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I think what should be remembered is boating is as expensive as you make it. Much like anything. If you buy a new BMW Z4 you better be able to afford it. But just because you can’t afford a Z4 doesn’t mean you can’t have a car. I think his article should have been “Don’t by a boat you can’t afford there is more than the purchase price to consider”.
I have a 25ft 1978 sailboat in a town with a population of less than 200,000 and one sailboat club with two locations on the river and one on a lake down the river.
Cost
Boat $7500
Club membership $375 for the year (this includes a mooring)
Winter storage $200
Launch and hall out $120 per
Insurance $120 for the year.
Yearly engine checkup $250
Yearly sail checkup $250
So it cost me around 1315 + gass per year.
For some people that is nothing and for others it is a lot of money. Now move my boat to Toronto or Boston and the price will go up. Could go up big time. But people buy what they can afford. If all I could afford was a 8ft sailing dingy that is what I would have. If I could afford 42 ft Hunter I would have one.
For me the act of sailing that you could also get from a charter is only part of it. I would say for me 50%. 50% sailing, 25% working on my boat 10% status 15% love of the water.
My point is it is different for all people and we get what we can afford. For me I would rather own an old BMW or boat then Rent a new one.
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