I think the time has come to get out of boating....

[Golfman25]

You must be doing something wrong if you feel this way.

Touche.

Part of it is living in the Soviet state of IL. And then our season is just too short. Boat is launched in May, but that month is generally hit or miss. June, July and August goes way to fast. Weather turns by Mid Sept. and you're back on the hard. Plus, with Lake Michigan, the weather is always iffy on the weekends, so you loose several days a year to rough water, unlike inland lakes and rivers.

This year has been particularly sucky -- crap weather almost every weekend. Two weeks ago, it was fine but like boating on the sun. Last weekend, clouds and rain. Guess what this weekend -- clouds and rain. I envy those that have the boat in place they can go out late into the fall, winter, and spring.

 

[Golfman25]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all of the replies. Good food for thought. Just to clear up a few things. I own the boat so there's no expense there. I can afford the $10k it costs but am questioning "Why" at this point if the thrill is not there & the schedule just doesn't cooperate? Perfect example, I have friends the will be at Davis Park this weekend. I can race down to the marina (30 mins away) and shoot across the bay to lock in a slip (as there are only a couple left) which is a 30 min endevour dock to dock. Then race back because I have stuff to do at the business. Then I get to hear that my daughter has cheer practice Thursday, which is the day I was going back. She also has a waterpark party on Friday. This puts my wife on the ferry back & forth both nights. My oldest leaves for freshman year at Oneonta next week & doesn't want to be at the beach his last weekend home without his friends. My 17 year old is in love & doesn't want to be away from his GF and we really don't have space to have her over night. Sooo....it would be me solo at night with my buddies drinking which wouldn't suck but, I don't wanna miss my sons last weekend. This is just a typical situation every time I want to go out. Trailering is out. I live on a big hill with nowhere to store the boat nor would I ever use it as it would be a headache for me. I appreciate all of the suggestions but, the one that rings true to my situation is to dump it & buy another one down the line if I feel the need to get back. That's just how I am leaning right now. Again, thanks for the responses
Todd

You're just feeling the "kids at that age syndrome." I was there, threatening to sell the boat every weekend cause we had baseball or something else going on. I gutted thru and now the kid doesn't even know we exist -- graduated school, got a job and an apartment. My opinion, keep the boat. Use it as best you can. And soon the kids will be out on their own and you'll need something to do.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I got my first boat at age 5. 70 years ago. We sold Beachcomber 2 years ago due to health issues. It just about killed me (figuratively speaking) to sell her but both my wife and I have balance issues. I still miss the boat, but there's no chance of getting into a smaller one.

Life presents us with many twists and turns and all we can do is go along for the ride.

 

[b_arrington]

You're just feeling the "kids at that age syndrome." I was there, threatening to sell the boat every weekend cause we had baseball or something else going on. I gutted thru and now the kid doesn't even know we exist -- graduated school, got a job and an apartment. My opinion, keep the boat. Use it as best you can. And soon the kids will be out on their own and you'll need something to do.

I’m there with the “kids that age” too. My son is going into 11th grade. He’s played baseball all spring, summer, and now the fall. And he plays football too. Ext summer we expect more of the same, plus having to do a college tour road trip. My daughter wants to play travel lacrosse, and those are all out of state. But we got this boat se my wife and I could travel after they are not around so much. We try to use it as much as we can.

On Sunday we had dinner on the boat while my son was operating the mooring launch. It was unusual for us - my wife commented how nice it was to just enjoy the boat at the dock as a family. We take those moments when we can get them.

 

[tdschafer]

You're just feeling the "kids at that age syndrome." I was there, threatening to sell the boat every weekend cause we had baseball or something else going on. I gutted thru and now the kid doesn't even know we exist -- graduated school, got a job and an apartment. My opinion, keep the boat. Use it as best you can. And soon the kids will be out on their own and you'll need something to do.

We have had sports conflicts for years, and muddled through still finding time for awesome boat trips. We even did a few CSR NE Flotillas. But, the time has come. I don't have the patience, time or desire to do all the tinkering anymore. I used to love that sh!t! Plus, it has become more of a PIA to get slips at our favorite local destinations. Add in the fact that Gurneys bought Montauk Yacht club & priced it out of reality for us normal folks (my boat over $500 a night) and it all adds up to moving on, at least for us. I don't have that same pull to the sea that I once had. I guess its part of my cycle of life.
PS: I think someone does need to start a car thread. You guys have some cool stuff to share there!!

