What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

[Spivy30]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

In WI guess who most of the crooks are who charge 3-5k+ for slips....The State and local governments

 

[191Seanymphstriper]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

As far as slips go I would do some research I found a floating slip for my 30' sea ray for $1000 in a pretty good area compared to the Marina that was charging $3500

Over on long island if you find a cheap slip theres a reason.

Either docks are falling apart, No finger slips, no running water or electric, or very shallow inlets and outlets to get to open water where you would be running aby vessel at risk!

So I did try a cheaper slip in the beginning of the year but it diddnt work out!

There was no water anywhere! even at high tide! And in the inlet! Moriches inlet! It was pritty much un-navigatable

 

[reelfishin]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

I know, it's crazy what they get for these flares. And they will continue to get it because of the "requirement" to have them aboard your vessle on controlled waters. But yet you can pick up a six pack of roman candles for about 8 bucks.


And no, I am not saying carry roman candles on your boat. Just saying I don't see the big difference in the two other than charge powder and the casing. But because it is a marine requied item...it's worth big $$$.

The really sad part is that I've been salvaging boats now for many years, I've got boxes of out of date flares that I'd be willing to bet money on are just fine.
I happened upon a shot shell type flare pistol made of brass about a year ago, that's my main flare gun now. Not only did I find the gun, but that boat had about 50 shells too. All were dated 2008 when I found them, all were in a sealed ammo can in the cabin.

I see a lot of complaints about fuel costs, my big beef about fuel isn't just the cost, but the ethanol and all the headaches it brings to boating.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

Right about now, it's winter storage fee's. I'm still debating storing outside, or cramming the boat into my garage. Most inexpensive I've found will be just over $600 for the winter. At that, 3 years worth will build me a nice little pole barn structure to store both boats in. Just seems excessive for what I'm getting.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

The easy solution for the high marina costs is just buy the marina. Your slip would be free and you could charge people what you think the slip is worth.

Like it or not, boating is a luxuary. Future emmissons and clean water regulations will only push the cost higher and higher.

It sure was a lot more peaceful on the water when fuel prices where over $4 a gallon.

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

Sorry to go off topic here but I have a question...what exactly in a flare is there that they put an expiration date on it for?

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

I would like to see maintenence cost go down a bit. I cannot do it myself, so I have to pay. 500-700 is alot of money for a service. It has to be done and I like it because it keeps everything in top condition but does it have to be so expensive.

Also agree a bajillion on fuel. we take it out at least 3-4 times a week during the summer peak season, it is not even the boat that is so bad it is the dam tow vehicle. We have to drive about 30 minutes to the river, a tank lasts us a weekend. I miss cheap gas.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

Sorry to go off topic here but I have a question...what exactly in a flare is there that they put an expiration date on it for?

42 months from the date of manufacture is a Coast Guard mandate

 

[JimS123]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

Sorry to go off topic here but I have a question...what exactly in a flare is there that they put an expiration date on it for?

I posed that question to my local USCGA this year when I turned in some old flares for disposal. I was told that the pyrotechnic chemical inside that causes the "burn" has a limited shelf life. He went on to say that they "dispose" of a lot of the old ones by actually firing them off in a practice session. He said that after 6 or 7 years a percentage of them do not work as intended.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

Fuel cost = # 1: Filling my 52 gallon tank is a hit... But I do admit my F150TXR 4 stroke is very fuel efficient.

Slip cost = # 2: I would love a slip, but also realize I would want a covered lift/hoist. Slips in Madison area are ~ $700 - $1500 a season.

Winter storage = # 3: I may need to find storage this year, my friend is renting the front of his building for his sister-in-laws business, so I'm in the market for storage. I may be outside this year.

 

[2000silvers2k]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

Right about now, it's winter storage fee's. I'm still debating storing outside, or cramming the boat into my garage. Most inexpensive I've found will be just over $600 for the winter. At that, 3 years worth will build me a nice little pole barn structure to store both boats in. Just seems excessive for what I'm getting.

Whats the lowest you have seen?

I just got a quote for Winterization, indoor storage + trailer storage and then summarization for 660$, i thought that was a steal.

Unfortunately i do not have space for a pole barn or a garage, if i did that would be the route i would go for sure.

