A hole in the water that you dump money into

[coach]

I was getting my little boat ready today and I saw the box I’ve been putting receipts in for about 10 years even though I’ve had the boat for about 20. I think I started keeping them when I decided to replace the rotted out floor. I know I’ve spent more than I paid for the boat but I’m not going to add them up. I enjoy it too much to worry about it.

 

[Dave P.]

Never figure up the actual hourly usage costs for toys...NEVER!
Boats, race cars, airplanes....you don't want to know.

 

[Kevin]

Where we used to live outside of Chicago, there was a billboard advertising boat repair.

Their message said: “If your boat’s broke and you aren’t, call us.”

I hope I never own a boat.

 

[bigfuzzy]

I gave mine to my son and I figure I made money.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Aluminum drift boat---the only boat I know of that can sit outside for 10+ years and actually appreciate.
Just an hour with the pressure washer and it looks like new.

 

[woodsy]

There used to be a slogan (definition) that a boat is a hole in the water, lined with wood, plastic, or metal, in which you pour money. That said, I have owned several, including, now, three ultralight canoes.

 

[GypsmJim]

I bought a family boat to go camping with (and use it to take the tent). Two fat adults and 2 pre-teens and it worked real nice. When we set up the tent we had a boat to play with.

It's small, so the liability insurance is covered by homeowner's.

It has been a godsend to us. My boys learned seamanship and the FAMILY went together. Off vacation we took neighborhood kids out and taught them how to fish.

Very little maintenance needed. The hull is aluminum. The engine is a tried-and-true 2-stroke Evinrude. Maybe $20 a year for grease and oil. Gas was about 4 gallons for every outing. I think I put 2 new spark plugs in a few years ago.

We paid $600 for the boat. That was 36 years ago. I could sell it now for more. Sure, I spent a lot of money (hahaha), but the family benefits are priceless.

I know people that paid tens of thousands and had maintenance issues from the get-go. Besides, the family ended up divorced, so what good was it.

"A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour love and family memories".

 

[Johnnu2]

The happiest days in a boat owners life: the day you bought the boat and the day you sold it...

 

[kmoore]

I have owned 3 aluminum boats with trailers. Just like RVs they need maintenance. It's the cost of owning toys, in this case boats. If you demand that they will work right when you need them in salt or fresh water learn how to repair the engines, boats and trailers or pay the BIG bucks. I never owned a boat that paid me, but having 4 or 5 guys on the boat buying the gas sure helps.

 

[Mike J]

My brother-in-law that owned a boat business near here told me what boat stands for-Bust Out Another Thousand.

 

[oldcrab]

I own a boat and have had a boat in the family for about forty years. This is my third boat over those years.
So, reading this thread is all very funny, and very, very, true!!

Will be keeping the boat and pouring money into the "hole in the water", until I'm no longer capable of paying for it, because the memories and family fun is priceless to me.

 

[black1970]

The 2 happiest days of boat ownership is the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

 

[MHtractorguy]

There is a reason why aluminum jon boats are rarely seen for sale used.
My 15 foot Sears still has the original 1968 Evinrude Sportwin 9.5 on it.
Hull is 1967, motor 1968. I hose it out, air up the tires and hit the water every summer.

 

[GypsmJim]

The 2 happiest days of boat ownership is the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

When my kids were just little we bought our dream boat. We kept it for 35 years. Garage kept and meticulously maintained by me, it kept good value. It was not a chore, but a labor of love. With the good maintenance, it cost very little to repair. Very few parts ever needed to be replaced. When I sold it I calculated my costs over 30 years. Not counting gas and insurance I paid more for beer than the boat.

My kids grew up in the boat. When they moved out on their own they both bought boats of their own. When we sold her it was to buy a brand new bigger and fancier model just for the wife and I.

I sat on the front porch watching the new owner pull her down the street. I watched until they were out of sight. It was NOT a happy day. I often wished I had kept her.

But that's just me. Some people waste money on stupid things.

 

[coach]

The only large expenses have been water pump, hydraulic lift and floor replacement. All in all worth the cost.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I have owned 3 boats over the years; First was a 14 plywood "runabout" with a front deck, windshield etc
Went for a sail on brother-in-laws old sailboat-- SOLD the runabout.
Second was a 21 foot trailerable sailboat with a small outboard an owned that until somebody stole it for the trailer.
Third and Favorite/Final was a 36 foot Ketch built in 1948 in San Pedro, CA out of Mahogany and Oak with a 22 hp Faryman Diesel; That was home in Long Beach Harbor from Jan. 1972 until the end of 1977. It was my daughter's first home when she was born, my sons home too but when the third one was on the way, I couldn't figure out how to add a bedroom. I LOVED that ketch, Loved living aboard and had good friends in the marina who also lived aboard. Her name was "CONCHITA".

 

[GypsmJim]

I have owned 3 boats over the years; First was a 14 plywood "runabout" with a front deck, windshield etc
Went for a sail on brother-in-laws old sailboat-- SOLD the runabout.
Second was a 21 foot trailerable sailboat with a small outboard an owned that until somebody stole it for the trailer.
Third and Favorite/Final was a 36 foot Ketch built in 1948 in San Pedro, CA out of Mahogany and Oak with a 22 hp Faryman Diesel; That was home in Long Beach Harbor from Jan. 1972 until the end of 1977. It was my daughter's first home when she was born, my sons home too but when the third one was on the way, I couldn't figure out how to add a bedroom. I LOVED that ketch, Loved living aboard and had good friends in the marina who also lived aboard. Her name was "CONCHITA".

Good stories. It shows good family values.

The one person that I know that makes the most derogative remarks against having a boat spends ALL of his disposable income (and more) at the casino.

He smokes too.....LOL.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

We have owned boats since 1963 which was the year we were married. We didn't own a house or even furniture but you have have priorities. We bought our first boat a wood 18' with a 100HP Mercury. Skied and fished inshore and offshore. Next was a new 1970 Cuddy Cabin 24'Sea Ray that we fished offshore and skied with. In 1974 we bought a 1970 31' Chris Craft Commander Express Cruiser. We spent weekends on it and fished along with taking a 600 mile 2 week trip with another couple. Unfortunately we had to sell it in 1978 along with other toys to be able to build our house on the airpark. In 1982 we bought a 20' open bow Sea Ray skied and used it while camping, sold it in 2019 our last boat. At times we still rent one when we go to the lake
Now for you boat haters did these cost money? You bet BUT I did all of the maintenance so not so bad.
Everything we did with boats involved our kids except for the early days. Wifie did ski when she was 6 months pregnant
Owning a boat and enjoying times with your family for 56 years PRICELESS.

 

[Hvymax]

I have owned 3 aluminum boats with trailers. Just like RVs they need maintenance. It's the cost of owning toys, in this case boats. If you demand that they will work right when you need them in salt or fresh water learn how to repair the engines, boats and trailers or pay the BIG bucks. I never owned a boat that paid me, but having 4 or 5 guys on the boat buying the gas sure helps.

I scored this free last year because it needed water pump impellers.

 

[kmoore]

Replacing the water pump impellers is fairly easy. Like everything that says Marine part on them is too costly. Hvymax, good score on that boat. The main engine looks like about a 1998 model, the troller maybe 10 years or more older.