$3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

[Doernuth]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

Your BIL reminds me of those people who buy trucks and then try to borrow my truck to haul things so they dont scratch the bed!!!

 

[piggy]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

I rebuilt a 20 ft pontoon with new floor and new carpeting, rebuilt the console and made a great top that is easy to lay down that covers the console and motor for a little under a $1000. I got carryed away for a motor I bought a 3 year old Mercury 40hp Big foot with controls 4-stroke, The wifes idea, now we can talk with out yelling. That cost $3000. The point is not much invested and it is payed for.If somebody spills beer, tracks mud or steps on chips so what we spend 95% of our time having fun. Power wash it maybe 2 time a year. It is not bad looking and we have as much fun or more than any one else. If other people like new(with the payments) and spend a lot of time cleaning I say more power to them. I just like my toys to work for me not me to work for them.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

I don't see it as "working for" my boat, I see it as "working on" it.

Like when you buy a new car, washing it isn't work, it's fun. Not that I don't expect it to actually carry me around, but at times I like to bond with my boat, and that bond is built with a rag and a wrench.

 

[d.boat]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

I don't see it as "working for" my boat, I see it as "working on" it.

Like when you buy a new car, washing it isn't work, it's fun. Not that I don't expect it to actually carry me around, but at times I like to bond with my boat, and that bond is built with a rag and a wrench.

I have NEVER thought washing a car is fun. I could never figure out why anyone would spend a minute washing the car in the driveway when they could spend $8 and 5 minutes at the automatic car wash.

But then again, cars are just transportation to me. Features and reliability are the only things I care about (and of course price point).

My boat is not a trash heap by any means, it is a pretty nice looking aluminum boat. But it is a "working" boat in the sense that it's function is not to look good, but to be good and is set up to get used for dirty activities and easy to clean up afterwards with a hose and a long handled brush. But everything I do with it involves either a bunch of sand bar or dirt being tracked in and out from camping and other outings, and/or a bunch of fish slime or animal gore from hunting. It is not nor has ever been a pretty boat, but it works really well for what it's intended and actually cleans up pretty well for the occasional gentle outing with friends!

 

[steddy]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

Bought my Nova II last year, nearly mint cond, not molested in any way, for $10K with decent original trailer. I don't understand buying a new boat, having a big monthly payment, plus insurance, etc., and using it a few times a year. I go out about 15 times/yr, and still think $10k was a big investment for that little usage. But, if I keep her for 10yrs, its only about $67/trip. Not too bad.

This might make you happy: you're missing one big factor. You need to figure in the resale of the boat when you're done with it. If you did well, you might be able to sell it for what you paid for it, maybe more, maybe a little less. Now, all it cost you per trip was gas, insurance, snacks, maintenance, etc. You can't necessarily think of the $10K you spent on the boat originally as "gone." I'll bet you're less than half that per trip, depending on how much fuel you use.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

Good point! I've seen a few Nova II's being offered for $15-18K. Don't know that they'll get it, especially in this economy, but with the right buyer .... Plus, in Colorado, boats like this are few and far between, so a premium price can be had. I was willing to drive 2700mi round trip for her, but most people aren't.

One of the reasons I'm really hesitant about any mods/upgrades. I'd love to do a switchable exhaust, better intake/carb/exhaust, but I feel those things may decrease the resale value. She's bone stock original and unmolested, I think I'll keep her that way. Spent a few hours (like 10) this year with the polisher and Glare products; Micro Finish and Glare Polish. Had a little chalkiness below the waterline at the stern, and the bow deck black gel was more of a white-ish, chalky gray. Amazing products! No more chalkiness, and the black bow gel looks very good. Not shiny-new like the black gel on the sides, but about 90%. The Glare polish should last 5yrs, so hopefully no more waxing for 5yrs!!

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

yup resale value...I DIDNT factor in that...not sure what it could pull in but his 2002 21ft bowfrt mebbe worth say 10k? in this economy....mebbe 12k if thy sold it so cvost per trip goes down...but they would have to INVEST $1000-1500 to get her running again (2 new batteries, fuel tanks drained and scrubbed, carb/injectors cleaned or rebuilt, new impeller, new fluids, prob new tires for trailer, licensing etc...clean buff and polish boat....mebbe new boat cover if it is toast....

so lets say it was about $2600 per trip, if they started using it that would go down of-course (cost per trip) as it sets they own a subway and don't trust a soul, everyone they have working for them are "idiots" and such....so they work continuously... one time the BOT (when they 1rst got the store) was telling me how useless and stupid his employees were....2 of them were 2 ft away working. ..thats THE BOT for ya...GREAT PEOPLE SKILLS! yeah...right...

