Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainFredGreenfield
Its meant to provide some advice and insight to those who have a dream to do it, have been sitting at their desk dreaming it, but don't see or know about all of the other costs associated. I'm just sick of seeing people neglecting their boats, coming down to the dock twice a year, trying to get their wife to come down but since they've been neglecting their boats they spend all their time trying to get the thing to run and get her clean, in the meantime throwing away money on slip fees and insurance and after a couple of years selling their boat at a loss after throwing away a few G's.
I think if you go into it with a different mindset you might be able to get some some real use out of your boat in the first couple of years and settle into a nice life of occasional or regular boating!
I've seen enough boat abuse to last for a lifetime, I'd rather dreamers simply look at it a little more practically before blowing tens of thousands on a boat only to find out they're not ready.
|
Look Cap'n - No offense meant here, but, I've got several rather expensive hobbies. Amateur radio, collecting guns, archery, computers (many types and sorts in my basement), making beer, making mead to name just a few of them.
I've been more of a "hobby collector" over the years than anything else. I get going on something, I get very GOOD at it and add it to my personal resume of "things I can do".
If I took that same tack as you just did in your article, by telling folks that "Ham radio can cost you thousands and thousands of dollars, so remember, a cell phone is probably cheaper" it would turn people OFF the hobby in the first place.
My remark was certainly sarcastic because my wife and I are just getting started in sailing and to hear some of the folks here complain constantly about the "cost of sailing" is quite a turn off.
But - like Amateur Radio (where equipment can cost you as much as a small boat - in fact there are radio systems out there running 13k and more - very expensive for a radio not used under military specifications, the MORE part is what bugs me... but I digress) so buying a very expensive boat in my opinion is an option some people have.
I do not.
I also don't have the experience yet to tell someone the pros and cons about any particular boat thus I wouldn't do that.
BUT, I DO have some things going for me that will help to defray costs of maintenance on a boat over the course of several years.
Those things are - I'm damned good with tools, woodworking, metal working, plumbing, electrical systems, I am a 40 year plus radio guy (I have designed systems, built systems, fixed systems, installed systems) and I have the most frugal wife in the world who helps us maintain a budget. The two of us have managed many people, many systems, raised a large family, raised grandchildren and we both are reasonably intelligent people.
Given that information the whole premise of your article is "You really ought not get started sailing IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD it".
I've seen that sentiment echoed here time and again by various people.
I personally see that as a very bigoted response from people I believe don't want to see someone "without money" getting involved in a "rich man's sport".
That's just how I saw your article - and to some extent how I view many of the posters here with a very, very biased point of view.
I have no intention of listening to any of you.
I'll do what I can do with what I have, and I will do it better than most because I have to learn to do things on my own (as I have all my life) and I will do it better because I promise I won't be spending as much as everyone else (I can do MOST of my own repairs, refits, and so forth).
I believe you certainly meant well - and perhaps I missed the point of your whole message here (but, I don't think so from what you said in the next message directed at me).
When it comes down to the statement you made above... "I'm just sick of seeing people neglect their boats" - I think ALL of us would WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with you.
I don't get the idea why someone buys one, parks it in a slip and visits it twice a year (I can see why *I* might do that, in preparation for moving TO the boat - I LIVE in Colorado and NOT on the coast and moving right this minute is simply out of the question.....)
So - perhaps you could cut those folks some slack. Your personal point of view is certainly your opinion - and we all have those, but HONESTLY, do YOU take care of your boat? I'm sure you do. Good for you!
Personally I FULLY intend to get plenty of use out of any boat I own. I just purchased an old boat to learn in. I'm leaving for classes in April (to California). Once done there, we put our boat in the water and will be in it every weekend this spring and summer to practice.
Over the course of the next two years our plans are already pretty much set on how much sailing we need to get in, where we need to go and how we're going to accomplish that.
In three years we start looking in earnest for our boat - the one we will be cruising in.
And I promise you folks, if we get that far, we will be cruising from place to place, not sitting at a slip for months at a time.
I've learned a lot from this site already. Some of it is how NOT to do things.