Sometimes I wonder about this boating thing

S

Scott W.

New Member
Aug 12, 2009
37
Chesapeake Bay - Gunpowder River
Boat Info
1992 290 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 w/BII Drive
Last year we bought all new canvas with a full enclosure for our almost 20 year old boat, cost 4 grand or so. We were late getting it in (very end of June) due to the canvas and were able to get it in the day before a really nice trip sponsered by Marine Max here on the Chesapeake. We went on trip and on the way down, no prolems. On the way back, we broke down and had to be towed home. Took 11 1/2 hours to get back to our home dock. (TowBoatUS was great bythe way)

The boat then spent most of July in for repairs that cost another few thousand on top of the thousands that we had already spent on the canvas. So at this point I was about 7-8 grand into the boat for the year and had used it once. When I took the boat out the few times we made it out in August I kept noticing that there was always some water in the bildge after we were out. As they had replaced all the boots and everything back there I just figured that something was not tightned up or whatever. So when I put the boat away I told the marina about it and they said they would look into it over the winter. Just got the news the other day, looks like the engine will have to come out as the water is coming in the bottom of the transom mounts where the bolts are rusted. Looks like another 3400-4400 or so for this job. Thing is, just hours before this call we had signed a contract to have the kitchen gutted and re-built top to bottom, front to back including all new appliances. So I was not sure if the 2011 boating seaon would be history or not with this new required repair.

Good thing I have a boating wife who said right away "fix it, that is our summer entertainment. Without the boat what are we going to do." We have had a boat for what seems like forever and a summer without it would just not be summer.I was also surprised to hear how the 18 and 23 year olds complained that there might not be a boat this year. Last year without it for a lot of the season was really bad and our original plan was to get it in really early this year. So Break Out Another Thousand would be the right term to use here. So I broke it out and they are fixing it again, along with a carb re-build for just a tad more.

I guess that I am not really complaining about fixing the boat and all the money that this thing has cost me. But I am saying that I know of nothing else that could have brought my family together like this. The kids might not all live at home anymore, but they still want to go out on that boat on the weekend. So in the long run it is worth every penny, or thousand, that I have to spend on the thing.

Oh, by the way I cannot say enough good about the mechanics at the Marine Max that is my home port. They really go out of their way to make sure it is done right. The service manager is one of the nicest people I have ever met who has truly gone out of his way to help me in the past when things were not going well for me at one time.

Thanks for listening whoever cares to read my longwinded boating experience tale.

Scott W.
 
Oh, I so hear you my brother. We used the 330 5 times all summer. Purchased in April so it had some maintenance that needed catching up on. One time a clamp broke and I had to do the head first dive over the back of the engine (after limping back to Avalon on one engine because it was too hot to work on) and fix the issue. No real cost just pride. Had to replace the exhaust in January, no loss of pride just cost. Had to fix the heater. Had to replace a distributor (one of my first posts here for advice), had to figure out a reverse polarity issue, replace an absolute manifold air pressure sensor (a shop wanted $750 bucks to do it but I did it myself) and had to fill her with fuel (which of course is mandatory for use even on the best of days).

Total cost for these trips considering fuel and repairs averaged probably around $600.00 and that is after saving alot of money doing my own work. If I use it more this summer and maintenance settles down, price per trip may go down but not too much especially considering I still have to get the bottom redone, minimum of $1500 and thats if I dont use Zyrex. Plus its $471/month for the dock use it or not and thats cheap by SoCal standards, another $800/yr to insure and about $700 year for California's "unsecured property tax" bill. This little hobby is certainly not good for retirement savings and I dont even think I can justify it for more than a few years. But these are critical years with the kids, my last chance to be with them when they really want to be with me, ages 11 and 9, boy and girl. It is great family time when we can all hang out together away from all the typical distractions and just spend quality time (even if we are just at the dock for the night), which really is priceless at the end of the day. These are the times I will think about when I am about to check out, not the times I saved $$ sitting at home watching tv.
 
Yeah. I screwed up and did not service the O/D as I normally have each year. It bit me and she's in the shop getting my u-joints cleaned up and repaired after some minor water intrusion. Damn it! I knew better too.
 
I reevaluate every time I have to spend some money on the boat... I think it's worth it.
It's a long story but I've had custody of my son since he was born 8 years ago. So, he and myself have done a lot of boating in that time. My girlfriend (not his mom, she's gone) loves boating too.
My predicament is that over the past year I find myself at the ball field or hosting a "sleepover" or any number of other things... other than boating. I did manage to get out a fair amount last year but this year will be less now that involved in coaching and volunteering. All my friends with older kids tell me to enjoy the time I have now because in a few more years he'll be doing his own thing.
Although I've been looking at moving up in boats the past few months I'm starting to feel like I should give my boy the next few years...
I've thought about selling my 290 and getting a little trailer boat until he's older and then get back into a bigger diesel DA or fast trawler...
How many of you are in... or have been in this boat (pun intended) :smt001
 
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Ive been there as well. LOL
I bought my boat 2 years ago. (1986 CC210 Monaco) Got it for $4000.00 Thought it was a great deal. A month later my mechanic tells me the motor was blown. And it wasn't even a mercury, it was a chevy from a junkyard. So after a new mercury 350 replacement and a few boating trips, I got the bug to fix and replace EVERYTHING on the boat. The first year I totaled over $20,000. Can't seem to walk out of a west marine without spending $200.00+. Then the folowing year I took it in for some outdrive maintanance. Another $1000.00. But she does run great. And this year so far has been minimal. Thing is I know when I decide to sell and move on to a bigger boat, Ill never get what I got into it. Might as well keep it too I guess. LOL
 
All those times with family are truly priceless. When my parents were still boating, the boat always brought the kids and grandkids together. Still works that way for my family. Our twin daughters although only 11 love the boat and bring friends along for the day. They think spending the night aboard is one of the coolest things they ever do.

