yobub
Well-Known Member
I don't want to take this thread in another direction, but one other quick thought about new vs recent vs really used. I bought my '95 24' Four Winns used in 2000, so 5 years old at the time. It cost me $13k and I could probably sell it tomorrow for $8k.
Aside from winterization costs and "normal" wear items like batteries and periodically canvas, if I average my actual repair costs over the 20 years that I've had it, I doubt it would come to $250 a year. Even now I'm just not seeing much in mechanical repairs despite the fact that the boat is almost 25 years old. It has an engine that everyone here would wave you off of (OMC 5.8L I/O) because you "can't get parts" even though it is just a Ford V8, but mechanically I just haven't spent much in repairs.
I'm sure that as someone who is new to boating, the idea of a warranty on the engine is a real piece of mind. But if that warranty costs you $15k over an older boat with the exact same layout, maybe it's something to think about.
Just don't read too many of @Stee6043's posts, because he will drain your wallet with all of the cool upgrades he'll convince you to do....
Aside from winterization costs and "normal" wear items like batteries and periodically canvas, if I average my actual repair costs over the 20 years that I've had it, I doubt it would come to $250 a year. Even now I'm just not seeing much in mechanical repairs despite the fact that the boat is almost 25 years old. It has an engine that everyone here would wave you off of (OMC 5.8L I/O) because you "can't get parts" even though it is just a Ford V8, but mechanically I just haven't spent much in repairs.
I'm sure that as someone who is new to boating, the idea of a warranty on the engine is a real piece of mind. But if that warranty costs you $15k over an older boat with the exact same layout, maybe it's something to think about.
Just don't read too many of @Stee6043's posts, because he will drain your wallet with all of the cool upgrades he'll convince you to do....