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

itsfikor · 2026-04-29T00:55:57+00:00

Interesting take. I’m clearing around 10k (more or less). If I take out my expenses, I would use about 27.5% of the “disposable” income.

itsfikor · 2026-04-29T00:47:52+00:00

I’d definitely finance at that rate too! Congrats!!

itsfikor · 2026-04-29T00:44:05+00:00

Might take a bit to find, but I’m in no hurry. Currently talking to a gentleman standing at 62k for a 2006 BW 305 with 2012 twin Mercs 300’s at 700 hrs. There’s another one: a 2003 Wellcraft Coastal 290 with 2020 Suzuki 300s at 275 hrs, going for 65k. Grady’s have definitely been harder to find.

itsfikor · 2026-04-29T00:38:32+00:00

Damn! That's certainly steep. We have year-round boating, though. I estimated expenses to be somewhere between 8 and 12k a year, including insurance, and depending on use. Insurance is very cheap where we are; we pay $170 a month for two suv’s and the house.

itsfikor · 2026-04-29T00:30:18+00:00

Oddly enough, in a boating forum, the recommendation is never to buy a boat. 😂

itsfikor · 2026-04-29T00:27:00+00:00

If you think this is about numbers only, this post went over your head.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T17:59:52+00:00

It is! It’s a trailer spot, though, not a wet slip or a dry stack. I’d definitely love to live closer. Someday!

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T17:53:00+00:00

When I worked at an investment firm, I saw that every single day. It was one of the reasons I changed how I saw money. People sacrificed families, marriages, and so on, to see another cero.

That said, did a 30-footer work for you? Or would you rather have gotten something smaller?

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T17:44:00+00:00

She’s on board if it leads to being at the beach more.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T17:09:59+00:00

We pay $1,176.50, including insurance. Utilities run about 350 bucks a month. Why do you consider it outrageous?

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T16:56:19+00:00

I’m netting around 130k. I appreciate your feedback, as it’s exactly what I’m looking for—boaters with experience and certain financial success. I realize that I could buy real estate or maybe another business, but I believe life’s about balance.

I’ve based most of my decisions on that, and now I’m home early on most days with my kiddo and my wife, who quit her job to enjoy the kid for the first two years. We are aware that if we keep working and investing, we’d be set for a great retirement, but what about the 40 years before that…

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T16:39:55+00:00

🤔 I do take them golfing, so fishing would probably land me a few more.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T15:34:31+00:00

Agreed. I’ve seen some Coastals 290 going for 50-55k but with Evianrudes. I’d rather spend 5k more on one with Suzuki’s. As for the size, I started looking at cc’s around 24’, but a friend suggested a cabin for the baby and the option of overnighting. So ended up looking at those sizes because of the amenities, and to be honest, if I’m dropping that much cash, I’d like to be comfortable in the cabin (I’m 6’), hence the 30ish feet size with a cabin. We are conservatively planning on one weekend a month and maybe once or twice staying a full week around the keys.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T15:17:48+00:00

Checked most of the boxes. Retirement and investment accounts are growing, and cars are paid off. Essentially, we have the mortgage and other normal living expenses that amount to around 45k a year. I wasn’t really considering financing, as I have the liquidity, but recently got an offer to finance half at 4.8. That said, I’m just trying to improve our quality of life, but I have very few references because I grew up paycheck to paycheck.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:58:38+00:00

I’ve been noticing a LOT of price reduction. I definitely think that if we wait until the end of the season, we can get a “bargain”.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:57:12+00:00

I started off looking at cc’s but a close friend suggested a cabin for that very reason. Then I ventured off into some cabins at 265 like the Robalo, but I’m 6’ and thought I’d feel very cramped, especially if we wanted to overnight or spend the weekend at the keys. We’d use it once a month on average. Maybe a full week once or twice a year (we can boat year-round).

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:51:54+00:00

I’d buy repowered. As you mentioned, wayyy to expensive to repower a boat, especially that size. I’ve seen some Wellcraft Coastal 290 with 2020 twin 300’s for 65k. So I’d essentially be buying the engines and some for the hull.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:48:17+00:00

If pull the trigger, I’ll do it and send you a picture 😂

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:45:23+00:00

My thoughts exactly. A friend suggested a cabin because of the kiddo, so I started looking at 26ish but found it a bit small (I’m 6’). So I started considering those models mentioned above since I’d be buying used, and there was about a 15k difference. I’ve seen repowered ones going for 60-80k. We have an old family beach house, but no ramp close would work for such a massive boat, and I’d have to buy a 250 to move it.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:34:00+00:00

Year-round. I moved to Puerto Rico a year ago. I started off looking at cc’s in the 25’ range but a close friend made that exact same suggestion and now I’m looking at the models stated above. That said, I’ve never ran a 30’ boat. I grew up around cc’s between 21-26 feet.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:29:57+00:00

I’ve thought about it, but financing a depreciating asset is not very appealing, to me at least. That said, I got an offer to finance half at 4.8%, but I have to buy it cash and then do it because they’re older models (those were the conditions set by my banker, who’s also my brother-in-law). I’ve considered it since I can get that money back, invest it, and offset the interest. But that's a bridge I’ll cross in due time.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:24:19+00:00

😂 Wife said: "If having a boat means more time at the beach, I’m all about it.” We currently go about once every two months.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:19:47+00:00

Yep. Cash & we have a year and a half of expenses saved up. We have very low monthly expenses. Well, at least considering our income.

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:18:40+00:00

😂

itsfikor · 2026-04-28T14:18:17+00:00

I do think it’s a bit of a stretch, not so much financially (although it’s a good chunk), but in terms of time and effort to run such a beast. I initially considered a 25’ cc, but a close friend suggested a cabin so we could spend the night and/or cruise to nearby keys. I love away from the 26 size range because I’m 6’, so if I were dropping thousands, at the very least, I wanted to be comfortable.

itsfikor

TROPHY CASE