 

[copb8tx]

PS: I think someone does need to start a car thread. You guys have some cool stuff to share there!!

There already was/is one: http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/so-lets-hear-about-and-see-your-cars.81513/

 

[mrsrobinson]

There already was/is one: http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/so-lets-hear-about-and-see-your-cars.81513/

Ha, I'll be gone for a while reading through that one, just added mine.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Todd it happens to us all I for one am kinda glad we got out of big boating it was so much work and money. We did awesome trips and met awesome people but it’s a different time in our lives we also moved to Fla and bought a smaller boat that’s racked stored and we enjoy the hell out of it find a sandbar drop the hook get in the water. It’s so relaxing now not worrying about dragging anchor at 2am etc.
We found other activities like Pickleball and golf we have so much fun together now and NO more Yelling!!!! ( while docking)
We like taking the cars out for a ride to discover the area and this week my new Bronco is getting delivered so now we’re looking for off-road parks in Fla.
It’ll be fine your an active guy you’ll find your nieche’
Best of luck if you move to Cape Coral let me know

ok here’s my car entires nothing exotic

 

[tdschafer]

View attachment 132223 View attachment 132224 Todd it happens to us all I for one am kinda glad we got out of big boating it was so much work and money. We did awesome trips and met awesome people but it’s a different time in our lives we also moved to Fla and bought a smaller boat that’s racked stored and we enjoy the hell out of it find a sandbar drop the hook get in the water. It’s so relaxing now not worrying about dragging anchor at 2am etc.
We found other activities like Pickleball and golf we have so much fun together now and NO more Yelling!!!! ( while docking)
We like taking the cars out for a ride to discover the area and this week my new Bronco is getting delivered so now we’re looking for off-road parks in Fla.
It’ll be fine your an active guy you’ll find your nieche’
Best of luck if you move to Cape Coral let me know

ok here’s my car entires nothing exotic

Thanks Joe. That is exactly the response I needed to hear! Hope all is well with you guys! I'll give a call this week & catch up. Tell Martha we said hi!!

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Same here Todd.

 

[highslice]

I looked at a lot of Corvettes before buying the 335i. They felt too plasticly, cheap, too many rattles and squeaks to me. At least the mid to late 2000s one. Big awkward looking knobs too.

I looked at some M3's as well. Most were ragged out, abused. I found the 335i, a single owner, unmodified, clean car and "made her a M3" and better. I get asked all the time is she is a M3 because I changed out the grill.

Yeah the C6s and before had the plastic crappy GM feel. His C7 is a totally different feel. I guess someone at Chevy pulled their head out of their ass and decided that at that price point they had to be better. I have found several M3s that are in remarkably good condition, a few manuals and the sequential auto. My wife does not have the aptitude to drive a stick, I think it is genetic. I like the hard top convertible. It only has about 50K miles on it. I can go buy new, but it's just a toy and I have a hard time justifying it. Both my parents were products of the depression and that is reflected in my conservative nature. Throwing $80-100k at a toy hurts me at a base level. Just because we can afford to write a check for it doesn't make it a good idea. Now some would say a boat is a toy, but I look at it as a family bonding tool. I guess we can justify what we really want to....

 

[mrsrobinson]

Yeah the C6s and before had the plastic crappy GM feel. His C7 is a totally different feel. I guess someone at Chevy pulled their head out of their ass and decided that at that price point they had to be better. I have found several M3s that are in remarkably good condition, a few manuals and the sequential auto. My wife does not have the aptitude to drive a stick, I think it is genetic. I like the hard top convertible. It only has about 50K miles on it. I can go buy new, but it's just a toy and I have a hard time justifying it. Both my parents were products of the depression and that is reflected in my conservative nature. Throwing $80-100k at a toy hurts me at a base level. Just because we can afford to write a check for it doesn't make it a good idea. Now some would say a boat is a toy, but I look at it as a family bonding tool. I guess we can justify what we really want to....

