"Nobody owes you a boat. You're going to have to do extra work to get a boat." Finally!! Somebody gets it!! Brian, thank you for saying this part out loud! Nobody wants to do the work these days, they just want to complain about not having what they think the world owes them! Thank you! Keep on keeping on, Brother!
I learned a hard lesson about boats. The bass don’t care what you’re in, it’s about how you fish! I say that to say this, don’t go broke to buy an expensive boat. A 1990 bass boat catches bass just as well as a 2024.
I smack em out of my $700 kayak all the time. Just gotta fish the right sized lakes or study maps and pick spots to head out where you can hit the most spots within a close distance. I’ll upgrade and put a motor on it next year and that’ll expand my range and improve my efficiency. But not having to pay for gas in the boat, extra gas in my truck to tow the boat and insurance is nice.
'97 procraft 18.5ft, 150 merc 2 stroke. Needed carpet, and live well pumps. $8 worth of epoxy on bottom and a buff job. Paid $3,200 cash in the middle if the pandemic when boats were crazy. Had to drive 7hrs, but it was cheap. Money I saved i put an ultrex gos with spot lock on the front, and humminbirds up front and on console. Deals can be had even on newer. Marketplace is a good place to look, just do you research and know what to look at and what to look for when looki g it over.
In 2005 I purchased a new Nitro Nx 750 DC. Guys at work asked how I could afford it. I pointed to the guys that smoked cigarettes. At the time, cigarettes were $5 a pack. A pack a day times 30 days. That's my boat payment. It all depends on what's important to you.
Exactly. I smoked 2 packs a day, when I quit, I took that money I was spending on cigs and threw that into a savings account, after a year, I had enough to buy my truck, in cash.
I bought a 9 year old 550 horsepower twin turbo AMG Mercedes at 27 years old as a mid-level electronics tech paid in CASH. The car was beautiful it could've passed for a new car to most people. I've been working on cars since 14. BMW's, Honda's, Subarus etc and I was in love with this AMG since I saw it on Top Gear at 17. I researched this car for months and finally pulled the trigger from a 73 year old lady and had money left over for my personal "warranty". So I'm at the gas station one day and this old old man that could barely walk said to me " nice car young man, I've been wanting one of those for years". In my head I was thinking he doesn't know the car is almost a decade years old and.....and second, is that people should go and get what you want before you end up like him ...wishing forever before its too late.
I can buy any boat I want but the one I got is a 25hp, Basstracker pro17 a 1997 boat that looks new. I fish 100 times a year and I am 70 years old. I can pull it with my Jeep and put it in dozens of small lakes around here. I'm to old to take it to Truman Lake now, but I use to do it all the time. Yes you can own a boat, just buy what you need, not what you want.
Hi I’m 27 I’ve never had a drivers license or a job and my in-laws stole my house and property and I had to move in with my parents and this video really gave me the confidence I feel like I need
My short story.. Bought my first boat at age 29 years old, it was a 2021 tracker 190tx tournament edition.. like 30k. I had a good paying job at this time and managed to keep my debt very low growing up.. no other payments besides my house and utilities and a few credit cards. Over the next 3 years, i worked a lot of hours and fished a lot.. i had close to 350 hours on my tracker and saved up enough to buy a falcon f195 from buck’s island.. again, since then no other payments but my income has increased. If you want a newer bigger boat avoid lifestyle creep. Meaning the more you make the more you spend.. stay disciplined with your spending. If you want it bad enough you can do it. Like Brian says, side hustles are key.. i bought a cnc and started selling stuff on Etsy to generate extra income during this time. Single household income, i have 2 kids and my wife is a stay at home mother. It can be done, the question is how bad do you want it..
I am a 60 year old man that has loved bass fishing all my life. I started out with a 10ft aluminum boat with a tiller handle trolling motor. My trailer was the roll bar on my CJ7 Jeep. I would take the battery off the Jeep to use for my trolling motor. I would park the Jeep on a incline in case I had to jump start the Jeep. I have owned 5 boats and never regretted buying them. If you truly love it that much you’ll never regret it. I never regret buying a boat but I love fishing that much.
