Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel costs.

[saxrulez]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

When I was bit by the 30+ bug I considered it a boat AND vacation property. As you know, aside from fuel you want to think about dock fees, insurance, maintenance, etc. I remember trying to do the fuel cost calculations for cutting 80 miles across lake Ontario to the Thousand Islands. It was expensive to go there, turn around and come back. But if you went there - stayed a week puttering around and then came back the costs were comparable to staying in a hotel.

jh

This is where I justify a lot of the cost for myself! Dock fees, insurance, maintenance. I live about an hour and a half a way from the beach, but I go 2-3 times per month right now, often staying in hotels and such. It will allow us to go to the beach just as often, stay overnight for free if we'd like.

Helps me pretend to justify the cost at least!

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

A Pursuit Drummond Island Runner (34.5 footer) with twin Yamaha 250s would be an ideal boat for what you wish to do. It's not as beamy (only 9.5 feet) as a typical 30+ foot inboard sport fisherman, but the added length makes up for the lost space and makes it more fuel efficient, better riding, and a lot faster. Supposed to get 1.5 MPG at 37 MPH.

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

A Pursuit Drummond Island Runner (34.5 footer) with twin Yamaha 250s would be an ideal boat for what you wish to do. It's not as beamy (only 9.5 feet) as a typical 30+ foot inboard sport fisherman, but the added length makes up for the lost space and makes it more fuel efficient, better riding, and a lot faster. Supposed to get 1.5 MPG at 37 MPH.

Those boats really are ideal for what I would be doing. Thank you for the suggestion. They will be getting a very long hard look when it comes buying time.

Thanks!

Anyone know of other boats with similar setups to these? I am in love with those. Unfortunately they are probably going to be out of my price range since they are relatively new and I will be buying older.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

Those boats really are ideal for what I would be doing. Thank you for the suggestion. They will be getting a very long hard look when it comes buying time.

Thanks!

Anyone know of other boats with similar setups to these? I am in love with those. Unfortunately they are probably going to be out of my price range since they are relatively new and I will be buying older.

I see them used for around $120K asking prices now, and they have not made them in awhile. In 6 years, I'd expect them to be quite a bit cheaper. I've often thought one of those would replace my 25 foot sport cuddy someday.

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

Not to be mean but if fuel consumption is a concern, maybe boating is not the hobby for you.

Man this statement drives me nuts. Just because a person wants to be well informed doesn't mean they can't afford something.

It is the morons that jump into a big boat without a clue of the expenses that end up not being able to afford it. I'm going to be paying cash for a 30ish foot boat...

I was just hoping to get some useful information about different types of boats so I can end up buying the boat that will fit my family the best! I am just sad that I can't pull the trigger on a boat right now. I am going to be anxious as hell to get back to the ocean while living in Kansas. I have gotten some very good advice from you all. Thanks.

 

[haley]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

Helps me pretend to justify the cost at least!

Well sure - ditch the hotel bills and sleep in a bed of your own at your second home. What's not to like about that. Especially if you are currently paying hotel bills AND slip fees. And depending on how long you keep it you should get some of your initial investment back.

Very wise to be gathering info waaay ahead of time.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

Not to be mean but if fuel consumption is a concern, maybe boating is not the hobby for you.

If fuel consumption ISN'T a concern then you have too much money and you need to start donating it to charity

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

If fuel consumption ISN'T a concern then you have too much money and you need to start donating it to charity

Ditto!

Almost nobody is rich enough not to even give a damn where their money goes! I'm definitely not rich!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

my 26ft Wellcraft with a single 7.4Mercruiser/BravoIII cost $4000 a year storage in a slip + $500 mo fuel--maint & repairs not included.

You can Hire a lot of guided trips / head boat trips and walk on/walk off instead.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

If fuel consumption ISN'T a concern then you have too much money and you need to start donating it to charity

Or he needs to buy an even bigger boat!

 

[jmorgan87]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

There is a reason you see so many 'for sale signs' at marinas, and so many boats never seem to leave the marina.

Grew up on car lots, here's a line i'll never forget. 'People buy cars they can't afford, with money they don't have, to impress people they don't like'.

You can substitute cars with several words, including a boat. 6 years out is a bit much, but hey I rarely know what i'm doing next week Being concerned about fuel expense on a boat seems something alot more people should do, before they go massively into debt to impress those people they don't like..or once they get their shiny new toy realize how expensive it really is to operate.

Fuel consumption is easily the largest expense for me on my boat and IS a concern of mine. But hey, my boat, bike, and two vehicles were paid for with cash, and I have no debt. Which makes my boat look much more valuable to me.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Starting to save up for a ~30' boat. Would like some information about fuel cost

I look at it this way, I own a small boat for a reason (16.5'), I don't worry about fuel. This said I have been saving for a sail since I was 21 to sail the great lakes, then maybe head to Florida along the coast. This is a dream for retirement. I understand your question but with prices for energy being so unstable I would have to think long and hard about a large boat for the future, but if you are paying cash and decide otherwise, the money can go for somthing else. I know people who bought boats the could afford when the bought them now gas is high they can't. You are wise to check this out now, I bought a place in the slums of lake erie and kept the smaller boat because the cost worked out better this way. Cost for place is under $600 a year for the place and we have a private beach for the comuntity, and I still can fish as much as I want. Golf is a different bear so you may have a good option.