GTA boat costs - share your experience please

I'm looking into buying a bass boat and wanted to get an idea of costs people experience in the GTA. I'm considering something like a 10 year old triton/ranger/nitro etc... You get the idea. Not a new $50,000 job but not something I will need to sell in 3 years because it's too decrepit.

Namely...

1. Storage - ideally I'd like something near my house in oakville so I don't have to block half my driveway. This would be year round with in/out privileges in the summer and just stored covered in the winter

2. Winterization and regular maintenance - this will vary wildly by participant I'm sure but let me know what you would anticipate.

3. Other regular replacement parts and lifetimes 9n those... I. E. Need new marine carpet approximately every xx years and it costs xxx

4. Insurance - this would include other storage and marine insurance for use if there is such a thing.

Anything else I'm missing? Besides the cost of medical bills when my wife beats me after seeing all of these bills... :)

No boat owners? Or just shy...

B.O.A.T. - Bust Out Another Thousand
The two happiest days of a boat owners life are the day he buys the boat and the day he sells his boat.

have fun.

I understand the various financial concerns people have about boat ownership. I'm comfortable with that. I just wanted to know what the market rate would be for various items before seeking out a provider.

1. no idea on storage - sorry
2. two stroke, or four stroke? doing it yourself or having it done by a shop?
3. don't use my boat that much, but cant really think of anything. maybe tires for the trailer? gas n go usually.
4. ~$300

What is your budget on a used boat? What size do you want as this will reflect your budget.

I run a 520 Ranger with a 225 Optimax, I budget $1300.00 annually for storage and regular seasonal maintenance (plugs, water pump etc..).

I am repowering this year so that will be $20,000.00 to 22,000.00 plus I need new seat skins and carpeting, I have budgeted $3000.00 for that.

Winterization $300. Summer commissioning $135.
Shouldn't need much more maintenance than that.
Winterization should include oil and filter and a lower end lube change.

Not sure about storage costs - that would be very dependent on your location.

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Originally Posted by Bandwagon

What is your budget on a used boat? What size do you want as this will reflect your budget.

I run a 520 Ranger with a 225 Optimax, I budget $1300.00 annually for storage and regular seasonal maintenance (plugs, water pump etc..).

I am repowering this year so that will be $20,000.00 to 22,000.00 plus I need new seat skins and carpeting, I have budgeted $3000.00 for that.

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Hi there. Thanks for the info.

I'm looking at something in the 15-20k range.

Repowering... What exactly does that entail? Trolling motor, big motor, batteries etc?

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Originally Posted by werner.reiche

Not sure about storage costs - that would be very dependent on your location.

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Yea my experience in the rural areas; you can usually find a place in some farmers barn for $250 a season. Some guys with space in their coveralls/sheds charge $25 a foot.. I would imagine in the built up areas that would be doubled/tripled.

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Originally Posted by sakimano

1. Storage - ideally I'd like something near my house in oakville so I don't have to block half my driveway. This would be year round with in/out privileges in the summer and just stored covered in the winter

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Depending on where you live in the burbs, I don't think you have no choice but to store it, aren't there places with bylaws that prohibit parking boats in the driveways ?

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Depending on where you live in the burbs, I don't think you have no choice but to store it, aren't there places with bylaws that prohibit parking boats in the driveways ?

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Dunno. Not doing that anyway fortunately if that's the case .

I have a 29 ft boat.

Summer slip = $2500
Winterization, indoor storage and annual servicing = $2500
Insurance = $900

Most of the costs scale on length to give you a rough idea.

I just bought an old Boston Whaler to trailer around our area. Had it a week and doubled my original cost buying material for repairs. Knew what I was getting into and more to buy yet. Lucky my Dad had me helping him build his boats when I was 9 yrs old....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sakimano

Hi there. Thanks for the info.

I'm looking at something in the 15-20k range.

Repowering... What exactly does that entail? Trolling motor, big motor, batteries etc?

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Repowering is just your big motor, I get about 4-5 seasons out of the trolling motor batteries and cranking battery.

What size boat are you looking to get with that 15-20K

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Originally Posted by Bandwagon

Repowering is just your big motor, I get about 4-5 seasons out of the trolling motor batteries and cranking battery.

What size boat are you looking to get with that 15-20K

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17-18 feet.

Storage - There is a guy on Bronte Rd. just south of the bend when travelling north from Oakville. (Before Lower Base)

I stored boats there on 2 occasions. Reasonable, outdoor storage, was purely open when I used it but he has since fenced it in. Lives on the property so security is pretty good. Bungalow home up front, storage in behind.

Left hand side when travelling north in that small "subdivision" before Lower Base. You should be able to see boats and trailers from Bronte.


15-20K should buy you a decent bass rig without question. I have bought my last 3 boats in the USA, but now @ 35% I wouldn't think many are doing the same...

At Norris marine in Rosedale in the Kawarthas I spend 350.00 to pull out pontoon boat, store over winter in shrink wrap ,winterize a 20 hp outboard, and put boat back in in the spring.

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Originally Posted by DrakeChaser

Storage - There is a guy on Bronte Rd. just south of the bend when travelling north from Oakville. (Before Lower Base)

I stored boats there on 2 occasions. Reasonable, outdoor storage, was purely open when I used it but he has since fenced it in. Lives on the property so security is pretty good. Bungalow home up front, storage in behind.

