should I sell my boat ?

I am going through the " should I sell my boat"question . I love to go fishing ....even if I don't catch many fish. I have gotten older and "the pretty lady " says I have to go with a friend. I realize I am a little uneven on my feet and have reached a time when I am not as nimble on my feet. I guess at 78 this comes with the territory. Of course , not much you can do about it. The desire is still there and I am afraid that if I get rid of my boat, I will regret it . I have lots of friends that I can fish with , but will always want to fish like I want to. My boat is mine and is paid for and is exactly what I wanted in a boat. However with the weather, muddy and high water and chances to go fewer and further apart. I guess all that added up to the question :DO I REALLY NEED THE BOAT. I guess there is really not a clear answer. This may be the wrong time to make this decision.....Thanks guys.....trying to think out loud.......crappie1133

keep the boat. a buddy and myself are over 70 and have a great time. look after each other and have fun!!!!!!! may not last much longer............

keep the boat

Keep the boat. Weather will turn better, find for a teenager that wants to learn to fish, and Kaboom, as Ketchn says, you will be glad you did. I am 71 and lucky to have a brother a couple of years younger to fish with and get the boat ready and in the water.


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

i dont know if your in nwtn but im buying a new boat by the end of the month more than welcome to tag along anytime

Come to Arkansas we fish every day I'm home

I'm with everyone else. Keep it. Like you said, it is "paid for". Unless it is costing you a boat load of money to maintain every year, is an eye sore, or you have little to no space to store it, it probably isn't hurting you to keep it. Even if you can only use it every once and awhile.

I say this: Keep the boat and use it when you can but, dedicate yourself to fish MORE. Even if this means seeking out others to fish with. This does two things... Gets you out on the water more doing something you like... reinvigerates the fire! You might surprise yourself with just how much you use it after that.

Find a young man in the area that appears to have the desire but might not have the means. Off to tutor him. You get a chance to go fishing, have someone younger with you that can HELP you, and you get to pass on your knowledge and skills. Not just fishing but also life in general!

Crappie1133, before going any further, stop. Have you posted on the Virginia board, that you are looking for people to go with you? Also, you mention that you like how you fish. Here is an opportunity to teach others, your style of fishing. And along the way make new friendships. And yes, you might learn some things from them.

It's paid for, keep it

Keep it

Odds are it's the boat that helped you be 78 years young. If stability is the problem trade to a panfisher stick steer where you operate solely from the belly of the boat.

Sent from my E6810 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Keep the boat .

Keep it ,no doubt . Any fishing clubs in your area ?

I'm 76 and I've only used mine a couple of times this past year, that said I wouldn't part with it for anything.

Keep it.

Keep it if you don't need the money and it's not a burden. Half of my enjoyment is this just thinking about going out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you're tired and ready to lay down and call it a day let her go but the water will go down and the lakes will clear. There are still good days to be had that doesn't
involve a recliner. Recliners are death traps.

I have one question for you? When you plan a fishing trip, do you sleep sound the night before, don't wake and look at the clock? If you sleep sound and don't wake........SELL THE BOAT.........if you don't keep it.:Rofl

Keep it. I have several older friends who fish together but each from their own boat. They help one another launching and loading, which is where most accidents happen. They may fish all day within talking distance or venture out a bit, but always let one another know where they are going.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My family will have to sell my boat after I'm gone.... i won't sell it before.

You pretty much walked in a bar and asked if you should have a drink. There's pretty much only one answer that you're going to get. :biggrin

I have mine in a slip at the marina so it's no big deal to drive down and take it out and put it back in the slip. So if the towing, unloading and re-loading is a big concern (which for me it was) that will pretty much take care of that problem. For my location it's only about $5 dollars a day money well spent knowing that I can literally be fishing in about a hours time no matter when I decide to go.

Keep it !!

I wouldn't sale the boat. Find someone to go with you.
LittleJohn

Keep the boat! You know the weather will get better and then you'd hate yourself for
selling it. Also if you have any local grandchildren, like I do, and they'd like to get out
once in awhile, you'll always have somebody who can launch and retrieve it for you, if
you take the time to teach them! I'm 79, with a defibrillator and a couple of new knees,
and yeah I'm a little shakey at times, but I've never regretted having my leaky Lena!

Keep it and find a teenage boy to take with you and teach him all you can. Not only will this pass on the sport, but it'll also get you a buddy that'll always be ready to go.

