How Expensive is a boat?
Discussion
Having moved into an area which gives me some good access to a river I am tempted to get myself a boat, rather than a kayak/canoe.
Not quite sure what to look for when buying, happy to spend some time working on a fixer-upper to help keep the cost down but how expensive can it be?
I will need a trailer of some kind, hoping to get one which can do both cars and boat?
Not quite sure what to look for when buying, happy to spend some time working on a fixer-upper to help keep the cost down but how expensive can it be?
I will need a trailer of some kind, hoping to get one which can do both cars and boat?
A boat,
it can easily be described as a hole in the water you pour money into...
We have a small 21ft day motor boat on windermere - marina 2.7K plus electricity, insurance £300, servicing £3-500 all a year.
they burn fuel like it's going out of fashion. a Valet is over £100, the bigger the boat the higher the cost an that is not a linear increase.
Maritime I believe can be more - unless you're talking about a trailerable boat that you launch on a as needed basis and have space to store it...
S.
it can easily be described as a hole in the water you pour money into...
We have a small 21ft day motor boat on windermere - marina 2.7K plus electricity, insurance £300, servicing £3-500 all a year.
they burn fuel like it's going out of fashion. a Valet is over £100, the bigger the boat the higher the cost an that is not a linear increase.
Maritime I believe can be more - unless you're talking about a trailerable boat that you launch on a as needed basis and have space to store it...
S.
Jasper3.0 said:
I used to crew on a yacht for a chap in his 70’s that was worth a couple of million. His classic quote about owning a yacht: ‘I know what every pound I have has done for me, is doing for me and will do for me. If I applied that to sailing I would be dead in an hour’.
The simple answer to that is 'Don't apply it' 
Cars cost money too. The difference is that you need a car, you don't need a boat. The cost is optional.
I love owning boats and have/had plenty. So allow me to have a crack at answering.
Assuming you're going for something smaller and trailerable, 18ft, outboard etc...
If you buy new, then costs are actually quite low. Most dealers will service and generally (in Au$) it's around 200-400 depending on complexity.
Less hassle with a new boat, nothing corroded, basic warranty if any issues (excluding stupidity though) and nearly all new boats are reliable, safe and lots of fun.
If you buy second hand then...... Hmmm as someone said before, how long is a piece of string?
Definitely take a seasoned boat owner with you as a minimum to look at any potentials, but preferably a professional (or buy 2nd hand from a reputable boat dealership).
Good luck anyhow and really, just go for it, and post the pictures/stories here please....
Rob
PS, I currently have a Chris Craft Corsair 25ft (was 2nd hand), a Malibu VLX wakeboat and a Sea Doo 170 GTX ski (both from new).
Assuming you're going for something smaller and trailerable, 18ft, outboard etc...
If you buy new, then costs are actually quite low. Most dealers will service and generally (in Au$) it's around 200-400 depending on complexity.
Less hassle with a new boat, nothing corroded, basic warranty if any issues (excluding stupidity though) and nearly all new boats are reliable, safe and lots of fun.
If you buy second hand then...... Hmmm as someone said before, how long is a piece of string?
Definitely take a seasoned boat owner with you as a minimum to look at any potentials, but preferably a professional (or buy 2nd hand from a reputable boat dealership).
Good luck anyhow and really, just go for it, and post the pictures/stories here please....
Rob
PS, I currently have a Chris Craft Corsair 25ft (was 2nd hand), a Malibu VLX wakeboat and a Sea Doo 170 GTX ski (both from new).
Im very much the same as the op.
We live very near to the river crouch and on a sunny day at full tide it is absolutely beautiful. Riding our bikes along the river path and seeing other boats has prompted 'we should get a boat'
But much like the op i haven't a clue, looking at boats id like a cruiser of some sort i reckon but the price differences are vast. I suppose all i would want to do is drive up and down the river, dont think we would be sleeping in it and really i wouldn't be going out in anything but good weather.
I also dont know what insurances, licences etc you need.
It does appear like saying 'how much is a car' though. obviously we can buy a car for £100 or a brand new rolls royce phantom
I don't think i could afford it but id love to be doing it.
We live very near to the river crouch and on a sunny day at full tide it is absolutely beautiful. Riding our bikes along the river path and seeing other boats has prompted 'we should get a boat'
But much like the op i haven't a clue, looking at boats id like a cruiser of some sort i reckon but the price differences are vast. I suppose all i would want to do is drive up and down the river, dont think we would be sleeping in it and really i wouldn't be going out in anything but good weather.
I also dont know what insurances, licences etc you need.
It does appear like saying 'how much is a car' though. obviously we can buy a car for £100 or a brand new rolls royce phantom

I don't think i could afford it but id love to be doing it.
Have a good read through this thread.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Pay particular attention to the parts showing use of the boat on the local river and how quickly that has palled.
Unless you also have an interest in fishing and will be using the boat for that as well you may find you have exactly the same issues.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Pay particular attention to the parts showing use of the boat on the local river and how quickly that has palled.
Unless you also have an interest in fishing and will be using the boat for that as well you may find you have exactly the same issues.
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