Burden of Ownership

[sea wolf]

Re: Burden of Ownership

to go back to the original question: In addition to the boats that don't get used much to begin with, the "lonely boats" are often owned by someone whose life has changed--maybe for the better, they got a bigger boat but kept the old one (why I have 3 now) or the children grew up and have their own lives now--or their own boats.
Plus when they get some age on them, boats can (usually?) become a huge PITA, and it gets discouraging when you have to spend 3 hours fixing for 1 hour of riding. ethanol is the biggest culprit. And one the boat gets undependable, you don't use it, when you drive with the constant fear of breakdown.

Boy, you're second paragraph really hit home with me. Mine's an '87 & I've owned her since '92. I really enjoy boating, & doing my own maintenance. But, the last couple of yrs. ain't been easy. The boat is turning into a money pit, & I think this is the last season she'll be sitting in my backyard. The thing is, I'm going to lose my shirt on it, but I have to cut my losses. Plus, it's a Cobra. Hopefully, I can get enough out of it so I can put a decent down payment on something else. But, I have to do more work on it, 'cuz I won't sell this thing unless it's in good shape & running the way it's supposed to. I won't screw somebody. With the lousy summer we had in these parts, & me having to work on my boat, this was the worst boating season I've ever had. To the original poster. Don't buy an older boat unless you're willing to invest the time & $$$$ into keeping it running. An older boat can quickly drain your wallet. And don't even think of buying without a sea trial.

 

[werthert]

Re: Burden of Ownership

We'll, you've had her since 1992 and its 2009. That's a lot of good years, I don't think you can ask for more than that from a boat without a substantial re-investment (or a new boat).

For my part, I saved up cash. Spent 2/3 of it on the boat and have the rest set aside for yearly maintenance and "what if" fund. But then again, the wife and I would spend $4K on two vacations every year... that money will now go to our vacation on the 30' Bayliner. Point being, everything in life is a trade off.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Burden of Ownership

Its really hard to say for you what you should do... I've been following your various posts since you joined the site...

Sadly I have been one of those people that just let thier boat sit, but it was because the last boat I had, was given to me, and was beyond my means to keep it up...

22' Wellcraft Eclipse BR, with 5.7L (260hp) mercruiser/alpha one.

The boat lunched an engine about 2 weeks after I got it (seized the crank bearings), then that summer it went through another engine, (lobbed a cam lobe, water came in through the exhaust, and blew the head, got in the oil, etc.), outdrive/bellows/coupler-driveshaft/gimble problems out the wazoo, then finally a third engine (threw a rod)... I was fixing it more than using it, and after 9 grand in repairs it was still unusuable... soooo... I parked it. (Never did trust it to take it out anyway).

I was thinking I would get back to it one day, and after sitting for 2 years, I sold it for the trailer (850 bucks) and gave the boat/motor away.

Never own another I/O as long as I live!

But that being said, I think there are various reasons why people will let their boats sit as mentioned.

I think the main point is, as long as you don't get in over your head on one, it can be a truly enjoyable experience. I know my monetary limitations on what I can afford, and haven't exceeded that since, and am still a happy boater today!

 

[rlb2252]

Re: Burden of Ownership

Thanks all who responded to this post.

Perhaps it?s not surprising that so many of the boats I find on CL and other sites have been out of the water for so long.

Owners who love their boats tend to use them more regularly. Owners who use their boats regularly are less likely to sell.

Owners who love their boats less, tend to use them less regularly. Owners who use their boats less are more likely to sell them.

It?s simply unusual to find a seller who was out on the water this very morning with his wife and kids, having a grand ole time, who now wants to dump the boat that afternoon. That boat relationship is too recent, too personal.

But take an owner who has had no contact with their boat for a few years. There simply is no romance left in that relationship. Consequently?auction block with little or no remorse.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Burden of Ownership

But take an owner who has had no contact with their boat for a few years. There simply is no romance left in that relationship. Consequently?auction block with little or no remorse.

I agree with that. doesnt mean its a bad boat, its just not cared for at the time being. get one of those and take care of it and feel the pride of ownership afterwards lol. like others have said, its the most rewarding thing our family does. worth every penny, and watching the kids get excited to go and disappointed to leave the lake is priceless.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Burden of Ownership

Owners who love their boats tend to use them more regularly. Owners who use their boats regularly are less likely to sell.

