Your annual $ numbers

[bfloyd4445]

Originally Posted by Budds Outlet

"will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64."

It's amazing the things we think are important when we are younger and now find that they are not nearly as relevant.

I am in the camp that thinks this thread should not be counting the cost of purchase/loan payments/depreciation. The posts laying out the of annual operating costs are what have been of interest to me. The capital cost is a whole nother discussion.

Yep, i'm with you on tthis one. What i find interesting is the vast diferences between what individuals consider operating expenses. I guess the thread should have been started with a list of the things considered operating expenses for the purposes of this thread. Initial purchase, accident damage should in my opinion not be included.

[refugio]

Originally Posted by bfloyd4445

I guess the thread should have been started with a list of the things considered operating expenses for the purposes of this thread. Initial purchase, accident damage should in my opinion not be included.

Well, that would have been a different thread. The original poster posed:

"...it would be helpful to have in one thread the kinds of cost that we occur so they can make their own calculations."

In other words, what are all the costs associated with our boating. And let those that follow on later decide what's appropriate for them.

So acquisition cost, disposal cost, insurance cost, repair cost, operating cost, and on and bloody on - those are all the true costs of boating and someone would be well advised to aware of all of those costs before buying a boat.

As has been observed in this thread, many of these costs can be traced back to the size and value of a boat - and this would be a great time to throw in that other maxim that one should buy the smallest boat - in both size and dollar terms - that meets their needs.

[BruceK]

Originally Posted by refugio

So acquisition cost, disposal cost, insurance cost, repair cost, operating cost, and on and bloody on - those are all the true costs of boating

Agreed. I am far too afraid what the calculation might reveal to actually do it. In this area, "ignorance is bliss".

[Marin]

Originally Posted by bfloyd4445

I guess the thread should have been started with a list of the things considered operating expenses for the purposes of this thread. Initial purchase, accident damage should in my opinion not be included.

Then you have to define "operating cost" vs "ownership cost." The way it was explained to me by the GB dealer we got our boat though as well as in many subsequent articles and conversations on the subject with brokers and whatnot, annual "ownership cost" includes everything it costs to own the boat except finance payments if you're making them.

That is the only definition I use when conveying to someone what sort of ongoing costs they will be facing after they buy a boat regardless of whether they finance it or pay cash.

"Operating costs" tend by the definition of "operating" to imply the costs of doing just that--- making the boat go. So fuel, maintenance, equipment upgrades or replacements, repairs, and so forth. But NOT moorage, insurance, groundpower if you have to pay for that, state registration fees, and the other costs that are associated with owning the boat but not with making it go.

So to me talking about annual "operating costs" can be misleading to a potential boat buyer because the non-operating components of ownership cost can actually add up to a pretty big number every year. So I prefer to include everything other than finance payments and talk only about "ownership costs."

I know it seems like just semantics but the less confusing it can be to a potential boat buyer, particulary one new to this kind of boating and boat, the better.

[markpierce]

I believe it is helpful to inform "what they are getting into" owning a boat. All perspectives are helpful.

[bfloyd4445]

seems everyone has valad points. To handle this properly is impossible because each individual is a unique case. However, just what we have been doing except for when we have gotten sidetracked by certain people is still going to be of value to prospective boats owners. Most people don't have a clue as to the total expense involved untill they take the plunge. Hopefully this thread will be of use to open eyes before jumping into the financial hole of boat ownership.

[Art]

Originally Posted by bfloyd4445

seems everyone has valad points. To handle this properly is impossible because each individual is a unique case. However, just what we have been doing except for when we have gotten sidetracked by certain people is still going to be of value to prospective boats owners. Most people don't have a clue as to the total expense involved untill they take the plunge. Hopefully this thread will be of use to open eyes before jumping into the financial hole of boat ownership.

Yea - BUT, if too many newbies read all the expenses mentioned here we might end up scaring them off and then end up with the true graying of pleasure boaters! LOL Well... we'll at least have lots of room in the waterways!

