What are some of the real costs of keeping one of those boats afloat during the boating season?
Then again..there are more inexpensive boats to be had and ways to keep them...
I bought my used..so no immediate depreciation! 21' Mark Twain cabin cruiser. (24 rigged..), can sleep 4 but 2 is much nicer
I keep mine in my driveway over the winter = free (on blocks so I don't have to store an ugly trailer year round) though I do pay $120 fee for hauling the boat in & out of the water each Spring & Fall. Since it's here, all the maintenance work ..bottom paint, outdrive overhaul, waxing, tune up & zincs..runs me maybe $300 per season. Nice to have mechanics in the family!!
Also handy to live in a boating community where there are lots of slips available in neighbors backyards. My slip runs me $500 for the season..with no limitation on having the boat out of the water by a certain date... and I'm right off Reynolds Channel.
Half the time I go out, I stay local..10 minute ride, drop anchor and poof..nice & comfy, less gas used (argh this season...) and I can get a lot of use out of her
While new boats are sleek & pretty, the older ones can be much more reasonable (cost wise) to own and you can get just as much pleasure out of them..they don't call them 'pleasure craft' for nothing!!
Mine has a full head (manual..so nothing to break or have to wait on getting repaired like so many of my friends boats..), a galley, a bbq that gets a lot of action every season. I can happily live without a microwave, and if you ever catch me watching TV while on a boat..JUST SHOOT ME!
Pics are on my other computer..will get a couple up later on today.