How many of your boats are paid for?????

big ed, when you do decide to buy another $300k house, give me a call. i'm one of those loan officers that cashes in on my lucrative commission check.

04 SANLE paid cash when I picked it up. I dont like makeing finance companies rich.

Army Dad, Thank you for sharing. I apprieciate what you have stated. I am 35 and have a 2 year old and a 4 year old. We put down over 50% on our 2003 X2. I grew up having a boat and a family cabin. When I was 12 the boat fell off the trailer and my dad never fixed it. Looking back those were some of the best memories of doing things as a family. We also used to spend time as a family at the cabin. My grandmother recently sold it claiming she wanted to have money to leave to her kids when she passes on. My aunt is so upset with her she will not even talk to her, ever again. I still talk to her but I am also very upset. My point is my boat is for my family. I take my mom and dad out. My kids love it. As for the family cabin - she sold it for 160k three years ago and now it is worth over 500k. It is located near Lake Tulluck in Northern Ca.
Great discusion guys. I have enjoyed reading everyone's post on this subject.

Unfortunately, personal finance is one of those areas where upwards of 80% of the people get screwed SOMEWHERE. Either on their assets, their liabilities, or both.

nobody can accurately decide for someone else what their ratio of asset to liabilities should be before they can afford a boat and how much they should put down on it. or if that even matters to a person. I just like knowing I'll never have to sell my baby because it doesn't make sense for me financially. If all hell broke lose, and Cali falls off the map along with its real estate values, I could still enjoy my boat. thats what its about enjoying your boat with your friends/family. for me its my friends, and eventually my family.

My boat will be paid for in May when uncle sam gives back all the scratch he took from my pay check in 2004.

Ya some big ballers paying cash for your boats,I wish I could!