Why is fishing/boating so expensive?

[crappiebob]

With my 1970-something Starcraft, 15 HP Evinrude motor, and 6 gallon tank, I can fish at least 2 weekends, maybe 3 on $25.00 gas. Getting to the water is a different story. Filling the truck for the trip TO the lake hurts at the pump. However, life it way too short. A person must find a way to do what they enjoy!

[Majesticman]

I used to mow lawns to get my gas money for the lake. I'm never impressed by by folks that look good at the ramp. Ive learned in my years that the 80 year old guy that has the beat up jonboat with the 1968 Mercury will out fish all the shinny boats. It ain't the high tech. Its the technique.

[mmaveal]

Great thread. Years ago I bought a used 1994 Tracker tournament Pro semi V loaded with a 60 HP Jounson for $1600.00. Great boat but the wife is scared of it on Lake Erie. A couple years later I bought a used Triton 16'aluminum bare bones "grumpy ol man" boat with a 30 HP electric start Evinrude tiller. Great on Erie but still not big enough. So now I'm looking for boat #3. 20' at least to keep the wife happy. Having two boats is a pain to maintain but it sure is nice not having any payments. Less than $5,000. in both rigs. Buy em used and fix em up - only way to go - NO PAYMENTS!

[Dutch552]

I won a bass tournament out of my old (paid for) 94 Javelin bass boat last year. I took home $1300 in my pocket that afternoon and looked around at ramp at all the brand new Nitros and Stratos bass boats with Mercury 250 Optimax's and Lowrance HDS 10's on the bow and console and dual Power Poles and couldn't imagine having a rig like that these days. Some guys that I fish with at work have boat and truck payments that are almost as much as my house payment.

I traded down to what I have now a couple years ago to avoid financing anything and still get the occassional boat envy like everyone does but smile when I realize that I spend more time on the water with my lil old boat than a whole lot of other guys who have to make that sometimes massive boat and truck payment every month. To each their own, but I'd rather spend my money on actual fishing than worrying about making yet another payment. Bottom line is that it is never gonna be cheap but you can definately save money in this sport if you plan it out and spend your dollars where it counts and where you'll get the most satisfaction.

[goofy1]

Well i just got a new 18 foot bass boat and sold my new crappie boat I had. I got it to mix it up. It is paid for and still too much money. heck my new crappie rig I sold that was only a year old was real high. Not like the 250 xs 20 foot boats and stuff. But someone has to buy new for all of us to get a good used boat at some time. I wish I would of kept the crappie boat i had bought instead of selling it for this new fancy fiberglass rig. I may sell this one after this season and go back to the aluminum crappie boat. Your right with fuel and everything it is high!!! Plus I am always worried about scratches and stuff on this one and wiping it down and it has carpet. Man did I make a mistake in my opinion but we will see how it goes this year. Fancy even if you can afford it really dont make since when money is so hard these days!!

[kercha83]

Goofy1, same here I am always worried my boat getting scratch that's why I am probably going to sell this boat and get a aluminum boat. The bottom of my boat still looks like the day it came out of showroom so I am scared to beach the boat, I want a aluminum boat so If I ever wanted to go step on land I could just park it on the sand and not worry about scratches.

[goofy1]

Yeah really thought this was what I wanted until I sold that 2012 Xpress 18pfc. The guy that bought it is putting the filets in the boat. I even had a power pole on it. Thought I wanted to bass fish again and crappie fish and it turns out after going a couple times I would much rather relax and crappie fish and dont want to worry about having to wipe it down vacuum it out and get scratches on it. I had the xtreme liner instead of carpet so easy maintance. Plus it towed easier and didnt have to worry about wiping it down or getting dirst in it just wash it out. Well as I said Ill probably get through this year with my 2013 bass boat then sell it about Oct and order me another Xpress 18pfc just like what I had and cry at all the money I lost on buying and selling them both. I would much rather be able to just go and have fun!!!

[bigfishlilpond]

golf is a poor mans sport!

[Hanr3]

I beach my boat in my campsite all teh time. I never worry about scratching its 45 year old hull.


I used to work with a guy who owns a 40' pleasure craft. He takes it up the Illinois River from Peoria to Starved Rock for the weekend. Boat has 2, not one, but two Chevy 454 big block engines. His gas bill is about $700 a weekend. Too rich for my blood.

[sndmntboy]

I paid $200 for my 16ft aluminium v-hull boat with trailer. I have a 1970 vintage Johnson 9.5hp motor borrowed from my brother-in-law. He wasn't using it and its better for it not to sit and ruin. I would love to have a brand new rig with all the bells and whistles but as long as it is safe and gets you out on the water and you have fun that's all that matters.