Im pretty much just wanting to plan for the future I have grown up around boats and would love to own one soon. My cousins own both a 382 and a 353 but they also make mucho coin per year and could afford anything they ever wanted. Now on to my problem I want to get my own boat soon obviously this isn't going to happen with me still being a college student and just about to turn 21. I'm studying Chemical Engineering right now at Texas A&M so hopefully this pay off, but even this kind of degree how am I ever going to be able to afford a 300k dollar boat?
I have been around the forums so I just don't understand how people can afford a 300k dollar boat and 15k dollar insurance. Gas, tow truck, maintenance I couldn't even put a pencil to all those factors.
I guess Im just trying to grasp what I need to do to be able to put myself in a situation where I can be like my cousins or many of the members on this forum.

My dream boat would have to be a 36 foot Nor-tech I looked at these at the Miami boat show. I think something like a 36 nortech and 525's would be somewhat practical for a go fast boat however you could make the argument a boat isn't practical. I just don't need to do over 100 and the sacrifice in maintenance/reliability isn't worth it to me. So what other Cat is affordable till I can afford something like a Nor-tech? What should I look at now something like a used eliminator or what? I know I can't afford something like a spectre and obviously a cat limits the cabin and I prefer to stand while driving so it may not be my best bet, should I start off with like a Center console or maybe a 292 formula?

though questions! But all good questions! If you are not as wealthy as your cousins, that is not important, but if you want opinions on what you could do, maybe you should gives us the budget you are looking at. 20 000$ can be sky high for someone and 300 000$ can be almost nothing for others...

So! What is your budget ? or how much can you afford as a monthly payment if you'd go that way?

Well at this point in time Im just not ready to make a purchase Im in school and just don't have the money. I just don't want to turn around and be 30 and in the same position as I am now. So I was wondering what's the best thing to do for me to start saving for a boat, or what others have done. I only know X amount of people with boats so I wanted to know what most people would start out with.

Like I said I would love a 36 Nor-tech but obviously not practical for my first boat so should I look into a Center Console (poker runs, fishing, diving, ect) or a cheaper Cat like eliminator so I get a discount on insurance at a later date although the eliminator will limit me alot

Any Cat will be extremely difficult for you insure with your age and lack of prior boat ownership. Especially in a coastal area.

As far as affording it, its all about prioritizing for most of us. I'm almost 40 years old now and 15 years ago I could not have pictured myself with what I have now.

The key is don't get in over your head, manage your $$ wisely with long term goals in mind and build equity in what you have before you upgrade. Buying what you want in the future is all about how you maintained your credit history in the past. This has worked for me. BTW, you can buy some very nice boats for

Don't get caught up in having to have a 36' cat or 35' vee with big power. Being on the water is what matters, not what you're riding in. Graduate, find a job, pay off any debt you have first, buy a house, and then start looking for a boat. Buy a used boat that you can afford to insure and operate and you'll be way happier than if you buy a bigger boat that you can't afford to put gas in. But clean used boats at good prices (don't get upside down on them) and keep it until you can afford to buy bigger.

Take your time. I graduated in Chem E in '02 and am just now buying my first boat. Just didn't feel comfortable spending the money until now.

As far as what boat to get it all depends on what you like doing and what your budget is.

Start with a SINGLE engine 25-28 foot V-bottom; and work your way up from there. Nice used boats can be had in the high $30K to $70K range. (Check out Active Thunder, Sunsation, Sonic, Checkmate, Pantera, PowerPlay, Donzi, Formula, or even Baja & Fountain.)

Something with 2-3 seasons on it, with mild power like 496HO or maybe 500/525EFI (will be tougher to insure). The key to affording insurance, and just getting insurance for that matter; is staying under 75mph as the top speed of your boat, and yes, the insurance brokers have speed calculators. Extended Warranty is your friend.

Center Consoles are great boats, but if your heart is set on a go-fast, don't by a CC and waste your time and money.

My heart is set on a high performance boat. I guess Ill just keep my eye out for something like a nice used 24' pantera or a 271 formula....Thanks for all the help guys hope to see you on the water soon!

Take your time looking and try to find a good deal for yourself. I am 38 and when I was 21-22 I had no idea how to afford all of the toys I have now. It will all come in due time. As some one else said " just being out on the water is what is most inportant".
Good luck.....

Im going to keep looking till I find exactly what I like, I already know I prefer to stand then sit and I would prefer some type of cabin I am actually really impressed with my cousins 353 Fastech and honestly it would be the perfect size and setup besides the fact that I want a little more speed and a little less size for my first boat....Oh and the price