Boating getting too expensive

[oldjeep]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I get some flake on here now and then that my 14' Lund isn't a boat but I'll tell you what. It does exactly what it's supposed to do.

Most sensible fishing boat you can have. Can't quite understand the appeal of a 50K boat to catch $10 worth of fish

 

[jkust]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Most sensible fishing boat you can have. Can't quite understand the appeal of a 50K boat to catch $10 worth of fish

Funny you say that. We vacationed this week and actually kept fish for the first time. We had to buy a filet knife, night crawlers, a couple hours fishing, some broken lines, lost tackle on reeds, boat gas, truck gas, first time filleting and my wife cut herself badly on a sunny with the new knife and those were some expensive fish.

 

[muskyfins]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

We get a lot of crossed wires here on iBoats don't we?

Just for grins - we use ours about once a week + and entire week on vacation. About 24 days this year since the weather has been nice, 20 would be more normal use. Fuel is tricky but best guess is that we will have run 10-12 tanks through.

Fuel----------12x24x3.5 = $1000
Registration Boat ($27 for 3 years) =$9
Registration trailer (MN lifetime registration $35) =$0
Launch Fees--------------$35 (season pass at Minnetonka launch)
Fuel in truck--------------$50 (Launch is 3 miles from house - trip up north doesn't take much additional fuel)
maintenance--------------$50 (misc minor stuff)
Winterize-----------------$60 (gear lube/oil/filter)
Insurance---------------$130
Storage (free -garage) = $0
Total--------------------$1334/24=$56 per trip

In contrast, the food and beverage that we have for the family at Fletchers or Maynards on the lake costs around $110

So in a 7 year old bayliner, you've never changed the plugs etc? Battery? Trailer parts? Impeller? I bet it adds up to more than $50/year

I get some flake on here now and then that my 14' Lund isn't a boat but I'll tell you what. It does exactly what it's supposed to do. I have the water available to use a bigger boat, Lake Michigan, and have the finances to afford a much larger boat also. Yet I chose this boat for many reasons. 1st of all is my wife and I love to fish. 2nd, there is a FREE gravel ramp at the end of my street that I can use everyday when the desire hits. We do not waterski, tube, race or overnight camp.

Last season I fished on average of 3 times a week and used only 30 gallons of gas the whole season total. That season was from April unti November. Yes we spend a lot of time anchored or drifting but we were still on the water and yes we were catching a lot of fish. So I don't see were a $50000.00 bass/walleye boat with a big motor is going to catch us any more fish or increase our enjoyment for fishing or being on the water one iota. Same reason we got rid of our 4x4 Explorer for a 2X4 Canyon.

The OP wasn't saying costs overall too high. Did you pay more for that 30 gallons of gas than 2 year ago? 5 years ago? A larger boat won't catch more fish-correct. But can you take 2 other couples out for a sunset cruise? How does she do for salmon on Lake Michigan? How much fun have the kids had skiing or tubing? Boating means more than fishing the edges of a small lake (or back bay whatever)

Here's how it looks from my eyes.

Fuel----------Don't care
Registration Boat------not an issue
Registration trailer-----yearly given trailer weight not lifetime but concern is wasted time at DMV
Use permit -------------- none here in the land of lakes
Launch Fees--------------some charge but not a concern
Fuel in truck--------------glad I went to college
maintenance--------------nothing beyond winterization
Winterize-----------------$300 seems a bargain
Summerize----------------start on muffs in driveway, visual check of fluids is free
Insurance---------------$120/year prop and liab is an amazing deal for the agreed value and liab portion
Storage-----------------$in garage costs nothing

Total--------------------Could be $10,000 could be $1000, don't care.

I'd just earn more money if any of the above was a concern.

Same 2 questions. Did it cost more this year than last year? Probably. Nine year old boat that requires no maintenance? Double check your records.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

So in a 7 year old bayliner, you've never changed the plugs etc? Battery? Trailer parts? Impeller? I bet it adds up to more than $50/year

Changed plugs, cap and rotor once so far - at 4 years ($28 or so)
On second battery ($80)
Changed impeller once - looked at it again this year and it still looked new. ($30)
Took the drive off before last winter and used a new gasket kit ($15)
Gone through 2 trailer tires ($180)
Couple prop repairs ($80)
Not too far off $50 a year.

Does not include my switch from 3 blade to 4 blade props this year. Spent about $220 on 2 new ones and sold the 3 old ones for $120

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

muskyfins, the whole jest of this thread has to do with justification of costs. If one has to justify the costs then one needs to rethink their envolvement!

Then answer why would I need to have a boat to ski or tube with if it's never going to be done?
Antisocial don't need to moonlight cruise with 2 other couples! Moonlight cruises just fine with her and I!
Boat does just fine on Lake Michigan. Fish perch not salmon.

So as stated if we wanted to do any of those things we would have a larger boat. Wouldn't have to justify that any more than a $100 pair of Nike or a $175.00 Carolina work boots. Better yet how about the $350.00 fishing rod and reel?

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Im calling it - BS. You'd care if it was $10k. But it's not for you, and thats good.
And if your not already making as much money as you are capable of - That is foolish.

Here's how it looks from my eyes.

Fuel----------Don't care
Registration Boat------not an issue
Registration trailer-----yearly given trailer weight not lifetime but concern is wasted time at DMV
Use permit -------------- none here in the land of lakes
Launch Fees--------------some charge but not a concern
Fuel in truck--------------glad I went to college
maintenance--------------nothing beyond winterization
Winterize-----------------$300 seems a bargain
Summerize----------------start on muffs in driveway, visual check of fluids is free
Insurance---------------$120/year prop and liab is an amazing deal for the agreed value and liab portion
Storage-----------------$in garage costs nothing

Total--------------------Could be $10,000 could be $1000, don't care.

I'd just earn more money if any of the above was a concern.

How are you guys paying so little in insurance per year? My State Farm policy is around $500+

muskyfins is right. The cost is going up faster than the enjoyment factor. For me anyway.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Im calling it - BS. You'd care if it was $10k. But it's not for you, and thats good.
And if your not already making as much money as you are capable of - That is foolish.



How are you guys paying so little in insurance per year? My State Farm policy is around $500+

muskyfins is right. The cost is going up faster than the enjoyment factor. For me anyway.

Mine is a state farm policy with 300K of liability and 14K of agreed value coverage on the boat/trailer $500 deduct. Maybe you are in a high risk category or Ohio insurance rates are crazy? ($169 was the actual amount when I looked)

As for the money thing - in some jobs it just depends on how much you want to see your family, the work hours are always there.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Mine is a state farm policy with 300K of liability and 14K of agreed value coverage on the boat/trailer $500 deduct. Maybe you are in a high risk category or Ohio insurance rates are crazy?

As for the money thing - in some jobs it just depends on how much you want to see your family, the work hours are always there.

I dont know whats up with my policy, but its VERY similar to yours. You are correct, OH has insaine insurance rates. Might be my age though.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Here's how it looks from my eyes.

Fuel----------Don't care
Registration Boat------not an issue
Registration trailer-----yearly given trailer weight not lifetime but concern is wasted time at DMV
Use permit -------------- none here in the land of lakes
Launch Fees--------------some charge but not a concern
Fuel in truck--------------glad I went to college
maintenance--------------nothing beyond winterization
Winterize-----------------$300 seems a bargain
Summerize----------------start on muffs in driveway, visual check of fluids is free
Insurance---------------$120/year prop and liab is an amazing deal for the agreed value and liab portion
Storage-----------------$in garage costs nothing

Total--------------------Could be $10,000 could be $1000, don't care.

I'd just earn more money if any of the above was a concern.

+1...nice way of looking at it...

 

[jkust]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Same 2 questions. Did it cost more this year than last year? Probably. Nine year old boat that requires no maintenance? Double check your records.

No it actually didn't. Nine years and 136 engine hours on her now. I simply have the appropriate hourly maintainance done to it during winterization time. I've had scheduled maintainance done to it is all. Most I ever spent was just under $600 for the full tune up at winterization time including plugs, cap, impeller and whatever else came in the package. Last year I only had winterization done to it inclusive of fluids. My bigger point is boating could cost anything and I'd pay it. I have had two blow outs on the trailer in the past 4 or so years that I didn't factor in at about $100 per tire.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Here is MY take:

Cost of New Boat: What dealer and I agreed on (and I was prepared to spend).
Insurance: The premium it costs to have the piece of mind I desire.
Maintenance: What the mobile tech charges to do what the boat requires and I want done.
Equipment:The cost of what I elect to buy for the boat.
Launch / parking; Whatever the place I go to charges.
Gas; Number of gallons times the cost per gallon.
Usage: At least once a week (if not more) all year long.
Cost per hour: If I needed to know or even wanted to know, I would figure it all out.
Benefit per hour: Priceless.......I love being on the water.

But.....this is just one man's perspective and opinion.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

For those of us lucky enough to own a boat, we know that the cost is not the main criteria. We know that a boat is a hole in the water, into which we throw all our money. It's no different than the folks I knew that lived in a double-wide trailer, but had a new Corvette every year. It's a matter of personal priorities. Those change sometimes. We need to recognize that and allow ourselves to change.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Im calling it - BS. You'd care if it was $10k. But it's not for you, and thats good.
And if your not already making as much money as you are capable of - That is foolish.



How are you guys paying so little in insurance per year? My State Farm policy is around $500+

muskyfins is right. The cost is going up faster than the enjoyment factor. For me anyway.

Well, I must admit that i misinterpreted your meaning as well. Your first post sounded like you were losing interest and you just couldn't justify the cost any more because of that. Now it sounds like you're complaining about the cost INCREASE. If that's the case, then I'll call BS too!

My insurance has stayed static for at least 10 years. In fact, it has gone down slightly because the boat is getting older and the comp is less. Gas was higher 2 years ago. Even at today's prices its still a bargain. I use less gas in the boat than I would for a Sunday drive in the car. My launch ramp fee hasn't changed in 15 years. Tune up parts are virtually the same, though pink anti-freeze went up a coupleabucks 2 or 3 years ago. My maintenance frequency is the same - the boat is maintained well so no surprizes.

