cost of ownership rant

[jameshunt]

so, you go out and buy a cheap boat all the while patting yourself on the back for the money you saved. Case in point-I was able to get an Intex Excursion 5 for around $150. Its a very good boat (for the money) and is of good quality, very spacious e.t.c. Then you soon discover you need other things. Life preserver(s), motor, motor mount, battery, battery case, dock lines, registration, required safety equipment, materials for making hard deck. Add it all up and your total cost is around $500 by now. For the same amount I could have got an ocean kayak with very little needed in extra's (not withstanding, a really good one would cost upwards of $1500), but entry level can be purchased for less than $500.

Now I am also realizing that packing the boat around, inflating, deflating, storing e.t.c. will more than likely become a "chore" and I will start looking into a trailer. Hell, might as well have got a "real" boat (not to insult anybody who considers inflatables as being "real" which they are, but you know what I mean).

OTOH, the inflatable should not involve much in the way of maintenance and has the potential for providing a few years of enjoyment now that I have made the initial investment. (I will still get the kayak at some point however).

There...rant over. Nothing that everybody does not already know, but then again, that's what a rant is.

have a nice day.

James

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: cost of ownership rant

See it in terms of portability, ease of storage and above all excellent stability compared to a canoe. No boating toy is perfect, will always have pros and cons to rant over...

Happy Boating

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: cost of ownership rant

BOAT is Break Out Another Thousand.

 

[fbpooler]

Re: cost of ownership rant

A boat requires certain required equipment whether it is a workhorse inflatable or something akin to a pool toy. They list that boat as .75 mm thick unreinforced vinyl which does not compare favorably to a reinforced fabric boat. It is used in conditions where one may drown while using it, so safety equipment should be mandatory.

We sit on top kayak as well as using an inflatable, and safety equipment is required for that also. A decent kayak life vest makes four cheap life preservers look inexpensive, and a good kayak seatback can be expensive. A decent paddle can cost more than the boat you purchased. If one gets into boating without doing homework, you will find expenses you may not know are involved.

Learn with the inexpensive boat and see if you like boating. Then I would recomend that you consider a heavier duty boat. Have fun but be careful.

 

[jameshunt]

Re: cost of ownership rant

ayup...words of wisdom noted

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: cost of ownership rant

The good thing about inflatables is the relative simplicity associated with maintenance. A good rinse after use ; if you have a small outboard it's inexpensive maintenance too. For a larger boat you would be paying: insurance, definitely have a trailer or a slip ($$$), pay for more bucks for regular maintenance akin to to Scott Danforth (BOAT) acronym and instant depreciation. With a small little boat - no worries as you were never out of big bucks at the start.

 

[lncoop]

Re: cost of ownership rant

The good news is, you'll still be able to use all that stuff when you upgrade inflatables.