Buying a fishing boat on a Budget!! 

I’m 82 years old and your video gave me the incentive to start fishing again. Thanks and good luck to you and your family, Dan

Tell ya what buddy if your catching fish believe me the guys across the lake in there 60,000 boat are not having no more fun than you are great video...

Yo I’m only like 10 seconds into this vid and I already like this guy

Not gonna lie I have watched this video 5 times at the least just from the pure fact of how positive this guy is. Love your videos dude!

Great message and video. You're right, it's about getting out and enjoying life - not waiting until everything is perfect.

I actually respect people with simple little rigs like this more than others at the boat ramp. Over the years I’ve went from a 12ft to a 14ft and then a 16ft side console by working on boats and selling them for just a little profit each time. You start with what’s cheap/easily attainable and work your way up. I don’t see the guys in 12 ft Jon boats as poor, I see them as myself just a few years ago. Loved your video about the Honda Fourtrax and love your philosophy as well. 👍🏻

Great message you don't need a big dollar boat to enjoy your passion for the water.

I have a 1976 14' fiberglass boat (Jon Dory) that I picked up in 1992 with a trailer for $300 from an estate sale. Looking in the local penny saver (way before any internet purchasing sites) I picked up a 1987 8HP Mariner outboard for $400. That is 27 years ago. That boat and motor is still going strong I use it for fishing in a lake in Western Mass. Last year I picked up an electric trolling motor from some one who just wanted it out of the garage. One battery later that is now on the boat. This boat has given my family and I many years of fun on the water. Now my grandchildren are enjoying it. Lots of luck with your new find. Good fishing and tight lines.

Good for you man. My first boat was also a $300.00 boat. It darn near killed me a couple of times, lol, but I made a lot of memories in that boat, and that is what its all about.

the music made this the most inspiring thing I've ever seen in my entire life

Man you did great. I gave a thousand dollars for my first 14 ft. 1962 aluminum 14 48 60. Crestliner. & I fixed it up to catfish out of. Got a rod rack on back. Running lites. 2 batteries. Good for troll motor. 2 6 gal tanks. 2 anchors. Tie off ropes lead rope. Switch box. Sonar. You name it. Ready to go. Spent 4 years working on it. & I wouldn't take 10 grand for it. A. Really good boat. Very solid stable.rigg. ruggedly built for endurance for the long haul. Can't beat it. Body style wise. Looks a little like yours !

Great video! Great wisdom to stay within your budget and still go fishing- the fish don’t care how much you spent to catch them 😂

I’ve recently got back into fishing, and man it’s gotta be one of the best hobbies to done on a budget. Got my dads old waders for free, waterproofing cost 20 bucks ( they were full of holes.) then a used rod was 20 bucks, then a box for 5, and hooks and suck for another 10. 55 bucks and that’s all I’ve spent all summer.

I'm liking your positive energy. Thanks for this.

You have the right idea. Thanks for making this video. Keep'em coming.

This was so inspirational and I loved it! Thank you so much! I smiled so much and felt good!

good stuff man, thank you for sharing with us your Journey and presentation!!

I could not agree more! Thanks for sharing your project! God bless and keep putting out content like this.

I love your message! What an awesome outlook!

Very cool video. I appreciate the kind of spirit you bring to us. Def need more people to like you to inspire people to not be afraid to just go and try. Good stuff, man. God Bless.

I love your way of thinking!!!! God bless you and your family...Tight Lines brother!!!!

This is so cool I’ve been looking for a boat for 2 years and watch so many reviews and this is the best one so far thank you

Man, you're just so awesome and pure. Your family is lucky to have you and I wish you all the best in life. I hope you'll have your dream boat one day.

You Rock and thanks for letting people know they can do this with a little hard work and ingenuity. Very Inspirational. I am cancelling my bass boat order today.

Positive vibes bruh I love it

Excellent video and absolutely love your attitude.

Love this guy, lives simple and appears to be very very happy. Keep up the great videos

Thank you for posting this…. I’m now a subscriber because of your attitude towards the sport..👍👍

Love your message! Get out there and enjoy!

