We are all familiar with the variations on the theme that describes sailing as "....slowly going nowhere, at great expense, while getting sick and wet." Is sailing a really expensive hobby? Compared to what? Some sailors go to great lengths to list and analyze the cost of everything associated with owning a boat, from the smallest screw to the largest new piece of electronic grear. They may even have enough cost data to be able to tell you the "average cost of every sail" they've taken at the end of the season. Sailors at the other end of the spectrum also go to great lengths in regard to the cost of their favorite hobby --- they refuse to keep track of what ownership and operation costs. These sailors may even invent articificial devices to avoid facing these real costs by disguising them with terms like "boat units." If, for example, a "boat unit" equals $1,000, then the cost of a new sail could be described as "only 2 boat units." Perhaps most sailors are somewhere in the middle of these extremes. What about you? How do you think about and keep track of the costs associated with owning and sailing your boat? Tell us here then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Quiz by Warren Milberg)
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Units?
Why should anyone care how much money they put into a boat? The main reason you have it is to have fun. If you did not spend it on the boat you would just spend it on something else.
Why should anyone care how much money they put into a boat? The main reason you have it is to have fun. If you did not spend it on the boat you would just spend it on something else.
Sailing and numismatics...
With regard to sailing expenses, I spend very little outside of the essentials such as: Club dues.................................$600.00 Mooring....................................$250.00 Launch service..........................$200.00 Haulout/Launch.........................$200.00 Routine maintenance..................$300.00 Insurance.................................$699.00 Annual contribution to boat fund...$500.00 TOTAL...................................$2,749.00 Again, this is just for the essentials; the known quantity. However, there are other expenses one runs into which is why I keep a "boat fund" account. Some years I need to dip into it, some I don't, but it's always there. I also run a side business selling discount sailing gear which covers all of my expenses. It's not a big business, just enough to support my habit. Numismatics...a lot more per year. There are many other hobbies that are far more expensive than sailing. I also think that most sailors are handy enough to do most of their own work, thereby keeping the expenses down. Cheers, Bob
With regard to sailing expenses, I spend very little outside of the essentials such as: Club dues.................................$600.00 Mooring....................................$250.00 Launch service..........................$200.00 Haulout/Launch.........................$200.00 Routine maintenance..................$300.00 Insurance.................................$699.00 Annual contribution to boat fund...$500.00 TOTAL...................................$2,749.00 Again, this is just for the essentials; the known quantity. However, there are other expenses one runs into which is why I keep a "boat fund" account. Some years I need to dip into it, some I don't, but it's always there. I also run a side business selling discount sailing gear which covers all of my expenses. It's not a big business, just enough to support my habit. Numismatics...a lot more per year. There are many other hobbies that are far more expensive than sailing. I also think that most sailors are handy enough to do most of their own work, thereby keeping the expenses down. Cheers, Bob
Boat Bucks
In New England, we call them "Boat Bucks". One buck = $100. We can hardly buy anything for a buck these days.
In New England, we call them "Boat Bucks". One buck = $100. We can hardly buy anything for a buck these days.
Right on
I have a friend who tells me that the cost of an average day on his boat is $50. He keeps track of everything and then divides that by the number of days he sails each year. Since his boat is similar to mine and we're at the same marina, I encourage him to keep as detailed records as he can. I often do this by calling him on the VHF or cell phone while I'm sailing and making sure he is diligently at his adding machine and punching the data into his spreadsheet.....
I have a friend who tells me that the cost of an average day on his boat is $50. He keeps track of everything and then divides that by the number of days he sails each year. Since his boat is similar to mine and we're at the same marina, I encourage him to keep as detailed records as he can. I often do this by calling him on the VHF or cell phone while I'm sailing and making sure he is diligently at his adding machine and punching the data into his spreadsheet.....
Due to inflation in California a "boat buck"
is now $1000. Hence the acronym for boat - Break Out Another Thou.
is now $1000. Hence the acronym for boat - Break Out Another Thou.
Not any more
When I had power boats I kept a detailed log as it seemed I spent a fortune on mechanicals and fuel. Since sailing, it fits well in my head. And when I do spend a lot beyond the dockage and typical small maintenance costs, it's usual that I end up with something new to show for it instead of feeding money into the same equipment over and over.
