I have the same spring craziness but I have managed to fight it off
  the last three years .nPrior to that about every three years I would
  Buy a new Lund 16 to 18 ' fishing boat , usually get away under 30 k .
    The other problem here with used is people payed way to much
    retail on the original purchase .....I would shop the boat shows
     see what I like , get a price , then go to Fort Quappelle Sask
     and save 7-8 k on the boat . But the 2003 .....20 k boat started
      to push 40 k in 2014 ....
       We decided a couple of trips to a lodge up north will probably
         cover us ...

Boats are certainly an expensive toy. Personnel I don't think a person is doing a bad thing by financing yourself a boat. If looked after a boat will last you many, many years. 20 years service out of a looked after boat is not unreasonable to expect. It's all what's important to you. I'm certainly not suggesting a young person to go out and finance a $50,000 boat like some do but for a young family with steady income 25 - 30 is not a bad thing. People think nothing of buying a vehicle for 50-75 grand no one blinks an eye at it and most only drive that vehicle for 7-8 years then it's on again. Why is it people freak when someone purchases a boat for 35 and expects to keep it for 20. Why do we work so hard if we can't enjoy some of the fruits of our labour. What good is that huge nest egg at the end of life if you never bothered to enjoy yourself along the way. For a young couple that work hard with a young family that enjoy the outdoors to me 35 grand for the family to enjoy themselves is not selfish nor stupid, it's an investment in the family. Most working families with steady income can sock away 10 grand quite easy. If one has an older boat to sell, sell it get 3 or 4 for it, scratch up another 6 that's 10 down, finance 25 over 5 or 8 years it's very affordable and you have family enjoyment for many years for a couple years of sacrifice. I'm not into people blowing all their money but gee whiz what's the point of living if your not living.
There are some decent used buys out there if you keep in the market and finance on hand ready. Last year our oldest boy was in the market we both watched the adds and with in a month he found his boat. He bought a 1 year old 16' Lund SS with 50hp 4 stroke Merc loaded unit very nice little boat for 15 grand. He put 5 down put it over 5 years he's got his machine. He spent a couple more dollars and put a nice bow mount and humming bird unit on it but  he's set for the next 10-15 years. He and the family get hours of family fun out of that purchase and why not. When we are old and the kids are gone and all we have is that nice nest egg for the old lady and yourself to enjoy,, big deal, the kids are gone, the grandkids can't stand you cause your old and smell, what good is that nest egg. If a new or newer boat is what you want then go for it, don't be an old man sitting back saying should of could of,  enjoy yourself man. In 10 years when that boat is paid for and sitting there you won't even remember what you paid for it.

I am constantly scouring the boat markets and boat reviews and am a member on a couple west coast sites and boat sites so I get a lot of info, boats are definetly one of my things. As far as west coast boats go there is definitely a lot of junk out there but at the same time there is the odd good buy that comes by now and again. A boat is like any machine when it's used it's not hard to tell if it was loved or if it was used hard and put away wet and not cared for. Regardless of how well it's  been cleaned up for the sale if you look hard you can tell the life it's had. Momma and I plan on getting ourselves a bigger boat in the coming years, maybe 5 maybe 10 not sure but it's coming, something in the 24-26' range maybe glass maybe alum, just depends. Not even sure if it will be used or new. I do know if it's used it will have to be in top shape as I don't like junk in the yard. I would expect it to be in the 80-150 range just depends. But I'll tell you this when I do pull the trigger there will be no regrets. A nice big boat like that that will fit the family and a few grandkids enjoying the day with papa in the boat to me that's what life is about. As a family unit we will get more enjoyment out of that than a cabin on the lake or some useless piece of realestate no one uses or like many people buy a motor home for 150 grand. I mean each to his own if that's what you are into giver don't hold back but again at the same time never think the guy that does dump 150 on a boat is crazy. Again what else do we work for. The boat I plan to get will definetly be used in cold lake as well if we are still here or the Great Lakes of we head east either way a hull designed to take water is a hull designed to take water doesn't matter where that water is.
Just my opinion on the matter not that it counts lol.

