What do you give up to own a boat?

[BoatBuoy]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

When my kids were young, my son enjoyed fishing, my daughter wasn't a water person, and neither was my wife. I had a $600 boat. I bought a $600 pop-up camper. Those days taking the kids camping were the best days of my life, and I'm sure the kids look back at those days fondly also.<br /><br />Even though we went camping occasionally, I took my son fishing occasionally as well.<br /><br />I stress, those were the best days of my life. My kids are grown now, and I regret that I had not taken them and the camper out longer and more often.<br /><br />Whatever you choose, don't build regrets. Do whatever makes you and them happy.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

What do YOU and your WIFE want to live with, bills wise ? The children can accept reality better than a adult can. I think---------I know they would rather see both of you more relaxed than uptight trying to make the boat the center of all your lives for one week, weather and boat permitting. The boat is not a neccesity for a family.-----------------------------------------------------Add on------We bought our first real new boat at 65 our daughter and son in law love it! It is never too late. We can get impatient.

 

[TexomaAv8r]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I recall a quote which I shall probably misquote now:<br /><br />"in twenty years it's not the things you did that you will regret the most, its the things you didnt do"

 

[Terry H]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

Originally posted by TexomaAv8r:<br /> I recall a quote which I shall probably misquote now:<br /><br />"in twenty years it's not the things you did that you will regret the most, its the things you didnt do"

You can do a whole lot more things when you're not havin to make $300 boat payments. Chief

 

[rogerwa]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I bought my boat for 5K cash. I pay maintenance(which I do myself) and insurance, gas etc.. I don't give anything up. Its the best looking 87 sea ray around.<br /><br />Get an older boat and have no worries. All that kids sports stuff really adds up. When I was a kid, I just went to the park and played. I didn't have to spend $200 to play..

 

[carrotsnapper]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I bought the older boat also. It gives me something to do on cold winter days as well. Gotta re-oil the teak next. Paid $3500 for a 25 year old cobalt. It didn't break the bank, I don't worry about scratches, my kids can take it out without me, course they are all in their 20's. Best thing I ever did. I have an older truck to pull it. My brother's new 4Winns can't outrun it.

 

[neumanns]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

My boat is worth more than my truck, that's the honest truth. I have the title to both in the cabinet behind me as we type, If things got bad even though the boat offers us imense enjoyment it would have to go, but believe me there are other things around here that would go long before my boat but that is because we put a very high value on our boating/swimming days as well as our time spent camping with the boat. To me it is all about priorities and although the boat is high on my priority list it is up to you and your family to decide where it ranks on your list. But in the end you have to do what is right for them kids of yours.

 

[Regal-89]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I can agree with almost everyone here, there doesn't seem to be any bad suggestions. I bought my newest boat last year, it's an 89 Raven Runabout(18.5ft). I searched for ever and only paid 1800.00 with a rebuilt mercruiser. It only needs very few minor things fixed, but at the end of the day it doesn't hurt my finances and my two daughters, and two sons love to go to the lake on the weekends during the summer to go tubing. They would die if we sold it, but thats whats great about paying cash for a boat, it doesn't hurt you monthly and especially in the months it's not used. IMO!

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I gave up a IROC. Couldn't care less about automobiles anymore. Just a heavty hauling SUV or truck.

 

[keelhauled]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

Paid $500 for my tug... sure it takes a bit of elbow grease to keep her running and I may not look as 'cool' as that guy out there in the brand new nautique, but I can buy a $500 boat every 2 months with that $300 a month you're spending.<br /><br />And when the OMC 800 finally grenades, I'll buy me another $500 boat!

 

[one more cast]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

Its not about the price of the boat its about the enjoyment factor. My 1984 16' fisher marine/johnson 35 can Get R Done. sort of, just barely. But hey, it's a lot nicer then the 12' MFG/ wards 5 hp that I had before.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I only use boats and motors I can EASILY afford to pay cash for. But my philosophy has always been "it's better to do things than to have things". E.g. an adventure, trip, vacation, active hobby, always trumps any toy. I have a pretty nice boat which does almost everything I want it to, for my purposes, but it was affordable with cash and looks it! I rarely go into debt for a car (and then limit is 4 years), and wouldn't consider it for a boat.

 

[salty87]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

there are lots of boats out there that cost a helluva lot less than your Bu. you don't have to go from the penthouse to homeless.<br /><br />besides, on your next boat...the winsdshield might open all the way <br /><br />i didn't pay cash for mine but its paid off now. i think it rides better now too.

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

although it is a purty boat sell it! Save the hastle and the money and get a boat for half the cost or more. My roomate just bought a 42k baja and i think hes nuts! When you have a boat that expensive you begin to feel bad for not taking it out every weekend. I bought an 86 skeeter bass and its the best 2500 ive spent. I can cruise down the lake and or river with friends and enjoy the day without worrying about the 300/month payment on a boat. <br />haha the kids will still love you if you get rid of the sweet boat!

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I have 2 boats. 2002 Chaparrel. 1985 Lowe alum. I take the wife out in the Chap. I always fish and go out in the Lowe. All the answers make sense to me. Those of you with no answer, you have not met the right boat yet.

 

[arks]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I enjoy my $500 plastic touring kayak as much as the $40,000 Silverton. I own both free and clear. If I had financial problems the big boat would go without a second thought. <br />What's really important is to get out there and have a good time.<br />Life's too short to not be happy.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

i have 5 boats now. i had 6, but traded one for a 1970 VW squareback.<br /><br />all are paid for . <br />3 were free.<br />1 was 50 dollars<br />1 was 1900.<br />if you add in the price ive spent on the 9 outboards i have at this time and all the boats and parst ive bought, its still WAY under 5 grand.<br /><br />we can fish, ski, tube, cruise, whatever in our 1900 $ boat all day long. granted, its not glossy and fancy like your MALIBU, but it works 100% none the less.<br /><br />sell it and get a older, used boat with no payments.<br /><br /> CAUSE PAYMENTS SUCK!!!!!!!!!

 

[tabbott]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

If your wife is against it, her. And if your job interferes with your fishing plans, your job.<br />Tim Abbott (Happily married believe it or not!)

 

[tabbott]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

By the way, <br />Self employed.....Need I say further?

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: What do you give up to own a boat?

I'm just going to say that you need to find a way to make boating fit with your life at this time. As we get older, our lives change. Maybe you should re-think what part of boating is important to you and your family. You said that money was an issue, but it also sounded like time was also. Just to give you an idea, maybe the expensive newer ski boat on a trailer isn't the right choice right now.<br />I don't know where you are located, but if there is a lake close by, perhaps a deck boat or pontoon boat in a slip or on a buoy that is always ready is the way to go. Perhaps a cheaper(older) larger boat in a cheap slip would give you the freedom to still boat, while not spending so much time trailering and cleaning ?? I've been on all ends of the boating spectrum (other than the new mega cruiser) and I am still living my dream while adjusting to the family needs. I almost gave up boating, untill I decided what part of boating was really important to us, and adjusted the boat and time frame to make it work.