electronics for inshore fishing - side scan sonar? Or Garmin Livescope?

[nightfighter]

And honestly Jim, I would not be a buyer right now. I think the economy is going to be worse in six months. Some of those first-time buyers who entered the boating market during Covid are going to be selling, hopefully at a discount to the recent market prices. At least that is what I am hoping for. Buy your straw hats in the winter, as the saying goes. Interest rates are croaking a number of markets. New boaters are not going to like paying that monthly nut in the middle of winter. Especially the ones who used a home equity loan to finance the boat and see the monthly payments increasing... Just my opinion, despite the reduction in used inventory that was destroyed by hurricane Ian.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

And honestly Jim, I would not be a buyer right now. I think the economy is going to be worse in six months. Some of those first-time buyers who entered the boating market during Covid are going to be selling, hopefully at a discount to the recent market prices. At least that is what I am hoping for. Buy your straw hats in the winter, as the saying goes. Interest rates are croaking a number of markets. New boaters are not going to like paying that monthly nut in the middle of winter. Especially the ones who used a home equity loan to finance the boat and see the monthly payments increasing... Just my opinion, despite the reduction in used inventory that was destroyed by hurricane Ian.

I hear you! We could start a whole thread on the philosophy of when is the right time to buy a boat! And I agree the economy will be worse for the next 6-12 months. I owned 2 boats in my 20s, and I simply can't believe what new boats are going for now. But as my wife says, we only live once, we work hard, you can't take money with you when you're gone, and it's important to treat yourself to some luxuries once in awhile, and we all do like the water. On the "don't buy" side, as my kids get older they have more activities and friends and girlfriends, so there will come a time when it will be hard to have free time to use it, and when we have free time my kids will likely rather hang out with their friends. I really struggle with it. But we're lucky enough that we're in a place now where I can buy something like a new 21 foot Maritime and rig it nicely, IF we decide we want to do that. Or, I can continue to do 10 or so charter trips each year, that has worked out well for us. It's nice to let someone else do all the work, and those guys really catch fish.

Either way, it's really really fun (in my opinion) to look and kick tires. My brain says "put the money into an aggressive mutual fund for 5-6 years, then buy a 25 footer when you're close to retirement".

If I knew my kids would want to use it a lot with me, I wouldn't have any hesitation. My fear is that it would spend a lot of time sitting in my driveway while we're watching my kids sporting events, boy scout meetings, concerts, etc...