U really opened my eyes to what's important, I have a little 12 ft klamath but have always wanted a bigger boat but cant afford it, thanks for the eye opener to be grateful for what I have, u have a good heart bud, dont lose it

This is awesome! I enjoyed every second of this video. I can't wait to get out on the water tomorrow in my '57 Crestliner!

Had to share this to my Facebook group. Great video.

Great video. Nice family. Thanks

Thank you for a great video, I am looking for a boat so my son and I can start going fishing, this was great to watch, I’ve subscribed and looking forward to watching more videos. Alex 👍🏽👍🏽

Fantastic mate, way to go.

Probably one of the most relatable RU-vidrs. God bless.

Love that setup! Living the dream :)

Hi, I really respect your positivity!!! Keep that good Spirit up!!!

You are right amigo !!! We are verry happy my family and me with 1966 Oachita aluminum boat with 15 hp outboard . You make good video , blessing to you and your family . :)

This is such a great video! Thank you!

You and your family are having just as much fun regardless of how much it cost. Your baby is going to have many many memories!! Be patient vacancy things will come if you work very hard and save your money

Great message and a great video!

Got me, Love the positive vibes and message liked and subscribed

Nice video love the concept 💯

Great video man. You have the right mentality about getting out on the water. I''ve got a 14ft Zodiac inflatable with a 25hp 2 stroke mercury. I've been looking at aluminum boats next year , but here in Nashville I've seen all kinds of boat riggs I never criticized another man's rigg I always say if that rigg does what he wants it to do that's all that matters. Safe boating to you and the family.

Just gettting outside is what is all about! Great philosophy.

I bought my first boat yesterday 1960 Montgomery Ward Sea King. Came with a trailer, boat and Trolling Motor. Im excited to customize it to my liking and hit the water! I was never really an outdoorsy type of guy but I discovered that I really enjoy spending time doing new things. I saw this boat on the marketplace and I immediately sent an offer. Really looking forward to spending some time in the water both fishing and just cruising..thanks for the video since some of us are on a budget..this encourages some of us to not be ashamed or embarrassed to start off somewhere budget friendly and not buy a $20k boat lol.

What a great video. Really enjoy your enthusiasm.

Exactly !!! I perty much have the situation you are putting out. I had bigger boats but maintenance cost alot more and also more gas. I have a 15' 1967 Gregor with a new Honda 15hp o/b... We are loving it, we been on the every weekend since I purchased it. And the 3gallon gas last at least 3 trips.....

Hey man .. you made me realize so many things on this video subcribed and liked .. now i gotta buil my boat to fish 👍👍👍

I love the video! I was inspired and I had an old 1954 Johnson 5.5 sitting around so I fixed it up and I bought a $40.00 Jon Boat with 2 holes. Now I’m going to get a trolling motor and now I’m able to fish from a boat. Lastly it’s a 10ft Jon Boat so I don’t need a trailer I can put it on top of my car. Never going back.

This totally changed my perspective. Thank you

I love the fact that you said to buy what you can afford. It was a nice gut check moment for me.

Great attitude. God Bless you Brother!

Awesome video and great message! Also, that is a rly nice sized pickerel

You are the best at making the $ go far. Awesome video man. Enjoyed it. I never caught a pickerel either. Lol.

Yes, You do inspire me to get out with family on a budget level😊

keep up the good work I can tell you’re going to hit Thousand subscribers really soon

Can't agree with you anymore. Great message, thank you.

Thank you so much for this video! As a broke college student it really hits home for me 😌

I like you attitude and zest for life. Just bought a 14' Mirrow Craft built in 1981. Was in this guys barn for several years and just covered with a nasty layer of pigeon droppings. He dropped (ha, ha) price and I took the boat home and pressure washed it. She cleaned up very nicely. Still a work in progress but looking really good.

Just earned a sub! This is the first video and I already love it

Thank you sir. You're amazing and inspiring.

Really enjoyed the video!

Very inspiring. Good job.

