$$$ Financial Results are in- Now how much do you have invested? From my previous post stating that I have a difficult time financing my FISHING wants and/or desires, I have the results to post. O

[tj1n]

[tj1n]

Now how much do you have invested? From my previous post stating that I have a difficult time financing my FISHING wants and/or desires, I have the results to post.

Of the 42 votes that were in at the time of this post, here's the income of those that voted:

% of voters - Salary Range

4.7 - 35K or less
12 - 35-45k
35.7 - 45-60k
12 - 60-75k
16.6 - 75-90k
19 - 90k or more

One thing this poll definitely tells me anyways is that competitive/serious fishing is for the upper class.

The next question/poll is how much you have invested in your boat, motor, fish finders, etc.... everything in your boat except your rods and tackle.

Also, It would benefit some of us if you'd post how much debt you took to own this unit/equipment and what you think are the best ways of going about financing including what's worked for you in growing to the unit your currently utilizing.

I'd love to spend 30K on a fishing Rig I just can't seem to get the wife to go along with it and I understand for good reasons. We've got two boys ages 5 & 11. It's not my wifes goal to own the same boat I desire, she's more into watersports and camping.

Thanks to all, :+
Travis J.

[JT]

I worked my way up from a 12' boat to a 16'. Nothing fancy, but I've done fine. I set aside something from each paycheck so I can pay cash for my toys. The less I give the bank, the more I have to put into the boat. It takes longer that way, but in the end I get more out of it.

[L.Anderson]

I too wanted a big time walleye boat. I do have one now but, how I got it was that I bought a less expensive one first and paid it off in a short period of time than sold it and put the money towards to new one. It worked out great and I don't have a big payment. I only went four years, not the ten to twelve years some places will do.

[Tim FRick]

The only thing that might skew your data on salary range is the fact that to be able to vote you need to be connected to the net thus you need money for a computer/net hookup. Thus if you have money for that than chances are you make alittle more than the average fisherman. Think about all those guys that fish everyday from the shore that aren't connected to the net to vote. And those are the guys that know allot more than us! It's good data for who's on-line and fishing.
Good Luck!!
Tim FRick

[targa2]

I can sleep in my boat but I can't fish out of my house.

[4EYESONLY]

Well to put it plain and simple, I got a great deal on the boat I bought. I bought a 98 lund 2025 tiller with 125 merc for 16000 almost three years ago. Now I drove a car at the time that was just a piece of @#$@#$ Yes I bought the boat before I had a vehicle to pull it........I figure I have the boat someone else always has the vehicle to pull it.........

[Jim Ordway]

Like many, I started with a 12' with a 8.8 evinrude some, ok, many years ago. I started a business and helped raise a family. My opinion is that toys should be paid in cash. Being buried in $300/mth boat payments, while the kids need shoes is asking for trouble. Now, in my 50s and kids gone, I have been running high end boats. Again, no debt. Lots of folks get buried in payments and excessive credit card debt due to lack of forsight and need for immediate gradification. Only you can decide what you can afford to do. That decision, when made considering the needs of your family first, will be the right one. If you really want something, but initially feel that you shouldn't buy it, your first impression is usually right. Sorry for my potificating. I see many cases of folks, both young and old, buried in debt that causes multitudes of family and personal problems.
It seems our society had become one of immediate gratification, no matter what the long terms costs. Debt is never good, unless its for an appreciable asset. Boats do not fall under this category. Whoa, this one rambled on.
Enjoy your family,

[tj1n]

Jim- I appreciate your post as I do most of yours that I've seen.

I have a cheaper pleasure boat with 135hp Johnson that I have paid off over the past two years, only problem is it's not the perfect fishing boat. I do feel I'm ready for an upgrade, just haven't determined how much of an upgrade.

Anyway, I've seen some pretty darned nice multifunctional boats geared more towards fishing sell for around $10k. I was just curious as to the different value class boats people owned on this site in comparison to annual salaries and whether or not and how they were financed.

I know the guys on shore and many of the general public are from a different income class. I just wondered more where I fit in with the class of people on this site. I'm not a professional fisherman by title or experience, but that doesn't diminish my desire or love for this sport.

The final purpose of this post was also just to show the HIGH cost of being a competitive angler.

Thanks to all for your posts,
Travis J.

[Northman]

I think you made a great post Jim. I too think some people get to anxious to have all the toys and go in debt. I have always paid cash for boats, snowmachines, cars ect. In my opinion, a person enjoys their toys more if they own them instead of the bank. I also started out with a little boat and as income went up so did the size of my boat. Now at 41 years old with house, cars, boat paid for the big ticket item, college for 3 kids is next on the horizion.
Northman