How do you guys with the G23 afford these boats?? Am i missing some trick?? LMK

[lion90]

... or check our's out on Lake Lanier in the spring. A little bit closer for you now that you are in Atlanta.

[jbach]

I also don't think he needs free advertisement.

i bet not, especially since they've lost money on your last 4 trade-in boats. since they've lost money everytime you trade in a boat, i assume the next guy buying your used boat is getting pounded that much harder? i find it hard to believe, especially considering this same dealership is selling new boats of the same model less than their used boats as you said earlier in this thread. apparently the depreciation process only begins after you've traded a boat in. i applaud your negotiation skills.

[biggator]

For me - here was my process.

Many years back, I started off with an "economy boat". Since then, I have upgraded 4 times and every time I moved into a new boat that is a little step up from the previous. Each boat I have negotiated great deals by buying in-stock boats and buying at the right time of year (left overs in off-season, etc). One of them, I got for *UNDER* deal cost back when the banking crisis was going on and a historical drought in our area. Banks/dealers just wanted to unload.

The combination of getting great deals on boats, taking great care of them, negotiating the next boat before talking trade has allowed me to lose very little on the previous boat and pay just a little extra to get a boat the next level up.

The progression went like this: Moomba XLV -> Supra 24SSV -> Nautique 230 -> Nautique G23.

Up until this point, every one of them were paid in cash. However, with the G23 I am considering financing a part of it (not a ton since I am trading my 230 and getting what I think is a good deal on the G23). I don't agree that everything should be paid in cash if you have the proper discipline and investment strategy. My house is currently financed at 2.75% and that interest is tax deductible. What incentive do I have to pay that off when my investments have averaged about 10% over the last 4 or so years (through bad economy)? I have money that I could take out of investments to pay it off, but it would actually cost me money long term to do so. The same could be said for the boat. With great credit you can get some decent rates on boat loans right now. If I can average better return on my investments than I pay in boat interest rate, why would I take that money out of the investment where it is doing great work for me? I think the key here is that if I *HAD* to pay off the boat, I could. If the investments don't perform, I can make the decision to pay the loan off, penalty free.

You forgot your Launch 22!

I'm with lion90.. I'm only on my second wakeboat (I kept my malibu for almost 7 years). I look at it as - I live on a lake, so our family/leisure time is on the lake. THAT is our fun, entertainment and family time - what better to spend my money on?

Is spending that kind of coin an easy pill? Nope.. but it's worth it. We also got what seems to be fantastic deals.

[biggator]

I may take you up if I can get out there this year. We have a lake house on lewisville in highland shores in the cove. Work relocated us to Atlanta and now have another lake house locally and NO boat. I can't live on the water and have no boat. I have 3 little kiddos and all three are playing sports yr round and the wifey has a rebuttal that I can't overcome with this situation.

Get your kids into watersports.. they'll need to 'train'. My 7yo now LOVES wakeboarding.. she has no idea that the next wake she hits will be as big as her.

[AllianceBJJ]

Last contribution by me to this and then you can consider yourself the winner of the discussion...

Dealer takes a smaller margin on multiple boats over 5 years, on someone he knows will come in and buy another boat next year, rather than have to take a bigger margin on someone they will not see for another 5 years and wants to get it all in that one deal. If you think there arent people that pay MSRP for these things, you are crazy. Plenty of people with more money than sense. Dealer hits larger sales numbers, which equal more incentives and allocation from the factory. Plus if the boat I happen to want has been sitting on the lot for a few months and buy when slow in December, January or February, he wants to get rid of it before his floorplan interest subsidy stops. Also, dealer has sold my trade for what he gave me in the last 3 deals. I actually see 2 of those folks around the lake.

[1sicknautique]

Get your kids into watersports.. they'll need to 'train'. My 7yo now LOVES wakeboarding.. she has no idea that the next wake she hits will be as big as her.

Oh she loves being on the water and so do the kids, but in all honesty I just sold our 08 sante 4 months ago and it had almost 49 hrs on it. That's what I'm battling.

[swc5150]

Last contribution by me to this and then you can consider yourself the winner of the discussion...

Dealer takes a smaller margin on multiple boats over 5 years, on someone he knows will come in and buy another boat next year, rather than have to take a bigger margin on someone they will not see for another 5 years and wants to get it all in that one deal. If you think there arent people that pay MSRP for these things, you are crazy. Plenty of people with more money than sense. Dealer hits larger sales numbers, which equal more incentives and allocation from the factory. Plus if the boat I happen to want has been sitting on the lot for a few months and buy when slow in December, January or February, he wants to get rid of it before his floorplan interest subsidy stops. Also, dealer has sold my trade for what he gave me in the last 3 deals. I actually see 2 of those folks around the lake.

