Boating getting too expensive

[Flysfloatsor]

I dont know if this is a rant?
Im wondering at what point will I just get out of this fools game?
I figure it costs me about $225-300 each time I use the boat in the summer. More if something goes wrong. This includes fuel and amortized maintinence/repair costs. I do not have a boat payment.

Truthfully, I dont know if I enjoy it that much ($225-300 worth)
Between the marine mechanics whom I have have a consistantly terrible experience with (Large sampling of them)
And water police. (Im terrfifed to have a single beer on board, and Im not even a huge drinker, I just want a beer on a boat sometimes when taking in some sun)

The only highlight is that I have not been in a fist fight at the ramp.

I might be near or at my quitting point.

My other hobby is Hunting Phesant and Quail with pointing Dogs. At a preserve, $150-200/ per visit will get you alot, including people being nice to you...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

It isn't a cheap hobby, and I would never own a boat if I wasn't willing and capable of doing 99% of the work on it myself. (Due to being cheap and the timeframe required to get into a mechanic during the summer).

Havn't even had a safety check from the water police in a few years. If you are talking to them a lot - you might want to ask yourself why that is. Not sure what your laws are like, but in MN you can operate with a beer in your hand as long as you do not exceed the legal limit.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I see the watercops all the time, and wave to them. They've never visited my boat. Maybe because I'm not being a jerk on the water, eh? And of course, I don't allow any glass containers onto my boat. That might set them off, I don't know.

These work well:

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Not sure what your laws are like, but in MN you can operate with a beer in your hand as long as you do not exceed the legal limit.

in Kentucky, one cannot have an open container, period. Not even a passenger.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Over the one year I've owned my boat I calculate it has cost me $159 per hour of use. Of course that figure is coming down the more we use it. But with young grandchildren loving every minute of it, it is well worth the cost

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I see the watercops all the time, and wave to them. They've never visited my boat. Maybe because I'm not being a jerk on the water, eh? And of course, I don't allow any glass containers onto my boat. That might set them off, I don't know.

These work well:

Genius - do they actually sell those new or is it a repurposed 2 stroke oil bottle?

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

in Kentucky, one cannot have an open container, period. Not even a passenger.

Same here Ohio.

Ive only been stopped once for a search. I dont allow beer on the boat - but I WANT to is the point. Im actually a very plesant guy, even in the face of adversity. The OH water officers are just cracking down on anything/everything. Its not just me.
Ohio drivers are notoriously "different" drivers than in other states. Its not because they are born that way, its because the Ohio police and highway patrol are terrible. In other words we are conditioned to be dangerously cautious, skinny pedal fearing - hang out in the left lane at 64mph people.
The same thing will happen to on the water.
As for the mechanics - I dont have an answer for their bad attitude and lack of service I can do the work, but my time is limited, so Im stuck using them.

 

[salty87]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

how often do you get on the water? a boat that sits too much is more expensive to run than one that gets regular use.

at the costs you calculated you might be better off with a rental situation or maybe one of those clubs.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boating getting too expensive

First, let's leave the alcohol question out of the discussion as it provokes incredible rants from the teatotallers and adds nothing. We all know the drill. it gets tiresome fast, no one cares and no one is going to change.

As someone said, the more you use it, the cheaper it is per hour. Those with a 3 month season pay heavily to go out.

When you do the math, you see that renting or boat clubs can make a lot of sense in the right circumstances.

You also see the cost of downtime. If you "save" money to have a boat that is frequently out of commission or requires hours of work (that could be spent boating) you are not saving money. Same goes with one that takes an hour or two to clean and cover every time you use it.

And sometimes you have to face the fact that it doesn't make sense to be a boater based on where and how you live. Driving 90 miles and spending hours at a crowded ramp might not be worth a 3 hour boat ride. Only being able to boat on weekends when you have a whole day may not be worth it. It's like having snow skiing as a hobby and living in Louisiana--a square peg in a round hole.

Those who make it worthwhile go a lot. those who go a lot are able, practically, to do more than an all-day investment of time. If you can't conveniently go out for just an hour or two, and easily do half days, as well as long days, it may not be the hobby for you.

On the other hand, some people have RV's or vacation cabins they only use a couple times a year but find it worth it.

Personally, I'd just as soon not know what it costs. On a small scale, the gas alone makes my "free" fish more expensive than tenderloin in a fine restaurant!