Well done Brian. I’m 62 and have owned boats my entire life. Your wisdom for people wanting to get a boat is spot on. Also great perspective on cost of outfitting a boat. Keep speaking truth. People need to hear it.
I started my own bait company making soft plastics about a year ago. Being a full time police officer and trying to get this business of the ground has been hard. But that’s the price you have to pay in order to get the greatness out of all your dreams! My hopes is that I can save up this money and buy a small Jon to fish tournaments on Sam Rayburn or Toledo Bend here at home. Really been enjoying the videos man keep up the amazing work.
Fishing around Baton Rouge right now. Morgan city to Natchez. Been wanting to take a trip to Toledo bend but don’t know anything about the reservoir or where to fish it.
The best idea for buying a boat is working hard! Although I didn’t buy my boat cash, I set a goal of a down payment and worked overtime everyday for 7 months and ended up surpassing my target goal! Nothing beats opening the garage or hitching that boat up knowing the hard work pays off! Dreams lead to goals, and goals are made to be surpassed for those who are determined to achieve their dreams! Keep preaching hard work and positivity👊🏽
Just got my first boat. 93 Tidecraft Wildfire 100, with a mercury 115hp, bass boat. Came up with an idea to rent it out daily for fishing. My cousin bought the boat 10yrs ago and took very good care of it. He recently retired and bought himself a newer and bigger pro craft 190 with a mercury 200hp and sold me the older bass boat for a super great deal 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I didn't get to watch the full video but you're right I started with a 14 ft aluminum jon boat moved to a 1993 Astro 17 footer with a 90 horse Mercury that blew the powerhead and I replaced and ran for 7 years. Now I literally go pick up my brand new 2023 G3 sportsman 1710 tomorrow. It's a lot of hard work but it can be done
Fantastic video Brian. I bought my first boat while bartending while also working at a bank in my first job. Great advice. Never borrow money for toys….take it from someone that lends people money for a living. Make sacrifices and earn your toys. No one wants to hear that but it’s great advice.
@@BrianLatimerFishing Borrowing money responsibly is the way to go. It doesn't always mean pay cash for everything, but also doesn't mean financing a boat for 15-20 years either if you really can't afford it. Stretching out the loan for a lower monthly payment and paying more on interest then more than likely you can't afford it if you're having to take out a second mortgage on a boat. (Though a lot of people do), and that is a bit concerning when people overextend for recreational stuff. - The Dave Ramsey impression was great btw haha
Bought my first boat cash for 10k. Just financed my second boat for 35k and I started to regret my decision.. Had some bad cold feet. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear this!
You are exactly right, there is plenty of work out there if you look. I bought a Digital Marketing Program where I can work a couple hours a day and make 6 figures a year to pay for my boat.
Aluminum boats are getting better and better. I had the option to buy an older glass boat or a brand new Tracker and I absolutely love my 18" Tracker. Sure its not as fast and doesn't handle waves as well but it works great, gets awesome gas milage, and is super reliable.
Instead of buying a boat, my dad and I restored his 1986 slingshot. It took us 2 years due to the amount of work and time it took to get an engine during Covid. I love it, probably can’t get rid of it ever, and am still adding a few things to it. I wish it were a little longer and wider, but it gets the job done. Got to fish my first tournament out of it a couple months ago 💪🏻
@@BrianLatimerFishing 2 years from start to finish. It could’ve been shorter, but we have life problems that got in the way of us working on it at times…the only things I want to do to it now is upgrade the fish finder at the console and put new seats on it. But right now it’s in the best condition I’ve ever seen it. We even repainted it the original colors in the garage ourselves!
Great advice, Dave! 😂 1989 17’ Bass Tracker here. Picked it up for $1500 3 years ago. Cleaned it up, dumped some money in it and I’m on the water catching fish 👍😁 I don’t always out fish the guy in the $80,000 bass boats but when I do it feels real good.
