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thinwater · 30-08-2018, 15:50

If you have owned several, what is the average? If this is your first, guess. If you think you will own this one forever... that does not mean you will be sailing it that long.

For me, I've had 3 boats and each has been about 10 years. I think that is about how long it takes to get to know the boat, do everything with it that I want to (trips and modifications), and get bored with it. I'm guessing this one will be about the same, and I'm not sure what it will be next. I thought I would keep the last one forever, but I was wrong about that and I am glad that I moved on. Each move has been positive and educational.

So how long do you own a boat?

Tayana42 · 30-08-2018, 16:00

I’ve had this one since 2000. It is a quality built and quite capable cruising boat from a good yard and a good designer. I plan on keeping it until I can’t maintain and sail it. It is my 3rd cabin sailboat (not counting Sunfish, trailer sailers canoes kayaks and dinghies). Actually I’m not sure I own the boat. I think it owns me.

**Jim Cate** · 30-08-2018, 17:32

OK, here's my history:

16 foot day sailor: 18 months
Catalina 22: 7 years
Yankee 30: 7 years
Standfast 36: 18 years
Jon Sayer 46: 15 years and counting. Likely the last serious boat i will own.

Jim

Training Wheels · 30-08-2018, 17:44

Current boat is record for us, 8 years. I’d be a happy man if I died on this boat in 15 or 20 years.

Kenomac · 30-08-2018, 17:55

It’s very unlikely we’ll buy another boat.

Stu Jackson · 30-08-2018, 17:58

Catalina 22: 5 years (year or two overlap with the next)

Catalina 25: 13
Catalina 34: 20 (this one's the keeper)

ggray · 30-08-2018, 18:05

First cruising boat, BB10 9 years
Second (with slight overlap) Edel 35 10 years
Third (with slight gap) Voyage 430 18 years, and counting

markpierce · 30-08-2018, 18:21

I've always wondered why some boaters change boats as frequently as pants.

**Jammer** · 30-08-2018, 18:45

I had a 1965 Alumacraft 16' for maybe 10 years and had it in the water less than I might have liked due to competing responsibilities and interests.

Now 3 canoes and a kayak each with its own niche that I will keep for a long time

And a 25' pocket cruiser that I purchased knowing upfront that, like a college student's summer romance, we could look forward to some great times together but had no future. I'll keep her another year or two.

My friends who had smaller powerboats that they liked largely kept them 20 years or more.

As for big cruisers, I can't answer, but I will say that everyone's goals and circumstances are different as are their goals for their lifestyle on the water. As these change, so too must the craft that allows the lifestyle to occur.

thinwater · 30-08-2018, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

... Jon Sayer 46: 15 years and counting. Likely the last serious boat i will own.

Jim

That is exactly what I though 5 years ago. A year ago I decided I wanted something more nimble and downsized. Kids grew up and I was tired of big. I've always liked smaller boats. I didn't count kayaks, which I love. I will always have several, as long as I can hold a paddle.

Who knows, maybe my next boat (shudder) will be a monohull. Maybe.

[My new toy. It's more fun to drive, like a sports car! I also needed something to refresh my writing, lest it should stagnate or that I should develop fixed, ossified opinions. Better to remain open and flexible.]

And what does "serious" mean? They all count.

thinwater · 30-08-2018, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

I've always wondered why some boaters change boats as frequently as pants.

What do you consider too often? Is change bad, or is it refreshing?

[Not challenging the opinion. Asking for clarification for all of us.]

markpierce · 30-08-2018, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinwater

What do you consider too often? Why is it bad to change, since change is often refreshing?

[Not challenging the opinion. Asking for clarification for all of us.]

I'm not saying changing boats every year or three is too often (except for me), but why do people do it?

smj · 30-08-2018, 20:37

We’ve owned 11 cruising catamarans over the past 26 years. We bought number 10 3 years ago and that was to be our final boat.....until number 11 showed up. Now we own both. Why? I’m not sure. Every boat is different and every boat has educated us in a different way. I’m sure we are close to the perfect boat for us, but Im also sure the perfect boat will never exist.