Boat buying

DonHof

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
318
I'm 63 years old, retired, going to start fishing again after 40 year layoff.
Is it dumb to buy a fishing boat/joy riding boat at this age? The wife is kind of down on the idea.

Thanks
Don
 

Wishiniwuzfishin

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
415
Re: Boat buying

Go for it !!!. I'm 57, single, recently retired and enjoying fishing and boating in my 12 and 15 ft boats now more than ever. On a fishing trip this past summer, I was talking to a gentleman in the parking lot after we had both loaded our boats. He was alone and I could tell he was older than me but not sure how much older. After talking awhile (he gave me several cool boating tips) he told me he was 84 !!!. Out fishing...loaded his boat by himself. We talked for about a 1/2 an hour then he said he had to get going or his wife would probably start getting worried !!!!
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Boat buying

hi neighbor.

Is it dumb to buy a fishing boat/joy riding boat at this age?
i wouldn't think so, though i just turned 50.

for the boat ya get, ya might wanna get one with some luxury to it. by that i mean soft seats, some cover to get out of the sun. creature comforts. might get the wife happier that way...

he told me he was 84 !!!
i met some folks like that last year too. husband and wife. they were a team and looked like they really were enjoying themselves.. had a nice long chat with them while hanging out at the boat dock...
 

izoomie

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
274
Re: Boat buying

My dad bought is last boat at your age and used it until 75, that's when he said he'd had enough and sold it.

Can you find anyone to take you out a few times so you can see how much work launching is and if it is still within your skills?
 

Aviator5

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
431
Re: Boat buying

A friend of mine, a really "old" friend of mine, bought a 14' aluminum boat at the age of 87, now he is 91, last summer he was fishing on lake Erie.
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Boat buying

I started up 2 years ago at age 55. My father owned a boat when I was a kid, but I never did. So, we're also looking at a gap of 40+ years.

I never forgot it, tho. Every few years I'd kick around the idea of buying one, but there were always other things that needed the time and money more. Now, kids are about grown and the wife and I have owned 2 boats in 2 years, though I now plan to keep this one for awhile. :)

Fortunately, my wife just loves boating. We belong to the local Power Squadron chapter and the people we boat with all summer long, are our age or older. We have a blast. I recommend it.
 

BTMCB

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
761
Re: Boat buying

IMO, it's never a dumb idea to do something that you will enjoy. Admiral and I are 56 and bought a new boat last August (hadnt owned one in 20 years). I have missed only 2 weekends since we go it (one due to traveling, one due to weather). Saturdays the admiral comes and we have loads of fun just cruising, anchoring and relaxing. Sundays, she rides her horse and I launch the boat myself. Our grown sons, their wives join us for skiing and boarding during the season - great family fun (the part the admiral really likes). Use your charm, convince the admiral and go for it!!!
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Boat buying

It's never too late to buy your first boat. In fact it's never too late to buy another boat.
If you are getting any size to it, fnid somehting your wife will enjoy, too. That usually means you need a head.
One thing to think about for any sized boat is your ability to climb back in if you fall over. Be sure you can or have a good swim ladder installed.
 

Expidia

Commander
Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
2,368
Re: Boat buying

Most of us here have been through several boats and have probably already been through most of the mistakes a new boater is sure to make.

Take a Coast Guard boating course offered locally. More fun than doing it online as you will meet other boaters. have your Wife take it too if she is going to go on the baot with you.

Rather than get caught up in the emotion of going to a dealer or a boat show right off and buying something that does not fit your lifestyle . . .

Why not tell us a little about yourself as to what type of fishing you want to do.

What type of waters you are going to use it on.

Are you buying new or used.

Fiberglass or aluminum.

What are you going to tow it with.

Or are you keeping it in a marina.

How much do you plan to spend.

How many people do you expect to have on it.

Do you plan to buy one big enough to sleep on or small enough just to fish with.

Many questions but the more we know the easier it is to match a boat style up to you and then you can go to the shows and you will have a better idea of what will work for you especially if you will be shopping for a used one.

There are a lot of problematic boats out there that may seem cheap but ask back here and we can point stuff out to you.

Good luck!

Your biggest problem is going to be keeping the Wife happy :)
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,271
Re: Boat buying

My favorite Uncle didn't START fishing until he was 65 and retired. Turned out to be the best thing he ever did. Made him live much longer, I'm sure.

Now if you're wife is not too keen on the idea, your biggest problem is to get her interested too. I guarantee that if she continues to be down on the idea it will take all the fun out of it for you. Instead of her nagging you not to go, you need to figure out how to make her nag you to take her along.
 

LeisureLady

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
31
Re: Boat buying

Live life to the fullest no matter what your age. If you can do it, it doesn't matter how long you can do it, only that you enjoy it while you do. Tell her (from one woman to another) that she may find she loves it more than she ever thought possible.
 

moi

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 31, 2008
Messages
78
Re: Boat buying

I'm 63 years old, retired, going to start fishing again after 40 year layoff.
Is it dumb to buy a fishing boat/joy riding boat at this age? The wife is kind of down on the idea.

Thanks
Don

Hey Don,

I'll be 69 next October and I got my fishing boat last year. Now my wife wants to fish with me every time I go out. Got a great deal on an electric winch & now need to get it installed before the soft water this year. Go for it !! :cool:

Pete
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: Boat buying

It's never a dumb idea to buy a boat.
Good Luck, enjoy and post out here to let us all know how you are making out.
 

JimMH

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
361
Re: Boat buying

My Grandfather loved to bass fish and had a nice Terry bass boat all through the late 70's and 80's. My Grandmother passed away at the age of 80 in 1993, the next year at the age of 82 my grandfather bought a new Ranger with a 175 Johnson on it. He fished every week until he died in 2002, he was killed in a farm accident at the age of 90. A little scary going down the lake with a 85 year old running 60MPH, but the smile he had on his face was priceless!
 

26aftcab454

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
1,510
Re: Boat buying

my grandmother and her husband fished every chance they could well into there 80's in a 16ft aluminum boat with a 50hp motor.
she would stand on the dock holding the rope while he backed it down the ramp. it is alot easier for both of them getting in and out.
get a comfortable boat and the wifey may enjoy it too.

go for it!:cool:
 

DonHof

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
318
Re: Boat buying

Expidia,

Been looking about six months. Started off looking at used, then decided to go new. I'm just looking for a small fishing boat, and some thing the wife and I can boat ride in. I started off looking at the Tracker till I read all the stories
on bad welds, and the trouble people had with Bass Pro Shops. Then I looked at Alumacraft. Buy the time I put everything on it I wanted, well I decided to go with a Lund Rebel 1475 with a steering wheel and a 30 hp Merc. That way I can store it my garage and still get my two cars in. I will be towing it with the Ford Escape 4 wheel drive. I already have the frame mounted hitch on it,
with a transmission cooler. All the lakes around here are small. So thats about all I need.
Thanks to all the guys for talking me into get one.

Don
 

TBONE59

Cadet
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Messages
16
Re: Boat buying

your retired its time to relax and enjoy.

if you enjoy fishing and boating why wouldnt you buy a boat?
 

paulspaddle

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 2, 2009
Messages
753
Re: Boat buying

Hey Don, sounds like a nice plan to enjoy yourself this summer...and next summer...and the summer after that....

My father-in-law is 84 and still gets out on the boat fishing a few times a month.

IF you DO buy a boat, please come back and update with pics. People here would enjoy sharing a 'first boat' experience with you.

Hope the wife comes on board which is key.

Good luck with your decision!
 
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