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When will you buy your LAST boat?
Talking with someone today who is looking to upgrade his boat. He's a cruiser guy, currently owns a 60'er so he's way out of my league and he's looking to update to something new or very close to it. What he said got me thinking...... At 62 years old, he says this next boat will be for 7-8 years and his last boat. With that thinking, he'll probably go over the top to make sure this is his ultimate dream boat. I'm still a way off 62 but it's got me wondering, do other people think about their 'last' boat and if so, when do you start planning? I know some guys will own boats 'till they die but surely others see this as a finite hobby. Just curious. RR . |
I already have, this one checked all the boxes on the list
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At 30 years old I cant even start to think about the boat I'll have 20-30 years from now. But I would think my last boat will be a pontoon once my body cant take driving/cleaning/maintaining a real boat. But that's hopefully a long ways off.
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Don't think I'm anywhere near owning my last boat, but I'm pretty sure I've owned my last HP boat. That might be a better question to ask - "Have you already owned (or currently own) your last High Performance boat? To that question, I would likely answer "Most Likely."
I started at the bottom of the V-bottom world and have climbed my way up. First boat was a 12 foot GW Invader, then a 18 Baja, then a 21 Baja,, then a 27 Checkmate, then a 35 Fountain, then a 38 Fountain. (I also currently own a 29 Advantage X-Flight - but it's a people hauler-deck boat on steroids that I don't consider to be a real HP boat, - in comparison to my previous Fountains and my current Donzi). As far as I'm concerned I have reached the top rung of my HP V bottom journey with my 38 Donzi ZRC. I have no desire to own anything else.. I may play around with power or the drives to make my ride go faster (and have kicked around the idea of starting a GoFundMe page to buy me a set of Merc 860's) but I have no desire to own any other V bottom - and in kind I have zero desire to own a big cat. So my HP journey is probably finished with my current 38 ZRC. But hey, you never know. But as far as owning other boats, I can see upgrading my pontoon to newer one, owning a cruiser at some point, and even buying a small bow rider and coming full circle on my journey up the ladder. |
I have seen this happen a few times. Guys get older, they don't want hassle and most buy a smaller boat!
I worked for a guy that had a 55 Viking (captain/mate) and downsized to a sweet 34 Gamefisherman (day boat with a tower, small cabin). He never stayed on the boat so the 3 stateroom Viking was just a waste of fuel pushing that around. Another guy I know has a 100 ft motoryacht, he treats it as a moving condo more than a yacht. He moves the boat to where he wants to be. His favorite boat he uses the most, his 20 ft flats boat! A friend is a captain and he always says the hour meter predicts the future. His last job was a 68 Ferretti yacht, guy was good for a solid 200-250 hours a year in use. It dipped to 100 hours or so then the next year was 80ish and boom the boat went up for sale. Owner said he needs to sell the house so he can upgrade the boat (dockage was limited to a 70). Guy sold the house and the boat and replaced neither. I think the go fast stuff's limited resale is probably its biggest deterrent to buying. For me, the sun exposure on a go fast is brutal combined with S. Fl's love of no wake/slow wake zones. |
My next will be my last, not because of age, but because I plan on retiring in 9 years. Thinking a 22 Progression or 21 Tuff with a 300R will allow me to pick my days on big water and run on more of the local inland lakes. I’m already planning, but the warranty on my current motor lasts through 2025, so it’s going to be a few years before I move down in size. |
I get the logic, I'm just not old enough yet (47). My father said that when he bought his last bass boat though (he's had them for almost 50 yrs) and I believe him. He also has a open bow for hanging out at the sandbars and will likely get another like it in the near future. He's financially able, and slightly interested, in a 40ish cabin boat but my step-mother has no interest in a cabin boat.
As a kid we always had bassboats. I bought a few cabin cruisers as my first boats. Then I went to bow riders Next came a few cigarette boats Right now I own a small CC And literally today I plan to sign papers on another cabin boat (Formula 400ss) Next????? I could see another go-fast one day....but it will likely be O/B and NOT a CC. |
As long as my age/health and finances allow. With that said, I'm 61 and probably seen my last offshore boat, crawling around a bilge is not as fun as it used to be. Outboards appeal to me more, so does a boat with some sun protection and a pump-out head. Maybe a sporty senator council.
