If you have to ask, you can't afford it?

[Dave C20469]

Ouch...

Am I the only guy paying upwards of $5000 a year for a slip? Yes, in Midwestern world -- where our sail season (at best) is 5.5. months?Man...$114 is my ratio and no wonder the Admiral is a grumbling a tad this year. Yeah yeah, I love to have the boat, as does the 'crew' in their own way -- but it does hurt to live in a high cost of living area.Perhaps a new job in a new state is in order, huh? Well, a guy's gotta sail, right? Dave Crowleys/v Wind Dreamer

 

[Calif. Ted]

You are welcome to come out here and

try it Dave, we do get to sail year round but that cost of living thing is a bear here too. Just getting a slip can be cutthroat, I've cut a few to get mine and I treat the Marina people REAL WELL. Good part is, last week we sailed to Newport Beach and as I sat in the cockpit drinking morning coffee at my $5 transient mooring I waved to the guy sitting on the balcony of his $50 million "beach house" enjoying the same view.

 

[Herb Parsons]

2 boats, but only one answer (for now)

I just recently bought a second boat (Corondado 35), and haven't really gotten to use it or fix it up yet. We start the 8th of next month (the fixing up and using)My O'Day 25 calculates out at about $85 using your formula, which I guess is somewhat efficient I supposed. However, I like the usage ratio better. I don't bother calculating how LONG I take it out each time, and I only count trips where I actually sail. That said, I like to take the annual expenses (estimated), and divide by how often I take the boat out. During the summer months, I average 3 trips a week, during the winter, probably between 1 and 2. So, I'll go with 2 trips a week. I spend about 4k a year on the boat, so that comes out to about $38 a trip. Not a bad deal, but I still think I need to sail more, and get that down to a more affordable amount

 

[Jhiggs]

Priceless

My ratio for my Irwin 32 is only about $50, but I would pay whatever it takes to keep sailing. Maybe I am missing something big in figuring, but I could even cut my expenses by 1K a year by going to a mooring. This even includes a yacht club membership.

 

[gmoritz]

Life Good in Texas

I have a 34ft Hunter. Sail about 50 hours a month 12 months a year. Total annual cost no including drinks is about $9,500 with a displacement of 11920 my cost works out to $79.70. It only take one sunset or sunrise to show that is cheap for what my crew and I get in return.

 

[Rod]

Southern Il. sailing is good

i hope i figures this right . lol but not spending more than 1500 a season and having the time of my life and giving a few kids a experince to remember for ever i think it works out to about 32 bucks per 100 for my Oday 25.BUT EVEN IF IT WAS MORE who really cares when you have a good wind in the sails and a little spray in your face while kicked back with a cold coke and some chips a bright sun and good company . This is what life is about not really going any where but yet going every where with in the boundries of the water at hand. Life is only as good as you make it you know .....and i like mine goooooooooodddddddddd.

 

[Capt Bill]

A little high - but worth it!

When I was promoted to an engineering position in my company rather than being "out-sourced" like most of my fellow workers, I went a little over-board on buying toys for my 1984 O'DAY 30, STARGAZER. The $4,300 I spent this year was way over my normal $3,000 budget for my 12,000 pound boat. So - my "real" cost/displacement ratio is more like $25/100 pounds and that number keeps the admiral happy! Bill on STARGAZER

 

[jmcclain]

God Help Me Resist the Temptation!

If I ever knew exactly what this pastime actually cost, I would collapse into the fetal position and my wife would clear out what is left of the bank account paying the family shrink! s/v Parrot Tales, B321

 

[Paul Akers]

I don't calc the cost

I stay away from calculating these types of costs. They fall into the same category as checking the value of your 401k today vs last year's value. If you wanna get sick, then do it!

 

[The Saint]

Am I too cheap?

I've owned my 72 Catalina 22 for 7 months, and have averaged around $125.00 per month for "goodies." I may not have factored in the smaller stuff (under $10.00 pocket cash). That still brings me in under $1.00 per pound. NEXT YEAR, however, this cost may double, since I'll be sending the sails out for cleaning (Sailnet).How does this compare with other '22's?Chuck St.Denis, Milpitas, CA

 

[SailboatOwners.com]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending September 26, 2004:My annual boating cost per hundred pounds of displacement is:42% $33 or less 27% $34 - $67 17% $68 - $100 14% More than $100

 

[The Saint]

A great bay launch site

The Grand Street ramp in Alameda, on the Oakland estuary is clean, and a relatively safe place to leave your car/trailer (although you might have to park your rig up the street because the parking area fills up quickly on a weekend) and free. From there, you can turn left and head out of the estuary, past Jack London Square and out into the bay, for a run past the south east end of Treasure Island and across to the cove behind the ball park. Commercial traffic (freighters) is not bad on weekends, but bring your VHF just in case. The coast guard can often be seen on the estuary.

 

[polaristraveler]

live for today

Money is just one factor among many others and offers no solice at the end of ones life. Honor, courage, kinship, and truth are factors of value...as for the monetary value, as for the longterm variable cost of your boat, throw the dice and see what you get. Winning is a perception. If your not having fun you lose no matter what you don't spend.

 

[Grant]

Cost of fresh fish per pound!

You're not going to suck me in to the trap of calculations this time. I did something similar ten years ago when I owned a fishing boat and a catalina 30. (Yes, the admiral is a Saint). Mileage, boat cost,fuel,bait, and heaven knows, beer; Speckled trout, $348.00 a pound. ON A GOOD DAY!Sailing on the other hand.......priceless.