Fred...
with all due respect, talk to all those folks out of work whom have been on the unemployment line for the three to four years the economy/market has been in the dumps. Ask them if they paid their 4000.00 to moor their boat at the marina for 5 months or paid their 800.00 to store it for the winter, or their 5000.00 per year to maintain their imaginary boat. I understand these figures are minor for a certain sector of the population. I've read many of your comments on this website, I can tell you are a very nice person, however, your perspective may be a bit effected. A boat is usually above and beyond the average middle class American standard of living. I'm certainly not saying the middleclass does not boat, the vast majority of boaters are middleclass (numbers of owners of course not size of boat). Members of the middle class however usually spend income they believe to be expendable income that really isn't expendable. The ratio of boats, cars and other expense the truly wealthy spend is usually minor in comparison to how much in assets they have in the bank, market or real estate. I have researched figures that evidence the average American spends 85-90% of their income on monthly expenses, the average wealthy American ($1,000,000 in assets and $200,000. per year in income or more spends 20-30% of their income on monthly expenses. I'm happy if your cup runneth over, good for you, however the cup doth not runneth for everyone! Luxury item, indeed it!
