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Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
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Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Hi All,
New to the board, posted here once before about boating in SoCal. Boated my first 23 yrs with my Dad on Lake Erie and miss it like hell. Just about saved up enough for a [used] 19-21' cuddy cabin - something to take trips to Catalina with, pull some tubes/skis, a little fishing, all that great stuff.
Anyway, I just wanted to get from you guys an idea of what kind of costs i'm looking at. I have found reasonable dock space (about $10/ft here in SoCal seems to be the going rate for a smaller boat). I know there'll be some engine maint., etc but have no idea what that kind of stuff will cost!
I really enjoy reading here and thank you guys for all your input.
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Welcome, Searay. It really depends on the age and type of boat you have, especially for engine maintenance. You say you're looking to buy one now, but if you could throw out a few that have you interested there's bound to be someone on here that can help out. BTW, if you don't buy a Searay you'll have to change your username!!!
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Yeah, I was raised on a Searay so I'd love to find one of those, mainly for the quality factor.
So here is the range of likelihood for my purchase:
probably something from 1985-1990 from Searay, Bayliner, Criscraft or 4winns. Single engine, usually those have Mercruiser engines...
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Costs:
boat payment
insurance
towing insurance
fuel
slip
drinks, sandwiches and ice
maintenance
gadets that you really don't need but had to buy anyway.
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
SeaRay... I say take some guesses at Snow Shovels list. All those you aren't able to get exact numbers to budget ie; gas oil maintenance, drinks, gadgets.. Once you have that number, add 50%.... Then triple it AND if it's an old Sea Ray you want, it'll probably have a I/O for power. So figure the bellows will leak sooner or later, the out drive will need rebuilding, and the little CV joint thingy or the splines on the drive will go.... Have $3 or $4 grand sitting around just in case...
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Although I'm envious you will have Summer all year round, I'm sure you remember fall perch season, which, if the lake calms down, should be fun.
You should consider new safety equipment. I wouldn't trust what is left on the boat: anchor, chain, rode, fire ext., life jackets, throwable, flares, sea anchor, first aid kit, etc.
Also, new lines, fenders, small tool kit, local charts, cooler.
Other thoughts: How are the batteries? When were the fluids last changed? How is the canvas? Are you handy? If so, Factory repair manual with parts list.
And most important, a good boating/refresher course.
As long as you can budget for the boat, don't look back, especially if you have children. It is a great way for the family to be a family. If no family yet, I hear single guys usually find someone who wants to go along for a ride.
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Searay, greetings from MI !
There is a big difference between Great Lakes boating and boating in the ocean. Salt water!
Salt water eats everthing. Any I/O will have higher maintenance costs than you remember from your fresh water days. Trailering maybe cheaper from a storage as well as maintenance issue.
At $220/month for dockage, I couldn't afford it. Ask about rack storage. It should be cheaper and maybe the yard will rinse your boat down before putting it in the rack.
Also, outboards have lower maintenance costs over the log run than I/O, especially in salt water (although other people disagree with this statemnet)
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Searay580,
When looking at a boat in the 15 year old +/- range figure on at least 50% of the cost of the boat to bring it up to spec. I noticed the boat you have posted has new power with a warranty and (very important) documentation. If you are serious about this boat make sure the warranty is transferable and check to see what other systems were replaced / upgraded (i.e., 12v system, fuel system etc.) Also keep in mind that no matter how well things work or run during the survey SOMETHING WILL BREAK soon after you buy it. Boating, as a rule, is not an inexpensive hobby but it can be manageable if you are somewhat mechanically inclined and not afraid to ask questions. The add you posted didn't list electronics but figure on a minimum of $500-$600 for a handheld gps, vhf radio and a decent fish / depth finder. I would also budget about the same for new safety equipment and another 500 or so for fishing tackle and tow tubes if you don't already own it. Keep in mind that if you really start to like fishing your tackle budget will exceed the cost of the boat. :-) As far as fuel costs in my area, Central, NJ, I pay (as of 9/21) $1.97/gal for regular gas and from what I've read on other posts this is A bargain!! Have you given any thought to trailing the boat and not going into a marina? You would save a bundle on marina fees and be able to fill up on land. You also wouldn't have to worry about storms, failing bilge pumps, etc., and you would be able to fix things with the boat out of the water (a big plus sometimes). This isn't meant to dissuade you from getting an older boat (I SOLD my 2000 Robalo 2640 to BUY my 1985 33 Bertram and paid more for it.) just keep in mind that boats break and when they do they cost $$ and make sure you get the boat surveyed.