Agreed, the daily driver Toyota Highlander will be with me forever if I can help it. No need to replace it, tires brakes, fluid changes and she just keeps going.

And I didn't go new with the 335i because I knew I wanted to tune it myself and not be too worried about.

I didn't know how poor we were as a kid, but we were poor, and like your parents that influences my buying decisions.

 

[copb8tx]

View attachment 132223 View attachment 132224
Best of luck if you move to Cape Coral let me know

ok here’s my car entires nothing exotic

I would like to get to know more about Cape Coral. I know it's a big draw to folks but when we visited it earlier this year I just don't think we got to know it very well. We really only visited a friend at their home and hit to two big marinas and surrounding areas. We also have a friend with a condo that over looks Rum Runners.

Is there a walkable downtown area that has shops, restaurants and bars? Would like to get down to that general area again next year. It seemed like we had to go to Ft Myers or FMB for that type of thing.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Bart I honestly know nothing about Cape Coral we’re in Sarasota which is North I’ve only been to Cape Coral by boat 4-5 hrs on the 500 from longboat key.
It was a stop over and meet up with another boat to head to the keys.

 

[copb8tx]

Bart I honestly know nothing about Cape Coral we’re in Sarasota which is North I’ve only been to Cape Coral by boat 4-5 hrs on the 500 from longboat key.
It was a stop over and meet up with another boat to head to the keys.

Got it. Now Sarasota I love! We do driving day trips down there ever so often. What a diverse and great vibe it has.

 

[FootballFan]

View attachment 132223 View attachment 132224 Todd it happens to us all I for one am kinda glad we got out of big boating it was so much work and money. We did awesome trips and met awesome people but it’s a different time in our lives we also moved to Fla and bought a smaller boat that’s racked stored and we enjoy the hell out of it find a sandbar drop the hook get in the water. It’s so relaxing now not worrying about dragging anchor at 2am etc.
We found other activities like Pickleball and golf we have so much fun together now and NO more Yelling!!!! ( while docking)
We like taking the cars out for a ride to discover the area and this week my new Bronco is getting delivered so now we’re looking for off-road parks in Fla.
It’ll be fine your an active guy you’ll find your nieche’
Best of luck if you move to Cape Coral let me know

ok here’s my car entires nothing exotic

A Bronco? I am a long term Jeep guy. Just bought another Wrangler. The new Bronco is creating lots of discussion on the Jeep websites.

How do you like it so far?

 

[Blueone]

I have finally started to face the fact that my best boating days may be behind me. Its not an age related thing as I'm only 58 but, rather a lifestyle thing. To date, I have used my boat once this season, for a raft up in a local river. Last year I slept on the boat one night and did 4 day trips, all after Labor Day. The year before similar usage. It seems to cost me about a minimum of $10k a year for dockage, storage & mechanic fees. I just can't see tossing this money out indefinitely with no payback in enjoyment. Most times it just seems to be another job for me getting it ready to go in & come out. Plus, the two closest Fire Island Marinas that I have frequented changed their reservation systems after being leased out by the feds & my town. It is harder & harder to just get in the boat to spend a day at the beach. I guess I'm saying "no mas". I'm curious if others here have reached this point in their boating lives & how did you handle it? I know that in rare instances I may miss having a boat but, I also feel like a weight will be lifted when I no longer have to worry about it or toss money at it. For those recently looking or selling, how is the market for a 1997 330 DA look?

Quitter

 

[skolbe]

My wife has had this sense for a long time, since her 20's.

She has MS and has had it since before we met 24 years ago. She's been all too aware that soon than later the day will come when she will not physically be able to do the things she wants. She does everything possible to keep herself healthy to postpone the inevitable. As a result of this foreknowledge we've done lots of things while she's been able. We're now starting to get to the point where there's some things she just can't do because her legs won't cooperate. One is she wanted to return to Italy and take her parents. We were supposed to go in 2020, but Covid messed that up. With my father inlaw's memory decline and her legs not working, that ship sailed without us.

My wife has MS and the heat this year has been brutal on her. Which has led to more dock time and us going out late afternoon and cooking on the water and coming back around dark. My wife does everything possible to postpone.

 

[tdschafer]

Quitter

Hahaha!

 

[Havana Shamrock]

No Quitter just “transitioning”