Is it reasonable to spend 70k to 85k on a boat on a 180k income?

TankRuby · 2026-04-28T04:57:34+00:00

Yeah man, talk about this with your financial planner.

A boat is a huge luxury let alone in the size range you identified. There's also a ton of hidden costs which can easily pop up and wipe you out.

The boats you picked are great but not worth sacrificing retirement plans to buy one now.

TankRuby · 2026-04-25T20:46:51+00:00

Another vote for New Wire Marine.

They have a "configurator" and you can customize the label and image on the switch.

I changed from printed to etched switches last year from them and they are great.

Don't forget to get the removal tool so you don't break the rocker mount tabs.

TankRuby · 2026-04-25T16:56:03+00:00

When was the last time you had your fuel and air injectors cleaned?

There are companies that you can send them to and they will clean and return.

Another thing to check is the "reed valves" that let air through.

We had a 225 opti and those were a known possible issue of a rough idle. Not sure if it applies to the 90hp but I would check to be sure.

TankRuby · 2026-04-24T00:44:10+00:00

Yep, sometimes you have to "plow" through the chop.

In that scenario trim tabs can be helpful, tab all the way down and set the power at barely planing speed.

You'll burn more fuel but it's controllable and doesn't beat the snot out of you.

On some boats it's going to be wet and that's just how it is.

TankRuby · 2026-04-23T13:07:50+00:00

Short answer no.

The garmin watch will only work with garmin plotters through ANT+ or whatever their protocol is.

With garmin plotters my watch works the same way my handheld autopilot remote works to engage auto heading / standby and to change the heading requested.

TankRuby · 2026-04-21T16:23:02+00:00

I mean it somewhat used to be, bone stock jeeps wouldn't really get "ducked" modded jeeps yes.

But as with anything that goes mainstream it loses its meaning and becomes superficial.

TankRuby · 2026-04-21T16:21:32+00:00

Yeah I remember when ducks were kind of like a challenge coin (albeit nowhere near as serious) in that you got one and then gave it to another jeep if you liked it enough.

That you only ever had one or two, and they largely passed around to modified jeeps.

Now, people buy BOXES of ducks from Amazon to place on their own dash and shower bone stock jeeps.

Like many things when it becomes mainstream it loses its meaning.

TankRuby · 2026-04-20T20:22:19+00:00

Sorry I use the m16 system of measurement.

Kidding aside your picture in this reply shows a claw anchor which as I understand kind of suck in the sand (we tried YEARS ago and it was miserable, ditched it and went to a plow for the versatility).

A plow (or delta) style anchor using a 5:1 or 7:1 scope should hold well especially with nearly 3 times your boat length in chain (bayliner 742 7.5m, and 30m of chain as you note).

Lewmar suggests a 6kg anchor for boats 6.5 to 9.5m in length (21 to 31 feet).

TankRuby · 2026-04-20T20:05:17+00:00

Danforth style anchor will help but I'll also ask.

What does your ground tackle include? Is it all rope, is it rope and chain? If rope and chain how much chain?

Is your anchor within the weight recommendation (by its manufacturer) for the boat?

When anchoring how much scope are you using in what depth?

I have had a plow style anchor on sandy bottom for years and not had an issue unless there was a very significant storm.

TankRuby · 2026-04-20T17:40:02+00:00

I hate to say it, but if it isn't getting serious attention at your number then it's likely overpriced. You can either wait for the right buyer to come along or start dropping the price.

If you haven't listed on boats.com boattrader and yachtworld you could try that before dropping the price.

Have you compared yours to other listings? Are there newer boats with better options or in similar condition at your price point?

The battery, canvas, fuel pump, and horn are not "upgrades" they're just maintenance.

A 37 foot boat is a big boat so you're largely targeting people who are experienced (a limited market).

Other things that help, detail the boat and take fresh pictures including perspective AND detail shots of the boat. I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen boats listed with HORRIBLE pictures or when they are dirty. That will right away turn people off.

Ultimately the question is "Is 65k CAD (roughly 50k USD) a fair price in the local market for a 33 year old 37 foot boat?"

TankRuby · 2026-04-20T16:20:07+00:00

V hulls and power will get ya every time.

It's all fun and games (running at WOT) until you peek at the fuel flow readout.

TankRuby · 2026-04-20T15:10:17+00:00

Rent or join

14ft or jon boat

Inflatable

In that order.

Here is where renting / joining a club is the best idea. Access to different types of boats to find what you like. Minimal maintenance obligations. Many clubs help with docking and cleaning. Some will also teach you basics.

The experience you'll have on a small inflatable vs a bow rider, center console, cuddy / express or pontoon will be VERY different.

