Owning a Boat is EXPENSIVE!

[Guzzi]

Geez, I read only the first two pages and my head was spinning...that being said, I'll throw in my two cents, which is probably not worth that.
Anyway...

Buying a house is expensive, so I would suggest you rent!

I guess I better sell my house...it's paid for.

Hey, then I can afford a sailboat!

[SSBN506]

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.

[SailChick20]

Captain Obvious does have a valid point or two....it seems as though many people do tend to just jump in, before considering all costs and actual time available to use it. Fools in that category have made their own bed, IMO.

Pour moi, a GenX/Y...the cost is ridiculous, yes....but, I would pay much more to keep what I get back from sailing.

1. Friends I've met through it...that are true...willing to reciprocate help when needed (saves$!), and "get" what sailing gives you. There's nothing like sailing with friends who share your passion...often no need for words, just the wind.

2. A place to go. You know, those times when you just need to unwind...or be alone...or think? I've had days when it was too rough to go out alone...and just polished, tinkered around or read on the boat...and felt nearly as rejuvenated. When I have a bad day at work, all I can think about is how soon I can get out of the harbor (I'm lucky to be only 2 miles away..and able to sail 4-5 days/week).

3. Confidence/optimism that spills over into life. After a challenging day sailing, once I get back on the ball...I think to myself...you are an effing bad@ss for handling this today...and remember that when I'm feeling initimated or nervous in other situations. Maybe that's more of a benefit to being a woman that sails....

4. The equivalent to a lake cottage, but I don't have to drive through hours of gridlocked traffic to arrive there...plus, I can take my "cottage" to new places.

Seriously, I think I could make this list pages long...but you all know what I mean. I would get another job if it meant I could keep my boat (and the pages of reasons, even if they don't make the greatest financial sense). If I were to have to move voluntarily, I would first look for an area that could accomodate my sailing. This is not something I ever want to be without...money issues or not.

Happy New Year, SN!

-Kristen

[Yamsailor]

Sailchick20

--I think your view is great.

[Cope44]

Ok here goes...

I always wanted a power boat.

A real fast one, with two engines. I grew up racing boats on the weekend with my folks. Flat bottom fast jet boats in the delta. I worked at the power boat expo, I worked at the big ocean races. I just knew in my heart I would someday own one, what ever the cost. I eventually moved away, and did not get any time on boats for a few years.
I live in a lake town and would sit on the beach with my friends and watch the power boats go by. The real sweet ones you can hear before you see em! I would tell my friends about how much fun it was, and how I will own one some day. Well time passes as it dose and I became fast friends with a guy who owned a sail boat. The boat had not been in the water in "forever". He was not even sure it would float.
Well us power boaters All know sail boats are G@y, But what the heck, it would get me out on the water. I would be a little closer to my dream boats. He had no interest in the boat or fixing it up. It was left to him in a will, and had sentimental value. Neither he, nor I knew how to sail.
A few stupid questions here, and a book, well more of a pamphlet really, from the used book store, A lot of elbow grease, a lot of fiberglass dust, A little bit of money, I do mean a little bit. The back registration was like $30.00. And now we sail on the lake and I no longer want a power boat, Ok, well maby a little bit.

As stated before any thing that gets you out there is what it's all about.

I smile every time I look at the boat on the lawn, and THAT will never devalue.


Last but not least my friend now loves the boat and remembers it's previous owner every time we talk about it or take it out. The boat went from a eye sore to a proud vessel.

I guess what I'm trying to say is my boat has "gained value" in the eyes of at least two people.

Cope

[N0NJY]

Last but not least my friend now loves the boat and remembers it's previous owner every time we talk about it or take it out. The boat went from a eye sore to a proud vessel.

And that's what it's all about.....

Thanks Cope.

[imagine2frolic]

COSTS? I don't have to worry about any stinking cost. An addict doesn't worry about cost.....JUST GIVE ME MY FIX .......give me 20 to 35 knots on the quarter with no land in sight, or an anchorage with a beautiful sunset! I'll pay anything, do anything, say anything, and be happy to be able to do so, and get my fix!!!!!!!!! It goes beyond reasoning.....It's an ADDICTION! ........i2f

[cardiacpaul]

I am a dam yankee that grew up on a small lake in upstate NY. I mis-spent part of my youth with a friend dumping his Hobie azz-over tea kettle every chance we could.

Over the past almost 4 decades I've not missed a chance to get my feet and other parts of me very wet.

Some of my partners in life joined me in this foolish endeavor, some allowed me to pursue it alone, and others didn't like my time with my mistress. (those didn't last long)

Life gets in the way if you let it.

I'm now in West Palm Beach, just about 2 miles from the big water.

And there I stand on the sandy shore, solitary, watching for the intermittent errant fools that dream of a better day on the water.

And I am green with envy every of one of those bas***ds.

[Joesaila]

A boat is a hole in the water...I would not want to be without. Especially my sailboat. I can spend money on enjoying it, or leave the dough in a bank. While its better logic to always 'count the cost', I'm committed to enjoying life now.

[bubb2]

Was it not said, "if it were not for the the boat, I would just spend my money on women and booze."