 

[lkbum]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

View attachment 163068You may need a "cheaper" less expensive boat to operate. My "other" boat falls into this category. Doesn't go fast, require maintenance and the dog likes it just fine. Maybe $0.10 per outing for charging the trolling motor. Will hold 6 adults and 2 large dogs. We've met a lot of people who come over to check us out while trolling around. Don't forget the PFD's.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I use the boat every weekend the weather permits and it is not in the shop...
The drive to the lake isnt bad, and I actually enjoy towing it for some reason?

But you are right - maybe its not a hobby for me given my location and work schedule.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Obviously it depends on what type of boat you have and where/how you use it. My 20' runabout costs me nothing but gasoline when I take it out. Sure, you can factor in licensing and general maintenance, but 5qts of oil and some basics don't exactly break the bank. I get out for less than $100 for a full day of boating. If you have a boat with twin engines, or like to spend all day @ WOT, the cost per hour increases. I promise you, boating (unless you can afford 6-figure boats) won't ever be as expensive as flying, lol. You can't hardly fly for less than $120/hr, and that only lets you take one or two passengers!

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

View attachment 163068You may need a "cheaper" less expensive boat to operate. My "other" boat falls into this category. Doesn't go fast, require maintenance and the dog likes it just fine. Maybe $0.10 per outing for charging the trolling motor. Will hold 6 adults and 2 large dogs. We've met a lot of people who come over to check us out while trolling around. Don't forget the PFD's.

LOL

I dont see any registration numbers on that rig!

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

This is why I wonder all the time why people are so anal about what they will pay for a boat. The initial purchase price is such a small piece of the pie it's almost nothing compared to the operating costs. I go every weekend and we are fortunate to have a long 7 month season and I think if I added all my costs up I could pay for my boat in one year.

 

[emoney]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

If you start adding dollar amounts to hobbies, regardless of what they are, you'll put yourself quickly into a deep depression, I'm afraid. Having a boat allows me to escape the hum-drum/stressful aspects of everyday life. I get paid to work, because quite frankly, I have no choice but to do so. Since I commit 40+ hours to doing something I wished I didn't have to, I never add up the cost of the time spent doing the things I love. After all, it's only money and at the end of this journey, I won't be measured by dollar signs and decimal places. I'll be measured by how many happy days I accumulated over the years.

 

[nphilbro]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

I guess I'm one of those that likes the tinkering/building/trading part of boating as much as the boating experience itself. Of course, my wife is always riding my "you-know-what" about what she *thinks* it costs. Truth be told, I now have a $7-10k boat with a net investment of about -$1000. But I understand that not everyone (thankfully!) enjoys this aspect like I do.

When I was into RC aircraft years ago I enjoyed building the models a bit more than flying them so the guys at the local club would pay me to build their models for them. I ended up with one of the best model building tool kits around and still stumble across supplies I'll never use!

I'll admit that I do get a bit of heartburn when filling up at the marina for $200, pay $20 to launch, $10 to park, $30 fuel for the truck, etc. I've said it before, my "free" wild caught salmon only costs me about $800/lb!

BUT! My kids don't remember any trips to the store for food.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Here in wv I have a 9 mounth season, and yes I knew like all boats it can be very expensive and I planed for it, my cost per trip out is around 30.00 a day, so I can go out 3 to 5 times a week.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

Used to play 18 holes with a cart for $16. Now its $75, same course. Think about it.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Boating getting too expensive

It's a hobby and enthusiast activity. Just like anything else. It seems the bigger the boat, the bigger expense. If it's not for you then maybe move on, but don't let your boat sit in your yard and rot away or have trees start to grow out of it - sell it and let someone else enjoy it.......

I personally love the lifestyle and I'm new to the boat game this year. I have initially invested more than a few thousand "boat dollars" this season, however it was to get her up to what I deemed par. Now I just stay on top of things and keep them clean and maintained. That's the part I enjoy - having a cold one and tinkering. The bug's gotten so bad that on my bedside table I have the West Marine 2012 catalog, that I go through almost nightly....hell, I know the sections better than the local West marine employees do. (I need help)

ROI? Monetarily? Forget it. However, ROI on lifetime memories and enjoyment...priceless..... My opinion of course.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boating getting too expensive

and any time the wife starts complaining about the cost of boating or similar hobbies, remind her it's cheaper than a girlfriend (something her mother should have taught her).