I miss the BOTs old personality...when he was an alcoholic...he was WAY COOLER.... poor dude is so dang cynical these day she wouldn't know nice if it hit him in the face....

 

[jonesg]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

Hehe, he still is an alcoholic,
theres a difference between merely dry and being actually 'sober'..

Being terminally smug, I like to think I'm so clever to have a boat worth thousands for peanuts, but if I was as smart as I think I am I'd have a new one, paid for in full.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

ok here's a stupid human trick....my sister and her genius husband...."THE BOT" as we call him....bought a NEW boat in 2002 for $43,000 they paid cash.

snip

$3000 PER USAGE or TIME OUT TO THE LAKE ....... WHAT A WASTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

snip

then another couple hours of towing THE BOT around on a kneeboard...uuuhg!

snip

.instead of riding in the boat up the ramp to the wipe down area, we would have to hoof it....

snip

meh. so?

 

[hubbard53]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

wow... look how ugly class envy can be...

 

[jkust]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

wow... look how ugly class envy can be...

I don't get the class envy vibe here. I believe he really thinks he is stupid. Plus who doesn't have at least a year's salary in cash on hand in their emergency fund? Maybe he just chose to spend a little of it and splurge. Times were alot different in 2002 and everybody had money.

 

[Vadimk]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

I picked up a 16' Tempest about 12 years ago with a 70 Johnson for about $1200 with trailer, I go out at-least 15 times a year (5 min from the lake).
So far I've put a new prop on it, cleaned the carbs, replaced the floorboards, and made new seats.
I do need to make a new top as the one I have is the original (late 80's) but I plan to upgrade next year, 20' bow rider but a used one because I'm cheep.
I should be able to sell it for 1500 so all I'm paying for is gas and minor maintenance.
The floor is dark carpet and the seats didn't cost much, so the only rule is stay safe.

 

[Surfer Dave]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

I bought my boat and trailer for $500.00, already had an engine, so I put 2000.00 into the boat to restore it, total 2500.00.......I use my boat on an average of 5 times a week all year, guess we are smarter here in florida

 

[Vadimk]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

I bought my boat and trailer for $500.00, already had an engine, so I put 2000.00 into the boat to restore it, total 2500.00.......I use my boat on an average of 5 times a week all year, guess we are smarter here in Florida

I only wish we could use it all year round up hear (Ontario). We are limited to 5 months at the most, assuming you don't want freezing cold water (personally I limit it to 3 or 4).

 

[sasto]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

I have never recommended anybody take their shoes off, unless walking on interior carpet. That can be dangerous. I never could understand the boat shows, or other yachties at the dock, removing shoes at the dock, walking across a dirty, salty deck, and into the interior. Soft scrub is cheap, broken toes aren't. Take the shoes off at the door.

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

Wow surfer Dave is a boatinig maniac! wow 5 days NICE!

Thanks Jkust...you are absolutely right...and besides I HAVE A BIGGER COOLER BOAT than he does!


and after 2 of my OTHER brother in laws, both who come out and or have thier own boat also...AGREE 100% about THE BOT and how it was NOT FUN going out with him! they bought thier own boats and said NEVER to going out with him....you have to EXPERIENCE THE BOT to realize this ISNT a petty rant...its REALITY!

... anyways...its mostly to show how expensive an un-used item can be...car boat etc..plane....best to use good judgement...or be happy with blowing your money down the tube

.....Surfer Dave could get a new boat and it would run like $1 per trip with how much he uses his boat...

either way.....the BOT also used to do this...my other brother in law told me this one...he ate a chip and a crumb fell....the mini 12v vac came out....WOW thats hilarious! its not like it was a mad pile of cheetos...it was one crumb!

Hey I also have my peeves...Ive stated em here.....

