exactly right. but not all people are as fortunate to pay $50,000 cash for a boat. So that brings me to my first post when I said "because they can!"

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:20 pm

Saechao · Post by **Saechao** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:35 pm

brian u are a funny man hahahah

MGJR · Post by **MGJR** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:40 pm

I've noticed that the past few years the price of "primo" rigs has risen dramatically. Unfortunately, I also think they are pricing a lot of potential anglers right out of boats. I like to compare it to trucks, the market would not bare new pickups going up at the rate bass rigs have gone up the past few years. I understand that technology has increased substantially, but I can't see that it is making such leaps and bounds.

What amazes me is I've been trying to sell my boat for over a year now and I've only had a few inquiries. It's a few years old but is nearly new (used sparingly, garaged, and very well taken care of). It's a 21'boat with a 225 Opti and I've been asking ~22k obo...it is a tournament ready rig and would be an excellent opportunity for somebody to get a fully rigged, beautiful, powerful bass boat for half the price of a new one.

Heck, I was looking at just getting a Bass Tracker for a while for me and the kids (cant' justify a big bass boat when I barely have time to fish...kids and my career are my priority right now). Shoot, a new tracker with a 60hp motor is like 16k...plus taxes and options...Hopefully we'll see prices level off like home prices have begun to do.

my $0.02

Mike

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:51 pm

I think boat makers have done a very tricky move, they not only created there own supply but they also created there own demand. I dont think flooding the market with 1 and 2 year old boats every calender year helps anyones resale either.

L

flipthatjig · Post by **flipthatjig** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:02 pm

hey nacl...it really is a good idea to pay cash for the boat rather than pay interest. for a 50k boat by the time u fishin payin the sucker off u would have payed for 2 boats. either way ur gunna lose money but thats fishing. u win some u lose some but at the end of the day thank god we have this site to cry too

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:28 pm

20 years from now those boats will be made into enviromentaly safe floating duck blinds for archery shooting after the 2 Stroke engine's are melted down towards a one time purchase pass on a Hydrogen Powered engine.

--The 2 vane arrow (as only allowed with a 4/0 barbless trebble hook per CA DFG Laws) was the prefered choice on a Loomis shaft wihile duck hunting that year.................

12' to 16' Westerns and Klamaths were the rule as they were recyled...... Basstracker was sued by the ACLU and lost for not offering a rivoted hull for CA's section 8 boaters-- and subsequently went out of buisness.

-- Hydrogen is $32.37 a cfm and the newest Huddleson was sporting a hot pink thong. ........Of course the sex of the Huddleston does not matter as every bass is "crossed" in some way or another.

Only the Sturegon would survive- Once again eluding all for another 4000+ years while rembering the stories their Great Great Greattt GrandPapy once told of seeing the sparkely hull of a ranger when he thought he was eating an egg sucking leach and dazzled from the sunlight through things that were once called tules......

Everyone that was not religous prayed to a golden alter of the Delta Smelt for the return of the lifebood that what was once the delta.

Crazy I know--- But even my 7th grade teacher laufghed at me in class when I read my report that computers will eventually control the world. If she is still able to eat granolla- I hope she has choked on it at least 16 times.

It was her repression of me that caused me to not venture further in life/education-- and thus I was not able to help keep the new boating market afloat in 2007.

... Someday I may afford to buy a lottery ticket or 4 though.

Mike T · Post by **Mike T** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:25 pm

Nice Dan, you brought back way to many memories. Now I know why I'm stuck in this pit and I can't run with the big dogs

!

I' ll share a little story I know. Just replace the house with the boat.

A friend's mom and dad bought thier home in Palo Alto in the late thirtys. I believe they paid around 7K for this house.
In 1981 my friends mom called him and said the house just appraised for 100k, I think I have to sell it now. There is no way it's going to go any higher

.
Last I heard the home was appraised at 1.2 million.

I often wonder the same thing, when will this madness end.

Lugnut · Post by **Lugnut** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:26 pm

Has the bass boat industry hit a price-point barrier?

I hope so, I am not in the position to purchase a new boat right now. But in all honesty I really don't want or need one at this point. I currently own a 1985 Ranger 370V that I have put quite a bit of $$$ and elbow grease into, since I purchased it a few years back. I have fished out of a couple of different 14' aluminum rigs, a 15 1/2' Skeeter and now my Ranger. I have learned many things over the years, and currently I am catching more fish and having more fun than I ever have in the past. The one thing I am sure of, it isn't because of what I was fishing out of. I just hope that one day when I am ready to purchase a new rig the prices don't continue to soar out my reach....................