Left hand side when travelling north in that small "subdivision" before Lower Base. You should be able to see boats and trailers from Bronte.


15-20K should buy you a decent bass rig without question. I have bought my last 3 boats in the USA, but now @ 35% I wouldn't think many are doing the same...

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Thanks for the input and the lead on the guy. Couldn't see him tonight when I drove by there. If you want to pm his name and an idea on what he charged that would be much appreciated.

Cheers

You will not want to keep your glass boat outside, the sun will ruin the gel coat unless your cover protects the glass fenders and hull.

Check out the "Bass Boat Central" web site. Its run by a Canadian and is the best bass boat site I know of. Lots of answers regarding brands, performance, motors etc...

Thanks for the input. I've seen it a couple of times and have done lots of reading there (BBC) .

I thought for this I'd try here to see for local pricing and stuff.

Well, I paid within your budget for a 2000 procraft with new seats, carpet and all electronics. 125 merc 2 stroke and aluminum trailer (a BIG +).

If you can't keep the boat at home IMO you're in a world of hurt unless you you fish only a couple times a season. I fish roughly 2-4 times a months sometimes more and having the boat at home helps me keep an eye on things and catch thing before it's a MAJOR issue. Like the other day when I noticed the U-bolt holding my axle assembly had come loose. If I was in a storage depot at 5 AM and I'm a rush I would have missed that.

Little things like that. You'll also want to flush your motor a few times a month at least. Should be done after all outings but neighbours would hate you.

Boat ownership is not something that has a set price or manual to follow.... It gets expensive and if a problem creeps up with motor could be looking at thousands. I've owned half a dozen boats before getting into a bass boat. And coming from a aluminum world there are a lot of differences. Handling, speed and the way they have to be treated. Aluminum are way more forgiving :)

Just today I saw a beauty stratos and ranger on kijiji in your budget and appear to be great deals. You'll have to accept that you may have to drive far to get your dream boat I was willing to drive 1000+ K if the right deal came up. Luckily I got one 75 K away :)

As for maintenance generally you're looking at $125-$150 for motor winterization

A storage unit can run you $150-200 a month. You'll hate outside storage for a bass boat. They are so tight that mildew and mild grow quick. And will stink! Lol.

Insurance roughly $300-$600 per year.

Gas roughly $30-$60 per trip plus what your vehicle will use.


P.S. I have a pro craft and it's not the best brand but if you can try to get a ranger, skeeter, stratos or bullet :)





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Thanks for the input. What's with pro wrap?

X Tournament boat.

Neat. Looks great.

Yours or you bought like that? If you just bought it like that it would be funny if you enter a local tourney and show up in it.

Ha ha. Thought about it. Do a couple Tv interviews and a seminar LOL. I bought from a guy that fished tournaments. But right now my boat is sitting and might be for a while. I have water coming into the cylinders. So be careful what you buy used. Could be a steal or your worst nightmare. I can tell you this. This is the last boat I buy used

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Originally Posted by Muskyhunter1001

Ha ha. Thought about it. Do a couple Tv interviews and a seminar LOL. I bought from a guy that fished tournaments. But right now my boat is sitting and might be for a while. I have water coming into the cylinders. So be careful what you buy used. Could be a steal or your worst nightmare. I can tell you this. This is the last boat I buy used

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Did you have a compression and leak down test done on it before you purchased it? Did the previous owner pull the run time hours off of the motor? Show you the history or and fault codes etc...

It's a 2000 no computer to hook up. No hour counter. Compression showed good in all cylinders. They still do now. Except cylinder with most water has a higher compression. When buying used its a gamble and this is a perfect example.

It’s always fun looking for a new to you boat but the unknowns are always scary.


Storing it in your driveway is ideal. You can rig everything right in your driveway and not worry about hooking up and bringing it home every time you want to head out the next day. But if offsite storage is your only option, you will need to work with the storage place to supply you with power to charge them batteries and obviously gated if possible.


Winterization will cost you about $300 but also the cost of oil and gas has to be accounted for as well. A typical 10L jug of Optimax oil will set you back about $130 plus gas and stabilizer.


Regular replacement parts are usually just gear lube, O-Rings, Impeller and spark plugs. Gear lube should be done at the end of your season and impellers should be done every 2-3 years. Plugs can go 3-4 years.


Insurance on a bass boat is usually about 500-800 a year depending on your deductible and the price you paid for the boat. Marine insurance is your best friend. NorthStar Marine Insurance or MD Marine will be able to give you fast quotes and fill you in on coverage. Compared to your house and car insurance, usually your home broker will source out marine insurance so you might as well cut out the middleman.


If your almost ready to pull the trigger on a boat. Make sure to bring it to a reputable marina to have it looked over. The hull, trailer and outboard should be thoroughly inspected. You really don’t need the headache of a purchasing someones else issues or hearing it from your wife.


Tight lines & Cheers
Henry

I would give Brad dehann from extreme marine out of london a call... bought my boat there last year and the service was awesome.. threw in an anchor. They mostly deal with legend boats but can get something that will suit your needs for sure...

Cheers..