[bfloyd4445]

Originally Posted by Art

Yea - BUT, if too many newbies read all the expenses mentioned here we might end up saring them off and then end up with the true graying of pleasure boaters! LOL Well... we'll at least have lots of room in the waterways!

hummmmm'''''''........that aint a bad idea. But you know, the fact is there is no expense with owning a bnoat, there is only the chore of other forced expenses that keep one from spending even more time on the water. You know things like health insurance, taxes, honey do's, etc. I've never regretted a single dime i have spent on a boat but i do often regret having to pay taxes etc. Shoot, I've been know to even spend $$ i don't even have on boat stuff without giving it a thought. But i assure you i think about every dollar i spend on taxes etc.
And thats the truth

[FlyWright]

188 Posts and no mention of Yacht Club dues? Does anyone pay club dues above and beyond their stated berthing costs?

[Marin]

Originally Posted by FlyWright

188 Posts and no mention of Yacht Club dues? Does anyone pay club dues above and beyond their stated berthing costs?

Yes, but the yacht clubs in our marina don't have or supply moorage. So while we are members of a club there is no moorage associated with membership. So our dues are just $70 a year.

[Art]

Originally Posted by bfloyd4445

hummmmm'''''''........that aint a bad idea. But you know, the fact is there is no expense with owning a bnoat, there is only the chore of other forced expenses that keep one from spending even more time on the water. You know things like health insurance, taxes, honey do's, etc. I've never regretted a single dime i have spent on a boat but i do often regret having to pay taxes etc. Shoot, I've been know to even spend $$ i don't even have on boat stuff without giving it a thought. But i assure you i think about every dollar i spend on taxes etc.
And thats the truth

Well put!

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by FlyWright

188 Posts and no mention of Yacht Club dues? Does anyone pay club dues above and beyond their stated berthing costs?

In the Bay Area, many yacht clubs have their own marinas. Their berth fees are low and can offset club dues, assuming they have a vacant berth that can accommodate your boat.

Club membership is essential if one races sailboats.

[refugio]

Originally Posted by FlyWright

188 Posts and no mention of Yacht Club dues? Does anyone pay club dues above and beyond their stated berthing costs?

I think I pay about $50/month, but next year I'm a 30 year (life) member and won't pay dues after that!

But the dues cover more than just the rights to moorage - our daughter got married at the club ($300 to rent the entire facility), we go to regular social events there (and have had the club chef cater events for us).

And belonging to a yacht club means we get free moorage at our club's 8 outstations and 40 or so clubs with which we have reciprocal moorage.

Plus when we visit Vancouver we get to eat at Royal Van:

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by refugio

I think I pay about $50/month, but next year I'm a 30 year (life) member and won't pay dues after that!

Sounds like a great deal for the club's founders ... creating a need for and burdening new/additional members.

[refugio]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Sounds like a great deal for the club's founders ... creating a need for and burdening new/additional members.

Damn - you ever look on the "bright" side?

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by refugio

Damn - you ever look on the "bright" side?

Yes, all the time.

[Formosa]

Originally Posted by FlyWright

188 Posts and no mention of Yacht Club dues? Does anyone pay club dues above and beyond their stated berthing costs?

Just joined a club in BC. Initiation was $100 and annual dues of $150. Obviously no moorage but a modest shared clubhouse, a couple of guest slips in a marina, a few social events and modest cruise and sail racingprogram. And, the big one, reciprocal privileges at 50+ clubs from Olympia to Alaska. Hard to turn down that kind of value.

[markpierce]

to me the reciprocals are the highest advantage of clubs, but then I've yet to take advantage of commercial marinas' docks, often associated with restaurants.

[psneeld]

back East where I am...many clubs are $3500-$6000 per year, almost no docks but nice buildings ....I would love it for the reciprocal membership benefits...but hard to justify that kind of money for an eating/drinking club.

[FF]

The JOY of a commercial looking lobster boat (not lobster "style" yacht) is many commercials will allow a free overnight along side tie up.

Always good to ask if they are going out in the AM, or one is liable to wake out with the fleet.