Saechao · Post by **Saechao** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:50 pm

mike- kinda same story my mom bought here house with 3 acres in 96 for 60k then in 2000 my mom sold it for 130k thinkin the same thing ur friends parents are thinkin better sell before it goes down.. 6 years later that same house is going for 900,000.
house price will only go up when my mom bought her house in 2000 brand new for 230k thats was like buyin a 500k house now u might think its expensive now but 5 or 6 years from now u will regret it. i dont have a good enough job yet since im only 18 but when i do thats where my moneys going real estate baby dont get me wrong after 4-6 years ill get my 50k bass boat atleast i hope it will be 50k lol

Marty · Post by **Marty** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:12 pm

I compare new vehicle to new boats all the time and the two donâ€™t compare. There is a lot more engineering that goes into a vehicle then a boat but the cost for a boat is a lot more. In fact you can get a very dependable vehicle for a lot less then a boat (New). For what you get I believe boats are over price for what goes into them. That includes the one I have!

The boat I have is my first boat and I when through grate pains on what to get! I ended up with a Tournament 18 Tracker with a 115 OptiMax and I paid cash for it. It took me a while to save the $20K for it but the agreement with the wife was â€œNo Paymentsâ€

Saechao · Post by **Saechao** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:31 pm

no i was gunna tell u...u could of waited to find someone that won a brand new nitro 591 or skeeter 190 for 20k but thats just me...maybe ur a tracker guy who knows ...but congrats on the new boat. may all ur fishing dreams come true. lol

Tornado Dave · Post by **Tornado Dave** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:44 am

Sorry to say that technology still has a long way to go in bass fishing and that means the machines are going to continue to evolve.

To compare a bass boat to a car is not a fair comparison, first when you look at the number of boats made in a year, it is just a small fraction of the cars sold in the USA. Last year over 260,000 hybrids cars were sold, plus conventional cars, trucks and SUVs. Maybe the bass boat industry is 60,000 annually if you include the aluminiums. My point is that most manufactures don't have the economy of scale or the demand to bring down the price.

So they will continue to make custom top of the market fishing machines, with new electronics and expanded features, more powerful and cleaner motors that will hit a price tag of $80K by 2010 - 2012. But that is just the top of the market, fully loaded.

Those that can will want one, those that are senseable will not. I don't see anything wrong with either school of thought. But, I think that anything that expense should have an address on it.

Jason Wood · Post by **Jason Wood** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:20 am

Fishin' Dave... Nobody answered but I believe it's about $100 a HP...

DeltaDan... I hope I'm dead by that point...

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:34 am

I certianly hope so. In 1989 we bought our one and only new Ranger. It cost more than our new Chev 4x4 1/2 ton pickup that we bought to tow it with. Since then we wait for good used Rangers !! We have never bought a bad used Ranger, just something to consider!!! We have not since ever bought a new Ranger. I saw my first new Ranger Z at my shop yesterday. I was told it was $ 58,000 out the door. We had to call my wife to come and give me cattiac arrest !!! Don't you guys ever complain to me again about a pack of Yamamoto that costs $ 6.50 !
Good luck to all at the 1st Motherlode season kickoff for 100% Bass team sunday at lake Mc clure!!

JIGS

BassTraveler · Post by **BassTraveler** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:38 am

I remember my grandparents telling me they paid $12,000 for their house.
If I would have asked my grandfather; "Gramps...do you think that you'll be able to sell your house for over $500,000 in 25 years?
He would have laughed himself silly.
I wouldn't be surprised if bassboats go for over $100,000, before I leave this rock...we call Earth.

BTW...My 2007 20 I-Class with a 250 HPDI Yamaha....Loaded is for Sale for way...Way under $50,000.

swampy · Post by **swampy** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:58 am

After posting on how to price my boat a while back and after seeing the new boats at the ise show,I thinkI'll just hang on to my little '86 champion mean 15.with the 75 hp the mpg is awsome

Swampy

swampy · Post by **swampy** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:09 am

After posting on how to price my boat a while back and after seeing the new boats at the ise show,I thinkI'll just hang on to my little '86 champion mean 15.with the 75 hp the mpg is awsome

Swampy

DAKINE198 · Post by **DAKINE198** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:09 am

For the guys who have "older" payed off boats, At the time of purchase did financial institutions offer 12-15 yr loans? It's kinda funny when people come up to admire my boat and ask "How much didja pay?" To me it wasn't a matter of how much I paid but how much are my monthly payments going to be and second how much out of pocket did I need to come up with to get my monthly payments where I was comfortable. Like my uncle said "If your gonna cry, cry once... but get the best you can get"
And before Lance can say anything I still LOVE my 198.

It's true what Mike said about Fico scores. 10 yrs ago when I came back from Hawaii, no one would give me a loan because my credit was so bad. Now I can purchase any vehicle I want on a open P.O. from my Credit Union. Financing my Champ was a snap.

JT-Madera · Post by **JT-Madera** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:42 am

Whats the point, it's all relative....In 1940 my grandpa bought 2200 acres of bottom land in Northwestern Oklahoma for 10 cents an acre...want to guess what it's worth...My first job picking berries in 1955 I was paid 15 cents a flat and the flats were four times the size they are now...I helped load cotton into our trailers in 1956 my dad paid me 25cents a day....and we owned the cotton and trailers...

Today I earn more per week than my dad made farming 300 acres of cotton for a year...and I'm retired....

