The Dreaded "D" Word

[jg300da]

Downsizing.
Thought I might talk about a subject that seems to be taboo in the boating circles. With all the talk about members here upgrading and supersizing, I feel as though I am in the minority. For the last 5 years I've owned a 30 ft Sundancer. It was a great boat and I always imagined myself trading up eventually to a 340 like Hampton and some of the others here. Guess those plans are going to be put on hold for awhile. Slip space is very scarce here on the north shore of Long Island and the private marina where I have been keeping my boat has seen fit to raise the slip rates by $30 per foot to $170/ft plus electric, which puts me right at the 6k threshold. That plus a third child entering college, has put a crimp in our discretionary income. There is a boat club that we belong to for the last 6-7 years that has a waiting list that we just got called for. The problem? the slip is for a boat 25' max. Slip cost less than $200/season, not including club dues which run approx $1k. This amounts to a savings too small to ignore, and has lead us to our decision to downsize.
I was wondering with all this talk about going bigger, if any other members have downsized or put off upgrading due to the very high cost of boating in general?
I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments.

 

[ylwjacket]

170/ft? For how long of a period of time is that?

 

[jg300da]

That price is only guaranteed for the 2007 season. Typically I've seen increases of 10% per year.

 

[gredmer]

I downsized. Went from a '87 270 Sundancer which in reality was 30' with a 10' beam. Sold that a few years ago and just bought a 2007 240 Sundancer. Main reason this time was I wanted a new boat. The past 2 boats were 12 and 14 years old when I bought them.
I hope to be satisfied with the 240DA.

 

[Stray Cat]

jg300da - There just seems to be more cost pressure on the costal boating community than elseware. I guess it all comes down to location and the ammenities that are associated with it. It seems we are in an economy where some have an unlimited amount of discretionary income by using their credit cards.

My covered 34 x 16 slip is $1220 for 7 months, plus electric which was $80 last year. If I had to pay what your marina is suggesting for a year at $170/ ft, I'd be down sizing to a bass boat.

I'd rather be in the minority on the water than the alternative on a golf course!

 

[skolbe]

My 40' x 14' slip is $3k for the year plus electric. I can understand downsizing. People change how they use their boats all the time.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

You are not in a minority as a whole. Two of my condo neighbors are doing the same thing, dropping 30-40 foot Cabo's and moving down to fast center consoles they can trailer. Prices at Bay Point Marina have gone through the roof. Condo prices with slips are in the thin air range so it's going to get to the point of who could afford it. :smt013

I looked at a move up to a 240SD this past August. I was really trying hard for a 270SD but just could not make the space or numbers work so we gave the 240 a shot. The dealership would not work with me on the numbers back then and in fact just called me a couple of days ago and asked if I was still interested in that 06 on the lot. Little too late now with the purchase of two Yamaha Jet Ski's. :huh: Wife and I are the happier for it since it worked out this way. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave S]

Given your situation, you probably did the right thing. My budget is pretty tight as well and if I was facing the same dilemna as you, it would either be downsize or give up boating altogether for me as well.

 

[islandhopper00]

jg, I wouldn't look at it from the perspective that your down sizing your boat. You should look at it as upsizing your options of bodies of water. I can afford much more boat than I have but went with a 240 da because I can trailer it. I love to be able to trailer down to fla. or to the coast, and I can store my boat in a covered bldg. in the back yard. Now if you have a large family you carry around it might not work for you. I tend to boat with friends that have their own boats. I just wanted the amineties to keep me comfortable in the summer at the dock. For me it's about options. :thumbsup:

 

[Kameroo]

I'm with islandhopper--it's your money and you choose what you want to do with it.

Sure, we could get a new Sundancer with Cats, but we'd have to eat out less, sell other toys with propellers, and make the kids pay for their own school. It's all about making the choices that work best for you. Nothing wrong with downsizing, especially if it's the smart thing.

 

[190SigSeaRay]

Bah!!!! Who cares what size your boat is? If it's in your price range, and it affords you the lifestyle you seek, then that's all that matters. I own a "lowly" 190 BR, but I'm having as much fun as the next guy who might happen to own a bigger boat, if not MORE fun, because I don't owe the bank big dollars, and I can afford to fuel/maintain/insure it without checking my bank account first.

The whole "bigger is better" attitude is for people who have a lack of self-esteem, or are defined by the dollar figure attached to their possessions.

Just my humble opinion.

Paul

 

[keokie]

Boating is pure recreation. And to me, it is not enjoyable if I cannot rationalize the money I spend on it.

 

[Hampton]

jg300da - It seems we are in an economy where some have an unlimited amount of discretionary income by using their credit cards.

Stray Cat and others - I made a comment about paying off credit cards for work recently done. Just so as not to give the wrong impression, I charge the card and pay them off every month. I don't want to encourage irresponsible financial behavior.

 

[islandhopper00]

I'm sure stray cat was speaking in general terms and not trying to single you out hampton. What you do is your business, the people stray cat is speaking of know who they are.

 

[Sea Ray 300]

I feel your pain every time I pay our slip fee.
The bottom line is that you are still enjoying the boating experience. 18 feet, or 60 feet, the important thing is the water, the sun, the fresh air, the people...irreplaceable... :thumbsup:

 

[Bridog]

That 240DA is sweet. Look at how many people can't even get out on the water at all. We are all very fortunate. Good luck with her.

 

[chuck1]

Make sure you post some pictures of that new 240 when you get her :thumbsup: Looks like everybody else has covered it pretty good. Its all about options :thumbsup:

 

[jg300da]

Thanks for all the positive thoughts guys. I didn't mean to sound negative at all and I know I'm fortunate to even be able to afford a boat at all. I happen to think that boaters are some of the nicest folks there are, and that is proven each day on this board. When the decision came to downsize I was sure of one thing, and that was to stay in the SeaRay family. Naturally SeaRay makes the best 24ft cruiser out there, as I'm sure you will all agree.

 

[asimpkinsjr]

Downsizing.
Thought I might talk about a subject that seems to be taboo in the boating circles. With all the talk about members here upgrading and supersizing, I feel as though I am in the minority. For the last 5 years I've owned a 30 ft Sundancer. It was a great boat and I always imagined myself trading up eventually to a 340 like Hampton and some of the others here. Guess those plans are going to be put on hold for awhile. Slip space is very scarce here on the north shore of Long Island and the private marina where I have been keeping my boat has seen fit to raise the slip rates by $30 per foot to $170/ft plus electric, which puts me right at the 6k threshold. That plus a third child entering college, has put a crimp in our discretionary income. There is a boat club that we belong to for the last 6-7 years that has a waiting list that we just got called for. The problem? the slip is for a boat 25' max. Slip cost less than $200/season, not including club dues which run approx $1k. This amounts to a savings too small to ignore, and has lead us to our decision to downsize.
I was wondering with all this talk about going bigger, if any other members have downsized or put off upgrading due to the very high cost of boating in general?
I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments.

Downsizing is not such a bad word, hell could be worse...I read your title and the word that came to mind was divorce :grin:

 

[chuck1]

Downsizing is not such a bad word, hell could be worse...I read your title and the word that came to mind was divorce :grin:

I thought the same thing when I saw it too. :smt013