how do you lot afford it!

[No Regrets]

30 foot 6 berth Flybridge with single Perkins diesel: £5K per year.

This includes £3200 mooring at Bray on the Thames, £400 River licence, £250 for comp insurance for £30k agreed value leaving £1150 for fuel, servicing and the odd repair.

I look after most things, preventative maintenance keeps bills low, and the fuel costs are very low, at around £4-500 pa which covers 150 hours at river speeds.

Now consider the cost of one decent holiday at £2-3000, and it looks cheap, we're out on it around 20 weekends a year, including several 4-7 day long trips to London.

The boat is worth as much as I paid for it three years ago...

 

[boating malarky]

The costs for all this boating malarky

I have been using boats all my life various sizes and shapes sail and motor.

But to be honest they have been other peoples boats ranging from friends,hired or in working environments. 3 years ago after a lot of searching and research I found the boat I wanted , really because the boat I was going to purchase fell through. Glad it did now

She is a motor cruiser 33ft in length and built in 1982. I have just spent the last year totally refurbishing her inside and out and all my friends and people in the marina say, she is a real good looking boat now. I got her for less then half the asking price and all the time and effort Ive put into her makes me very proud.

My better half was a little un-easey at first when I said I am getting a boat.

But she loves her now, its our second home and we go every where on her, I cruise at a nice steady rate< not to spill any drinks off the table when friends are with us> and it has really changed our lives. We have a great circle of boaty friends in various parts of the coast, the sheer enjoyment we get by sailing away and getting away from the rat race is really priceless.

I must point out I am not rich, but just a normal guy who loves boats. What I love and admire about boaters they all help each other in all sorts of ways, from a helping hand when you need it, to information sharing to lending tools and advice and of course the micky taking, they are a great crowd of people who just share their love of being on the water.

My missus has said to lots of friends that when she walks onboard, everything and all the day to day pressures of work and worries,just fall off her shoulders. And she really means it too. So I soppose costings like everyone already has said dosnt mean a thing, its what makes you really happy and totally content and more importantly the pleasure we get from it is priceless.

I knew she was liking this boating malarky, when one day in the car she said to me...look at that sports car, I bet it costs a fortune to run. Then she said, but you cant sleep on her and sail to unspoiled bays and beaches and anchour for the night and see amazing sun rises and sun sets whilst having dinner or breakfast with family or friends or go swimming and kyaking

So listen to all and get a boat that will suit your needs and pocket and just to put a smile on your face, Ive only just joined this site this morning, even though I have been looking at this site for quite a while now and have posted some photos of my cruising. All the photos were taken in natrual light, no filters or anything else........ With best regards and happy and safe sailing.

 

[Erik C]

That would be my favorite as well.

 

[oGaryo]

I have been using boats all my life various sizes and shapes sail and motor.

But to be honest they have been other peoples boats ranging from friends,hired or in working environments. 3 years ago after a lot of searching and research I found the boat I wanted , really because the boat I was going to purchase fell through. Glad it did now

She is a motor cruiser 33ft in length and built in 1982. I have just spent the last year totally refurbishing her inside and out and all my friends and people in the marina say, she is a real good looking boat now. I got her for less then half the asking price and all the time and effort Ive put into her makes me very proud.

My better half was a little un-easey at first when I said I am getting a boat.

But she loves her now, its our second home and we go every where on her, I cruise at a nice steady rate< not to spill any drinks off the table when friends are with us> and it has really changed our lives. We have a great circle of boaty friends in various parts of the coast, the sheer enjoyment we get by sailing away and getting away from the rat race is really priceless.

I must point out I am not rich, but just a normal guy who loves boats. What I love and admire about boaters they all help each other in all sorts of ways, from a helping hand when you need it, to information sharing to lending tools and advice and of course the micky taking, they are a great crowd of people who just share their love of being on the water.

My missus has said to lots of friends that when she walks onboard, everything and all the day to day pressures of work and worries,just fall off her shoulders. And she really means it too. So I soppose costings like everyone already has said dosnt mean a thing, its what makes you really happy and totally content and more importantly the pleasure we get from it is priceless.

I knew she was liking this boating malarky, when one day in the car she said to me...look at that sports car, I bet it costs a fortune to run. Then she said, but you cant sleep on her and sail to unspoiled bays and beaches and anchour for the night and see amazing sun rises and sun sets whilst having dinner or breakfast with family or friends or go swimming and kyaking

So listen to all and get a boat that will suit your needs and pocket and just to put a smile on your face, Ive only just joined this site this morning, even though I have been looking at this site for quite a while now and have posted some photos of my cruising. All the photos were taken in natrual light, no filters or anything else........ With best regards and happy and safe sailing.

thanks for posting this, clearly both you and yours are well and truely hooked... a warm welcome to the forum

 

[gjgm]

sorry but dont do it on borrowed money.