Super great advise I'm about to put to use because I went in over my head. Bought a 02 tr-19 with 200 hpdi. 6 months in fuel pump went out and lost compression. I got the boat for 15k and I took out a SECOND loan to rebuild the motor😂 I think I have to fish reality is I need to be smart. Wish this video came out a year ago lol. Gonna get my hustle on now. Thank you b!
Brian! This is exactly what I did. I never could afford a boat but MADE myself afford one. I did side jobs and creatively generated money. I started with a 14' Jon boat and troller and now I have a Legend V20 with a 300R and loaded with Garmins. Every boat between that and now I did extra things to do. I wont share the whole story but I traded some work for a tractor and flipped the tractor and made a bunch of extra money on it. That flip paid for all my electronics. Its "easy" but you have to work for it!
My first boat was an inflatable one that I bought at the Post Exchange at Ft Lewis Wa in 1987. Went out and sunk it. Placed bass fishing on the back burner, worked my behind off for 25 plus years raising a family and getting my kids grown & gone and retiring twice to buy a real bass fishing boat. It’s doable!
This is a message everyone needs to hear, I started in a 12ft sears fiberglass row boat from 65' now I still have a 16ft duck boat, and an older stratos pro xl
Brian I sitting here watching your video. You just named about four or five things that you need done around the house. I'm trying to buy a Bass Cat. 😊 🎣
Great video! I bought my first boat from my dad. It was an Astro he ordered new in the 90s, and it was very well taken care of. A few years later I sold it and bought a Phoenix. Now I run a Falcon and I think it's just about perfect, but in a few years I think I'm going to make the switch to a bay boat. By the way, I see that bass hanging on the wall. Nice to see a fellow musical fisherman 😊
Brian, this video right here is one reason I subscribe to your channel. You are authentic for one, next you discuss topic about things that others to not ever address. There is a lot more to fishing than rods and reels. I like to hear/see the whole gambit. Keep it up much respect.
The Dave Ramsey approach was an excellent suggestion! Save up until you can pay cash for it. There’s nothing wrong with a 12’ jon boat with a trolling motor. Many lakes will only allow trolling motors and the 12’ jon boat will get you to many spots that you can’t get to otherwise. Doing extra work is a great idea for anything and everything.
This is the video I needed! I’ve been fishing out of a kayak for years and cannot wait to upgrade to a real boat. I’ve got $4K saved up so far and am hoping to get a decent used aluminum boat in a year or 2. Probably should start my own pressure washing business to speed up the process!
Great video B.Latt! Appreciate the time on this subject. I’m not in a bass boat, I’m just looking at Kayak right now, but even a decent kayak brand new tournament ready is around $10k. That’s a lot to me. I’m looking used too. Anyway, this video came at the right time, so thanks!
I absolutely love this! Probably the best video you’ve ever shared. I started with nothing and growing up on food stamps. I now own 3 businesses and it all started with an “IDEA”. I could easily finance a new 21’ boat with a 250-300hp but I still use the principles you’re talking about. I have an 2005 18’ bass boat that is paid off and I just sold a job (idea) to pay for a set of power poles and a second livescope. I honestly have no need to buy a new boat at this time. I have all the latest and greatest on my boat at this time except a 4-stroke and just told my wife there’s no reason to step up until my motor goes. That gives me tons of time to step up with cash.
B Lat. I really enjoyed this and your previous video. I was dead set on getting a new or newish Nitro Z20, even though my dream boat is a Falcon thanks to you. But over time I came to the realization that a new boat would run me 50/60 before putting any type of electronics on it. So i shifted my focus to the 30/40K range where I can probably get a older boat with everything I already wanted on it. My pops called me the other day and said he may be downsizing from his Nitro Z7, so I may have an opportunity to get a 2016/2017 boat for sub 20K. Also thanks for making me realize i need to stop procrastinating and move forward with my idea tufting
Let me rephase this B Lat is a phenomenal fisherman so I couldn't do what he is capable of nor many others I just want someone to acknowledge the world we live in today is not the same as 20 years ago 😔 I wish we could go back to those days
I’m just in the start of the 2nd or 3rd boat phase. Started with an old aluminum Vhull from the 90s that we got cash. I got a 2021 nitro z19 now and I don’t regret taking the loan on it. Making extra payments and having fun fishing.
