Getting a little off topic here....I think that is just the natural career progression. I remember finding out how much other people in my field made back then and thought holy chit! I'm in the IT field and it's a never ending cycle of learning, certifications, etc. Otherwise, you become obsolete, easily replaceable, and don't make more $$.

According to this link, the average salary in the US has about doubled since 1995.

https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html

My point is that I think most expenses are relative. Salaries and the cost of houses, boats, cars, food, etc.

I need to look at that more but it says "index" I don't believe that is a straight average wage. Even if it is it doesn't account for cost of living increases.

That said, I know myself and a lot of people I know are making a non adjusted wage about what we made in 2002-2004 range. Some less.

And of course most everything other then gas is a lot higher.

about double is one thing,you said 3-4 times,,big difference,

I make less than I did 6 years ago and have more schooling now then I did then.

Yes, the above link says average. Me, I'm somewhat of a slacker, but I've been at the right place at the right time, changed jobs at the right time, and been just plain lucky..

Anyone here buy a new boat in the last couple of years?

Few people hear have on this site with build post along the way.

I did last year. Mainly because "boat shopping was frustrating". I always said that I would NEVER buy a new boat. I wanted something 2-4 yrs. old with a particular list of options. I was having a hard time finding exactly what I wanted and the prices people were asking changed my mind. I got a new boat for what I considered a good deal compared to the used market.

do they get list price for a new boat, maijnly I'm asking because there's alot of talk about the crazy prices of new boats, and I'm wondering if they list them high and give big discounts. And I'm primarily interested in more of the production boats like baja fountain and formula

Yes, pretty much the same game that car dealers play. The thing with boats is that the list of options is endless. So, it makes it harder to compare even the same make/model of boat.