Why own a boat if you are certified to Charter?

[Hugh4753]

It's Not an Economic Decision

Amen to Abe and Buccaneer. I don't think you'll find anybody that will tell you buying a sailboat makes economic sense. It's something we sort of just have to do. It's a lifestyle, this past weekend the wife and I just went down and stayed on the boat, didn't go out but got to relax and read and watch a movie on TV. The thing that strikes me about boater owners in general and sailboat owners in particular is how many different kinds of people you meet. Young, old, working, retired, wealthy or just scrapping by, it doesn't matter, you've got a sailboat and you're welcomed into the "club" with open arms. I've never met a sailor who wasn't willing to toss you a line when you're coming in, give a word of encouragement or advice, or jump down in the boat and show you how to do something you're struggling with. A couple of folks have mentioned that if you have to ask the question you don't understand and thats true to a point, but I'd encourage you to hang out around a marina for a few days and then see what you think.HughS/V La Bourgogne

 

[Joe]

The name of this site is....

sailboatowners.com NOTsailboatcharterers.com or sailboatrenters.comA ridiculous question. Don't you know that sailboats aren't just for sailing? What I pay for one month of boat ownership would only buy me one day at the first class resort in my marina, or perhaps one or two days of sailing at a charter club. I can't leave my stuff on the charter boat, I can't just hang out and read or have friends down for lunch, or putz around the harbor after work, or say to anyone "Would you like to join me on MY boat for a sail anytime that's convenient?"

 

[Rick A]

Depends on what you want....

In my case, I live in Calgary, I own an Islander 30, currently at a marina in San Francisco Bay. It is an older boat, I picked it up with the intent of bringing it back to standard, and doing a little cruising with it. Could of picked one up in British Columbia, but with seat sales, the price of a flight was comparable, and there are lots of used boats in SFB, so it is a buyers market. I am a handy kind of guy, and I enjoy working on the boat.I've also had a chance to get to know the Bay area, so when I go down, I stay on the boat,work on the boat, and do a little bit of the tourist thing. A little sailing, a trip up to Napa for a little wine tasting, etc. We stay on board when we are there, shop locally, sometimes cook on board, some times eat out. I've started my cruise, prior to leaving the dock, with a boat that was not in cruising condition. I've been able to get down to the boat about 3 times a year for a few weeks at a time. For me, it is a great holiday. I work hard, come home exhausted, but recharged to deal with work and life issues.This next trip, if all goes well, I am taking it out of the bay and heading south into Mexico. I will leave it at a Marina and return for about a month at Christmas. We'll spend some time cruising in the Sea of Cortez or maybe go further south, who knows or really cares. At the end of that trip, I will pull the boat out and leave it stored on the hard until next year when I come back and do it again for another month or so. I am not near retirement yet.For the money I have invested, I have had several really great holidays which would have cost me at least as much, if not more. I've made some pretty good friends, which money can't buy, and I've broadened my skills range in both knowing the boat systems as well as sailing skills.I've got a good hull, new sails, upgraded rigging, a solid diesel, and new electronics. On a yearly basis, I am spending as much time on the water as much as many of the local owners do, and maybe more time on the boat. I still have more that I will want to do, but I can save it for later. My cost outlay has been less that a month of chartering.Chartering might work better for some, but for me, this works really well and I am happy. For others, they could not cope. It really depends on you and what you want.

 

[Tom Monroe]

The pleasure and the freedom ...

I'd guess I spend about $10,000 a year using my boat and my motorhome ... often together cause my wife likes to sleep in what she calls comfort in the RV and daysail the boat. Between the two of them, I spend my leasure time when and where I want to. I like that freedom.But I own Different Drummer quite simply because I love her. Owning a 27 ft keelboat to be used as a daysailer on an inland lake doesn't make a whole lot of rational sense. But ... she does something to my heart when I walk down the dock and catch my first glimpse of her. She's not a sterile peice of fiberglass and teak, she's a living thing that is wedded to my soul. She has carried me through some of the most beautiful days, evenings, sunrises and sunsets. Her cockpit has contained treasured conversations with friends. There, sitting on my lap so he could see down the cabin top, my little grandson learned to helm, and the smile on his face when he realized this "huge" thing would respond to his gentle command is lodged indelibly on my mind. And she's brought me and my crew safely home when I've mishandled her or been caught out in a tough squall.It breaks my heart that she's been sitting in the back of the marina parking lot all this season, a casualty of my mom's failing health and the time I've spent caring for her. But ... I'll be back aboard next year enjoying the pleasure and freedom she brings. That has seen me through.So here's my real answer ...you can enjoy a charter boat and a charter vacation. You have to own a boat to fall in love.Tom MonroeCarlyle Lake

 

[RICHARD]

IF IT FLY'S, FLOATS OR...

LIKE DADDY ALWAYS SAID.IF IT FLY'S, FLOATS OR FORNICATES, IT'S CHEAPER TO RENT.

 

[droopy]

One reason only

we like to spend money...

 

[newly anonymous]

one more reason

I don't know if I'm going sailing tomorrow. I won't decide until I roll out of my berth in the morning morning and sniff the wind. I might decide to stay here in the marina and row my dink over to the other docks and drink whatever beers the other boat owners offer. Or, I might go out and just dangle on the hook for a few hours and read something interesting. What's cool about this is that--unlike a charterer--I don't have to decide about tomorrow until I get there. The fridge is already stocked, my foulies are already aboard, my waypoints are already entered into the nav system, and I have no worries about whether I can drink the water out of the tap.If I want to go sail, all I gotta do is go sail. And that's heaven.

 

[jung]

It's a toy,

Do you ever find a toy renting store? Let me know if you found one.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Jung.....I Agree

You did your family name 'proud'. Carl himself, could not have said it better.

 

[Dragonfly6689]

Boat Ownership -- Priceless!

Annual boat payment:$$,$$$Maintanence: $1,500Slip Fee: $1,400Insurance: $1,000County Property Taxes: All you got leftSunset cruise with wife: PricelessFull moon night cruise with sailing buddies: PricelessWeekend anchorage in secluded cove with wife: PricelessDock party with sailing and house boaters: PricelessFYI...We chartered a week each in BVI and Lake Michigan last summer. Suz and I can sail March to November for what these two weeks of bareboat charters cost.