Sounds like your boat is just a money pit. Not increased unit costs just increased units....LOL. You just need a different boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Most sensible fishing boat you can have.

If your fishing for bait. Don't see any Lunds at weigh in today
BTW: The first place WM is worth $900K right now. The first place tuna is worth $324K
http://www.whitemarlinopen.com/marlincam/

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Thanks for all the replies to this thread. Theres alot of different opinions out there on the topic.

I DO love boating, Its increasing cost is just detracting from my enjoyment factor - alot.

Its like if your favorite thing is hamburgers from McD's you get them for $0.99, and all is great. Then they drastically increase to $5.00 each... Maybe you enjoy it a little less then (like Me) - Or you dont care and you are getting those burgers no matter what, and think the enjoyment factor is the same. (a concept I dont understand)
Its not as if Im in the poorhouse either, my demographis is 30ish male, Executive-ish Career level, married. Wife almost the big 3-0, Fresh MD, No school debt, no kids yet... *BUT* I still would'nt enjoy the same $5 vs $0.99 burger as much. That is all I'm saying.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Thanks for all the replies to this thread. Theres alot of different opinions out there on the topic.

I DO love boating, Its increasing cost is just detracting from my enjoyment factor - alot.

Its like if your favorite thing is hamburgers from McD's you get them for $0.99, and all is great. Then they drastically increase to $5.00 each... Maybe you enjoy it a little less then (like Me) - Or you dont care and you are getting those burgers no matter what, and think the enjoyment factor is the same. (a concept I dont understand)
Its not as if Im in the poorhouse either, my demographis is 30ish male, Executive-ish Career level, married. Wife almost the big 3-0, Fresh MD, No school debt, no kids yet... *BUT* I still would'nt enjoy the same $5 vs $0.99 burger as much. That is all I'm saying.

Have some Kids! Assuming both parties are ready and willing. There is no greater joy in life. I waited until i was late 30's, should have started sooner. It will make the boat stuff seem insignificant.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I DO love boating, Its increasing cost is just detracting from my enjoyment factor - alot.

Seems like it would be easy enough to mitigate that problem
1) Do your own winterizing/summerizing and general maint - it is not complicated, my kids can do it
2) Try to find out why your insurance costs so much - 30ish married male is not a risk age category

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Have some Kids! Assuming both parties are ready and willing. There is no greater joy in life. I waited until i was late 30's, should have started sooner. It will make the boat stuff seem insignificant.

If he thinks boating is too expensive.....:facepalm:.... evil Joe just evil

I see that your hobby is causing a little distress in your life. Hobbies aren't supposed to do that ya know.

You could always park the boat in the garage, turn it into a bar, add a big screen T.V. and invite your buddies over to watch the game.

You wouldn't have to worry about the water patrol, no fuel used, and you can still enjoy the boat.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Thanks for all the replies to this thread. Theres alot of different opinions out there on the topic.

Its not as if Im in the poorhouse either, my demographis is 30ish male, Executive-ish Career level, married. Wife almost the big 3-0, Fresh MD, No school debt, no kids yet... *BUT* I still would'nt enjoy the same $5 vs $0.99 burger as much. That is all I'm saying.

My kids are your age, but probably do not have as much money as you, but are doing well. They all have kids of their own which means I have five Grandchildren. Once (or IF) you have kids you won't notice the cost of the boat much at all.

My suggestion would be to get a newer boat (not brand new, but newer) and the expenses should go down some. But it really looks like you don't use the boat all that often with only 8 outings per year.

Where do you boat? I go to Alum Creek which is free to launch and it's not really that crowded except on Holidays. Your storage costs and launch fees are what I would have a problem with. I keep mine in the garage and one of my cars ends up sitting outside. My costs will really go up if I build a separte out building to store the boat and a car.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

My kids are your age, but probably do not have as much money as you, but are doing well. They all have kids of their own which means I have five Grandchildren. Once (or IF) you have kids you won't notice the cost of the boat much at all.

My suggestion would be to get a newer boat (not brand new, but newer) and the expenses should go down some. But it really looks like you don't use the boat all that often with only 8 outings per year.

Where do you boat? I go to Alum Creek which is free to launch and it's not really that crowded except on Holidays. Your storage costs and launch fees are what I would have a problem with. I keep mine in the garage and one of my cars ends up sitting outside. My costs will really go up if I build a separte out building to store the boat and a car.

I boat at Buckeye Lake. Its close to where I store the boat, and the drive is plesant.
I currently live Downtown, in German Village, Its a big house on a small lot of course. Has good sized garage, but not big enough for the boat - even if it was big enough, its on an ally so theres no manuvering room.
We are looking at houses out your way. My only requirements are a 3+ car garage and 1+ wood burning fireplaces (currently have 3 fireplaces, none of them functional anymore). The rest is her choice.