You are awesome my friend blessings to you and your family (:

Looks fun! I’m sure you and your family will get your moneys worth!! 👍

Thank you for the inspiration you provided via this video. I would have not known how possible it is to own a boat until I watched this video. Because of this video over a year ago I went on a journey to purchase an affordable bay boat (I live near the gulf). I found a nice, no leaks 16ft jon boat/trailer. I have recently acquired a 28 SPL Evinrude outboard (1994 Model Year) and got it running smoothly. My wife and I have enjoyed many fishing trips out on the bay. My boat does the job and was very affordable (both under 2K). Again thank you for sharing your boat purchasing experience, because of your video I am now a boat owner.

Thank you for your insight im looking for a boat that is bugjet for sure

Great video that’s how I started and now 20 years later still have the same boat

Stay consistent your channel will blow up man, keep at it

Nice rig there, and nice video. I came across a 2.2 Merc outboard with self contained tank (figured to use it to get where I was going, then use a trolling motor). Didn't even know if that motor was a runner, or a piece of junk. But the guy at the pawn shop that I bought it from asaured me that it would run because the owner selling it assured him. For $125.00 I was almost willing to take the risk. We negotiated and he gave up his sales commission so I got it for $100.00 flat. Took it home and dropped it into a 55gal drum. Cranked a few times, and she fired up and luckily the impeller worked just fine. Only two things I found wrong were the cracked fuel line ($1.00 from a Napa dealer's bulk pull out box), and the spark plug boot was so wasted that it wouldn't stay on too long while running. Got a good boot from a neighbor who switched out his truck plug wire set, for free. Looked around for a trolling motor, couldn't find any real bargains, but knew that 30lb thrust would be plenty enough for a 12 foot boat. Shopped for a new one at major fishing outlets - Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc., and decided on the most economical model at 30lb thrust range and got it for $99. So now I haad a motor but no boat (similar to your venture), but also had a trollong motor. My fishing buddy had a 12' V bottom that we fished out of regularly for over 2 years. He had a small cash windfall and said he planmed on getting a Tracker aluminum in the near future and was leaning toward the 25th anniversary Tracker model with special financing and a minimum down. I asked what he was going to do with the aluminum 12 foot he had and he said, "$200???" I said that would be cool if it had a trailer to go with it. He agreed and threw in a trailer with 12" rims/new tires, and a pair of spare rims with used tires. I agreed to buy it but only if I could make payments and he was to hold it until it was paid in full, THEN sign the title over (I had been screwed over several times in my dealings, and didn't want him to get what I got in the past). He agreed. I gave him $50 down and was looking for ways to come up with extra cash until he mentioned that he was looking for a specific rod length/action in carbon. We mulled around the idea of a custom build (I build custom rods for everything from Bluegill to Blue Marlin), so once I knew what he wanted for sure, I figured it all up and I could get the blank, all the components, and finish, for the price of the balance due, and just not make any profit on the build. He agreed to that proposal. I was turning out cedar topwater lures, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, cranks, poppers, chuggers, spooks, walkers, frogs, crawlers, and other styles, and a few rods to sell for the extra cash to pay for the rod components when I came across a $159.00 Skeet Reese 100% carbon in the exact action/power/length/and guide layout that he wanted. I mentioned I could get that rod for him, and not feel bad about spending multiple hours and days building a rod for basically no profit. He agreed that it would be a good choice if he were out shopping for one. So, that was the deal. $100.00 for the Mercury, $100.00 for the BPS trolling motor, $50.00 down and a $159.00 carbon rod, which he told me later was his new favorite (from a crowd of around 20 Bass specific rods). Basically a $400.00 rig. Of course, now I added cleats, anchor stays, anchors, rod holders on the transom, new submersible trailer lights and a wire harness, a screw jack to the tongue, transom tiedowns, new webbed winch line and hook, etc. Planning on some swivel seats (those aluminum benches are murder after 2 hours), and maybe a second battery, fish locator, 1 spot light, etc., and possible nav lights in case I go topwater for Bass at night, which is the biggest thrill of bass fishing to me. Check out BonafideBassn' on RU-vid and you'll see us fishing in the boats I've mentioned here, and several of my lures we field tested on our outings. I'm usually in the front of the 12' V bottom and in the rear of the Tracker.

