How Much of a Black Hole Is a Boat ?

[pillum]

Originally Posted by Sam Plan B

I own and live on a Columbia 41 here in Washington DC. A small one bedroom apartment would cost about $2,000 here. Yes, that's $2k with electric extra. I pay $600 for slip rent with 15amps of shore power included. With insurance, modest upgrades, maintenance and bi-annual haul out my total monthlty expenses come to about $900. Or roughly half what shore side accomodation would be. Besides that, I ride my bicycle to work so I avoide all the expenses and hassle of owning a car. So, if you live aboard the boat can pay for itself and then some. If you live ashore and keep the boat for a toy, well, toys cost money.

I'll vouch for this... Right now we are paying for two houses in the Americas and two apartments in England for the kids in University, the boat is definitely an expensive toy. Once the kids are finished university and we get to sell one of the houses, then we will live on the boat for at least half the time, and the boat then pays for itself, notwithstanding the money that goes into it. You pay your money and you make your choice.

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by bstreep

1) We could spend our weekends in a 5 star hotel, with meals out, for the same money. Maybe less.

LESS, Much Less.

While maybe not 5 star, I just spent a couple weeks at a hotel in Kemah and ate out every day and cost me a lot more than what I've seen advertised for monthly slip rates +water and electric.

Now I'm just looking for that boat so I can make my own great escape!

[avb3]

Originally Posted by Dan_78

LESS, Much Less.

While maybe not 5 star, I just spent a couple weeks at a hotel in Kemah and ate out every day and cost me a lot more than what I've seen advertised for monthly slip rates +water and electric.

Now I'm just looking for that boat so I can make my own great escape!

Next time you may want to consider one of these sites. I haven't used them yet, but have talked to people who have and won't go back to hotels ever.

HomeAway Vacation Rentals: Beach Houses, Condos, Cabins, Villas & Vacation Rental Homes
VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner
Vacation rentals, private rooms, sublets by the night - Accommodations on Airbnb

[Geoduck]

Black Hole - I like it! Good name for my next boat!

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by avb3

Next time you may want to consider one of these sites. I haven't used them yet, but have talked to people who have and won't go back to hotels ever.

HomeAway Vacation Rentals: Beach Houses, Condos, Cabins, Villas & Vacation Rental Homes
VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner
Vacation rentals, private rooms, sublets by the night - Accommodations on Airbnb

I was actually looking for something like this. All I was able to find was apartments for corporations. These look better. Thanks!

[lateral]

Depends what colour you paint the inside.

[goboatingnow]

how much ... to paraphrase the Rolls Royce question, "if sir has to ask , sir cant afford it".

analysing boats from a financial perspective is an excercise in insanity
Dave

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

how much ... to paraphrase the Rolls Royce question, "if sir has to ask , sir cant afford it".

analysing boats from a financial perspective is an excercise in insanity
Dave

I disagree. When I bought my boat(s), I asked the same question. Basically, I wanted to know how much of a black hole I was getting into. It comes down to determining if you can't afford it, what do you have to give up in order to afford it. I still can't afford it but for the most part I think it is worth it.

[cpa]

I bought a Dufour Arpege for $5900, sailed and lived on it for a year and sold it for $9900. My storage costs were $1000 and I put maybe another $1000 in it.

I bought an S&S 34 for $45,000 lived on it for 8 years. Not including storage costs I put another $60,000 into it (complete refit) and sold it for $42,000. It did not bother me too much because of all the enjoyment the boat gave me outweighed the financial loss. My living expenses on the boat for half of those years were less than $1500 a month (anchor/winter dockage in RI is cheap.)

I think a sailboat boat bought right, in good shape, and maintained modestly does not need to be a huge financial disaster, but it is easy to get carried away and spend a ton on it.