I've followed your methodoligy with the same success, on 196's of course. When I sold MC's in college in the 90's, we had customers do the same thing. It's all about timing and repeat buying. I bet I could get close to what I paid for any one of 196's on trade come spring.

[jsta281]

I'm 31 and it was just a question to see how people rationalize dropping that kinda coin. I guess I don't deserve one if im this wishy washy. In honesty I can afford one but I can't just seem to swallow 180 months and 600-700 bucks. I'm looking to purchase my 3rd nautique and a G crossed my mind. I apologize if this question rubbed you wrong, it wasn't meant to.

No not rubbed wrong at all. Just a curious question I guess. If you're 31 and could afford and qualify to buy a G 23 then you're way ahead of the game compared to a lot of people. The reasoning for Not buying one is pretty sound too.

[NautiDave07]

I think the op has a valid question. Not to many responders have said what they do. Are you guys doing something illegal? If you don't want to tell the guy then don't. No need to flame him for it.
I am a pilot if you want to know. I bought my first 210 used two years old. Put 700-800 hrs on it in 5 summers. Sold it when I bought the 236 on a close out deal. I got a great deal on that boat Just over dealer cost. I sold it 3 years later and took a big hit by the time you figure taxes and depreciation. I see the prices on some of these used boats and laugh. Some people are crazy high and they wonder why their boats aren't selling. I didn't need to sell when I did but I was tired of spending 600 bucks a month for payment, storage, and insurance. I was spending 1500 a month in the summer on a boat i wasnt getting to use enough to justify the expense. I miss having my own wake boat but I don't miss the stress of paying for it or the upkeep.

[ironj32]

I'm 29, and have a decent paying career. With that said, I'm by no means "rich". I just choose to spend my money differently than most others. Instead of buying a $400k house, I purchased one at half that price. I don't have a bunch of big new tv's/expensive gaming councils/computers, I don't hit the downtown scene every weekend, nor do I go on multiple expensive vacations each year, don't have a bunch of expensive shoes and clothes. I'm content with my 5 year old 37" flat screen, my girlfriend and I try to go out to eat only once a week and don't spend too much (maybe only $60 total), I try to get at least one trip in down to southern Florida each year (I stay with family, so the vacation is relatively cheap)

Pretty much everything you can spend money on is a depreciating asset (with the exception of a house, land and investments). I decide to flush my money down the drain with a G23 vs the afformentioned.

In response to Dave's comment about not telling what we do - if it helps to know, I am a Program Director and Assistant Vice President at one of the largest banks in the country.

[scottb7]

If the investments don't perform, I can make the decision to pay the loan off, penalty free.

That would be true if you actually got out of the investment before the principal eroded...Like,,uh,,, most everyone that lost 20-30% of their 401k's, and other investment value.

[scottb7]

i assume the next guy buying your used boat is getting pounded that much harder?

I bought my 210 across the street from waterski america (original owner traded it in for a malibu) for a fair price...after talking to philip about the boat...He did admit that had it been at his dealership it would have been lot's lot's more $$$$

[lion90]

That would be true if you actually got out of the investment before the principal eroded...Like,,uh,,, most everyone that lost 20-30% of their 401k's, and other investment value.

Like, uh, do you know me? Do you know my investment strategy? Do you know what in am invested in? Did i do something to deserve that snide response? What about the portions of my portfolio that are in bonds, money markets or other less volatile investments? I am diversified and could certainly sell the near cash equivalents to pay a 40k or so boat loan.

What i can say is that when the market tanked, instead of selling, I was buying extensively. Sure my principal eroded for a bit, however once it rebounded, I made out very well. I got opportunities to buy when the DOW sank to the 7k range. It was opportunity to buy at levels from many years back. Look where it is now, almost double that. I didn't lose anything during that time in the long run. It isn't a loss until you sell at a loss.

Believe what you want, it has and continues to work for me in the long term. Carry on...

[jsta281]

"I walked on the moon"

Sincerely,

Brian Regan

[biggator]

Like, uh, do you know me? Do you know my investment strategy? Do you know what in am invested in? Did i do something to deserve that snide response? What about the portions of my portfolio that are in bonds, money markets or other less volatile investments? I am diversified and could certainly sell the near cash equivalents to pay a 40k or so boat loan.

What i can say is that when the market tanked, instead of selling, I was buying extensively. Sure my principal eroded for a bit, however once it rebounded, I made out very well. I got opportunities to buy when the DOW sank to the 7k range. It was opportunity to buy at levels from many years back. Look where it is now, almost double that. I didn't lose anything during that time in the long run. It isn't a loss until you sell at a loss.

Believe what you want, it has and continues to work for me in the long term. Carry on...

So.. whoever asked how people afford a G? By being a smart person. Refer to lion90 above.