To Boat Or Not To Boat

[Gary Fowler]

I too have had several boats. They generally are a money pit that get a fair amount of use the first year and then less and less. I would never by a new boat. Let the first owner soak up the depreciation. Most boats don't see a lot of hours so a 4-5 year old boat might not have many hours on it. I bought my present fishing boat to fish the lakes in Alberta Canada and did fish every weekend for 4 years but the lakes up there were pretty small and a 5-10 minute run would take me from end to end. Many times, I would just pull away from the dock maybe 100 feet then start fishing using my electric trolling motor. 4 year of 2-3 days per week for the May thru Sept fishing season only put 50 hours on the engine. My boat is all aluminum 17 foot V hull with 70 HP 4 stroke engine which is very easy on gas. I would never use more than about 2 gallons of gas on any trip and since it was always stored inside, it still looks new even though it is 15 years old.

Now we bought this place in Arkansas mainly because of the close proximity to 3 large lakes but in 4 years, I have only had to boat in the lake for 5 fishing days. There is more to do on land with my acreage than fishing needs but this year I have sworn that I will start fishing again and hopefully get some use out of it.
If I ever got rid of this one, I wouldn't buy another. A Canadian friend came for a visit and we chartered a boat with guide to take us striper fishing. It cost $300 for half day and would be much cheaper than owning a boat for no more than I use it. That was the same for off-shore salt water fishing, chartering is the way to go.

You might try renting one for a few weekends to see if you are going to like it. If you do, go for a used boat in good shape for usually 60-75% of the cost of a new one when they are in excellent shape, much less if cosmetically they are wrecked from outside storage.

 

[OKnewguy]

From my experience the worst part of the maintenance cost here in OK, was the trailer. I was hauling my boat 1.5 hours each way. Getting a new set of tires for a tandem tires every 4 years, and brakes about the same cost a bit. I winterized myself, pretty easy on the evinrude, and easy but took a bit longer on my mercruiser setup boats. I am a firm believer in using the boat alot, it you do not you will have many other issues mechanically. If you are not equipped this stuff will cost a bunch. Mechanically the boats are not hard to work on, they are just cramped. But, if you have issues there was a great forum that I frequented, iboats. BTW, check out Bennington Pontoon Boats These are much nicer then most pontoons. Also buying used (pre 10 i think) you avoid the added emissions mess.
Dave

 

[Bird]

Yep, Dave, I've looked at the Bennington Pontoon boats at the local dealer; nice rigs, but no chance of me buying anything that expensive. Of course one of those with a 300 hp outboard ought to be lots of fun.

 

[DrRod]

I absolutely love sitting at the public launch ramp on the weekends watching the drunks launch and retrieve their boats. The best and cheapest entertainment ever, as long as they stay away from my boat.

And there is nothing that can strain a relationship like having you significant other help guide you. Same with hooking up a trailer. Lots of shouting and hand signals and maximum feasible misunderstanding. Like when she says "left" is that the truck's left, the front of the truck, the front of the trailer, the back of the trailer -- I mean, there are lots of "lefts" out there. Definitely solid entertainment -- unless its you.

 

[DrRod]

I absolutely love sitting at the public launch ramp on the weekends watching the drunks launch and retrieve their boats. The best and cheapest entertainment ever, as long as they stay away from my boat.

And there is nothing that can strain a relationship like having your significant other help guide you. Same with hooking up a trailer. Lots of shouting and hand signals and maximum feasible misunderstanding. Like when she says "left" is that the truck's left, the front of the truck, the front of the trailer, the back of the trailer -- I mean, there are lots of "lefts" out there. Definitely solid entertainment -- unless its you.

 

[Looking4new]

And there is nothing that can strain a relationship like having your significant other help guide you. Same with hooking up a trailer. Lots of shouting and hand signals and maximum feasible misunderstanding. Like when she says "left" is that the truck's left, the front of the truck, the front of the trailer, the back of the trailer -- I mean, there are lots of "lefts" out there. Definitely solid entertainment -- unless its you.

Ha,ha.
No significant other. I hook up my trailers all by my lonesome and I like it that way.

 

[IslandTractor]

And there is nothing that can strain a relationship like having your significant other help guide you. Same with hooking up a trailer. Lots of shouting and hand signals and maximum feasible misunderstanding. Like when she says "left" is that the truck's left, the front of the truck, the front of the trailer, the back of the trailer -- I mean, there are lots of "lefts" out there. Definitely solid entertainment -- unless its you.

I think having a significant other help anchor in a breeze in a crowded anchorage can be worse. We were peacefully at anchor enjoying gin and tonics and watched a guy at the helm of a sailboat trying to anchor by yelling instructions to his girlfriend or wife on the foredeck. He was not polite and probably didn't know what he was doing either. After about ten minutes, she announced simply that she was done, dropped the anchor on the foredeck and went below. No other crew on board. He motored off and I don't know exactly what happened next but it was dusk in Nantucket harbor so "going home" was not an option. I'm guessing they survived but the relationship may not have. We did appreciate the entertainment and awarded her 10/10 points for putting the A hole captain in his place.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Coming up with appropriate hand signals and agreeing to them is best. Of course you have to keep looking to each other as well. I've seen hand signals attempted when one or the other keeps looking at the water or trailer or whatever and they don't get it done without frustration.

It's enjoyable to see it done right.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

... yelling instructions to his girlfriend or wife .... He was not polite .... she announced simply that she was done ....

OK - I know this is off thread - B U T ......

The above just gets me angry. There is simply NO EXCUSE for someone in a relationship to yell at his/her partner, or otherwise treat them with disrespect. NONE! I hope she has rid herself of this jerk and moved forward in her life with a REAL man.

 

[Ted Summey]

OK - I know this is off thread - B U T ......

The above just gets me angry. There is simply NO EXCUSE for someone in a relationship to yell at his/her partner, or otherwise treat them with disrespect. NONE! I hope she has rid herself of this jerk and moved forward in her life with a REAL man.

Not really off thread. I agree that the captain was being inconsiderate to his partner. Boating is supposed to be fun for everybody involved. Too many people have visions of the "perfect boating experience" without the skills to make it so. That frustration often gets taken out on the wrong people.

Safety should be the first thought and fun should be the second. Being considerate to your crew enhances both safety and fun. Giving clear specific direction to crew BEFORE and during a maneuver such as launching, retrieving, anchoring etc is being considerate. Trying to yell instructions to crew who haven't been previously instructed on what you want is inconsiderate and usually makes a spectacle. Yelling at inexperienced crew only makes situations worse and makes the captain look foolish.

Boats are temporary things and dings on boats can be fixed. Dings on relationships with your family and friends often are permanent. Boating shouldn't ding relationships but rather should produce fond memories.

I learned these lessons very early in my boating relationship with my wife. She was patient with me and still helps handle the boat, dock lines, anchor etc. We both have a better time now that the captain learned these things.