Good Luck,
Tony
"Wetted Bliss"
1985 Bertram 33 SPF
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
I pulld my boat a month ago and have been working on it so that I don't have to do it next year. Here is what I have spent so far.
New bilge blower $40
1 new bilge pump $50
New used set of horns $50
New trim tab motor $250
Bottom paint did it myself $150
New carpet in cuddy installed myself $100
4 new tires on trailer $300
Repaired fish box drain pump $25
1 new battery $80
New boot stripe vinyl $25
Misc. nuts bolts, cleaners, wax, rags etc $100
Trailer needs to be sand blasted and painted, probably be about $300
Trailer might need brakes, another $100
That's $1570 with no major fixes needed. Now throw in gas, oil, dock space, food, lodging, wear and tear on tow vehicle. Thank God I can do my own work and don't have to pay a boat yard.
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Hmmmm you being new to boat ownership I would really suggest that you consider using your savings as a LARGE downpayment on a new(or late model) boat. There are so many misc things you will HAVE to spend money on on a used boat that are smaller or negated on a new/late model boat that you will actually be saving money on spending more on a new/latemodel
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Welcome to this board. If you want a "high quality boat" look for a Doral on the used boat market. We have a 1999 27' Doral, and we have been very happy with the boat, and the MerCruiser drive train. The boat is very heavy and well constructed. Remember, "a boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money. The larger the boat, the bigger the hole, and the more money you will pour". Now having said that, ---- we love our boat! -----Just my opinion. -----Greg
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Welcome back to Baoting!!! Now prepared to have an unmeasurable amount of fun, and be premanently broke at the same time!!!
Here are some numbers that seem to work for me. They are a little on the high side, but better to have more money set aside and not spend it, that to not have enough money when something goes wrong....it alway will!
If you store it in a slip then plan on 10% of the Original (when it was new) purchase price. This will cover the slip, storage for the winter, insurance and reasonable (100 hours) worth of gas, and "normal" repairs. It won't cover major overhauls or repowering.
If you store it at a mooring, the take 5% of the Original purchase price.
Again, these are ball park numbers and a bit high....but that is what I budget with.
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Searay580,
You may want to rethink taking a 18yo plus 21 ft boat to Catalina or at least buy an epirb. Thats a long way and the channel can kick up pretty quick.
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
Guys,
All excellent advice and very much appreciated.
Do all of you insure your boats? After ours got to a certain age, my Dad stopped insuring our's (you don't have to in Ohio). I don't think you have to in CA, either. I wonder what those premiums would be. (As a 23 y/o male I am the laughing stock of the auto-insurance game, so I shutter to think of boat premiums...)
I was going to pay cash for this used boat, but the advice about buying a new/late model to cut the maint. costs down (and thus have a nicer boat to run) is something i'll definitely consider.
I wouldn't necessarily mind trailering, except I don't really have a good place to keep the boat when it's out of the water unless I moved out to the suburbs and kept it on the street. I'll have to check with the marinas about rack storage...
Joe2617: thanks for the advice about Catalina. What is an epirb?
Thanks again, guys, and I will be sure to post pictures of whatever I end up buying!
PS: no family yet, but i don't think I'll have any problem finding passengers
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating??
I really like the layout of the Searay 215 Express Cruiser from the late 90's. If I didn't do so much fishing, and wanted something to cruise around in I consider one of those. A big problem is they are not Fresh Water Cooled. They run in the $15 to $20K range which is more than your budget. Search on boats.com for a 215EC maybe you can find a bargain.
Newbie boater needs advice from pros- all the costs involved in boating?? 
AND if it's an old Sea Ray you want, it'll probably have a I/O for power. So figure the bellows will leak sooner or later, the out drive will need rebuilding, and the little CV joint thingy or the splines on the drive will go.... Have $3 or $4 grand sitting around just in case...