I just started watching your channel last night, it’s really inspiring to me. I just got out of high school and I’ve been struggling with my self on how to get a boat and get back into tournaments. Thank you for the inspiration and I hope to see you out there some day.
Thank you for the reply, I’ve looked up to you guys ever sense I was a kid and it’s always been my plan to peruse this sport so thank you for the inspiration bro, means a lot.
Great video Brian! Packed full of wisdom that I wish I had been exposed to when I started out. My boat is my second wife. With that said they can be very costly. However, I appreciate her for all the things that she can do. I love my Nitro but I wish I could had do a few things differently. Love the video!
This!!!! Started in a float tube, then a 2 man, then a 14’ modified old v bottom with a hand built deck and an ice chest live well, then a tracker pro team 175 TXW, and now a Vexus America. 🇺🇸
it aint for everybody, but if you got the drive and are pretty handy. its doable for a poor man. im a fulltime single dad and work a fulltime job to boot. find one and restore it. traded 2 busted 4 wheelers for a 94 skeeter ss140. was just a hull and trailer when i started. 3 years and lots of youtube videos later.. finally about to put carpet down and be able to fish out of it and get off the bank. great way to spread the cost out. you learn it inside and out and know exactly you have. not to mention the pride and feeling of accomishment of making exactly what you want and doing it yourself. great way to spend time with yours kids and enstill some solid values and lessons along the way.
Another excellent video. Ppl also forget to realize how much money they waste on dumb stuff like going to get that coffee every morning or getting that 711 hotdog at lunch. Knocking down the micro purchases, unnecessary subscriptions and putting it towards a boat will build fast. I bought my current boat (and most things on it, including the renovation) with money I made from metal recycling and turning in cans and bottles for cash deposit. It's not the greatest rig of all time, but it gets me out fishing, comfortably, it's reliable and does everything I need. I'll upgrade eventually, but this one is solid for now.
Now after watching this video, you should've shown this one first and then flexed on us with the previous video lol. You are a true inspiration. You gave us the blue print on boat buying with this vid, and the big boat pimpin' on the previous. Keep up the great work u are showing and telling us my guy! 💪🏽👊🏾
Maybe big boat pimping was the wrong context lol. This is why I follow you on this youtube journey. Your humbleness towards sharing your gear, fishing techniques, family life etc etc... and still keeping us focused and locked in on just straight up fishing! I know u see what I just did there lol.
I got a 12’ jon boat with a hole in it from a friend. Repaired it, put a platform up front stuffed bunch of styrofoam under it. Carpeted it mounted 2 bass boat seats front and rear. Saved and got a 9.9 Mercury because that was the max hp for the lakes near me. 25lb trolling motor. And a portable Hummingbird fish finder. The boar was a 70s model Sea Nymph I think it would shallow and I could take that boat anywhere. I donated the boat and trailer to a church when I moved to NC. I still have the motors and the fish finder.
Love the video Brian, I've always wondered about this myself with some questions. Great job explaining it and the backstory from your personal life in how you were able to get where you are now is great, I think more people especially around my age (I'll be 22 this summer) need to hear this more.
My journey. 1985 Skeeter FS-80, 19?? Terry 15' bass boat, 1984 18' Procraft w/150...thought I made it, 1979 Skeeter HP Wrangler put 150 from Procraft on it, burnt it up then put a Rude 140 ran great, New 2014 Ranger RT188 aluminum w/115 Etec, paid it off sold it after 6 years and bought New 2019 Tracker PT195 in 2020 w/ my first Merc 150, paid it off sold it to pay for new HVAC system for the house and used the rest of the money for my current 1995 Viper 201D w/200 Johnson. Old boat in good shape but have to say it's my favorite. Miss the turnkey start of the previous 2 so maybe upgrade of the outboard in the future to at least a DI Opti since my beloved OMC let me down. Of the bunch the best with the TM down was the Ranger believe it or not, shallow draft that sits flat in the water. The Tracker was nose high, so it was a lot harder to control in wind. The FS-80 turned on a dime, Terry was a tri-hull beat you to death, Procraft was just alright, Wrangler HP ran like a scalded dog but no storage. Both new boats were great. The Viper has enough storage, rides great and is just fast enough with the old smoker back there.
