What discourages most would-be boat owners is going to boat shows and looking at the prices of the new boats. What they must realise that boat shows invariably display large capacity boats loaded with extras, which, while they give you all the comforts of home, will be a cut deep inroads into a cruising budget.
In order to get the picture, visit a local camping ground. There you will certainly see some Winnebagos and other big rigs, but the vast majority of caravans will be simple one-axle ones, mostly occupied by just a travelling couple.
When this story takes place it had been about 30 years since I had a boat of my own.
I had been transferred to Key West to build a construction project when my brother in law said to me “You have to get a boat for sure now!” I thought he might be right.
My brother in law had a 21 feet fiberglass boat with an outboard and trailer for sale. He offered it to me for a great deal so I drove to Naples to pick it up. He reviewed everything I should know about the boat and off I went.
These prices are equivalent to buying a second car, which is not considered an extravagance in today’s society, so it’s a straight choice, a second car or a boat. An additional factor is that the resell price will not drop significantly if it is a good solid boat with a good reputation, so you could possibly buy a $15,000 boat, have a few years of sailing fun, and probably sell it for the same price. There is no odometer on a boat – it’s the mileage that dictates that a car with high mileage will be cheaper than an identical car with a lower mileage.
I noticed that there was one plug “extra” but I couldn’t find another drain hole so we launched. We got on board and I fired up the engine. We backed out into the canal and I idled out past the no wake zone.
I then punched it to get the boat on top of the water to plane. But, the boat was acting sluggish and the stern was not getting on top but was actually acting heavy. I slowed down the engine and walked around the inside of the boat.
Have you considered boat share?
This is a new and excitingly option that allows you to enjoy a boat at a fraction of the cost of sole ownership. It allows you to share the cost of owning and maintaining a vessel amongst several other owners. This a fantastic idea for people new to sailing and yachting as it provides you with an affordable way to become familiar with the sport while also giving you a chance to decide if sole ownership of such a vessel is something you wish to embark on. If you enjoy sailing, cruising or racing on the open waters but do not have the time and money to support your own boat or yacht, then the boat share option is definitely something to look into.
Thorough research is certainly advisable prior to purchase and will ensure that your money is well spent on a boat / yacht that you can be confident in using out on the open water
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