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I am 69 and very happy with my Velocity but if I see something I like/want and I can afford it it will be my next boat not my last. Guarantee that it will be a performance boat and definitely not a fishing boat masquerading as a performance boat. LOL
Padraig |
Originally Posted by Indy
(Post 4638528)
As long as my age/health and finances allow. With that said, I'm 61 and probably seen my last offshore boat, crawling around a bilge is not as fun as it used to be. Outboards appeal to me more, so does a boat with some sun protection and a pump-out head. Maybe a sporty senator council.
Oh , oh , ok , I get it now .. Took me a minute or two . A Center Console .. . lol |
I have had a few good ones along the way, but I am still haven't owned everything I want yet. I still need to own a 100 MPH cat. I think my long term boat will be a bigger version of what I have currently. A performance based center console. Would love a mid 30 foot yellowfin.
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For me its more about income and income potential going forward.
None of which looks good for me. So I will stay with what I got and get something more reliable just not sure what. And to tell the truth the unreliable part has been the dam BRAVO drives, motors have been great. Everyone says OB are reliable but old OB's break to, and I can't afford a new one. REFUSE to go into debt for anything. May have to go back to motorcycles for the speed fix. Cheap for the performance, and even though I am a little older (54) still don't want to slow down! Still would love to own a big staggard V bottom at some point but doubt it unless I hit the Lotto. LOL |
Originally Posted by madbouyz
(Post 4638547)
A WTF ? ?
Oh , oh , ok , I get it now .. Took me a minute or two . A Center Console .. . lol |
The one I use for my Viking Funeral.......................................
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all of them have been my last, then another follows me home. fortunately I have been playing with little jets and v-drives so they dont take up as much space.
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Originally Posted by F-2 Speedy
(Post 4638565)
Senior Console for us seasoned gents..........:drink:
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Thanks RR This is a very interesting question. And dependent on so many things. I thought my 1985 ChrisCraft Scorpion was the last. Bought new. Still have it in stall of boathouse. Same with 06 Mastercraft. Still have it. The 28ZXO is perfect for where we boat on the Trent Severn Waterway but not likely our last. I’m soon to be 64 and not interested in slowing down. My buddy has a tri toon. Works for him but can’t see that in my future. Chartered a Trawler in FLA a few years back. That was like death it was so slow Nice to do once. Mid the real estate gods look favourably on me I’d like to think I have another larger v bottom in me. |
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2fbc7d5ec2.jpg
I bought my last boat in 2006 and it is now for sale. |
Maybe not my last boat but probably a forever boat.....I plan to retire young in a few years and add a new 55-70 foot sail catamaran, whatever basically is the biggest I feel comfortable with myself and one other person getting in and out of ports. I plan to travel the world for a good 5 -10 years, maybe more, just go with the flow. I of course need to learn how sail too, though with all of the tech now everything is practically controlled by computers. Can't wait. Maybe I can tow my speed boat behind me lol
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Im 55 and have a bad ass 27 progression, cant think of partiing with it but the wife wants a big Cabin Boat,maybe her next husband will get that for her when I'm gone, lol. NOT sure whats next.That is a real hard question?
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My last boat is the same as my first boat....but with 30 yrs of upgrades. |
Gave up all the dangerous and frivolous toys some 3 decades ago when the wife became pregnant. The daughter is on her own and successful so it may be time to pursue the log term desire to go performance boating.
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Thanks everyone, interesting answers. OK, I'm 54 and have downsized a couple of times primarily due to lack of use and just financially sensible rather than holding too much $$ in a typically shrinking asset. My plan was to keep my current boat until I'm 60 ish then decide on going back to a bigger boat, probably cruiser, or staying smaller performance boat but brand new. Haven't bought a brand new boat for a long time and like the idea of owning exactly what I want rather than what someone else wanted. I'm still a little way from that point but now realise that my next boat will probably be my last boat. Hopefully finances will be good at the time so I might be tempted to spend more. I'm not filthy rich at all but I plan to enjoy what I have, but like everyone, I don't know when to start enjoying it......:) RR P.S. I'm especially happy to read comments from those who love their current boats so much they will be their last boats. . |
That answer won't be known until I'm dead:D
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I have run a twin engine Talon for the past 9 years predominately by myself, and sucked it up during the high fuel prices. At 51 years old I want a 24x7 something with a single outboard as I hope to retire by 60. The tuff 24 would be my first choice but a Progression, Kryptonite, Phantom or variant there of with an OB will be my next ride. I figure if I buy and older hull I can have two. I would like an Argo, Yuka or Twister catamaran for my speed fix.
