Cost of boat ownership
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=722
Printed Date: April-18-2025 at 8:38pm
Topic: Cost of boat ownership
Posted By: jwfergus1
Subject: Cost of boat ownership
Date Posted: August-12-2004 at 1:52am
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Hi all,
Sorry to bother, but I have searched the archives before posting this question. I'm a potential CC owner and want to know what else I should be considering when buying my first boat asside from the cost of the boat. I know I have purchase price, sales tax, gas, I'll be storing it at my parents place in a temp. carport, I know it will cost me about $100/month to dry dock it at the marina I'm looking at for the summers until I find a lot I like and can afford. I've got lots of experience with the cost of gas and how much I burn in an hour of heavy use, and it will cost me around $500/year in insurance. Is there anything else I need to figure in? (annual repairs, winterizing, un-winterizing, etc) Thanks for your help, |
Replies:
Posted By: Darrel
Date Posted: August-12-2004 at 3:36pm
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Yeah, remember the old saying...a boat is just a hole in the water into which the skipper throws his money...or something like that.
Actually lots of other variables not limited to age of boat, condition, past maintenance...does the boat have the "extras" you need/want. skis, vests, stereo, ropes, anchor,fat sacks...these add up fast. good luck and a CC is a good place to start |
Posted By: harry
Date Posted: August-14-2004 at 9:35pm
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Let me give you this summer's costs:
(Bought '97 in beautiful shape) Dock rental $1000/yr Mooring lines (good ones) $40/set of three Fenders $50/set of four Steering cable $125 (I installed) New ski $350 (HO Burner) New wakeboard $300 (for my kids) Vests to fit wife/daughter $100 (just HAD to have women's vest) Wakebard rope $50 (wah! slalom rope is too stretchy) Two "bow eyes" to attach to rear transom $40/pair (installed myself) (Correct craft must assume that no one ever ties up their boat! The lifting ring works, but the rope slowly destroys the cover) so..... now I'm thinking about a New cover $350 (boat was in awesome shape, but the stock cover seems to be made from an old canvas tent!) This should give you an idea of what happens. Probably every owner who reads this will sadly nod their head in agreement, and most will be too depressed to add their own items/cost to this list. Is it all worth it? Hell yes: Every time I shove that throttle down the smile on my face makes it all seem worth while. |
Posted By: socbum
Date Posted: August-17-2004 at 1:17am
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Harry has given a great description of things that just come up when you are a boat owner.
I would add to the list Trailer maintenance (pack bearings, lights, etc.) Cleaning supplies (Gotta keep that Nauti looking good!) Stuff to take on the water (Coolers, drinks, food, boot lube, etc.) Sometimes the nickle & dime stuff adds up quickly to $5 & $10. |
Posted By: Tim D (#2)
Date Posted: April-26-2005 at 5:08pm
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Don't forget to consider winterization, oil changes, fuel filter replacement, and annual or semi annual impeller replacement. Also, plan on bending a prop at some point. Reconditioning will run $85 to $150. New will be $350. ------------- Tim D (#2) |
Posted By: Ryan S.
Date Posted: April-26-2005 at 5:21pm
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I also bought a '97 in good shape last August. Since then, I have replaced the steering cable, starter and I put in a Marine Optima battery. None of these repairs HAD to happen immediately, but all were looming problems so I just went ahead and did it. With winterization costs and the above mentioned repairs, including a new impeller and licensing fees, I'm into it over $1,000 since purchasing it at the end of last season. Lots of money in the off-season!!! It's good to know this before getting into boating, BUT, as said in a previous reply to this post, it's all worth it if you can swing it. On the good side, I would guess it's saving my family money on other (more boring) forms of entertainment. Nothing beats it when the lake is flat!!! A friend of mine gave me this advice when I was considering making the above mentioned repairs. "It's a boat, throw gobs of money at it!" Happy skiing. ------------- Ryan |
Posted By: Jim_In_Houston
Date Posted: April-26-2005 at 5:24pm
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Don't forget the cost of beer!
