Comparing the cost of a boat to using a guide service

[Curlytail]

I don't need a 70k boat to catch crappie. There is alot cheaper boats out there. Start small & work your way up.

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[Cane Pole]

I piddle with my boat more than I fiddle with the fish. I feel blessed to still be able to do both activities. I have had a great life.

I like to look at new boats and trucks. Don't need either.

[slabbandit]

A lot of good thoughts guys. I’ll Probally keep the guide route in place until I retire. Then take another look at my situation at that point. Another factor I have to consider is I had a blood clot on my brain a year and and a half ago resulting in a massive stroke. My family does not want me fishing by myself. So there’s another vote for the guide trip route. Another factor is my abilities to catch fish compared to my guide. Just a lot to consider. Like I said keep the pros and cons coming. Good stuff guys.

I try to wear my inflatable PFD most of the time, especially in the colder months. I have 2 total knee replacements and can be a little clumsy moving around in a boat. I took a bad spill the other day ending up head first down in the cockpit area! I took my seat off the pedestal so I could safely drive and walked backwards and tripped over the pedestal! Definately a good reason to go with a guide or fishing partner.

[slabbandit]

I love to fish and do it as often as I can which is 3-5 times a week when possible! I work hard for what I got and I keep my priorities straight God , family, fun I am very blessed and I now fish out of a 2021 Phoenix 819 pro . Do I need a boat that nice to catch fish! Absolutely not. But I am only going to live once and I’m going to enjoy while I can I sure ant going to make it just for someone else to blow. .This boat will last me for the rest of my life . The enjoyment of being on the water whether with myself my wife or my friends is just so absolutely refreshing and enjoyable to me so I think it’s worth every penny I spend . Yes things are so expensive now but enjoy life to the fullest while you can as long as you do it wisely and stay within your means . If you only get to go a few times a year then the guide route would be the way to go.

I know what you mean Slabprowler. I pretty much quit fishing for several years as my old stick steering Tracker got turned into a duck hunting boat. Last year I bought a new Ranger 188P with a 115 Merc. I live less than a quarter mile from the boat ramp on Lake Nimrod in Arkansas. I've retired a little early as I had to have 2 total knee replacements and I have hypertension. I've been fishing a lot since we got the new boat. Other than bowhunting it's my favorite thing to do.

[DockShootinJack]

However you do it. You certainly have to enjoy the time you have

[Barnacle Bill]

I'm supprised no one mentioned the emergency fishing trips. We all have them. You know how it goes. There you are toolin along minding your own business when someone mentions the magic word. (Its different for everyone) Anyway you hear it and wham you have to go fishin and you have to go right now. You call your guide but he is busy and you can't find anyone else. Then you realize, darn I should have bought that boat. You can buy a real nice boat for less than 20K but of course upkeep will probably run you a million or so a year. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

[Snubby]

I get bored sometimes and peruse the new boats. I like to fish big open water, and I like capable boats, get you back in comfort even if the wind kicks up - so I have expensive taste.
But dang, some of the ones I looked at STARTED at over $100,000 and get this - you could finance for I believe 18 years. With a $1,500 down payment, you could have a payment like $970 a month. For 18 years lol.
I’m gonna go home and hug my 20 year old boat haha


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I hear ya on pursuing new interest. Been shopping new boats for 3 year's. Nice to look at and all but I ain't paying it. My boat is 32 year's old and other than that 91 model two stroke thinking gas is still 90 cents a gallon it's pretty reliable. Few hours and few hundred a year on maintenance.

And as far as those loan terms being for an 18 year old, I envy them. Heck when I was 18 both job's I had wouldn't cover that note by a long shot.

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[Slab Apprentice]

If you’re okay with fishing once per quarter, that makes perfect sense. If you’re like me and have to go several times per month, owning a boat is the way to go.

I will say, like anything else it can be done much cheaper. I fish out of a 40 year old jon boat, but have livescope. I catch more crappie than a lot of people with the $100k rigs because I put in the time and learn the fish.


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[Slab Apprentice]

A lot of good thoughts guys. I’ll Probally keep the guide route in place until I retire. Then take another look at my situation at that point. Another factor I have to consider is I had a blood clot on my brain a year and and a half ago resulting in a massive stroke. My family does not want me fishing by myself. So there’s another vote for the guide trip route. Another factor is my abilities to catch fish compared to my guide. Just a lot to consider. Like I said keep the pros and cons coming. Good stuff guys.

Sorry to hear about your stroke man. Will pray for you! I had open heart last year and know heart problems are no fun. Hope you catch a bunch whether guided or otherwise


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[skeetbum]

I’ve had several things, first being a good life with a good wife who hasn’t set foot in my boat 10 times in 43 years. But she won’t tell me not to go unless it’s just plain stupid or we have something planned that I forgot. I know……what, me forget? As I stated in a post earlier today, I’ve been treated well. While I don’t have everything there is, I’ve always had what I needed. Apparently, I’ve needed a boat most of my life. I’ve usually found my boats for a deal so I’ve had good equipment for a fair price, nothing near 70,000 for all of them combined so far. And to get to my point, I’ve also had several health issues in the last 5 years and I’m very fortunate to be drawing breath while I type this. Me without a boat would be a diminished quality of life. I fished 3 times in two days last weekend. My boat isn’t fancy, a sixteen foot Jon with a tiller 25 and an Ipilot. I bought it at nineteen years old with 35 hours on it, then added a few things to make it mine. I’ve used a guide a few times and will use them again when needed. I release most of my fish so it’s not the meat I’m after. My wife and I talk of this some and I tell her that as long as I’m able, I’m going to go. When it’s not safe for me to do this alone in my own boat, I’ll step out of it and sell it. God has already kept you in his hand by getting you through your stroke, and I have no doubt he will guide you through this decision of what’s best for you. I’ve enjoyed reading all the thoughts on this, it’s nice to know I’m not alone.