Re: how does it cost?
My kids are older now and gone their ways. So water sports isn't a priority for me anymore.
I keep my boat in the water (too big to tow comfortably) at the dock. Wife and I will idle around the lake several times. If I go out to fish, I idle to where I'm going. This way I can go thru the whole season on about 40 gallons.
Of course the most fun is at the dock. One can't get a DUI if your not operating your boat if you been drinking. If I want to go out for a fast ride, I will pitch in some money for gas and go with someone with a faster boat. Going fast in my boat would be like racing a RV, just not designed for water sports,,,,,,,just cruising. My lake is too small and really no where to cruise to.
A dock slip is half the cost of a seasonal camp site, that is why I chose to get a cabin cruiser. Just being on the water, away from home, and work is worth every bit of money I can put into it.
I surpose if gas was like it was 4 years ago, I would either get a smaller boat to play with, or take my boat to lake Erie. I don't see that happening for a long long while.