World would be alot better place with more people like you dude.

Good message!!!!! Subscribed right away!!!!

Thanks for inspiring me... I am going the cheap route ... easy, nice, fast to get on the water for family fun.

I picked up a old free v bottom aluminum boat with a 10 HP motor .got the motor going and have caught so many fish with my boat ....since then I have bought a used elec . Trolling motor too .... Good times in my boat for sure !!

Perfectly said i love it👍

I want to give this the wholesome tag from reddit this is a great video

You spending family time is the most important aspect of this video in my opinion.

Yessss. This is exactly the experience I want 🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞 Just so nervous to buy someone elses nightmare.

Great Video Brother!

My boat is from the 50s and I love my little Jon boat so your totally right

such a wholesome video !!!!!

Great video. I am also a budget boater/fisherman/everything else. I just can't see wasting hard money on "shiny toys" when something less expensive and practical will work just as well. In 2015, when my wife agreed to me getting a real boat (I had a 10.5 ft plastic pontoon boat), I also did the Craig's List thing. I found a 1979 Tidecraft 15 ft bass boat, with a 1979 70 hp motor, and a 1979 trailer, all for $800. Everything needed work!!! But I spent the winter and spring rehabbing all three items. I absolutely love the results and consider it a blessing for all the things I learned to do in the process. It may not be the prettiest thing on the lake, but it takes me where I want to go. And isn't that what a fishing boat is; a platform for you to stand on while fishing any part of the lake that you want to fish?

I really appreciate the video !!!

You;re absolutely right. I got a beat up old 14' aluminum boat and trailer for $50. I had to spend some money to make it work since it had a small hole in it and the wood seats and transom were completely rotted. A little plywood, some spar varnish and some time and I had a useable boat. I shopped around and found a 6hp motor for $400 and bought a 55lb trolling motor for it. I was out fishing with my wife and daughter and having a great time. Unfortunately, as my family has grown the boat quickly got overloaded and we needed something bigger. So right now I'm working on rebuilding a 1985 Sea Nymph FM161 16.5" side console fishing boat. I got it with motor and trailer for $1,350 and I'm doing the refurbishment during the winter so it will be ready when the ice thaws in the spring. Refurbishment consists of new floors, new foam (old foam was waterlogged and full of mold), new wiring, new plumbing for the livewell and new lights for the trailer. Plus I can buy stuff as I can afford it. When I'm done I'll have a boat that will be as good as new and will have spent no more than $3,500 for it. Not to mention it will be better than when it rolled off the factory floor and will last me for decades. Compared to a similar brand new boat that costs between $16,000 and $19,000 depending on options, I'd say I'm not doing too bad.

Great encouraging video. Thanks; even if you don't have a lot of many; you can still have a lot of enjoyment.

Love this video

I want to go out fishing and have a small boat too. It definitely would make memories and be a lot of.

Great video!

Smart guy, don't get more than you can afford. Just getting out there fishing is the important part!

In Canada , pickerel are what we call Walleye. The fish you showed looked like a Northern Pike. Keep on having fun!

Hey man I just found your channel. Subbed! You seem like a great dude. Thanks for the video. I'm currently looking for a cheap boat as well.

I am subscribing because this video is very positive. Good vibe. I love fishing because is relaxing and fun. To All of you fishing brothers stay safe. My Respect from Texas. :-)

I liked and subscribed. The Budget Sportsman is for me.

Nice boat! You’re my kinda dude!

YES, it looks just like mine.you and I would get along great. I got a 14 ft Crestliner boat and trailer for 1 hr labor.then I saw a Craigslist ad for a 9.9 hp Chrysler motor for 100.00. So your right on everything you said.

Sounds like your blessed, I know we are here in KY. We camp, fish, hunt and enjoy what the good Lord has blessed us with. Enjoy your time with your family now because they grow up quick.

Great! thanks for inspiring me

All ya need is to get out on the water. It doesn’t take 30K. Your perspective is fantastic brother!