Boats are certainly an expensive toy. Personnel I don't think a person is doing a bad thing by financing yourself a boat. If looked after a boat will last you many, many years. 20 years service out of a looked after boat is not unreasonable to expect. It's all what's important to you. I'm certainly not suggesting a young person to go out and finance a $50,000 boat like some do but for a young family with steady income 25 - 30 is not a bad thing. People think nothing of buying a vehicle for 50-75 grand no one blinks an eye at it and most only drive that vehicle for 7-8 years then it's on again. Why is it people freak when someone purchases a boat for 35 and expects to keep it for 20. Why do we work so hard if we can't enjoy some of the fruits of our labour. What good is that huge nest egg at the end of life if you never bothered to enjoy yourself along the way. For a young couple that work hard with a young family that enjoy the outdoors to me 35 grand for the family to enjoy themselves is not selfish nor stupid, it's an investment in the family. Most working families with steady income can sock away 10 grand quite easy. If one has an older boat to sell, sell it get 3 or 4 for it, scratch up another 6 that's 10 down, finance 25 over 5 or 8 years it's very affordable and you have family enjoyment for many years for a couple years of sacrifice. I'm not into people blowing all their money but gee whiz what's the point of living if your not living.
There are some decent used buys out there if you keep in the market and finance on hand ready. Last year our oldest boy was in the market we both watched the adds and with in a month he found his boat. He bought a 1 year old 16' Lund SS with 50hp 4 stroke Merc loaded unit very nice little boat for 15 grand. He put 5 down put it over 5 years he's got his machine. He spent a couple more dollars and put a nice bow mount and humming bird unit on it but  he's set for the next 10-15 years. He and the family get hours of family fun out of that purchase and why not. When we are old and the kids are gone and all we have is that nice nest egg for the old lady and yourself to enjoy,, big deal, the kids are gone, the grandkids can't stand you cause your old and smell, what good is that nest egg. If a new or newer boat is what you want then go for it, don't be an old man sitting back saying should of could of,  enjoy yourself man. In 10 years when that boat is paid for and sitting there you won't even remember what you paid for it.

   I hear ya Walleyes and something like what your son did is pretty reasonable and get's the family out.  That type of purchase isn't what I'm really talking about at all. 

   The prices sure have to have seemed to get a bit out of control for the most part.  Eventually the right deal will come along, I've narrowed it down to a very specific simple boat and I'm gonna find one  .

   I was thinking though, that's gotta be the definition of "first world problems" when a guy can vent about looking for a boat.  Shame on me ha. 

   

 

My baby is officially on the market.



Asking $41,500.00 OBO.
For sale 2006 - Lund, 2000 Fisherman with 2006 175hp Evenrude ETec with 257 running hrs and 9.9hp Johnson 4 stroke kicker hours unknown but a few. Comes on a tandem axle double bunk Ezee Loader trailer with oil bath hubs with electric over hydraulic breaks, new bearings last summer. This is a well-equipped 20’ deep V fishing boat. Equipment includes - Garmin 340C Fish finder, Garmin GPSMap 392 with chip for most of Vancouver Island waters, Sony 2 speaker stereo system, Lowrance LVR-850 VHF radio with 5' marine fold down antenna, Trollmaster Pro 2 electronic remote throttle adjustment on trolling motor. Trolling motor also has separate manual control at helm, steering is tied in with rod to main engine. 2 Scotty 1101 electric Downriggers with swivel bases. 3 Scotty rod holders with flush mounted brackets. 12 V Minn Kota Powerdive V2 55lb thrust bow mounted trolling motor with transducer for bow mounted Lowrance Elite 3X fish finder. Full Bimini top with rocket launchers. 2 aerated live wells, boat comes with all factory covers including snap on travel cover, 4 swivel seats, full snap in bow cushions. Will come with all equipment, buoys, ropes, paddle, navigation lights. Main engine is low hour for year as many hours were spent trolling or anchored casting. This boat has been impeccably maintained both mechanically and aesthetically throughout its life as I am the original buyer / owner and I am very picky. It has always been stored in doors in heated shop. There are some areas of minor wear and some small areas with paint bubbled do to the boat being used on the salt water a few times. Not because it wasn’t washed and cleaned after each trip those that know will know that with aluminum and salt water this just happens. Boat was stripped and washed in every corner after returning home and engines flushed beyond need. Boat is clean inside and out shows close to new it must be seen to be appreciated for its age I can give references from people that used this boat with me to confirm. Boat crosses over very nicely from family cruiser to big water fishing boat. Fished the west coast of Vancouver Island and inside waters with ease. I have nothing to hide and will be fully honest and go through all aspects of boat with potential buyers. This boat is set up for fishing by a fisherman. Well over $80,000.00 today the way it is equipped more next year with pending trade tariffs why pay that when this one shows almost new and engines are low houred. I am selling as the family is grown and gone and I am stepping up to a bigger coastal boat. Very serious inquires only please and no low ballers I’m in no rush to sell, boat is long paid for.

My baby is officially on the market.



