Does every boat owner have a long term plan

[mark.adams]

As a new boat owner, i thought i'd just enjoy it and spend most weekends on it however i have already started making plans in my head for the next acquisition, Is this a typical approach?

 

[beejay190]

I sold my boat last November and planned to take a year out. I bought a replacement in March

 

[Trundlebug]

The next acquisition for bits for the boat is certainly how it starts, yes...

As I'm happy with the boat itself (having bought carefully) I don't have any plans for buying a bigger one, although it's clear that many people change boats multiple times.

For me, the long term plan is to retire and go on a major trip around Europe, starting with a trip down the East coast, across the North Sea followed by a leisurely exploration of the Dutch and German canals.

So all the jobs I've done so far over the last 8 years, and have on my list to do over the coming years are all contributing towards the long term plan.
They all help in their small way to making the boat more comfortable, more capable, and more reliable for a long term cruise.

When I first got the boat I had so many jobs to do & bits to buy I had to make a list.
I used a little red hard-back lined book, and noted the date when each job was completed.
More jobs have continued to be added and completed over the last 8 years and I've continued to keep the little red book up to date.
It's now an invaluable record and reference source as I can't remember everything that's been done there are so many things.
Worth thinking about if you plan to do quite a few jobs, and also useful for the next owner if and when you sell.

 

[sprocker]

I'm doing exactly the same as you Mark. This is our first year of owning our own boat, and during the year we have already decided that we would like to upgrade in size
so we can go further, spend weekends/weeks aboard. It will take us some time to save up for our upgrade, but we'll get there.

When we were looking into buying our first boat everyone told us it would not be our only purchase......how right they were.

 

[CX54WEK]

I think each boat owner is different.

We didnt really know what we wanted when we bought our first boat but more through luck than judgement the boat we bought some six years ago on a whim has been everything we need. We still have no plans to change or trade up.

 

[jamie langstone]

I always buy my boats on the basis that I will want to sell it and up grade so I always buy the best deal I can find for the resell value . When I am ready to buy a different boat I tend to look six months in advance to see how the market is looking and you will be surprised how many sellers reduce there boats over a small period of time.when you see a boat you like and you know the boat has been reduced a few times hit them with a low offer .

 

[mark.adams]

Could be argued their original selling price wasn't realistic in that case

you will be surprised how many sellers reduce there boats over a small period of time.when you see a boat you like and you know the boat has been reduced a few times hit them with a low offer .

 

[Medskipper]

As a new boat owner, i thought i'd just enjoy it and spend most weekends on it however i have already started making plans in my head for the next acquisition, Is this a typical approach?

My long term plan is to live as long as possible and spend all the time I can on my boat! Oh and get someone else to polish it!

 

[Spi D]

I set up requirements specifications and make my homework - every time.

Every time feel I get the right boat but am now on my 7th. Ie. requirements change as you grow (older/bigger/wiser).
My current boat fits the bill in all important respects and checking the market so far has served as confirmation that I have what I want.

For new boaters the two-foot-disase is very common.. (not long after buying you admit that it should have been at least 2' bigger)

 

[kitkattoo]

As a new boat owner, i thought i'd just enjoy it and spend most weekends on it however i have already started making plans in my head for the next acquisition, Is this a typical approach?

Umm that depends, if you are on the river you have limitations as to size, if at sea, no limitations.

We are on the Ouse with a fairline mirage aft cabin, so can't go much bigger, all we can do is improve what we have and enjoy

KK

 

[CX54WEK]

Could be argued their original selling price wasn't realistic in that case

Indeed.

How many boats do you see languishing for sale for months, even years with unrealistic price tags?


When the penny finally drops with the owner, the price is progressively dropped until someone bites. Doesnt mean the market is dropping. It means the owner is being more realistic.

 

[mark.adams]

Near us then?
We are at Cathedral Marina Ely

Umm that depends, if you are on the river you have limitations as to size, if at sea, no limitations.

We are on the Ouse with a fairline mirage aft cabin, so can't go much bigger, all we can do is improve what we have and enjoy

KK

 

[kitkattoo]

Near us then?
We are at Cathedral Marina Ely

We are at Buckden Marina and have been for the last 10 years.

KK

 

[freddy the frog]

the long old saying of the best days of ownership being the day you bought it and the day you sold it

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I am on my 14th boat and I reckon I've got 2 more to go. I plan to semi retire in a couple of years time and then I will be looking for a boat that is capable of blue water cruising around the Med, then back to the UK and around the Baltic and which I may ship across the Atlantic and cruise the Caribbean for a while too. I don't know what type of boat this will be but it will certainly be capable of comfortable long distance cruising which means stabilisers and large fuel tanks. Then when I'm fed up with that, my last boat will be a fast noisy muscle boat with enormously powerful petrol engines and I'd like to think that I'll depart this world doing 60kts with a blonde bimbo at my side although I haven't mentioned the last bit to my SWMBO yet

 

[Medskipper]

my last boat will be a fast noisy muscle boat with enormously powerful petrol engines and I'd like to think that I'll depart this world doing 60kts with a blonde bimbo at my side although I haven't mentioned the last bit to my SWMBO yet

Haha, ha, I like your style! I'm doing that right now with motorbikes! Bought the worlds largest production machine last year, Triumph Rocket 3, 2300 cc. And by god it goes like a rocket too! Top speed 176. Mph! Near tears my arms out their sockets when the throttle is just tweeked. Not sure about the blonde bimbo though! I prefer a brunette! I certainly intend to grow old disgracefully!
Good luck to you,

 

[tinkicker0]

Yes my long term plan is to win the euromillions and change this model:

For this model, my dream boat:

Because it is the only way I will be able to afford another boat. I would like something a little bigger and comfortable but no way have I got the spare cash. I have extensively modified mine over the last 6 years and she has far more bells, whistles and creature comforts than she had when I bought her, so it is not so bad to spend a weekend afloat. More than two days though is a real chore.

 

[jamie langstone]

Could be argued their original selling price wasn't realistic in that case

you could argue the case in some cases but in my last 2 boats they were priced at the average price but i managed to strike the deals for a good price and so can others.Not all sellers will play ball but it can be done .