Wonder how all of my friends who chase balls around the golf course all weekend have any true quality time with their spouses and kids. No comparison. They just grow up so fast and ultimately as a parent I hope that the kids' memories are as great as mine were. I'll keep my old boat around for a while.
 
I calculate cost per outing at $500.00 and we put 80 hours a year on boat.

Women, planes, boats it cheaper to................. than own.
 
Man I'm all over this. I'll never add up the cost of a seasons boating because the results out weigh the money. At some point I'm sure it will grab me but until now it's been worth it. I tinker with Old Skool all the time so I don't really know where tinkering ends and repairs begin.:smt101

I'd like to own a trawler at so point but the kids, even the 30 somethings still like to go fast. I think 20-24 feet is probably the most verstile boat to have for day trips.

But mom and I would love to start over nighting without the young'uns. Know what I mean:grin::grin:
 
floriduramax1 said:
:huh::smt021:smt021 700/year!! And Cali is broke:smt021:smt021:huh::huh:
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I know, can you believe it? We pay soooooooo much in taxes but the govt is like a drug addict with money, never enough, and will always blow it all no matter how much they get. They need the tough love treatment here, no more money until they go to rehab.
 
Sometimes the math is best left undone....

:grin:

Paul
 
My kids are getting older...17, 19, 21, 23 and 25. As each one went through the ages from 16-19 they had basically no use for being on the boat with mom and dad. Funny thing happens though when they're half way through college...boating becomes cool, especially when they can have the boat during the week at a transient marina and mom nad dad don't return till Friday. My kids would be crushed if we didn't offer to take them on our 14 day summer cruise, especially the older two who have realized the benefit of yacht clubs where mom and dad are picking up the bar, spa and dinner tabs. You can't put a dollar figure on how boating means family time....ok, maybe you can but it's not a suggested practice, it'll likely make you puke.
 
bmac said:
My kids would be crushed if we didn't offer to take them on our 14 day summer cruise, especially the older two who have realized the benefit of yacht clubs where mom and dad are picking up the bar, spa and dinner tabs.
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Adopt us :smt001
 
Scott...I feel ya' bro. We bought our boat last year. Its our first boat. The journey from point of purchase home was 189 miles. 15 mins into the trip, the generator died. 7 hours later, the port transmission went. Next morning, port pump. HORRIBLE!! But, we found a fantastic mechanic and got everything repaired and had a great summer. Last cruise of the season, sheared a keyway. SIGH. But....

In the end, a couple great mechanics, a supportive wife, and great teachers have helped me get thru. I've learned a ton and done a great deal of my own work but I've still shelled out $$ on mechanicals and just built a camper. My wife reminds me, when I get frustrated, "Boating is crazy expensive but the memories we're making for the kids and us are absolutely priceless."

Good luck buddy...
 
I hear you all!! The boat just doesn't add up financially if you take a pragmatic look at it. But, the quality of life it brings to the family is truly priceless!! My favorite times are sitting on the dock watching the kids crabbing and the look of excitement as they pull up another live one!! Or, playing on the beach tossing a ball or swimming in the ocean (The kids are still young enough to think this is the ultimate cool!) I also get to see my best friends more in the summer because of the boat as they also boat and we dock together when over at Fire Island.

I look at it this way: I went to Disney World in December and stayed at the Boardwalk. It cost me about $6,000 for one week. Although we all love the parks, I was lucky enough to get there for RECORD SETTING COLD!!! We froze our a$$es off!!

Now with the boat, if the weather is bad one week, no worries just go out next week! This is not an option with any other prepaid vacation package! So all in all, not a bad family entertainment option!!
 
Such is boating.

It's best just to expect the unexpected expense or you'll drive yourself crazy. Every year it'll be something, so you can't let it take you by surprise.

Still, I wouldn't sell the experiences I've had and shared at any price.
 
tdschafer said:
I hear you all!! The boat just doesn't add up financially if you take a pragmatic look at it. But, the quality of life it brings to the family is truly priceless!! My favorite times are sitting on the dock watching the kids crabbing and the look of excitement as they pull up another live one!! Or, playing on the beach tossing a ball or swimming in the ocean (The kids are still young enough to think this is the ultimate cool!) I also get to see my best friends more in the summer because of the boat as they also boat and we dock together when over at Fire Island.
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Well said. I'm with you. We purchased our first boat, a 175, five years ago to be able to have the whole family do something together (kids were 4 and 2 at the time), including parents and grandparents. Now we've just just purchased the 280DA to continue to explore together. And I really enjoy taking my 85yr. old grandfather out on the boat, he just loves it. And I get to hear great stories of when he had his boats.

Two years ago we sunk a ton of money into a pier for our waterfront home. Love sitting there watching everyone crabbing, chatting, etc. Whenever we have people over, they all migrate to the dock and the boat. Doesn't take any convincing to go for a ride!

I'll gladly pay what I need to for those good times...keep 'em coming!
 
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