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I thought my last boat (30 Superboat) was going to be my last. I love my current boat and the style of boat really works great for my family. I can see it being my last, or another similar boat with a few changes. I would also like a small fast boat to rip around in, thinking about a 21 Superboat w/OB. But, I really want waterfront property, and would rather put my $$ into an appreciating asset rather than another boat.
I'm 52 and getting tired of working. So, if dumping more $$ into a boat is going to delay my retirement, I will stick with what I have now. |
I have wanted a Fountain for almost 30 years and I bought a a1997 single engine 29 Fever Labor Day 2016. I thought it was going to need a little work but I have been working on it for almost 2 years. It has been a classic restoration job: much more expensive and it has become a joke to my friends when they ask when it will be ready. Thank goodness I kept my old boat. When completed, it will have new paint,new cockpit skins, new carpet cockpit and cabin, new custom cockpit cover, new gauges, new windshield and new retractable ladder for getting out of the water on the swim platform, new Garmin 741, new VHF radio and a new 2000 watt stereo. When i discovered that there was rust inside the 525 SC , I decided to build a strong NA 540 with a blower motor bottom ,4340 crank and rods, aluminum Brodix heads, and an 800 HP Holley fuel injection system. The Holley was on back order and after 6 monthes of waiting, I bought the 800 HP Fitech system. I bought an upgraded drive with Imco SCX upper and a-2 Imco SC. I also bought a Drive Guardian. The first prop will be a Hydromotive P5X. As you can see, my initial estimate of 20-25K and to be in the water by early Spring 2017 did not happen. So when I finally get in the water, I expect this will be the last sport boat I will buy. A 64 year old man should be contented with the fast boat fleet of the Fountain and my 23 foot 300xs outboard. The beautiful thing about OSO is that I can see that I am not the first or will I be the last one that one that falls into the restoration trap. The sad thing is I went through the same journey with my smaller boat 10 years ago. B.O.A.T. |
I can see this as my last boat. I bought it new for about the price of a 400r! Not in that big boat league! Anyway, I'm 61 and figure in about10- 15 years I'll be sick of dragging it out and playing with it. Then I can sell it and get some money back. For now it fits my lifestyle, and fits in the garage.
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One thing I've learned from this thread..........most of you are old as dirt, myself included. (56)https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...cons/icon6.gif
Seriously, it seems the majority of regulars on here are 50+. I'm kinda surprised by that. |
Originally Posted by payuppsucker
(Post 4638730)
One thing I've learned from this thread..........most of you are old as dirt, myself included. (56)https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...cons/icon6.gif
Seriously, it seems the majority of regulars on here are 50+. I'm kinda surprised by that. I still can't definitively answer my own question but good to read the responses so far. RR |
Originally Posted by payuppsucker
(Post 4638730)
One thing I've learned from this thread..........most of you are old as dirt, myself included. (56)https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...cons/icon6.gif
Seriously, it seems the majority of regulars on here are 50+. I'm kinda surprised by that. When I can't crawl on board without too much help, I'll have to get a go-fast that's easier to board. Great post! :ernaehrung004: |
Originally Posted by payuppsucker
(Post 4638730)
One thing I've learned from this thread..........most of you are old as dirt, myself included. (56)https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...cons/icon6.gif
Seriously, it seems the majority of regulars on here are 50+. I'm kinda surprised by that. |
Originally Posted by Nate5.0
(Post 4638823)
Makes me feel like a spring chicken lol (36).
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mid 30s so its hard to say. Depends what retirement brings me and what I want to do. As much as I love boating, with a semi open checkboat in retirement which I am planning on, I might find better things to do than take on the effort of owning a boat. With that said guess it depends on health and so forth and only you can gauge that. My guess maybe in my 60s.
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Hoping to retire in 7 years, I'll be 56. The house will be sold to buy a 50ish trawler, last boat. The Fountain will be sold to buy fuel for a few years. Unless cruising at 7 not 70 is an issue! 2-5 years of that and it gets traded for a diesel pusher. After that it's all golf carts!
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The one I own when I die will be my last boat. :drink:
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for those that haven't owned a boat yet.
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Lol
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54 here too- Last Boat??? I hope not for AlonG time! :band:
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28 - as Long as I can climb in/out of one I will have a boat. If I can’t boat alone probably time to hang it up |
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