Hey Im cool with shoes, just dont track from the dirty parking area, dock etc, directly onto MY plush captains chair! I wouldnt stand on your couch at your house step onto the SUPPLIED RUGS in the boat on the carpet...keep to the hard points etc with the shoes or on the carpet...not on my seats... THANK YOU!

if you spill something...atleast make a partial effort to wipe it up or mop it off the carpet (large spill not a little one mind you) same with the big old chunk of sandwich/chips and such... especially if it is YOUR KID not mine...and you are a guest... no gummy worms squished into the carpet and left to melt in the sun PLEASE! mostly just be mindful of your mess is all

Keep the MASS QUANTITIES of sand off my freshly polished and waxed front deck area.....I am cool with some sand....
...but to come in the boat grinding sand with some tennis shoes or flipflops on my deck, sand covering your legs to the knees....uncool....plus when we take off it flies into my eyes like a sandblaster...so I rinse the frt deck off before we leave...NO PROBLEM...just be reasonable...not a complete doo doo head eh...

to me these are are NORMAL and REASONABLE requests... and the BOT has what SOME people would call reasonable...just NOT ME and Im entitled to MY OPINION thank you!

 

[iop]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

So unless I'm missing something. Well-to-do person A invites person B out on their new boat. Person B is both jealous and nosy, and criticizes everything possible about person A, not only their boat but their lifestyle. As far as I see it, that's the cliff notes version.

I don't like sand in my boat either, I don't allow fishing gear. (I don't enjoy fishing and there isn't enough room on board for fishing gear anyway). My boat is stored inside, I care about the condition of it. I enjoy water sports, and everyone is welcome to grab on to the rope behind the boat. Finally, its a boat, in particular MY boat. How much it cost to operate is a matter for the person paying the bills, and NOBODY ELSE's BUSINESS.

just playing devils advocate...

Cmon' ... you mean it!!!

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

... anyways...its mostly to show how expensive an un-used item can be...car boat etc..plane....best to use good judgement...or be happy with blowing your money down the tube

I've been watching this thread a little. Looks like it is finally playing itself out.

FWIW, I am one of those who bought his boat new. Factory order. Did not, however, pay full price; managed a $8,000 discount instead.

Nevertheless, I often considered the general cost per trip. Yes, it is high starting out, but goes down as the years go by. Since picking up the boat on 1 May 2008 we have had her out 61 times, 15 of them in this season.

As a retiree I never planned on trading up, so I decided to get what would be my first and last power boat. Figure I've got about six more years or so before I start getting too old for it.

My son doesn't know it yet, but after that it goes to him. I forged his name on the title when I bought it (I paid cash, so no lien holder for him to worry about). The boat came with a lifetime warranty on the hull and the marine decking materials to the original owner, and I made sure he was registered as an original owner. If I should pass before I have a chance to present it to him, I have instructions in my strong box explaining all he needs to do is visit the county courthouse and pay a small fee to remove my name from the title.

Vegasphotoman, you are correct that buying new is not necessarily the best thing to do from a financial standpoint, but not all of us who do buy new are necessarily using poor judgment or blowing our money down the tube as you suggest. You might be surprised at the amount of thought, time and effort we put into these purchases. -Ken

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

Hi Ken

I agree that it isnt a bad idea to purchase new...when you use it or have the cash etc....but...for your 1rst boat? not knowing if you even really like boating? etc....then ...unless its a small aluminum rowboat etc.....I still say its a dumb idea to buy new for 1rst time boaters....

here would be an ok boat for a 1rst timer....especially on smaller lakes etc. 10k brand new...19ft pontoon!

experienced boater who knows what they want and will use it? buy new! or 2 year old new etc....

ps awsome on the $8k savings btw!

pss I will probably never buy any big item new again (house/car/truck/boat/airplane etc) Ive been bitten by the economy too hard and decided my old ways of being a fixer upper guy is a better way to go...that thought might change if I hit megabucks or get rich inventing something etc...lol...those new Eliminators and Formula boats looks pretty swell

 

[DaNinja]

Re: $3000 cost, per trip out to the lake....STUPID!

I've been watching the discussion as well. Just a quick input...

I've even heard Dave Ramsey say,
"If he divided cost by hours/days of use, toys are extremely expensive."

In his case, the (probably multi-) million dollar lakehouse divided by 156 if it was used 3 days a week. That's $64K a day for a year's worth and $320 a day for twenty-years worth. (If my sloppy math is right).

If I divided the cost of the lake house and boats by days/hours used, I would probably be ill...briefly. But, that is why you don't finance toys and only buy them when you can pay with disposable cash.