Boat Units

[David R. Alger]

It's a Passion!!!

As with any passion, my sailboat and the work and money I invest in it cannot be measured with any economic model. It would be like trying to justify the cost per pound of going deer hunting or fishing. I choose to spend my time and wealth in this manner.My ex-wife tryied to get me to see the light with hunting and fishing. She's gone!!!My second (..and last) wife had only one request when we got married...that I install a rod holder or two so we could troll as we traveled. NOW That's What I'm Talking About!!!Unless one is using the boat, gun, fishing rod, etc. for a business, and other that for budgetary purposes, why bother?Have a great day!David

 

[Peter M.]

Comps...

Friend of mine owns a horse that his daughter trains on. As she improved, the need to transport the horse on four wheels rather than four legs, arose. New pickup truck and trailer ($50k). The cost of the horse, trucks, vets, food, travel, etc. exceed the cost of boat ownership and operation by order of magnitude. We having fun yet? As the bumper sticker states: "I'd Rather Be Sailing."

 

[Mark Wieber]

A few pieces of wisdom

"They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of 'security'. And in the worship of security. We fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and some form of working activity that yields a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in a material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, and playthings that divert our attention from the sheer idiocy of the charade."One of my favorites from the L38 "Wisdom" page. My AMF Flight 12 costs nothing to store, or operate, yet has provided many splendid days on the water. When my wife and I purchased our C36 our broker taught me about "nautical units" 1 = $1000 Dollars. Sail within your means, if you must, but sail!!"Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it but sail we must, and not drift, nor lie at anchor."- Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

[George H260]

Lynn, Pete, from West River, Steve#2

Great stuff, have been laughing nonstop. All others, great stuff also, this is a wonderfull thread, puts it all into perspective!! Have a H23 and have spent very little, and the hours spent on it are priceless.I know someday I will have to spend, and that wont be a problem because I think like all of you, you cant put a price on this.

 

[Harold]

discuss $$$ offshore

I've made a pact with my SO to only discuss the cost of owning the boat when we're two or more miles offshore. It's not that a disagreement would cause one or the other of us to go overboard but rather that it's far too easy to say, "it costs too much" on dry land than when you're experiencing the intangible benefit.Lately we say, "yes, this is a huge luxury, but I need this to stay sane." I still think a sailboat is cheaper than a therapist.Good winds,harold

 

[Kevin]

Sailing Cheap . . .

Season's timeshare rental on a fleet of J22s = $700. Kinda tough to beat that on a fun per dollar basis!OTH: a friend was practically given a 470, sellers almost paid him to take it, so maybe he will beat the rental J on fun per dollar!

 

[Big Windy]

If You Have To Ask.....

you can't afford it. Also, in my part of the country, a Boat Unit is $100, not $1,000.

 

[John]

My Mistress

Since we've been married my wife has handled the bills, therefore she sees it all! She's never said anything for she knows with all the money I've spent on the boat I could never afford a another Mistress!

 

[Gary Clayton]

How much is ti worth ??

AS a guy who likes to buy a beat up old boat then spend many hours and every bit of money i have to make her a sound ocean going sailing vessel, I don't give a damm about the money, I could not care less about the cash, And to hell with the credit card payments.Because when i pull on the main halyard and she keels over for the firt time in many years, I feel like a million dollars.

 

[capn Bill]

What price contentment?

Being somewhat anal-retentive, I do keep exact figures on what I spend on my "mistress." This "spreadsheet" doesn't keep me from enjoying my passion, though. The joy and contentment I experiance while on my boat has no price tag. It is my "reason for being" and an excellant justification for the mad rat-race we all deal with on a daily basis! Bill on STARGAZER

 

[Bob C]

The acronym for boat

B O A T = "Break Out Another Thousand"

 

[Alan Johnson]

Calculating Benefits

I agree with everyone. The benefits I get from sailing cannot be monetarily measured. Sailing keeps me physically and mentally active. What better way to give the mind and body a workout than this? Twenty-five years ago I crewed with an older gentleman. At 75 years, he was in better shape than me at 25. I learned a lot from him.Alan

 

[Bob Early]

Opportunity "cost" a more real yardstick - IMHO

Yes, best to know where it is going.Knowing all this, if I were to GIVE away (free, no strings attached) my sailboat tomorrow, I would break even in about 5 years. Thats the cost of upkeep in dollars versus the open market value of the vessel.A number of years ago I found everything has TWO costs. The actual time/money and the second cost is "whatever else I could be doing".Likewise, circa many years ago, I skirted some nasty financial issues, and learned that to control ones fincancial life one must know from where it comes (all of it) and to where is goes (all of it).So the result is, I know the cost of most everything I spend money on, lavish money on, or invest my money.I think most everyone one has heard the old myth that ones home is the single most important investment is ones home?If true, then ones personal motor vehicle must be the second best investment followed by ones passion: Boats, Campers, Airplanes, etc.And yes, I think that being one with multiple 'favorite' interests, it is importanat to know the 'cost per use.

 

[Phil]

Why Ruin A Good Time?

Why keep track of expenses? One should not run the boat like a business unles it as a business and there is an advantage in doing so. One buys a boat with the understanding that he is going to throw money at it, it is the nature of the beast. Why ruin a nice time on the water with such a pusuit?

 

[Gary Goodman]

Track Everything

Boat: Catalina 27, built in 1973I keep track of everything except food and fuel. Fuel cost is minimal; maybe I use 20 gallons per year. Yacht club membership is not included.I separate expenses into capital expenses and operating expenses. Operating expenses include repairs, routine service, replacement of expendables, insurance, dock lines, slip rental, charts, etc.Capital expenses include purchase price, sales tax, new equipment, or significant upgrades.I've had my boat for just under two years. The capital expense record shows that in that time, I have put as much into upgrades as the purchase price. This is making me rethink how much insurance I should have.The operating expense gives me an indication of what it would cost me to keep the boat if I decided enough is enough on on upgrades.When I owned a one-design boat (a 470), boating was cheap. Keeping a cruising boat in the water is an expensive hobby compared with my other hobbies such as hiking and biking. I am glad that I can afford to have a boat and live where I can easily go sailing.Sincerely,Gary Goodman

 

[Stu Jackson]

Both

I keep track of what I spend, but not only for that.I developed an inventory of purchases I've made. Included in the remarks column is the make and model number. It becomes easy to find what I need, even years later. Examples include replacement blocks, portlight gaskets, fuel and oil filters, engine parts, line sizes and lengths, etc. It's all in one place. Of course, it's always more expensive than it used to be, but what isn't?It's a combined inventory and cost spreadsheet.StuPSI keep a separate spreadsheet for my fuel use and engine hours. That way, I save lotsa $s on not buying a new fuel gauge!

 

[charles,Jackson]

Why Bother

Besides avoiding duplicate costs why bother w/keeping track of "how Much I've spendt" If one enjoys it and can keep the bills paid and the other half content w/their "wants" why ruin a good thing by being a bean counter about what is spendt doing what is enjoyable?

 

[Ugadawg]

"Hole inthe water into which to pour money"

I don't try to keep up with expenditures on the boat as I knew from the beginning it is an expensive hobby/passion. I spend what I feel like I can justify. But with gasoline prices as high as they are, I'll probably spend more just commuting the one-and-a-half (or more) hours between my home and the marina. Every time there is an accident or roadwork on one of the interstates either to or from, it just adds to the cost of commuting as traffic comes to a standstill until one gets around the obstuction.

 

[ToddL23158]

Cost Inventory spread sheet

Stu,I would like to get a copy of yopu spread sheets. Sounds like a good way to stay orginized. Thanks in advanceTodd