Asking $41,500.00 OBO.
For sale 2006 - Lund, 2000 Fisherman with 2006 175hp Evenrude ETec with 257 running hrs and 9.9hp Johnson 4 stroke kicker hours unknown but a few. Comes on a tandem axle double bunk Ezee Loader trailer with oil bath hubs with electric over hydraulic breaks, new bearings last summer. This is a well-equipped 20’ deep V fishing boat. Equipment includes - Garmin 340C Fish finder, Garmin GPSMap 392 with chip for most of Vancouver Island waters, Sony 2 speaker stereo system, Lowrance LVR-850 VHF radio with 5' marine fold down antenna, Trollmaster Pro 2 electronic remote throttle adjustment on trolling motor. Trolling motor also has separate manual control at helm, steering is tied in with rod to main engine. 2 Scotty 1101 electric Downriggers with swivel bases. 3 Scotty rod holders with flush mounted brackets. 12 V Minn Kota Powerdive V2 55lb thrust bow mounted trolling motor with transducer for bow mounted Lowrance Elite 3X fish finder. Full Bimini top with rocket launchers. 2 aerated live wells, boat comes with all factory covers including snap on travel cover, 4 swivel seats, full snap in bow cushions. Will come with all equipment, buoys, ropes, paddle, navigation lights. Main engine is low hour for year as many hours were spent trolling or anchored casting. This boat has been impeccably maintained both mechanically and aesthetically throughout its life as I am the original buyer / owner and I am very picky. It has always been stored in doors in heated shop. There are some areas of minor wear and some small areas with paint bubbled do to the boat being used on the salt water a few times. Not because it wasn’t washed and cleaned after each trip those that know will know that with aluminum and salt water this just happens. Boat was stripped and washed in every corner after returning home and engines flushed beyond need. Boat is clean inside and out shows close to new it must be seen to be appreciated for its age I can give references from people that used this boat with me to confirm. Boat crosses over very nicely from family cruiser to big water fishing boat. Fished the west coast of Vancouver Island and inside waters with ease. I have nothing to hide and will be fully honest and go through all aspects of boat with potential buyers. This boat is set up for fishing by a fisherman. Well over $80,000.00 today the way it is equipped more next year with pending trade tariffs why pay that when this one shows almost new and engines are low houred. I am selling as the family is grown and gone and I am stepping up to a bigger coastal boat. Very serious inquires only please and no low ballers I’m in no rush to sell, boat is long paid for.

Does this mean your bigger offshore boat is now in the works?  Be curious to hear what youre looking at.  Ive been contemplating getting an ocean boat and spending the summers guiding out of Rupert or hardy instead of doing the ol pipeline thing all summer.  I just got back from Rupert and took my wife out for the first time with a buddy that guides out there, her direct comment was that I should consider doing it for the summers as she has never seen me as happy as when we were out on the ocean.  That and she said as soon as we got across the rockies I was instantly in a worse mood, lol, I told her that's because I turned my phone back on to half a dozen voicemails and a couple hundred emails from work lol.

Bottom fishing was phenominal.  Four of us had lots of lings and then it was so calm we bombed off shore a fair ways and anchored up for hali.  The first day it took us maybe 40 min to get 2 overs and 2 unders.  The second day it took us maybe 1.5 hours to do the same but that was because we had to weed through probably 10 or 12 fish that were just barely into the over size (around that 90cm size) before we got one at 110 to finish our hali's.  Coho are stupid late coming down so we only picked up 6 or 7 through the first 2 days of fishing.  The springs were closed till our last day out, but we did get lots of them.  The last day we each got our 1 spring to bring home, I had the biggest at about 25 pounds.  Lots of crabs and the most prawns I have ever got this year to, between the 2 couples, we brought home close to 30 pounds of prawns.  Out of the 4 of us that went, I was the only one who had ever been out salmon fishing so I just sat back mostly.  The only time I grabbed a salmon rod in the 3 days just happened to be the biggest fish haha.

What are some sites online to look for boats out there?  I'd look to a similar boat like you are, my only stipulation though would be for outboards over inboards. 

Rupert was 2 per day/4 retention until this year when DFO had the closure of any retention from June something until July 10.  Then it opened to 1 per day/2 possession.  It was definetly disappointing but I don't go out there for the single aspect of filling the freezer, its a nice bonus, but doesn't make or break a trip for me.  Im not a fan of people who think they can treat the ocean as their whipping boy and bring home anything and everything they can.  If you personally eat it all then ok, but most people don't.  Its the same mentality (along with mis-management) that has hurt our lakes.  Rupert is a beautiful place and I highly suggest hitting it up one year, its partly about the adventure so why not try all the places out.  I would love to go back to bella coola, when I use to work at a fly in salmon lodge on the coast that's where the float plane came in and out of.  Havent been back since but I would love to.

I agree mike no need to fill the freezer but it still nice to have some reward. That's why I like to chase Chinook, they are the best fight when you latch into a 25-30 pound fish and if a couple people go and you can come home with 8, 15-  20 pound fish it's a nice amount. Can some, smoke some, fillet some it's a nice variety. I enjoy wild game fish is no different, mix in some moose meat, some salmon, some Walleye and some wild bird for the year, makes for some good organic food for the year. Keeps a person off the package poison as much as possible. This day and age 75% of those fish are hatchery anyways, it's a put and take fishery, very, very few wild strains left it's pretty much a big stocked trout pond.

     Oh man that is a Beauty of a boat and as I've said before it would be dream boat for me. 

       I'd love to march into the bank right now to be completely honest.  The hard truth though is it is very surplus to my needs and my budget.  I don't think you should have a hard time finding a buyer though.  When I originally posted about spending 25  g on a ten year old Lund I wasn't talking about a boat in that class for sure.

      If anyone is wondering what Walleyes boat would put a guy back these days,  look up a 20' Tyee and do a price comparison.  They are basically the same boat.  Keep in mind those prices don't include all the goodies.