Bass boat... Finance or pay in full?

[For Reel]

I spent a few years myself kicking tires, researching, all that stuff. I wanted a boat that fitted exactly what I wanted to do nothing less not a whole lot more. My plan was to start fishing bigger waters and access more productive fisheries.

The intent of my post was to answer any questions he may have had about my experience. I would never tell someone what to buy or how to do it. There are just so many choices, and there will always be a compromise of some degree.

[sickbayer]

I spent a few years myself kicking tires, researching, all that stuff. I wanted a boat that fitted exactly what I wanted to do nothing less not a whole lot more. My plan was to start fishing bigger waters and access more productive fisheries.

The intent of my post was to answer any questions he may have had about my experience. I would never tell someone what to buy or how to do it. There are just so many choices, and there will always be a compromise of some degree.

Meh its the internet OP asked for opinions and the only real compromise IMHO is money.

[AJ's Dad]

Since you converted a small boat into a bass boat. I assume you would spend most of your time bass fishing. If so, there's no need to spend 17-60K to get a quality boat. Spend some time looking a tused boats that suit your liking. I waas ready to spend a ton of money on a new or almost new bass boat myself. While I was looking I stumbled on an older boat with low hours that had extremly good care throughout it's entire life. It's so clean and nice I'm not at all ashamed to run along side the $50K boats any day. My 20' Skeeter cost me $11k and, knock on wood, she runs and performs like a champ. As far as to finance or not to finance, your cash reserves and your willingness to part with them is your limiting factor. Pay enough down and you won't have the big payment. You can cash out a nice used boat for the cost of a substantial down payment on a new one. There's nothing wrong with buying on credit as long as you don't over extend yourself and compromise the lifestyle of yourself and your family.

[tnj8222]

If you got sickbayer pockets you do what you want lol.

I like to pay cash for everything. I hate being in debt. Financial decisions have to be based on what you can realistically afford. If you can barely afford the payments it's not realistic to go through with a loan. You always need buffer room in life. Save up and buy a boat for a few thousand instead of going for the 21 foot with a 225 on the back. Until then just stick to your ten footer.

[sickbayer]

Ha ha I've 3kids and a stay at home mom. Only thing I'm missing is a dog, my pockets sure ain't lined. Saving make a lot of sense but so does having certain debt, An interest free loan is the same as saving IMO at the same time you defo have to never max yourself out. I wanted a 22'NR Seahawk but a baby stopped that. So I lowered my expectation and found a cheaper boat that would allow me to fish as many bodies of water as I can.