I dont myself, but I cant agree with that comment.
Financing a boat is simply one means of finding the capital outlay, same as paying for a car, a house, a wedding, a sofa.
As long as you understand the difference between boat value and outstanding mortgage, and you understand the cost of the financing, I dont see there is anything wrong with it.

 

[Balearick]

Owning a boat is one of those things for which there is no rational explanation. Everyone will tell you it's dumb and you could rent one for each day you end up using it for far far less than it costs to buy and depreciate. But you'll buy it anyway.

I bought my first boat, a Fairline Targa 28, for use on the non-tidal Thames where there was a 5mph speed limit. How dumb was that! The old Fairline Targa 28s won't even steer properly below planing speed, they just wandered all over the place. But it was still huge fun, especially the day I got it up on the plane and got nabbed by the duck patrol at Teddington lock (would have been a £2000 fine but I pled insanity and they let me off).

Every 3 years I buy a bigger boat and the bills get bigger and bigger. Now I need a platinum card to fill up at the fuel docks out in Spain, but still the fun only increases and that's what it's all about. When I bought my first boat I was so much older, I'm younger than that now.

There's just nothing better than taking your own boat into a little private cove with nobody else around and spending the day messing about with your tender and a BBQ on a deserted beach. And when you've had enough sun and sand and return to port later in the day or evening, everything is beautiful and the restaurants are all getting ready, and as you pull into the marina you're tired, you're salty, and you're so alive.

 

[Sulley]

Because when you have a boat you can enjoy a glass of something chilled while watching this! Ah roll on summer......

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Owning a boat is one of those things for which there is no rational explanation. Everyone will tell you it's dumb and you could rent one for each day you end up using it for far far less than it costs to buy and depreciate. But you'll buy it anyway.

You mean owning a boat is some kind of obsessive compulsive psychological disorder? Maybe the RYA should set up a helpline

 

[lisilou]

Because when you have a boat you can enjoy a glass of something chilled while watching this! Ah roll on summer......

Bliss...where is that Sulley?
L

 

[rbcoomer]

... When I bought my first boat I was so much older, I'm younger than that now...

I couldn't agree more with that sentiment - well said! Life can make us all old and boring if we're not careful - boating is a very good antidote and no good healthcare is cheap is it...

 

[Sulley]

Bliss...where is that Sulley?
L

On the Thames at Cookham last summer

 

[lisilou]

On the Thames at Cookham last summer

Loverly

 

[boatmike]

You mean owning a boat is some kind of obsessive compulsive psychological disorder? Maybe the RYA should set up a helpline

I think it's more like the irrational drive that leads us to marriage.
Why else would we spend so much money on something that is so expensive, requires so much work and is so damned frustrating most of the time? It's hormonal....

 

[boating malarky]

All this boating malarky

I agree with all the above comments. Its almost time to get ready for another season of boating, already I have plans organised for the summer with trips to meet up with friends, diving, fishing and barbies...cant wait

 

[Spi D]

Owning a boat is one of those things for which there is no rational explanation. ...When I bought my first boat I was so much older, I'm younger than that now.

+1.

You feel ageing, weak, sad, frustrated and restless when boatless

The quest for eternal youth makes you deny all facts to deceive yourself into new engagements, but that applies to a lot more than boating..

 

[AndieMac]

+1.

You feel ageing, weak, sad, frustrated and restless when boatless

The quest for eternal youth makes you deny all facts to deceive yourself into new engagements, but that applies to a lot more than boating..

Perhaps this is also why there are so many grey haired motorcycle riders these days

 

[oldgit]

Big or Small.First or Last.River or Sea.

From the day you buy it to the day you sell it ,from the first time you you use it to the last.
Your boat will challenge you and give you a sense of achievement rarely obtained elsewhere. ?

 

[Searush]

Not a bad response to a "One post wonder" who'll never come back to see all the great advice he could have had.


Why do people do that? Ask a question & can't even be arsed to read the answers!

 

[Spi D]

Why do people do that? Ask a question & can't even be arsed to read the answers!

Can't say, but it happens all the time and in all sorts of situations. Suppose they need to vent or rant and then does'nt care about others' reactions.

 

[rbcoomer]

Not a bad response to a "One post wonder" who'll never come back to see all the great advice he could have had.


Why do people do that? Ask a question & can't even be arsed to read the answers!

Ah, but you can't be sure that he/she hasn't been back to check - you don't have to log in to view this forum remember...

I have to admit however it does sound like a bit of a 'grudge post'... Perhaps we'll be proved wrong?