 

[brhodes]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

I like it just the way it is. I want to be out and float around for a few days at a clip without seeing or hearing anything that closely resembles the everyday chaos of the real world. I want to drive my boat while on the cellphone. I want to stop to pee without having to look for a tree. I like enjoying my wife out on the deck in broad daylight.

, thats good stuff right there, although cheaper would be great too

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

Amortization! That's what costs. I work at a motorcycle dealership and customers always complain about price. I have to explain that their tires are $200 for their bike opposed to $50 for their car because the tooling and set up costs are the same for both; but the manufacturer can only sell a few hundred thousand bike tires. Spreading the cost over a few million car tires lowers the price. A crankshaft for a 350 Chevy will cost a lot less than a crank for an outboard for the same reasons. Get real people we are in a specialized market; so everything HAS to cost more.

 

[hooks1]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

After reading all the posts it is obvious that many owners are convinced they are being "gouged" and a few gougers had reasons for some of it. The trouble seems to be that no "Walmart" type businesses have entered the market to set the price curve. I suspect if they did their prices would be less than current prices but not as low as many would hope simply because of the need for a large inventory of slow moving parts. The marinas and mechanics would still get paid the going rate for services rendered but the markup on parts might be whittled down somewhat. In fact, they might welcome a mass retailer as their source of parts (with the proper discount, of course).

I would like to offer another option that goes in a slightly different direction. Most of the folks on this forum do at least some of their own work. Others might have the desire but not the tools nor a place to use them. Before automobiles got so computerized (and reliable) there were a number of "do it yourself" garages that sprang up around the country. Maybe it is time for this to come to the marine world. These earlier operations would rent tools and a work space for most repairs. Few of them were outfitted for engine or automatic transmission rebuilds but you could change a water pump or rotate tires or rebuild a carburetor - you get the picture. A DIY Marina could be at the ugly end of the lake or up a snaky creek but give boaters a place and tools to replace a gas line or change oil or replace an impeller or winterize - again, you get the picture. Maybe it could be franchised and get enough purchasing power to offer parts at a discount. Jus' my two cents worth...

 

[Biged007]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

So far all of the posts don't really apply to boating. I'd like to see cheaper gas in my car...I'd like to see a furnace repairman or plumber or auto mechanic charge lower rates....and then do the job right.

A few years ago, I needed a bungie cord for my boat. I went to the store and headed for Sporting goods. The cord package said Marine and it was $2.99. As I was heading out I went thru automotive and saw the same package for $1.99, but it said auto bungie. I replaced the package and headed out again. In the toy dept. they had bungies in the same package again for 99c, but it now said bicycle bungie.

Go to Fastenall and see what SS bolts cost. Then go to a marina and see what boat bolts cost.

So, my wish is that marine anything would be the same price as the automotive or hardware store alternative.

Jim you are right on point and to stay on topic and the worst of it fuel where I live in Ct road gas 2.86 gal. at the marina 6.02 give me a break.

 

[likalar]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

I've enjoyed this thread. In the Bay area, launch fees seem too high at certain ramps. Stainless steel fasteners seem way overpriced at marina stores. I also resent having to buy packages of 3 bolts when I want to buy only 1.
Someone mentioned gouging. I have a friend that bought a 34' twin diesel boat years ago. He whined forever about how expensive boating is, and that he was being gouged whenever he had work done or needed to buy a part. Funny thing was that he made a living by owning an auto repair shop, and often bragged that he payed his mechanics $15.00 per hour and billed the customer $85.00 per hour (this was several years ago). He liked being the gouger, but hated being the gougee. ;-)

Larry

 

[roncoop75]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

The cost of outboard engines is crazy. I can handle pretty much everything else but I'll probably never buy a brand new outboard engine.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What would you like to see become less expensive in boating?

I was saying that fuel costs apply to everything. I took the original post to mean how boating costs can be reduced.

The fuel for the boat is waayyy more than the fuel for my car. Yesterday I paid $2.63 per gallon for my car and paid $3.43 for the gas for the boat at the marina. Why almost a dollar more per gallon? Because they can and there's nothing I can do about it. Boat's too big to trailer and I'm not allowed to fuel at the dock by cans (which would take forever). It should be cheaper than the gas stations, because they don't pay the road tax on marina fuel!!

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't putting in 150-200 gallons at a shot!