Interesting and most of us, do like to do our own work to the extent that we can. Another perspective is to buy cars, trucks and boats following the used but not used up principal. The last vehicle I bought (2007 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7 with Quadradrive II) that's what I did and I've owned it for 11 years, its now going on 15 years old and is still reliable, yes repairs were needed but not excessive for the time used and mileage driven. We bought the '98 Jeep brand new, still own it, many repairs needed more than the '07 and we paid a lot less for the '07 (which stickered at approx $45K) than we did for the '98 brand new. When its time, I'm going to look for another 2-3 year old Grand Cherokee Limited with the same 5.7 Hemi etc, so far its been my favorite of all the vehicles I've had.
The boat, when I bought it I didn't know much about boats at all, it was 14 years old and the structure and interior was "used up" the mechanicals were good. So it needed structural repairs and a new interior mostly. Both of which were done approx 15 years ago, still seems fine now. The engine, got a top end overhaul 4 years ago, the Cobra drive/transom mount is original and still fine. But the boat is now 33 years old....
Next boat, will be used not used up, like 2-3 years old and vehicles, same thing.
