boats are expensive!

[digitek718]

So I am getting a little overwhelmed at boat ownership and I have come to a realization....bought oday 25 in fall- 3500
taxes & register-350
diy winter cover/pvc and tarp-150
winter storage-875
geico seasafe insurance for winter-235
bottom paint,wax,through hull
repair and new ball valve -900
(paid yard..should have done it myself)
summer mooring-1625
boat us insurance and tow-550
(switched from sea tow)
miscellaneous gadgets and little repairs-300-500
add that up $$$$$ 8500
that is alot of coin in a short period of time..I love sailing but am starting to get overwhelmed at all the expense..I love going to the mooring and being set up but I am starting to think that I should trade up for a smaller boat with a trailer that I could rig to sail..granted I will have more work needed to sail and probably wont sail as much but the money saved will be huge. I might consider keeping the oday 25 if I had a trailer but trailers for boats that size are hard to come by and modifying is def a job I dont think I could handle..I wouldnt even know where to start..So I am trying to just enjoy my sails but my pocket is hurting and winter storage will be here before you know it..anybody else ever second guess ????

 

[Steve Dion]

Move! You can enjoy your boat 10-12 mos a year and you will probably reduce your expenses. NY is not the cheapest place to do ANYTHING.

No. Calfornia: Berthing $6-10/ft. year round. Insurance (est $200/yr), Taxes 1-1.25% of boats value. Repairs would be similar. No winter storage.

 

[Scott]

Why two insurance companies? My BoatUS insurance covers year round - in or out of the water.

 

[shemandr]

A friend of mine and a professional in the boat biz advised me never to add up the bills. I've followed his advice. I'm aware I write a lot of checks for the boat, boatyard, chandlery, but I don't put a sum on it. Boat ownership is not really a rational endeavor, or approved by financial advisors. How can you explain to the uninitiated the gift of a beautiful anchorage, the joy of a spirited sail, the ectasy of a racing win. To paraphrase Colonel Kurtz - accountants "...are errand boys sent by grocery clerks..." how could they understand.
Yeah, I'm limping away from the boatyard but I'm still heading for my boat.

 

[kenn]

Your insurance costs seem high... do you really need tow insurance?

Some of the listed costs are (hopefully) one-time, and you've now learned first-hand the savings if you can do your own repairs and maintenance. Hopefully your ongoing annual costs will be more reasonable AND you will be that much more comfortable with using your boat.

 

[Nereussailor]

I've spent more money moving, storing, and repairing, my boat than I paid for the boat. I just don't care. shemandr has it right, how can you put a price on the enjoyment. The release of life's daily problems is worth every penny that I spend on my boat. I drive a piece of junk car that doesn't have a payment so that I can enjoy my boat. That's worth every penny too.
I do all of my own repairs, no matter how big or small, I know my boat inside and out. fixing it is half of the fun (if that's what you want to call it) It's relaxing too.

Dave

 

[petersea]

Yes boating is expensive but one cost most owners save is that they do most of the seasonal work themselves such as bottom paint waxing and some repairs. You spent $900 for all that and materials estimate at less then $250 so there is quite a large savings for a couple of days work. Get a little bit more "hands on". Your winter cost will come down as you will only need to buy another tarp not framing. Boating is expensive but what ever you do don't try and figure you cost per hour ! ! Unfortunately expensive but I have not found anything better !!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Don't ever add up the cost of boat ownership. The only number that counts is the number of lives you have. Your choice how you spend that.

 

[Steve Dion]

Petersea: Boating is not expensive, mental health treatment is expensive! <g>

 

[mcaswell]

Well, since all boat owners are filthy rich, shouldn't be a problem eh?

--Michael

 

[dvideohd]

you just need to reword a bit....

That's "filthy".... NOT "rich".....

--jr

 

[Nelsonhow]

Didn't the tell you that "BOAT" is just the acronym for
Break Out Another Thousand

Seriously enjoy it and don't count to much. Be grateful you don't have a fifty footer.

 

[BarryL]

Hey,

I feel the same way every spring. It costs a good amount to get the boat in the water, plus hours and hours of work. Then i get to splash the boat, and eventually go sailing. And then I remember that it IS worth it.

You're spent the money, there really should not be too many more expenses for the rest of year. So enjoy it.

Being realistic, there will always be big expenses in the off season. One year it will be sails, the next rigging, the next engine parts and maintenance, and then electronics, and then .....

For me, the sailing makes it worthwhile.

Barry

 

[Ducati]

Remember The Big Picture

And then one day you're dead and all the money spent on a boat will mean nothing.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Going from a boat in the water back to a trailer sailor will get old real quick. You'll regret it.

 

[capejt]

Yes... Boating can be expensive. But to me it's my therapy. I figure I can pay for the maintenance, docking fees, insurance, etc....... or I could be paying a shrink.
Personally, I prefer the fresh air and spray in my face.
Yes, it's expensive, but worth every penny!

 

[Joe]

Why two insurance companies? My BoatUS insurance covers year round - in or out of the water.

Mine too, .......... $10k insurance on my Cat27 with 600k environmental is about $200/year.

By the way...... everything is expensive!!!!! Have you played golf or gone skiiing lately? Ever taken your wife away for the weekend and come back a thousand bucks liighter?

I sit in the cockpit of my sweet baby and look across the basin at $300/night hotel rooms that have the same view.

I cruise the coast of San Diego.... you know what? It's beautiful.... dolphins, sunsets, I could be anywhere.. but I'm where I want to be... I'm happy.. and grateful that the greatest decision I've made these past years is to reallocate my recreation dollar from the golf courses and ski slopes to keeping a relatively inexpensive sailboat in a beautiful location.

The only time a sailboat becomes expensive is when it's not being used.

 

[Albanach]

This is the best thread with insight to the real values of living a life
I've read for a long time.

 

[digby sailor]

everything is expensive when it comes to leisure activities I have friends with harley davidsons that spend piles of cash on accessories clothes and trips do what you love as long as your living your life paying your bills...they always ask me at the marine places if I want a receipt when I pick stuff up and I always say throw it away I dont need reminders lol!

 

[dscribner]

We are trailer sailors. We own a Lancer 25. Sleeps 4 (+), 6'-0 of head room, enclosed head, 30" draft, launch any place. We had a chance to borrow a mooring for the season. The Commodore refused. She likes the flexibility of driving for an hour and being a day's sail away, with new things to discover.

We set up in less than an hour and, with some modifications that I made this winter, I think I have that down to 20 minutes this season. So, $36 to register and $200 for insurance, I'm done. Well, maybe a gallon for the kicker. The rest is for Merlot and "rations." There are benefits to be a trailor sailor.