Brian, I've been fishing as a coangler for 30 years with my dad, I'm 37 and been clean from drugs for 8 years now. I make that 30-40 range a year, literally all but 100 a check goes to bills. .I doordash also pt but it's tough, I RUINED my credit while on dope....... I've come to the realization I'll never be able to save up X amount to buy a small flay bottom with 9.9... much love bro, Greg
I'm definitely working on it and you are absolutely right. You gotta do something extra, I'm working 2 electrical jobs making roughly 90k a year and still don't exactly have what I want. I have a hand me down boat that I hardly have access to so it's really no use to me but I'm working on it like I said very hard 24/7 I love Bass fishing and it's been my dream to fish with the bassmasters since I was a kid and it is still a dream and I am working on getting there
I got my first boat from FB Market. I paid $1950 cash for a 1973 13.5 foot crabfisher (cross btw john boat and bass boat) 9.9 HP Merc, old junky trolling mtr. It had two swivel seats and no solid storage or livewell. I put roughly a $1000 into it the first year upgrading some stuff esp the trailer. It is a great boat
Thank you for the video man! These are my thoughts exactly! That is after I had money for a cheaper boat but I wanted a more expensive one, and guess what? Something came up and I didn’t buy any boat! So I was kicking myself for not buying a cheaper boat cuz now I got no boat and no money! So I was thinking I need a side hustle to make that money and get the cheapest boat first! Man I wish I saw this video a month ago!
Yes I started with a basstender when jumbo sports where going out of business and yes got a trolling motor from Wally World. Bought a trailer for that basstender from Porthsmith trailer on my military discount. FIGURE IT OUT!!
If there is a real want; there is a way! But you gotta really want it. You gotta be smart about it. If you are bad about budgeting your income and don’t have understand budgeting I suggest you get with someone to look at your finances and build you a budget. You might be surprised how much money you don’t have or can have once you truly see where every dollar is going. Brian throws out Dave Ramsey a lot; that’s a great resource and place to start with one of their financial counselors.
I’m definitely starting Small Shooting RU-vid Vids with my 10 ft Bass Pro Pond Prowler 😅 Hopefully my Channel blows up like yours and then I’ll slowly Upgrade until I get that Dream Bass Boat 🙏🏾
Great video as always! This video explains the exact progression that ive been following! Great advice in here. Canoes and kayaks, to a trolling motor John boat, to an aluminum with a 50hp, now ive got a brand new center console! Focus on fishing and and living, work hard and it will all come together!
I fish all over Ohio in a 14ft Jon boat that I turned into a bass boat. I even take it to lake Erie. I have made many of good memories out of that boat. Honestly I will probably never sell it. It's literally the perfect bass boat. I can fish anywhere
Got my first boat 4 years ago. It’s still my bass boat. 1988 champion 19ft long with an evinrude spl88 have less than $2k in it to date counting buying the boat.
Post heart transplant here - my rehab is cash from trading - paid 2001 19ft VIP; was same boat as the BASS tourney in 2001 - xp150 from a collegiate fisherman trading up. dirty but supper solid , cleaned it up, threw on an ebay min-kota 75lb and 2 Lowrance HDS gen 3... gets 2-3 trips on my local lake per fill up of boat and truck... a day fishing does not count against your life!
