Boats that Never Get Used ... I Don't Understand

[savoir]

There is nothing new in all this. Wayyyy back in the 1960's I used to row my punt around the local bay and knew all the local boats. Roughly half of them never went anywhere.

One thing that has amazed me is the motor boat brigade. They pay handsomely for the best slips in the best marinas, and then never use their boats. You would expect a non user to prefer a cheap mooring.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by savoir

There is nothing new in all this. Wayyyy back in the 1960's I used to row my punt around the local bay and knew all the local boats. Roughly half of them never went anywhere.

One thing that has amazed me is the motor boat brigade. They pay handsomely for the best slips in the best marinas, and then never use their boats. You would expect a non user to prefer a cheap mooring.

Likely the cost of a day out in fuel is 6mths slip dues...
but one fancy cottage on the sea for peanuts...

[savoir]

Plenty of those guys burn 20 gallons/hour or 10 per motor.

OUCH !

I still don't get why they pay $1000/month for a marina when they can pay $4000/year for a mooring . . . . . . and still they are never there.

[Bluefuss]

Well said GrowlyMonster

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by savoir

I still don't get why they pay $1000/month for a marina when they can pay $4000/year for a mooring . . . . . . and still they are never there.

?????

[CHM]

Interesting thread. I have a 43' sailboat in Merritt Island, FL, but live and work in northeast TN. So, my boat isn't getting used much since I can't get down there more than 4-6 times a year. This is not ideal, but my wife and I work and the steady income allows us to keep the boat there for us to use when we have the chance. There are many folks in this marina who have the same situation, and there are liveaboards there too who have sold their homes and taken permanent residence on their boat. Many of the liveaboards have converted their boats to floating tenements complete with heat pumps on deck, plants, grills, etc. Many of these boats haven't left their slip for months or years. There are few who truly cruise full-time and a few more weekend sailors who maintain their boats in good enough condition to take their boat out along the coast. I did not mention the abandoned boats which are rotting in their slips, because there are very few in that condition. I believe these various groups of boat owners represent what's going on nationally. Boating, in general, used to be reserved for people who had the disposable income to maintain and take their vessel out recreationally or to travel. There was a 2 year wait on slips in my marina before 2008. Now, we have everything from liveaboard floating trailers, which never leave the dock and probably couldn't to the full-time cruisers. The liveaboard folks I have met are wonderful people and are very good keeping a lookout for any issues with the boat. I am glad they are there for sure since I cannot use my boat as much as I would like. I am still waiting for the winning lottery ticket which wouls allow me to quit my job and cruise full-time.

[Strikhedonia]

Many valid points out there but I still ask myself every time I see these "abandoned" boats, "Why don't they find friends or other people to daily rent their boat to?" Sure, there is a risk someone will damage it but if you are careful in who you give access to it seems like a way to provide more people enjoyment on the water, get a little $$$, and keep your boat in better condition (sitting unused is bad for a boat).

[Blue Crab]

Can you say personal injury lawyer?