in the big scheme of owning a boat "fill the blank" is a cheap cost

[emudryj]

I keep reading comments like...

"in the big scheme of owning a boat, TIRES,are a cheap cost"

"in the big scheme of owning a boat FUEL is a cheap cost"

"in the big scheme of owning a boat OIL CHANGESare a cheap cost"

Also there is people out there that says "I consider "whatever" part of my safety equipment, I do not cheap out on safety". I agree up to some point on this (specially when we talk about VHF, PFDs, even maybe radar) but some people goes above and beyond when they include rod holders, speakers as part of their safety equipment....

So everything is a cheap cost on boating, but boating itself is an expensive sport....

Every time that I buy anything for the boat I THINK IS EXPENSIVE, but I still can afford it, at least for now.... So tell me other than the initial cost for boat or engines....

What do you think is the most expensive part of boating for you?????

[Half-hitched]

Shitgun shells for ducks and lures for fishing.

[ladyjane]

marina cost seem to be going up faster then inflation

[marvin177]

Waeco chest typerefrigerator/freezer the initial purchase is high but the convenience of always having ice and cold drinks is wonderful especially if your boat is moored in a boat house a long way from services. Works on shore power, batteries or tow vehicle.

[Bugbuster]

The cheapest part of owning a boat is owning it. Using it is where the costs are.

[beber]

The boat is the cheap part, its everything else that costs the money

[Jaime Lyn]

I'm begining to think that a divorce is cheaper than boat ownership

[happyjack92]

oxygen.

outboards won't run without it.

everything else is expensive.

[bikem]

BUD LITE

[cWICKBERG]

It all adds up...boat, motors, trailer, tires, fuel, oil,, boat pole, PDF's, flares, line, anchor, electronics, rod holders, t top, cushions, bait, lures, gaffs, rods and reels, dockage, water, soap, wax, stereo, cup holders, spare parts, spot lights, etc...etc...

I think there are some things that you NEED, to be in boating, and other things that you Want...

[shemstreet]

Other than the payment itself, Gas for the truck to tow it with. Bait, lures, tackle add up quick as well. Thank god I keep the boat at home, marina storage or slips are outrageous unless you can get open field storage on a trailer.

[auguste]

The bigger the boat, the more expensive are the "cheap costs"

The more hours you put on the boat, the more expensive are the "cheap costs"

Keeping a boat at a marina and not using it is stile an expensive "cheap cost"

The problem is that there are so many "cheap costs" in owning a boat tha it is downright expensive

[ant1]

In the big scheme of the things ,it's by far the cheapest to come to this forum and brave true THT 4-6 footers.

[dawgmode]

--------------------B.O.A.T. - BREAK OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND---------------------------

[Marsh Mallowe]

I have an old Aquasport that cost me $1K big ones w/o a motor. The boat is solid, but peace of mind is very important, so for me, a brand new outboard was the most expensive thing, and of course, gas. I believe there are ways to go boating economically, but what you save in money, you'll spend in time fixing/refitting/restoring. Took me a year to get my "all it needs is a motor" boat up and running, but now that everything works, I have a cheap payment on a real nice motor and a nicer than most boat that is generally inexpensive to use. But, as mentioned earlier, it's less about what you need and more about what you want. I wont debate the fact that most would say that boats are a "luxury" item and are unneccesary, but God knows I need mine. : )

A normal all day trip for me is less than a bill

[KeyLargo230]

emudryj - 12/11/2008 6:31 AM

So tell me other than the initial cost for boat or engines....

What do you think is the most expensive part of boating for you?????*

In your case not having insurance on your boat when it got stolen was the "most expensive" part of boating.

[PtJudeRI]

In the big scheme of owning a boat, lying about the fish I catch is a cheap cost.

Everything else is expensive. Hell, the payments on the boat can constitute a cheap cost when looking at the operating costs!

[SeaJay]

It is a case of many, many incremental costs. Wouldn't it be nice if we installed a (fill in the blank) on the boat, its only a few $hundred, or maybe just over a $thousand. You're not sure so you post a question on THT- is it needed or useful. A few responses will suggest its not needed but there will be at least a few proclaiming strongly that "I will never own another boat without that accessory". Well that seals the deal so you go out and get the accessory.

do this ten or twenty times (as many boaters do) and you have spent some serious change just on accessories. Add in marina fees, maintence costs, labor to fix problems, storage, gas, bait, ice, rain gear (only the best will do), coolers (must have one of those high end ones costing at least a few $hundred), the best tackle, poles and reels along with a suitcase full of cleaning soaps, waxes and brushes and you can easily find yourself in the poor house. Heck, one poster today wanted to know where he could purchase a tool to clean the inside of his rod holders--quick please, someone sell him one.

But for the true aficionado, being in the poor house is acceptable when it comes with a fully outfitted boat.

[LI32]

The only cost I consider cheap is fuel, because it is the only cost directly related to use; and it is really the only cost you directly control. If I spent $15,000 (at 5.25/gal for diesel this season) on fuel, it means I used the boat a 190 hours this year - which is a good year use wise. If I had only spent $250, it would mean 3 hours use - I still would have spent the other $18,000 for maintenance , repairs, add-ons, insurance, storage, etc, not counting depreciation or payments (don't have any) $18,250/3=$6,080/hr. $33,000/190=$174/hr. $174/hr of use makes me feel a whole lot better.

[LiLTony43]

The cost of boating...........not paying a SHRINK for therapy..........priceless