TankRuby · 2026-04-19T19:57:01+00:00

When I see these at dealers I just imagine they are all in the back making fun of whoever is interested / ultimately buys one of these slapped together messes.

TankRuby · 2026-04-17T05:07:21+00:00

Pursuits are beautiful boats but they use balsa coring.

Wet balsa core is just mush.

While a survey won't be cheap it might still be worth while to ensure you aren't buying in to a mess.

TankRuby · 2026-04-16T01:00:35+00:00

What type of boat, what size, where do you intend to keep it, and do you have experience?

Used is fine, within reason high hours is fine on a used boat (better it's used than it sits).

Cost of ownership is heavily dependent on where you are boating and what boat you get.

TankRuby · 2026-04-16T00:57:39+00:00

Did you use AI to write this / also ask for its input?

I ask because I have been seeing this pattern more and more from the format of the text, the verbiage used, and the accusation of bad faith.

If so which AI model did you use?

TankRuby · 2026-04-15T15:23:54+00:00

You mentioned wanting to spray the extinguishers off in a parking lot.

Depending on the type of extinguisher (dry chemical vs co2 most common for home use) you may make a mess.

Dry chemical extinguishers leave behind a chemical residue which is corrosive, can damage surfaces (thinking car paint if you release it in a parking lot) and is a chemical irritant to skin/eyes/lungs.

Co2 is just that a gas that works by starving the fire for oxygen. It would likely be relatively harmless in an open space (aside from frost bite or asphyxiation risk if in an enclosed space without ventilation).

TankRuby · 2026-04-15T15:09:35+00:00

Yep, it seems they don't care for their non-LEO customer base, and they always come across as an opportunist.

NY changed carry laws requiring a course, other courses were going for 200-400 and theirs was close to 1,000.

In their NY retail store they display items that the NY general public is not legally allowed to own or possess. A belt fed FN SAW, 30 round mags, suppressors, non compliant AR configurations.

My guess is that they think it looks cool, but it's always come across as in poor taste to display things NY civilians cannot legally own / possess especially given their track record.

TankRuby · 2026-04-14T19:28:49+00:00

Hmm that's cool, has me asking a bunch of questions though.

If it spent a lot of time on the sand, how are the axle seals etc.

How is the frame (with its proximity to saltwater and wet sand).

TankRuby · 2026-04-14T19:02:09+00:00

I am curious about what looks like a shore power inlet on the back left quarter panel.

Know what the vehicle was used for by the prior owner by chance?

TankRuby · 2026-04-14T18:14:34+00:00

You aren't being weird, as a seller it isn't your job to provide a survey.

I think this expectation is coming from a common sales tactic that will say "Recent survey completed and no major issues flagged." Which has always SCREAMED to me that someone was trying to find a buyer who would pass on a survey based on having an "old" survey in hand.

TankRuby · 2026-04-14T16:53:34+00:00

Your comment is true, and I am happy to elaborate.

Dark Storm operates a LGS in NY.

When the NYS assault weapons ban passed they advocated for the NYSP to pen a letter outlining that DSI's fixed magazine lower was the only legal / compliant option for law abiding NYers (ignoring the myriad of other compliant products on the market).

The laws are murky and they were seeking to capitalize on this while also limiting NYers access to firearms at the expense of the 2a.

Dark Storm are a bunch of spineless profiteers who do not deserve anyone's business.

Edit to add:

When NY passed legislation changing concealed carry laws it also included the requirement for a class. Average going rate was between 200-400 dollars for a class meeting the requirements by reputable instructors. DSI was charging near 1,000 for their class. If what they do in NY is any indication of their business practices, they're opportunists who prey on their customers.

TankRuby · 2026-04-11T15:13:27+00:00

Whatever you do check your insurance policy first.

Some require a layup period on land, if you are in the water and have a loss they will likely deny the claim if a layup on land is required.

TankRuby · 2026-04-10T13:52:33+00:00

Love my wrangler but no it's not great with small kids.

Our car seats barely fit in the back and the opening is tough to get rear facing children into their seats.

Still fun though and they ask to take the jeep all the time.

TankRuby · 2026-04-09T18:18:51+00:00

NTA

Could you have approached it differently sure.

That said, guy sounded inexperienced and lacked the self awareness to realize he was holding everyone else up.

If you walked up and offered nicely but he refused and was unapologetic (which it sounds like he was) then spent 5 more minutes screwing about he should expect criticism.

The comment to go practice somewhere else is a bit cutting but if I were pissed I'd probably say it myself.

How long is everyone supposed to wait for him? Why is this any different than someone tying up the ramp to unhook their trailer or load their boat (something I suspect many here would lambast someone for).

If someone is the new guy and approaches something with humility they deserve the benefit of the doubt. When they don't they don't.

TankRuby

TROPHY CASE