[skinny_fishing]

Of course I gotta put in a word for Rabco, was recently at their shop and the new owner is doing a great job, the hulls look better than they ever have before, way better than mine lol.

 

[Sublime]

I hate to even say this, but have you considered building your own? Search for the Conchfish builds on here on Microskiff. With minimal skillz, you could build one in 12 months time (I took 48 months, but I digress). When you are done, you'd have a 16 or 17.8 lightweight, dead quiet, proven hull. An advantage of building your own, is you spread the expenses out over time and have time to look for deals. I'd venture to say you could build the 16 footer with new motor and trailer for $20k or less.

 

[Sublime]

You could do a lot worse. Etecs aren't produced anymore and draw the ire of many and I'm sure he has priced this skiff accordingly. I ran a 50 etec for 9 years with zero issues.

https://www.microskiff.com/threads/beavertail-micro.122258/?post_id=1154299#post-1154299

 

[Czech_Mate]

I find it very hard to hate on these little J16s. My go to recommendation when someone asks how to get on the water and chase some fish affordably.

Did you do that EVA foam/deck job yourself?

I started with a 12’ Jon Boat then a J16 now an ECS Glide. Start cheap and figure out what you want out of a boat.

 

[Esmyers7]

Check out the Elk river boat works, I have no first hand experience but they look sweet.

 

[StSpartina]

What's it like to finance a used boat? I prefer new, if it's a PITA.

I've financed a used before through Vystar Credit Union. Wasn't any worse, but if I remember right there's a years old cutoff.

 

[m.latorre555]

Check out sunrise financial. I used them to partially fund a repower. Had $10k deposited in my account in less than 24hrs. I think the interest rate was around 4.5%. This was in 2019 though. Unsecured personal loan. 3 year term. No penalty for paying off early. I had a great experience using them.

 

[skinny_fishing]

I feel like I'm in the minority, but I'm finding it really hard to justify spending over 15k on any boat, been looking to upgrade to something a bit bigger but everything is just so damn expensive.

Yeah yeah inflation, covid, whatever the reason doesn't make me feel any better about it. I can afford it that's not the issue, but maybe it's my poor upbringing and having to scrounge money that makes me feel like none of these boats are worth spending that kind of money on lol.

And taking a loan out for any boat just sounds like crazy talk to me, going into debt for anything that's not a house would give me anxiety, maybe my brain is broken

 

[rovster]

Different strokes for different folks @skinny_fishing Gotta pay to play😜

 

[Tealthunder]

And taking a loan out for any boat just sounds like crazy talk to me, going into debt for anything that's not a house would give me anxiety, maybe my brain is broken

See you are an enthusiast and we are addicts haha

 

[skinny_fishing]

Not exactly addicted to being in debt lol.

Different strokes for different folks @skinny_fishing Gotta pay to play😜

I understand that. My point was for me it's difficult because even tho I would really like a Beavertail Micro or whatever, I can't bring myself to spend the money for one so it's a personal conundrum and the broke part of my brain that refuses to splurge on anything usually wins out. Guess I'll have to suffer with the rabco then lol

 

[wilcox]

I am looking for an inexpensive, less than $20k, skiff. It seems as if a saltmarsh 1444 or a gheenoe are the options I can find. Are there other ones out there, that I am missing?

Shoot me a pm I may have something for you for way less. The saltmarsh is sweet tho. Gheenoe are okay just not stable. Look at Mitzi

 

[29190]

Have you looked at Towee, affordable used ones, and very stable and fishy!

Home | Towee Boats

www.toweemarine.com

 

[m.latorre555]

Check out sunrise financial. I used them to partially fund a repower. Had $10k deposited in my account in less than 24hrs. I think the interest rate was around 4.5%. This was in 2019 though. Unsecured personal loan. 3 year term. No penalty for paying off early. I had a great experience using them.

Correction*** it was Lightstream not sunrise.

 

[ERK]

https://www.microskiff.com/threads/skull-island-16-skiff.120768/?post_id=1146903#post-1146903

 

[Flats Hunter]

I feel like I'm in the minority, but I'm finding it really hard to justify spending over 15k on any boat, been looking to upgrade to something a bit bigger but everything is just so damn expensive.

Yeah yeah inflation, covid, whatever the reason doesn't make me feel any better about it. I can afford it that's not the issue, but maybe it's my poor upbringing and having to scrounge money that makes me feel like none of these boats are worth spending that kind of money on lol.

And taking a loan out for any boat just sounds like crazy talk to me, going into debt for anything that's not a house would give me anxiety, maybe my brain is broken

I have to admit I’m right there with you at this point in life.

Boat costs have gotten so ridiculously expensive now it isn’t the best option to own one unless you almost go out weekly. At the moment I was lucky to go once a month. When I did the math it would be cheaper to hire a guide then own my own skiff. The bonus with that option is there is zero work/maintenance involved and your odds of catching are higher.

I’ll get another skiff in the future but it’s going to be under $15k and ultra simple/utilitarian. I fish alone 90% of the time so I have lots of options.

 

[loganlogan]

I've financed a used before through Vystar Credit Union. Wasn't any worse, but if I remember right there's a years old cutoff.

Thanks.

 

[loganlogan]

Check out sunrise financial. I used them to partially fund a repower. Had $10k deposited in my account in less than 24hrs. I think the interest rate was around 4.5%. This was in 2019 though. Unsecured personal loan. 3 year term. No penalty for paying off early. I had a great experience using them.

I signed up with them a few years ago. It was 3 ish %, I believe. It was going to be $80 a month for 12 years. It would have been done in a few, but safe if things changed. They changed faster than I could ever imagine, in 2021.

 

[loganlogan]

Of course I gotta put in a word for Rabco, was recently at their shop and the new owner is doing a great job, the hulls look better than they ever have before, way better than mine lol.

Similar to Carolina it seems?

 

[loganlogan]

I feel like I'm in the minority, but I'm finding it really hard to justify spending over 15k on any boat, been looking to upgrade to something a bit bigger but everything is just so damn expensive.

Yeah yeah inflation, covid, whatever the reason doesn't make me feel any better about it. I can afford it that's not the issue, but maybe it's my poor upbringing and having to scrounge money that makes me feel like none of these boats are worth spending that kind of money on lol.

And taking a loan out for any boat just sounds like crazy talk to me, going into debt for anything that's not a house would give me anxiety, maybe my brain is broken

I'm right there with you. However, I've been thinking about it for years now. I'm getting older and still no boat. Kayak paddling is getting old and my knees tell me not to get a peddle kayak. I was looking at ankona shadow cast, back when they were available, at they were $16k ish. I'm worried that everything is going to get even more expensive.