I don't think so. The Man want's a gun. Really did you look at that boat.

I still don't understand why you don't just go borrow some money and buy the boat you want. From your other posts, you have no debt at all and plenty of assets. You have said that you have enough money to buy a smaller performance boat. Use that $$ toward the boat you want and have a payment. You won't get upside down on the boat with a decent down payment and you can always sell it if necessary.
I would much rather have an affordable payment and enjoy myself now than just work and save every $$$ so I can to enjoy myself in 2-3 years.

Isn't that thing nice? I can only imagine how nice it will be when it's done. I'm really going to try to talk my buddy into buying it. That way I'll still get to run it!

Don't think I haven't thought about it long and hard.

But the deal is, I'm 56 years old. Retirement looms in the near future and I took some big hits on my 401K and savings. I've been up and down in house deals and while my house is paid for I have a mortgage on a rental with a very small positive monthly but am upside down on it a couple hundred grand.

I refuse to pull equity out of my house to buy a toy (or anything for that matter). I don't know if I could get a loan on this particular boat (it's a 1993) and if I could, by the time I pay the interest then the great deal it is now would be not so good.

I've had a good ten year run in off shore boats. I can take a couple year break and still catch a ride here and there. I'd rather take a break and sacrifice now for more boating when I retire.

Plus I'm still thinking of a smaller cheaper boat. Maybe a Bullet or another 28 like the one I had but with bigger power. I'm still liking the 31 Sutphen too.

BajaFresh,

Kudos on your financial lifestyle. If the rest of the US population managed their finances the way you do the US would be in a much better position!

Sadly, personal responsibility seems to be a lost quality anymore.

I'd find the money and buy the boat you want. I stretched a little when I bought mine and I am glad I did - I haven't grown tired of it in 6 years and haven't felt like moving up (which people almost always lose money on).

You're obviously responsible enough to handle the debt so pull the trigger......

Considering you're 58 y/o and possibly putting off a purchase for a couple years I'd ask you this. Do you do your own maintenance ? If you do it consider a C.C. with outboards. Once you get into the 60's are you really going to be able to fold yourself up into positions the body is unable to bend into and crawl around on your hands and knees trying to fix or find something in the bottom or rear of a big block or on the bilge floor ? or inside a dash panel that's way to small to work within ? or replacing gimble rings etc ? I'm 67 in great health, still play hockey and absolutely hate working on these engines/drives anymore and finding good affordable service is rare and rarer yet to find them available when you need them
I plan to sell my current boat and find a simple, accessible for maintenance C.C. soon. All that bling is just useless material add-ons that require additional work.
Now if you pay to have everything done forget what I said.
ed

I like CC's with wackers. I call them SUV (sport utility vessels), very versatile and roomy.

My wife doesn't like them though. I'm not ready to give the roar of a pair of big blocks yet either. I do some maintenance but not too worried about it yet. If I can't then will pay to have it done. Another reason to have a paid for boat.

Thanks. I squandered money foolishly when I was younger. Now I have to go to the other extreme to make up for it!