At what point do you start thinking about selling your boat

[A.J.]

I have barely used my boat this year. In fact it hasn't even been out of the garage since the rally and I'm not seeing much time in the future. My son has really gotten involved in sports over the last year or two. Between assistant coaching his baseball team and our baby girl I don't have any time. Now that regular baseball season is over he's starting football next week and also wants to play in a fall traveling baseball league, so there go's fall fishing. Next year looks to be more of the same. Don't get me wrong I love coaching and watching my son play sports but I'm starting to get tired of making a boat payment on a boat that's just sitting in the garage. I keep on holding out that some time in the future I'll be able to get out but my patience are starting to run thin.

[artcarney_agr]

Man, that's a lot of running around.

My wife and I agreed that if we ever have kids, they can pick one sport and one sport only per year. I don't see how parents with kids doing it all have time for anything!

Sounds to me like you need to be selling out and buying a pontoon......

[dpage70]

Man that's tough AJ. If it were me in that position I'd sell the boat. If it doesn't look like you're going to be able to use it then it's money wasted. You can always take the money from the payment and put it in the bank and save up to either pay cash or put a huge down payment on another one when things slow down a little.

[A.J.]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by artcarney_agr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Man, that's a lot of running around.

My wife and I agreed that if we ever have kids, they can pick one sport and one sport only per year. I don't see how parents with kids doing it all have time for anything!

Sounds to me like you need to be selling out and buying a pontoon...... </TD></TR></TABLE>

I use to think the same thing and I would have probably stuck to my guns if he wasn't quite the athlete. Plus I'm hoping if he stays in sports it may help to keep out of trouble when he gets into his high school years.

My wife mentioned buying a pontoon..I told her its a bass boat or nothing.

[artcarney_agr]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A.J. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
My wife mentioned buying a pontoon..I told her its a bass boat or nothing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Fish and Ski? If the boy likes to ski, it might be a way to do double duty on the weekends......

[Daniel]

Put some Stabil in the fuel and let it sit! If you love to fish you're going to regret selling it. We do the same thing with Jacob playing ball but selling my boat never crossed my mind.

[JC25]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Daniel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Put some Stabil in the fuel and let it sit! If you love to fish you're going to regret selling it. We do the same thing with Jacob playing ball but selling my boat never crossed my mind.</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2 you will always have winter when the real fishing starts!

[JimDi]

My brother sold his boat due to sports year ago and bought a fish-n-ski. It is something that just happens. Now they are in college and he is getting to go again with them. He lost his touch with a worm fishing, but is gradually getting back into that groove. He used to go some in the late fall/winter/early spring. His kids never got into any trouble and all are in college just cruising along with good grades.

[repdept]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Daniel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Put some Stabil in the fuel and let it sit! If you love to fish you're going to regret selling it. We do the same thing with Jacob playing ball but selling my boat never crossed my mind.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good advice

[A.J.]

The thoughts just crossed my mine a few times here lately.

[EdDavisKY]

AJ I would not put Stabil in the tank, but would drain the tank and due everything possible to get it ready for long term storage.
With my back surgery coming up (found out will have to have 3 vertebrae fused) I have talked to a local dealers tech I know real well. He told me what to do with mine or bring it in and they would do it.
Don't remember all of it but part was draining the oil reservoir, running gas pres. threw the motor and draining the fuel tank.
Store it and don't sell or as stated above sell & stash the money so it collects interest and add to it when you can...........SO you can get another one when you are ready. But with the cost of the new rigs, my suggestion is keep it. Keep enough insurance on it so if something happens while stored it is covered. Drop the rest of it or what you can due to it being financed.
Just an old coots suggestion

[nightbasser]

+1 on the fuel advice Ed Whew I have seen so many fuel related problems this year it is unreal!!!!

[CaymasRodney]

I would just go ahead and sell it, the worst thing on an outboard is letting them set up, even if you drain the fuel out of the tanks there will still be gas in the system some where. You can allways find a nice used boat if you decide at a latter date to get you another one. There are some real buys out there right now on real nice used boats and there will be more down the road. I have seen to many times here at the shop that guys bring in boats that have been setting up for a while and all they have is problems getting it going again, sometimes very expensive problems. I hate to see any one sell their boat who doesn't want to but family comes FIRST ALL THE TIME.

I had a buddy years ago go threw what you are talking about, he keep his boat at the time but ended up spending a lot of money on it when he did get where he could fish again, after setting for about five years.

[Dave Stewart]

I agree with Rodney...sell it. Boats that are stored for long periods are like houses sitting for long periods...only place for them to go is down hill. Also, your boat is worth more now than it will be years from now...get your money now and use it later to get a newer one.

[BttrBn]

Well this works out great, I just sold my boat last week and since you have one that you dont use and are used to making payments on, let me store it and use it and then everyone will be happy.

[Heffer11]

A.J.

I know what you are going through. I have only used my boat twice since the rally. Heck, my boat is an 04 (picked up in fall of 03), I only have around 150hrs on my motor. Never had one problem with the motor. Use it when you can. I try to get the family to go, even if it is to ride around on the lake and stop to swim.

You have to do what you think is best for your situation. I would think with the boat prices down, due to economy, that you might not get the best price for it now. Depending on what you still owe, it might be worth sitting on until the prices start going back up. Just a thought. This will be the last boat I own.

[billius]

I think I'd sell it. As others have said, take the money and stash it for another boat later on. I've even thought some lately about selling mine. Not using it much.

[legal limit lures]

hang on to it aj, my daughter is in traveling ball and it does take alot of time but if you dont have it when things ease up you wont be able to go. Theres always dale in the winter

[Alliston64]

AJ...I'm moving to Lexington permanently soon. (Commuting right now til my house sells) You are always welcome in my boat anytime! Hell, you are welcome to take mine out whenever you have a free moment if I'm not available!

Do what you have to financially. You are still young and have a lifetime to fish. Your kids won't be young forever and with a site like this and the group of friends we have, you'll always have a ride and a boat to fish out of! Like I said, mine is available to you whenever you need if you get rid of yours!!!

[A.J.]

Thanks for the offer Matt.

I did finely get out Sunday and had one of the best days I've every had on the KY river. Which makes it hard for me to think about selling it but I'm still on the fence.

One of the hardest things is that my son loves to go when we have time and I feel like that would one things I spend time with him doing that I'll be giving up.