Boating getting too expensive

[BobGinCO]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Fresh MD

So, you're smart enough to figure out how to do most of this stuff yourself, and save a lot of money, but oh, no, you're a doctor - can't be getting your hands dirty... (laughing here - this is intended to be funny, not mean or angry)

You're in an income group that expects you to eat the $5 big macs, but you're not buying into the hype. Good for you. And good thing that you didn't get involved in this hobby at the $50 big mac level!

I also am in that income level, but I just have to do everything myself, from making the furniture in my house, to wrenching on my boat.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

So, you're smart enough to figure out how to do most of this stuff yourself, and save a lot of money, but oh, no, you're a doctor - can't be getting your hands dirty... (laughing here - this is intended to be funny, not mean or angry)

Wife is the MD, im just a working stiff with alot of Education. I enjoy getting my hands dirty - change my own oil (becuase its fun to me) and fix my firends cars (to help them save some money, plus I get to hang out with them) I remodeled my house (was alot easier when I was single - found out wifes tolerance for "Construction" at any level, is VERY low)
Anyway - I like doing stuff myself, but the time and mostly space to work on this boat isnt there. Thats why Im insisting on 3+ car garage in next home. Hopefully it will make these problems go away.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Rule Number 1 in Boating: Never calculate your cost per outing!

Rule Number 2 in Boating: Never sum how much you spend per year on boating!

Never, and I mean never, open up an excel spreadsheet for the purposes of putting boating costs on it.

My buddy just bought a boat and was asking me for advice. Somewhere along the way he asked about cost per yadda yadda yadda. I told him to never do this, or to abandon his quest for a boat!

He is hitting the lake today in his new boat (4th outing since bought it)!

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Rule Number 1 in Boating: Never calculate your cost per outing!

Rule Number 2 in Boating: Never sum how much you spend per year on boating!

Never, and I mean never, open up an excel spreadsheet for the purposes of putting boating costs on it.

My buddy just bought a boat and was asking me for advice. Somewhere along the way he asked about cost per yadda yadda yadda. I told him to never do this, or to abandon his quest for a boat!

He is hitting the lake today in his new boat (4th outing since bought it)!

Now that is funny. I saw the OP's original list of costs and was thinking of putting my own together as a reply and said to myself "Self, I don't think you want to do that". Maybe it's true that as you get older you get wiser.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

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.

You should give Alum Creek a try. I have never been to Buckeye Lake, so I can't compare the two, but others I've talked to about it like Alum much better.

The house next door to me just sold for $270K. Started at $370K and had to sell before forclosure. Divorce situration where the man could not afford the house by himself. Real Estate agent watched it the whole time it was on the market and then knew just whent to buy it. Luckily they are a very nice couple with a young son same age as my Grandchildren. I live east of Sunbury off 37. There are some houses for sale out that way towards Johnstown.

 

[skiray6825]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I agree boating is expensive, but so is everything else, but its well worth it. Price of truck to tow it, gas for truck gas for boat,,, etc.

I also snowmobile and that too is expensive --especially if my machine breaksdown,, and i do most of my own maintenance/ repairs.

I found that i save lots by adding my boat insurance into my homeowners insurance. Seemed to cut costs to a third what progressive was charging me.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Rule Number 1 in Boating: Never calculate your cost per outing!

Rule Number 2 in Boating: Never sum how much you spend per year on boating!

Never, and I mean never, open up an excel spreadsheet for the purposes of putting boating costs on it.

My buddy just bought a boat and was asking me for advice. Somewhere along the way he asked about cost per yadda yadda yadda. I told him to never do this, or to abandon his quest for a boat!

He is hitting the lake today in his new boat (4th outing since bought it)!

I quantify alot of things - Prob should have kept this in the non-quantifiable category I keep Dogs/other pets in. Its hard though, because the boat never makes you proud, like my setter pointing his first Quail, or the feline deciding to watch some olympics with you.