I tried to keep all of my receipts for things spent on my boat in a shoebox. It seemed like a good idea at the time. When the shoe box became full I just started throwing them away. Once you get your CC you may have to choose between food for the fam and boating. Sorry fam. Everytime I take my old in-need-of-paint water-logged, leaky transmissioned, '68 to the marina I get oooohs and ahhs and "cool boat man" remarks from people with shiney new $30,000 boats, kids standing on the docks, people fishing on the banks, and even from chics in other guys' boats. It becomes addictive. Has anyone else noticed this? ------------- Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 12:00am
| I have to agree with Jim in Houston. It don't matter what it costs, when you pull up to the ramp, fire up that boat and back it off the trailer, you'll turn every head in the area. |
Posted By: Texas88
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 12:53am
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Hi jwfergus1,
These guyes are all right but I must disagree with keeping too close track of the cost. Where elese can you get your wife, kids and their friends all together for houres on end, having fun in a place they all want to be? Also right on about firing up the deep rumble of the older 351, kind of makes the newer boats sound a little ... wimpy, shall we say. Go for it, get a good clean CC and join the group, it's a blast. ------------- Bryan A. Texas 88 Ski |
Posted By: hyper1685
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 3:31am
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im a college student (Auburn University). I put all of my money into two things: beer and my boat. i wouldn't have it any other way.
Chris ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=651&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1986&yrend=1990 - My Boat |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 10:52am
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Hey guys you forgot one thing that I can see. RAMP LAUNCHING FEE. Better figure $5 a pop for a launch fee if you dont dry dock it somewhere. Unless your lucky enough to have a free ramp somewhere ( I haven't) or live on the lake you better throw this expense in there. 2-3 times a week for 4-5 months can add up in a hurry unless you can buy a seasons ramp pass. ------------- "Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman" |
Posted By: David F
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 3:09pm
| When people ask me how much does your boat cost to own/maintain, I usually tell them less than my car. I believe that direct drive inboard boats are so simple that maintenance costs are very minor and infrequent compared to any other type of boat. With my '77, I frequently go years on end with absolutely no maintenance costs other than oil and impellar changes. When I do spend money, it is usually discretionary like adding water/fuel seperator or replacing old mufflers, guages, etc. My boat is the cheapest piece of major equipment I own to maintain. |
Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 3:24pm
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Just some more to add to the list:
County imposed luxury tax (perhaps CA only) $300 per year. Launch $8 to $40 depending upon site. Worn out carpet and trailer bunks. Scratched stickers. Propeller Ding repair (about $100 a pop) Additions to your tow vehicle like trailer hitch, wiring for lights, heavy duty radiator, new shocks, etc. When all is said and done: After expected costs like boat payment, insurance, gas, launch, beer, oil changes, and taxes, I generally assume I'll spend about another $1000 each year for miscellaneous breakdowns, repairs, etc. New equipment like skis, vests, wakeboards, etc. is more. Is it worth it? Yes, every penny. BKH ------------- Livin' the Dream |
Posted By: oldcentury76
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 7:07pm
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'76 SN- SEP 04: $3000
CC DEALERSHIP NOV 04:$4000 replaced prop,prop shaft etc.... 
Misc gear winter 05:$1500 new stereo/interior:too much I go to take it out this last weekend... blown impeller. The one part CC dealership did not replace. AND I HAVE YET TO TAKE THE BOAT ON THE WATER....  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=586&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1976&yrend=1980 - 1976 Ski Nautique Too many hobbies, not enough time! |
Posted By: jameski
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 8:04pm
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No matter how much I spend, I forget all about it when I'm ripping up the glass... What a feeling! ------------- current boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1977 - 94 Sport Nautique previous boat http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=601 - 78 Martinique |
Posted By: Wino
Date Posted: April-27-2005 at 10:52pm
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so, to sum it up...
BOAT Break Out Another Thousand |
Posted By: Dallas
Date Posted: April-28-2005 at 4:50pm
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Be aware of the costs but dont sweat it. You should already have a pretty good idea if you can afford it or not. My $.02, They are well worth the great times you will have with it. Do a thourough inspection, get a buddy to go look at it with you, test it, buy it, love it.
Dallas |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April-29-2005 at 3:33am
| A shrink will set you back 200 dollars an hour or more. My boat keeps me sane for a fraction of that cost. Now that's some inexpensive therapy |
Posted By: scomer
Date Posted: April-29-2005 at 3:17pm
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Hey Guys, enough about the cost, my wife reads this site every now and then. If she finds out what I'm spending she'll want more money for her hobby-SHOPPING!!! I've got her convinced that it don't cost that much.
Needless to say that any new parts or anything boat related that I order is sent to my office. ------------- SCOMER |
Posted By: 80nauts
Date Posted: April-30-2005 at 1:26am
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Here is the formula for boating cost
Fix it yourself = Lots of time with low cost, but at least you learn something. Have others fixe it = You are screwed, and not by your wife. Do something stupid = You are even more screwed, this usually involves insurance companies, police, or having others fix it which also = getting screwed X 2 or even screwed X 3. |