When I get ready to get a new boat I'm going to get the best deal I can and tow it home...because you may only pass this way once and you might as well have fun....That said, family comes first....take care of them before going in debt...

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:04 am

There may indeed be a price point that some won't spend beyond but what I find interesting is that no one has brought up that you're solely paying $50+ full the absolute top of the line boats being produced by each manufacturer. Just about all of them have boats priced below their top of the line price point. And when they don't have much movement in the pricing from top to bottom, most boat dealers are sharp enough to bring in other boat lines that do accommodate folks that simply don't want to pay the higher prices but want a well built boat. Many Ranger dealers are now thrilled with the options of also selling lower priced yet still well built Stratos boats. Not everyone needs a 20'+ boat with a rocket strapped on the back to go out and enjoy this sport. The Trackers and G3's of the world fit in nicely for folks looking for something to enjoy catching fish from without breaking the bank. As does the entry level boats from just about all manufacturers.

My point is there are options out there to fit all budgets. Some like the notion of purchasing a boat a year downt he road after a pro has used it but personally I'd have to know the pro pretty darned well to purchase one from a lot of them. They ride 'em hard and put 'em away wet all too often and I've seen pro boats that after one year you couldn't sell to me for half the asking price knowing how they were run during that first year. I found my currrent boat by looking in the used market from a club angler that didn't run at top end speed every time he turned the key and flat out didn't use the boat anywhere near as much as many pros would have in the same time frame.

I'm confident that there is a boat out there to suit just about anyone's needs and all you have to do is be diligent in searching for it. Set your price range and go find your dream boat, it's there!!!

sTony

Rod Martin · Post by **Rod Martin** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:51 am

I think the housing market may very well affect the high end boating market. I cannot count the times I have talked with new boat owners about their boats, asking about Ins costs and payments only to be told they bought with cash. Then learn that they had refinaced their home and thrown in an extra $50,000 for a new boat. I think settling for a smaller boat did not cross the minds of many guys when looking at the [Free] money in their home.

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:01 am

In Oakland in 1939 they paid $2,800 for a house that today would go for around $650,000.
I may not see $100,000 bass boats but I too think that a lot of you will
My 87 Skeeter with a 175 Merc on it was $14,ooo and change. I sold it in 1999 for $9,000 to a guy who kept it for a year and got $8,500 for it.
By the way I ran that boat hard and never had any major work done to it. Tuneups once a year and spark plugs took care of it
I have had the same luck with my 98 Optimax and my 2006 Opti as well
You can take my Mercury motors from me when I am dead and gone

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:04 am

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:08 am

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT HERE AT HOME, AND WE BELIEVE WE BOUGHT OUR LAST NEW BASS BOAT THIS YEAR; OUR 591 18' 7" NITRO WITH THE 150 OPTIMAX. IT JUST DOES EVERYTHING WE HAVE FOUND (ALMOST) THAT A $ 50,000 BOAT WOULD DO, AT HALF THE COST; AND FOR US RETIRED OLDER COUPLE, IT FITS OUR BUDGET JUST PERFECTLY (WHICH IS THE ISSUE 99% OF THE TIME) AND ITS PAID FOR; AND WITH THE WARRANTY AND THE MODEST FISHING THAT WE GET TO DO, IT WILL PROBABLY LAST US, WELL TILL THE END. MY DAD TOLD ME BACK IN 1970'S, REST HIS SOLE, THAT MY BOAT WILL NEVER CATCH A FISH, JUST THE MAN INSIDE THE BOAT. BY GOLLY HE WAS CORRECT. WE BELIEVE IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO IF YOU CAN, YOU WILL; AND THE BOAT DEALERS, CAR DEALERS AND HOME BUILDERS ALL KNOW THIS, THE AMERICAN WILL BECAUSE HE CAN.
WE HAVE YET TO FIND ANY BOAT YOU CAN HONESTLY KNOCK , THEY ARE ALL GREAT TODAY. PRICE IS THE ONLY ISSUE IT SEEMS. "LOOKY AT WHAT I GOT" IS THE BOTTOME LINE !
JUST OUR .02
HAVE A NICE DAY, SEE YOU ALL AT ISE THURSDAY
JIGS

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:11 am

Of course you wouldnt if you couldnt

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:12 am

EGBASS · Post by **EGBASS** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:35 am

So how long is it until hulls and then the whole rig are built overseas and shipped in. With all the container ships that travel between the West Coast and the Far East, the California market might be ripe for it

No, I don't want to see that, but how many things have gone that way and are continuing to go that way. It started with Mfg, then the service industry (Call Centers), and now Engineering Firms are popping up in the same areas as the call centers. Fortune 500 companies are already using them for work in the homeland.

In any case,

We paid $8,000 cash for a used 95 Pro Craft 180 with a 175 and I still wonder if I get it out enough to justify the $8,000 and carrying costs, not too mention the 97 truck I'm keeping to tow it...

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:47 am

I started this whole thread just to stop the complaints about Yamamoto's Senko prices! LOL!!!!

.....NaCl
Yamamoto Staffer

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