This statement just is not true. The responses on this thread are being skewed by new boat owners. The novelty of boat ownership hasn?t worn off yet. Of the guys that answered your question what percentage of them are first or second year boaters?

Most the guys I run around with have been boat owners for 20 years plus. They average more hours a month on the water than most put on their boats in a year. They look at a boat as a boat. Something to be bought and sold at will if something better comes along.

Most change boats every 3-4 years on average. If something better comes along, so long boat with no remorse.

My last boat was a beauty. I hated to see it go for like maybe 10 minutes. Had already bought a new one by that time.

 

[Thad]

Re: Burden of Ownership

This statement just is not true. The responses on this thread are being skewed by new boat owners. The novelty of boat ownership hasn?t worn off yet. Of the guys that answered your question what percentage of them are first or second year boaters?

In part, maybe. Then again, maybe I am an exception to the rule. As I stated earlier, I am on my third boat in 17 years and I do not trade off when somthing better comes along. I have bought what I could afford until I could afford to buy what I wanted. Maybe I should have ellaborated for him.

I am not a fair weather boater. I have fished in snow storms, and been on my big boat caught in a storm that was a few hours earlier than I anticipated.
I put more hours on my boat in a month than most people I know put on in an entire season. If there is a window to be out, we are there.

Now for my boat history.
My first boat was an '89 Bayliner w/120hp Force O/B. The boat went through that motor, a few props, new interior, and gave me more then my fair share of problems. Eventually, stupidity prevailed and the boat came to rest on a pile of rocks off the point of an island. This leads to my second boat. I knew it had some problems that would need to be addressed when I bought it. I did not know it was going to sink the first time I took it out. Over the next seven years, I replaced, seems like everything, on that boat. Had the shift cable break in reverse and then the steering cable broke while trying to get to the dock. Replaced both that night and back out the next day. Alternator, starter, various gauges, boats, boots, hoses, and I even ended up finding a small crack in the outside of the block. Yes, I do have a new boat now. Saved for a long time to buy it. But if I had been like some, I would have stopped long before I ever wrecked my first one.
And I have never been without a fishing boat.
You have to have a love for the water. Does not matter what kind of boat. If you have that, then working on your boat to keep it on afloat and running is only part of the relationship. I have hated even my new boat at times (broke a rocker stud, starter went out ten miles from the launch, had eight feet of repair work done on the keel) there is no promise that a new boat will not let you down. But you fight, make up, and move on. You will never know if you love something until you do it. And if you go into boat ownership with the understanding and acceptance that there WILL be problems, the better off you are going to be.

 

[rlb2252]

Re: Burden of Ownership

This statement just is not true. The responses on this thread are being skewed by new boat owners. The novelty of boat ownership hasn?t worn off yet. Of the guys that answered your question what percentage of them are first or second year boaters?

Most the guys I run around with have been boat owners for 20 years plus. They average more hours a month on the water than most put on their boats in a year. They look at a boat as a boat. Something to be bought and sold at will if something better comes along.

Most change boats every 3-4 years on average. If something better comes along, so long boat with no remorse.

My last boat was a beauty. I hated to see it go for like maybe 10 minutes. Had already bought a new one by that time.

Perhaps I should have said, "Owners who use their boats regularly are less likely to sell--unless they're getting into another boat."

 

[cadunkle]

Re: Burden of Ownership

I have had my first boat for about a year now. Only been out maybe 20-30 times so far. This is mainly because friends cop out at the last minute. I bought the boat mainly to kneeboard so I need at least two other people, one of which has to be able to drive. The past month we've had so much rain which has deterred getting out regularly. Generally I try to get out once a week if I'm lucky nad have a crew. If I always had people who wanted to go ride I'd be out 4+ times a week. I live 8 miles from a ramp so it's a pretty quick drive to drop in, I go sometimes after work when other folks can go.

Oh, I've already replaced the engine (SBC), done bellows, pulled engine again to replace coupler, done some fiberglass repair, and other work. Boat has only cost me a couple hundred bucks to do all that. If I couldn't do all the work myself I wouldn't be able to afford it. I'll keep this thing going as long as it'll go and maybe after I finish college I'll get a nice wake boat, though I could onyl justify that sort of purchase if I had a reliable crew that wanted to ride often.

 

[blairjbyrd]

Re: Burden of Ownership

I love my boat. When im at work and it is a nice day all i want to do is be on it. It does cost money to own a boat but in my opinion Break Out Another Thousand