General run down on a new boat and payment..

[cadunkle]

I am not going to get 20% of the enjoyment out of an old boat, especially an I/O. I have been riding behind my aunts i/o for the past 10 years. I havent gotten nearly the enjoyment out of that boat than I have with the new one. Not to mention my main deal is surfing, and it seems the newer boats are really designed with surfing in mind, and the older boats are not. I guess if all I wanted to do was put put around, I could get anything, but thats not my goal.

We're not talking about I/Os here. Sure I had plenty of fun behind I/Os growing up and when I got my first boat, which was an I/O. It's not the same, and I'd sooner be riding behind a $2000 ProStar 190 than a brand new "wake" model I/O.

But the choice for an boat is not an I/O for cash of a $30k-$50k inboard on a loan. There are plenty of inboards out there starting at $2000 and particularly around the $5000 range that will be great for slalom/wakeboard/kneeboard. Surfing, there are fewer but they are out there. I rarely surf so I'm no authority of that, but look at WakeMikey's surf setup on an old SunSport. I'm not really into surfing but it sure seems he's got a great setup out of an older cheaper boat that I'm sure is paid for.

If you want new and you don't mind spending the money then great. There's still a easily affordable with cash option for those same activities. I have just as much fun on my old paid for Saltare as I do when I go out on Malibus, Mastercrafts, and other new high dollar boats. I don't just "put around" either, I drop in 1/4 mile from where I ride, and typically ride the whole time the boat is in the water.

[LloydP]

I am with Tim. Can I make the argument that my boat is worth it? Heck no. It spends 5 months in storage, and only gets used during weekends the rest of the time. However, the time spent with family and friends is immeasurable, and I wouldn't trade that time to get the money I spent on this "toy" back.

Lloyd

[haugy]

Yeah, I can't cast opinions. Seeing the other toys that are parked in the shop next to the boat, it's the cheap one.

I'm with Steve, I try to push the envelope of life as much as I can.

Another great quote, don't know who said it, I think a country singer:

"There will be two dates on your tombstone, but it's not the dates that are important, it's the little dash in between them."

[mapleleaf]

I am with Tim. Can I make the argument that my boat is worth it? Heck no. It spends 5 months in storage, and only gets used during weekends the rest of the time. However, the time spent with family and friends is immeasurable, and I wouldn't trade that time to get the money I spent on this "toy" back.

Lloyd

For me this sum's it up. Debt or not, I have twice or more in my boat than it's worth and there's no way to measure the memories that have come from it monetarily. Follow your heart and let your mind be the secretary.....