Is boating dying

[jitts3]

Boating isn't dead. Just for some like me, just on hold. The economy has put me on prioritys first. The boat is in my shop out of the weather and waiting for the extra cash to finish the repower job. Sad thing is I have all the parts. I just have to work more now and have little time for the extra jobs. I do still have the availability to borrow Dads boat when time allows. (Once last year) I adjusted. So will the rest of us.
As for the OP. The club may need to adjust. Clubs and other people need to be more enclusive to "Not Rich" boaters. Also, what people could afford 2 years ago, they may not now. So some fees and services may be overpriced.

 

[Pseudomind]

Hell I wish I was 'Rich." I have just worked hard all my life, and saved, etc.:smt100

I would even willing to change jobs change jobs to another company here in Jacksonville, Florida if I could make what I am currently making. I will say this what I currently make is much less and not anywhere near a $100,000.00 range, but since I am single and will be 60 in two months, I do not see much chance of a change a coming for me. I'll Just hang in and persevere.:huh:

Now if I could meet a lady around the same age and income, well maybe could work out for retirement. :smt043:smt043 ah but to dream.

:thumbsup:

 

[Daddubo]

Now if I could meet a lady around the same age and income, well maybe could work out for retirement. :smt043:smt043 ah but to dream.
:thumbsup:

You have a pretty lady in the picture and when you find a younger prettier one you can trade he off with no hard feeling's:grin:

 

[katricol]

Doug...I looked at meridian's and they looked mighty nice to me, not for me but nice.

 

[Chris R]

We boat a lot with a couple that has a Meridian 391. A lot of boat for the money and laid out very well. Cummins power too. I'm not a bridge boat guy, but love their salon- the bridge is laid out very nicely too.

 

[Summer Fun II]

I will be plowing snow all Winter to boat all Summer.:grin:

Thats funny because i'm doing the same thing. My friend Big Burt offer me $42 a hr to plow snow for 13 BIG parking lots and 2 small business lots. It takes me 8 1/2 to 10 hrs to to them all. :smt001. I use a pay loader with a 16ft pusher blade or the 30ft pusher blade.

 

[Daddubo]

Thats funny because i'm doing the same thing. My friend Big Burt offer me $42 a hr to plow snow for 13 BIG parking lots and 2 small business lots. It takes me 8 1/2 to 10 hrs to to them all. :smt001. I use a pay loader with a 16ft pusher blade or the 30ft pusher blade.

Yup that is how I payed for my boat and didn't have to touch the house money. $42 for driving someone elses equipment is pretty good I get $65 for my truck but I plow where I work so I'm where I gotta be when I am done.:grin:

 

[hack4alivin]

Wayne…… remember “big brother” could be reading this!

 

[avguy]

20 years ago I lived in NE Ohio. My parents owned a shopping plaza. My dad bought a jeep with a plow......back & forth back & forth back & forth back & forth.......:lol: don't miss that a bit!

 

[Daddubo]

20 years ago I lived in NE Ohio. My parents owned a shopping plaza. My dad bought a jeep with a plow......back & forth back & forth back & forth back & forth.......:lol: don't miss that a bit!

Working for the Parents usaly dosen't pay much. I pay my kid $14per hr to shovel I won't let him touch my truck for plowing

 

[AKBASSKING]

We boat a lot with a couple that has a Meridian 391. A lot of boat for the money and laid out very well. Cummins power too. I'm not a bridge boat guy, but love their salon- the bridge is laid out very nicely too.

I looked at the Merdians too this last year and I did like the set up better and at half the price. Cummins is Cummins and it doesn't mater which boat they are in....I would think anyway.

But, it is a pocket book thing, so back to sanding the good "ol girl" and get er ready to paint her bottom.:smt009

 

[avguy]

Working for the Parents usaly dosen't pay much. I pay my kid $14per hr to shovel I won't let him touch my truck for plowing

I was 30 yrs old and "manager" of the family business at that time. Lol......$14/hr would have sounded pretty good back then:smt043

 

[David Morgan]

Boating is not one of life's necessities. Everytime the government invents a new way of taking your money and spending it or making it even more expensive to own a boat then that is less discretionary income that people have. Given that, the boat will be one of the first things to go....especially large gas hog power boats.

Combine this with the current economy.

 

[HUMPH]

Boating is not one of life's necessities. Everytime the government invents a new way of taking your money and spending it or making it even more expensive to own a boat then that is less discretionary income that people have. Given that, the boat will be one of the first things to go....especially large gas hog power boats.

Combine this with the current economy.

Boating is not one of life's necessities? Crap, that's what I am doing wrong!!!!

 

[popeye]

It's in a cycle on the downstroke. I have always been a bargain hunter. Haven't owned a boat since the 70'S. Right now is the best time to buy a used boat I have ever seen. I like boating and really like the value you can acquire for very small money. Eventually boating will rebound...That's assuming the obama bunch is one and done along with the dem. control of congress. If that doesn't happen, all bets are off.....

 

[jitts3]

I was looking on craigslist for some boats to repair and flip. Found a 1987 23 ft Sea Ray needing only a new drive. 1k. Thinking about it. Just have little time nowadays

 

[David Morgan]

Flipping boats? ...talk about living dangerously!

 

[Daddubo]

rebound...That's assuming the obama bunch is one and done along with the dem. control of congress. If that doesn't happen, all bets are off.....

That is why we all need to watch who we vote for in 2010 or we as a Country are finished:smt009

 

[Daddubo]

I was looking on craigslist for some boats to repair and flip. Found a 1987 23 ft Sea Ray needing only a new drive. 1k. Thinking about it. Just have little time nowadays

You are right if you have the $, time and place to do the work there is money to be made I have been doing that with trucks and have always made Money on them. Here is a great tool you can choose multiple states and towns at the same time.:thumbsup:
http://craigspal.com/

 

[giff1]

This comes from my boat clubs Christmas party. As of this weekend I am now a Past Commodore. I was seated with another Past Com. of 2003. We talked of the number of members, or lack of members. In his year the club had 110, today we have 65 members. They did not leave all at once. We discused why this has happened.
In the past six years we have seen $5.00 boat gas with E10. Boat companies closed. Boat equipment stores gone. Used boat values down and still not selling. Even my boat yard is only 60% full. In 2003 my boat yard had a five year waiting list.
With the turn of a new decade,there is talk of many troubles for boating coming. There seems every government agency is creating regulations,taxes,and an attitude against boating.
My question is, In six years will I be seated at a boat club Christmas party as a Past Commodore?

Thanks everyone. This thread may have went off topic once or twice but still provided thought out replies.
It does seem boating will survive.
In keeping with the season,all I can say is ( YES VIRGINA,THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS ).