New Boat Opinions??

[gfakkema]

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[sickbayer]

Sickbayer, I saw that too, but it's just a little too big. Can't logistically tow something that big with our current rig. Mike and nate are right too, if it was my money, I'd go get what I wanted, but it's shared money, so unfortunately, she's got a say. She also said I could temporarily delay on getting her a ring in order to make this purchase, and she's also determined to make a purchase before the beginning of the season (next month or so). What can I say, I got a keeper. She'd rather have a new boat over a shiny ring, stoked! Still not sure what I want to do yet. Trying to convince her that the smoker is worth it, but it's just not flying. Why do women have to be so logical?

My misses is so logical I don't tell her what I buy lol....but seems you do have a keeper there. I will say delay until you 100% certain on the purchase otherwise buyers remorse may be around the corner.

[jd39]

The polar kraft looked like a good boat but if its not what you want its not what you want. You seem pretty torn about it so have to agree with other posters, slow down, haggle, look at other boats. Wether its $10 or $15k its a lot of money and you should be as sure as you can be. You don't seem sure about the polar kraft.

[gfakkema]

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[sickbayer]

What smoker craft are we talking about, model I mean?

[Mike Carey]

I like the car analogy (I drive a Hyundai, LOL). We're all quick to spend your money, aren't we? I guess the best argument to make from a finance point of view is that on a 10 year boat loan, putting the $10 K down and financing 5 K the payments would be incredibly small, and, odds are you could (if you chose to), pay it off early in a few years as your situation changed. Well, that would be the way to argue from a practicle side anyway. Either that or have the saleman talk to your GF.

[gfakkema]

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[Mike Carey]

ah, negotiations with the significant other, we've all been there. Good luck!

[Bodofish]

Selling ones soul for the toy..........

[MotoBoat]

@sickbayer, it's the lodge 160.
@Mike, I agree with you on the financing thing. It looks like I may end up outing $5k down, and financing the rest. I have been working on the girlfriend about this all night and she is just starting to talk about it and looking at the brochure for smoker. The deal breaker is that if I get the boat, she wants the ring too. Hence the $5k down, and spending the other $5k on the ring. This boat is getting more expensive by the minute! Hopefully the ring talk will help blind her to how much I want to spend on the boat, haha!

I don't know if shopping for a 15K boat, at the same time as a 5K ring is a "good" idea. Somehow the cost of that ring could easily bump up, once the shopping begins. Just like the boat did.......LOL! Once the four "C's" of the diamond are established. Cost between the same size rocks, but one having better color, cost is significant. Plus 5K does not = 15K, that's like one of you is getting the Hiundia, while the other get's the Caddy. One gets pancakes, the other get's to eat lobster. One goes to the thrift store for clothes, the other loads up the Nordstrom's card.

She may say it's okay, but you better cover your bases. By making certain you could sleep on the boat! Either plan on being in debt for a while. Or perhaps, consider the upper end cost of the ring in the equation of the boat purchase too.

Be smart. Be patient. Work some dealers against each other for the best boat deal. Heck, do the same with Jewelers. Get more for less!

Did you by chance, go to the boat show?

[natetreat]

Try to have her keep in mind that those big diamonds are a PIA to wear. They snag up on sweaters, make doing the dishes a pain and give you arthritis of the ring finger. They scratch stuff too. My wife downsized hers because the big diamond was too annoying. Plus, you can't catch fish or ski behind a diamond! Save your money for the wedding and honeymoon, because those things aren't cheap.

[gfakkema]

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[Gringo Pescador]

Just read through this thread, if you have doubts, hold off. You said you have a boat already right? So it's not like you are stuck on the bank.

Take the time to do your homework and save your pennies. The more you hold off, the more you save, the more you know and the better your position when you come across the right deal. People never stop selling stuff and if you are patient, keep your eyes open and are ready to jump, a deal will eventually come your way.

Put all your ducks in a row. If you are getting a loan, get pre approved and have all the paperwork you need in hand. Find out exactly what is required to complete the loan, for instance, with BECU they require different things form a dealer and a private party sale. Some of it was standard stuff, but some caught me off guard so was glad I had the list (for instance, they require registration and title for the boat AND the trailer, proof of insurance, year, make & SN of the motor, etc.) They gave me a list and even printed the blank Dept of licensing bill of sale form for me so I was able to put everything together.

Keep an eye on CL and be ready to jump when a deal hits it (and I mean jump - I found & lost "my" boat once already, guy listed it on Friday, called him and got the address, I showed up at noon on Saturday and it was sold at 9am TO A GUY WHO DROVE UP FROM OREGON )

If you are willing to travel, here is a website I use a lot http://www.searchtempest.com/ it is a CL search engine. You put in your zip code, how far you are willing to travel and whatever you are looking for and it searches ALL of the CL listings within that range.

Hope this helps!

[rseas]

Sorry this is so short but I'm in a rush to get out the door. I noticed that the PolarCraft has hatches at each seat location so it will be difficult to install seats and a day on the water will be less than comfortable.

[Mike Carey]

The deeper angle on the bow will make it go through chop easier. The Smokercraft bow is pretty similar to my Klamath. I don't recall my hull thickness, but it is thin enough that I have a few dents (didn't help running it up on shallows a couple times as I was learning how to run a river (it's got a jet pump). So a thick hull is a good thing I'd say. My boat is around 17 years old, welded, and has a couple leaks (kinda like the owner). Nothing lasts forever.

[sickbayer]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/3559857540.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is not a bad deal either, in fact I'd buy it if I had room for two boats. It's got everything you need to go fishing, granted it's a foot small.

[hewesfisher]

Don't buy a boat you already have regrets about, it will only get worse. You need to shop more before making a purchase decision, check these ads and make some phone calls.

http://www.clemensmarina.com/details.php?id=245" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.clemensmarina.com/details.php?id=222" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.clemensmarina.com/details.php?id=460" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2012- ... -100209497" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How old is your Legacy and what is it's max rated tow capacity? This needs to be paramount in your boat buying process. My wife's '08 Outback is limited to 1000lbs max towing weight if the trailer does not have brakes and 2700lbs with trailer brakes. This applies to 2.5l and 3.0l models with manual and automatic transmissions for '08 except the 3.0l max tow weight goes up to 3000lbs. Max stated towing capacity is with driver only, full fuel tank, and no passengers or cargo in your tow vehicle. For every 100lbs you add to your car you need to reduce your towed weight an equal amount. You must factor the boat/trailer/motor/gear weight into your purchase decision.

As for diamond rings, this is how my wife of 34yrs handles that, she wears them and get's fish slime on them.

[gfakkema]

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[sickbayer]

I understand your concerns with the used boat, i plan on buying a new boat since i am going to an outboard and know nothing about them. The only way i wouldnt buy new is if i found a superb deal out there. It does sound lie the smoker craft may be best suited to your needs.

[gfakkema]

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