[JohnDrake]

The cost is high, as I have pointed out above, higher than most people realize or anticipate. I have been a two boat owner and that is even less "cost effective". I own because I need to have a boat. Anytime I wish, I can go to my boat without having to make plans ahead of time. I enjoy working on her and learning not only how to be a better captain but how to repair and maintain a boat.

But, I also CAN go to the boat anytime I wish. I have committed to sailing, boating and the marine environment since I was a kid.

If you look, you will find a lot of 2 yr old boats for sale. They are up for sale because their owners wanted to sail and thus bought a boat. But reality set in and they did the math and found that their cost per trip was enough to take the entire family to Bermuda.

Many wealthy people have boat they hardly use. They simply can afford it.

In my opinion, people they buy boats do so because they are either committed to boating or can simply afford to keep a boat they don''t use.

Since you have owned boats before, you can judge whether you are really committed to boating or whether you need to control your cash flow for other family matters (some boats can take over a year to sell).

There are many good boats that fit any budget. There are also ways to limit your costs. That would be a different thread.

[sorry if this was long winded]

Best of luck

John