Keep the boat! Walt & I are 74 and we're still getting out there. Agreed, doctor's appointments and weather up here don't do us any favors, but we manage to get out fairly often. If you want to be able to keep at it longer, get into a regiment of exercise. The VA has me on a 3/4 hr. workout, with rubber bands, every other day (at our age we need a day to recuperate in between workouts!). Has helped me tremendously with snowblowing and lawn mowing. If you are not a member of the VA, there are a lot of local organizations than can help you get into shape and stay that way. What have you got to loose, except the thrill & excitement of the "THUMP". :)

catchNgrease- That is exacyly what I have -A TRACKER 17' PANFISHER- fishes great. Thanks to all who took the time to offer their support and great suggestions. Now more than ever I want to go fishing Thanks again guys......crappie1133

Keep it, I agree with the others, I,m most certain you,d miss it once it was gone.

Keep it and "go when you can cuz its good fer ya" as one fisherman says :ThumbsUp

Yes Keep it !!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I pray that when I’m your age, if the Good Lord lets me get there, I’ll be able to still go! Like everyone has said, you’ll Definitely regret it if you sell it. What a better way to enjoy Gods creations than going fishing [emoji16]


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Yes like everyone said "Keep It" go on and fish like you want to. Life is short and your not going no were till it's your time. Give several people out where you fish your cell phone number and get there's. I have several peoples numbers in my phone that fish the lake I fish and even the ranger's phone number if I was to have a problem out on the lake I could have more people than you could imagine coming to my rescue and I am there for them also if they have a problem.:twocents

I say keep it. If you can find a younger person or grandson that doesn't have a boat available strike up a friendship. When you decide you can't fish anymore, donate the boat to him unless you need the money. You will have made a friend for life and will have fish brought to you already cleaned.
"gene"

Sell it!!................Just kidding [emoji23]
Keep it. Many good arguments have been made in previous posts.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

My neighbor is 85 and I carry him most of the time with me. I carry a 2 step stool to help him get in and out and he sits in the left seat and fishes from there and not ever have to stand up. He has a nice stick steer and when he gets in it he does not ever have to move until it is time to take out. That my be an option. Like as said find someone younger to go with you and teach him to fish like you do. Don't give it up until you have no choice. If you do you will regret it.

Dont go fishing -- Become a Pirate and go Plunder those that have caught fish - Misery in your wake and Bounty for the Frier ... Paint the Skull and Crossbones on both sides.. and fly the Flag, shooting Bottle Rockets across the Bow... No Mercy !!!!

I will turn 77 the 13th of this mo. and I just bought a new boat. I am going to go as hard as I can as long as I can. I still fish sometimes by myself but my wife don't thank I should. I think I will go tomorrow.

I have a comment on both sides of that fence. Met a financially comfortable man in TN that had issues keeping his boat stored and maintained. Then would travel for a while and vandals got into it once. He cut a deal with a local guide and got a better rate because he was competent and frequent. Sold his boat about two years before and said it was the right choice for him. Down side was that to fish was $175 every time he went.

My wife and I have had this conversation. She has put the choice in my hands and I’m keeping. My knees and lower back give me a fit now and then and I fish alone a lot. Our outcome of the conversation was that I’ll fish alone and keep a boat as long as I can. There will come a day when I’m no longer able, and I dread that day.

What has been said about mentoring is the strongest argument that I can think of. I find great reward in teaching but also realize the limits of my patience. So many young people don’t have the avenue to learn what we do, and who knows which life you will touch. Young or old, somebody has to get them started. I just heard of someone that took an older gent with no financial issues but didn’t know how to hold a reel. The trip was unusual with the guest basically starting at ground zero. So to close, given the chance to keep it and fish as you want to from time to time, keep the boat and change the way you look for who will be in the second seat. Or teach them the first seat and you relax and fish.

Several years ago I met someone that offered to show me around the lake he fishes. We ended up fishing together for years. One time we would use his boat and the next time we would use my boat. That lasted until he passed away. It became a 3some once my wife could go. We have many good memories. Now it is my wife and me plus a grandchild. Got a new boat last summer, actually my wife was very much in favor of the new boat. It is longer (1 ft 5 in) and wider (8 in). A much better ride.

My advise is to find someone like I did. You won't regret it.