When I had power boats I kept a detailed log as it seemed I spent a fortune on mechanicals and fuel. Since sailing, it fits well in my head. And when I do spend a lot beyond the dockage and typical small maintenance costs, it's usual that I end up with something new to show for it instead of feeding money into the same equipment over and over.
If I kept track ...
... than my wife would know. (Don't ask, don't tell works great for boats and marriage.)
... than my wife would know. (Don't ask, don't tell works great for boats and marriage.)
My Boat Units
Re: "boat units" - I never thought about it until a friend had mentioned it in talking about his boat. He explained it to me as the average price you pay everytime you do something on the boat. When I thought about it, I realized that just about every project, job or improvement seems to cost $450 - my "boat unit"
Re: "boat units" - I never thought about it until a friend had mentioned it in talking about his boat. He explained it to me as the average price you pay everytime you do something on the boat. When I thought about it, I realized that just about every project, job or improvement seems to cost $450 - my "boat unit"
Used to count every dime...
I used to keep perfect records of all the money I spent, whether sailboats or other toys, but I noticed it didn't make any difference...I spent what I spent and knowing sometimes took some of the fun out of the fun. Sailing is what I do to get AWAY from nitpicking, beancounting, and sundry other tedious chores. Mark in Modesto Balboa 23 #144
I used to keep perfect records of all the money I spent, whether sailboats or other toys, but I noticed it didn't make any difference...I spent what I spent and knowing sometimes took some of the fun out of the fun. Sailing is what I do to get AWAY from nitpicking, beancounting, and sundry other tedious chores. Mark in Modesto Balboa 23 #144
Tax Reasons
I only keep the receipts, I have not added them up. If I ever sell "PAZAZZ" I will add them up and use them against the IRS!
I only keep the receipts, I have not added them up. If I ever sell "PAZAZZ" I will add them up and use them against the IRS!
Who would want to know?
If I kept track I my realize I can't afford to sail and how terrible would that be? Happy sailing! Hakuna Matata!
If I kept track I my realize I can't afford to sail and how terrible would that be? Happy sailing! Hakuna Matata!
I just pray, that when I die.......
My wife doesn't sell my boat and all the stuff for what I told her I paid for it!!!
My wife doesn't sell my boat and all the stuff for what I told her I paid for it!!!
The best things in life are priceless
It's like the old saying. If you tried to put a price on a good wife and good children you couldn't afford them. It's the same with a good boat. In sailing, money truly is a means to an end. I've never had a good day on the water that I could ever have afforded by putting a monetary value on it.
It's like the old saying. If you tried to put a price on a good wife and good children you couldn't afford them. It's the same with a good boat. In sailing, money truly is a means to an end. I've never had a good day on the water that I could ever have afforded by putting a monetary value on it.
no price too great for sanity...
If I couldn't sail I'd go crazy. With psychiatrists charging upwards of $150 an hour plus the cost of drugs, or even institutionalization, whatever I might spend on my boat has to be a bargain...
If I couldn't sail I'd go crazy. With psychiatrists charging upwards of $150 an hour plus the cost of drugs, or even institutionalization, whatever I might spend on my boat has to be a bargain...
Blind Is Good
I suppose if I were more strapped for cash I might monitor what I spend, but I consider expenditures for my sailboat "necessities". If I can't keep my boat in tip-top shape and make it as comfortable and safe as possible then perhaps I'm not as serious about boating as I think I am. My boat is my pride and joy...one of my serious passions. As Oliver said, "Small pleasures, small treasures, who would deny us these?"
I suppose if I were more strapped for cash I might monitor what I spend, but I consider expenditures for my sailboat "necessities". If I can't keep my boat in tip-top shape and make it as comfortable and safe as possible then perhaps I'm not as serious about boating as I think I am. My boat is my pride and joy...one of my serious passions. As Oliver said, "Small pleasures, small treasures, who would deny us these?"
who would ever want to know!!
I charge all on one card but never add it up. If I ever did add it all up I would surely be ill. $1000 per sailing week end would be about right!!
I charge all on one card but never add it up. If I ever did add it all up I would surely be ill. $1000 per sailing week end would be about right!!
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