Jim - I want to try Alum - and there are tons of houses up that way that would fit our needs. We want to stay south of 36/37.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Interesting topic. I just happened to glance at the "related topics" box just below the thread, take a look at the dates! This topic is an ageless thing...:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boating getting too expensive

those considering a boat would be better off not looking at cost per outing, etc. although they do need to know what they are getting into. Like so many things in life (house, marriage, children) if you wait until you can afford it, you won't ever do it.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Jim - I want to try Alum - and there are tons of houses up that way that would fit our needs. We want to stay south of 36/37.

I'm east of Sunbury off 37 after 36 and 37 split and 36 goes up to Mt Vernon and 37 goes to Johnstown. It's much more rural out that way, but not a bad commute. I make it to the Tuttle area where I work in 30 minutes and it's about 30 miles. Little longer going home, maybe 35-40 mintues. I use Rt 605 as my primary N/S road.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I'm east of Sunbury off 37 after 36 and 37 split and 36 goes up to Mt Vernon and 37 goes to Johnstown. It's much more rural out that way, but not a bad commute. I make it to the Tuttle area where I work in 30 minutes and it's about 30 miles. Little longer going home, maybe 35-40 mintues. I use Rt 605 as my primary N/S road.

Are you a Nationwider?

 

[jkust]

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, if it was 10k a year I'd likely have a bigger boat but I'd spend whatever it took to enjoy what we do. As for your foolish comment, I'm not referring to me. I will pass along your comment to a all the educated, stay at home moms and dads who decided to raise kids instead of making as much money as they are capable of....doesn't sound so foolish in that sense. As for the cheap cost of insurance, our season is three months for comfortable boating...fishermen can stretch it out on either side of the season. The insurance on my snowmobiles and trailer is really cheap as well. That season this past winter was two days and the winter before was a full three months.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

once you accept the fact that a boat is a hole in the water in which to pour money into, you can actually enjoy it.

Boating has cost me so much less than my ex-wife has, not to mention much much much much more joy.

spending a day on the water with my kids, girlfriend and a few other people - about $300. seeing the smiles on everyones face including my own - priceless

 

[JimKW]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Are you a Nationwider?

Yes

 

[bgc]

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.

But your boats aren't on the same level as the .99 McD's so you're going to pay more.

Just an observation,
The Alpha SS isn't rated for a 502 BBC
And was the stroker in the Chris Craft?

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

The Alpha SS isn't rated for a 502 BBC

I KNOW! I've tired everything to get it to stop... But still, its hooked on the 502 for 10 years now. Ive had heart to hearts with it, shown it pictures of the damage the 502 could do to its insides - but it still keeps on going. Everyone always tells it, it shouldnt do that - but it does it anyway! Do you think you could talk to it for me?

 

[louiefl]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Boating has cost me so much less than my ex-wife has, not to mention much much much much more joy.

When you put it that way, my divorce was the equivalent of a nice new 36 Yellowfin with trip 300s. Never put in a boating perspective before. Looking back I would have paid double that and it still would have been a deal to get myself free. No kids, thank God.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I can go to the lake 15 miles away, launch for free. and fill up my 6gallon tank and ride all day (4 to 6 hours) and the cost will be less than 25 bucks. Bait and cold drinks are extra. As cheap of a hobby I can think of for me.

 

[theteacher]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I can go to the lake 15 miles away, launch for free. and fill up my 6gallon tank and ride all day (4 to 6 hours) and the cost will be less than 25 bucks. Bait and cold drinks are extra. As cheap of a hobby I can think of for me.

Depends on many factors. A trip to the lake an hour away with my 22' Stingray, pulled by my Yukon,,,,,$100.00 in fuel and launch fees alone. Food and drinks extra.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Depends on many factors. A trip to the lake an hour away with my 22' Stingray, pulled by my Yukon,,,,,$100.00 in fuel and launch fees alone. Food and drinks extra.

Well Im just a poor broke retired state employee and have to keep my cost down....