I wanted a boat but would never fork out the money. Did some carpentry work for my nephew and when I finished, he said how much I owe you. After some back and forth he signed the title to his 93 Fisher Marsh v3 75hp. Been working on anything that breaks ever since. Solid boat but due to age, something breaks all the time but I still probably only have $4000 in it with my time for the work I did, new seats, new carpet and misc parrs that break. I do all my work and have learned more than I ever wanted to learn. No leaks and runs like a top. Just put a 9" garmin on it
This year i bought my first boat, its a 14ft john boat with a 2.5hp motor and a trailer. I want to fix it up install some floors and stuff. But this video is all truth it takes time to level up.
The most important thing Brian said was " It's All ABOUT WANT TO" My example would be I got a company to pay for my college by agreeing to work for them after I got my degree. The first boat came about 5 years later. Now retired, I live on the lake and fish four hr's per day four to five days per week. I was dirt poor, in high school and I did not like that.
Dave Ramsey 🤙🏽🤙🏽. Good vid B Lat. Great story and explaining where you came from. Good stuff man. Maybe one day I’ll get a bass boat lol. Till then, kayak for life.
My first boat was a 1964 Sears Jon boat 1436 with no motor or trailer. I found a 15 hp Johnson a guy had used twice. It was like 20 years old and look brand new. Paid $600 for it. Ran like a top until it got stolen. I stepped up to a 1998 Champion fish& ski in 2002 for $13k. I sold that boat in 2021 for $9500 and got a really nice bonus from work and bought a 2000 Champion 191 with a 200hp opti. Paid cash and have been happy as could be.
I feel like boats under $20,000 are affordable for most people. I gave $18,000 for mine brand new just 3 years ago and the payment is under $200 per month. It’s a small 2022 PaddleKing Lo Pro Angler pontoon boat only 13’ long and 7’ wide that feels very spacious for 2 people. It got me on the water with a 20HP Tohatsu motor that I don’t have to worry about because it’s also new. I’ve probably spent another $1500 adding accessories like a trolling motor, fish finder, dock lights, interior lights, and doing custom upgrades like making and installing rod racks. That also includes things like life jackets, anchor, rope, first aid kit, and other small stuff. I think it’s affordable and I was able to have something clean, nice, brand new, and now as opposed to later, by just financing it. The payment is surprisingly affordable.
@@BrianLatimerFishing I coach for a living and I have trouble getting kids to work hard to get better. Also they say they want this or that so I tell them to go earn money so they can get it. They just tell me nah. So I get what you are saying but I also see it in teenagers/ young adults.
Hey brother, thank you for this video man, I needed this one. I have a aluminum G3 sportsman 1810 fully decked out brother power poles & everything & i really love it bruh, i work my ass off & did the extra stuff & all like you saying in this video bud, but sometimes I get discouraged because I be wan fish them big tournaments like the BFL on them big body of lake but sometimes I can’t make it cross the lakes because of the waves & that’s when I get discouraged thinking it’s not good enough when I work my ass off to get It how I want it & I love it man but this video right here must needed, because I’m sure gonna jump in a few next year but thank you brother, I appreciate you sir🫡
I have a paid off 2018 tracker 170 with 40hp 4 stroke. I catch fish! It’s not fast, it’s a little bumpy, it get me in those shallow spots. I’m happy. I’ll upgrade one day when my sons are old enough to come fish with me
I really like this video because as an avid bass fisherman (and I definitely think we need to make thar clarification- are you a fisherman or a BASS fisherman? It definitely separates your passion and how much you're willing to do and spend) but as a father, husband, and someone who prioritize finance and budget I think the main question you need to ask and answer about yourself is What is your fishing goal? Are you legitimately trying to be a semi-pro or pro angler? Are you trying to fish the tourney circuits? Are you trying to be a weekender and fish club derbies? Or are you just trying to have fun? If you're just trying to have fun, maybe catch a PB and then try to break that PB, how much do you really need to spend on this hobby? Far be it from anyone to tell you how much to spend on what makes you happy- but really think about where you're at in life, where you're at financially, and think what am I trying to achieve with this fishing I'm doing? If you're just being a weekend warrior having fun, do you really need a $200 reel, $300 rod, $50 line, and top end lures? Be responsible and be conscious of your finances. Best of luck to everyone!
