Friends say I'm an idiot

Hi there
I'm 56 and buying my first ever boat down here in San Diego. Im getting a Californian 34 for $36k cash and it looks like I'll be paying $625 a month slip fee. I'm buying a boat because I'm bored and when consideing a new hobby his is the only one which excited me. I haven't had a singl3 friend who hasn't joked that I'm an idiot and all the jokes and stuff and it's fine but I'm starting to wonder if they're right. How much is really gonna cost me. Aside from slip fees what are we REALLY talking about? I think my boat will get a mile a gallon. That's really gonna add up so I get that. Thats actually the only thing that scares me. At $4 a gallon a trip to Catalina will cost $350 in gas alone. Registration, insurance and other things barnacle removal and cleaning? It seems like it's all about repairs. How often do these things break down? I see people talk about new motors installed $5k total each. I have two motors and if they both blew up the day after I bought it I would spend the money and then look forward to hours and hours of boating pleasure. Am I being naive?

I agree, you are an idiot, but don't worry you are a very lucky idiot and all these friends will just harass you to get a trip with you
Nobody can tell you for sure how much it will cost you, depends on so many parameters, if your boat was and will be properly maintained, if you are lucky or not, if you do your own maintenance or not. But there is one thing I am pretty sure it is that you will be happy.
A boat is sometimes stressful, sometimes joyful, sometimes deceptive and discouraging when things go wrong but at the end it is pleasure and all the dark side worth it when you watch a sunset from your deck.

I think many would agree that fuel is one of the smaller expenses you'll encounter unless you are cruising all the time. Having said that I think you're wrong on the fuel burn on a 34' boat. I think you will find your mileage will be higher than that. No guesses on my part but I think others will confirm my speculation.


To answer your other questions, find out what insurance level the marina requires than call a few boat insurers and ask them for the premium costs. Depending on the age of the boat you may have to look for a company that will insure it. Many companies just will not insure older boats and they all have their own definition of what an "older" boat is.


Ask the current owner what the registration costs are and also what other boats in that marina pay for bottom cleaning. Those questions and answers will get you started and give you a better look at what owning a boat really costs.

It is a lot to absorb, but if you use the boat a lot, the costs are well worth it.

Most boats in our area sit and the owners rarely go out, in which case the operating costs don’t make sense and an RV or another activity is a better investment.

Start out slow, and take some cruises up and down SD bay. Next, I would suggest a run to Misson Bay and anchor for a night or two in Mariners Cove. Watch the weather carefully when going outside, especially in the Winter and be careful with the Mb bar crossing. Try to take someone with you who is experienced and ask a lot of questions.

I would suggest you wait a year or two before you go to Catalina.

Get to learn your boat, and the systems,and you will continually become more comfortable.

That's what I'm tallking about! It's not like throwing money in the trash. You actually end up with something. A boat to sell and some memories. I believe the boat gets closer to 1.5 gpm? That's a boat thing, right? The Marina's want $500k in insurance. I think that might be $50 per month. It do add up and I make a.descent living and i think I'm prepared. Then I saw a guy here who has to pay $1500 for a salt water pump whatever that is. Thanks guys

What are the engines, gas or diesel?
Fuel use depends a lot on how you run the boat. Hard and you will use a lot more than if you run more easily and take more time. You have to work that out.

Actually as far as idiots go you are in good/bad company. The only difference between us is how long have we been idiots.

Boats are an expensive hobby, no doubt. A lot of that can be conditioned by how much you can do yourself vs how much you have to pay for.

I'll say this that my/our boat kicked most of my other hobbies to the side but I am not sorry. On the other hand I've learned a few other things to keep that thing operating well. The boat is my hobby but my wife enjoys the boat also, sometimes more than I do once we get out on it.

All depends on how you look at it.

Good luck and good boating. Say hello to a few other idiots at the dock and I'll bet you find , at least, a few good dock mates.

That is sound advice indeed. I'm not even sure if I want to go to Cartalina. Well maybe just for that incredible mooring. I'm thinking I'll get out of the bay to fish and look at whales . I just found out that sometimes you have to go out 80 miles to catch tuna while other times it's 5 miles. I'll wait for the closer hunts. I told same guy I was considering Chula Vista Marina and he yelled Noooooo!!!!! Too far from the mouth of the bay. I NEVER would have seen that. This boat thing seems riddled with mines!!

They're Perkins diesels 185hp l think. I am buying Sweet Marie from a member of this community. He has clearly taken care of the boat and that's great. Survey tomorrow and I'll ask as many questions as I can think of. Taking a boat wise buddy wi5h me and I have a few of those and I'm leaning in hard!!

Enjoy your new boat. The fuel cost will not end up being a huge concern. You can do a lot of boating without lots of running. You may only do Catalina once a year. Good luck.

LandLubberDuck said:

I think my boat will get a mile a gallon. That's really gonna add up so I get that. Thats actually the only thing that scares me. At $4 a gallon a trip to Catalina will cost $350 in gas alone. Am I being naive?

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Fuel costs will probably turn out to be the cheapest part of your costs. But San Diego to Catalina is more like 150nm, round trip, so the cost is probably closer to $600. If the boat is gas, you will get worse economy (lower mpg and higher fuel cost) than diesel. On the other hand, if it is diesel, I don't think you can expect to replace the engines for $5k each. Diesels are more commonly rebuilt because of the significantly higher replacement costs, but I doubt $5K per engine is even close to enough. It would help to know what engines you have, but engines I am familiar with cost $2K - $3K per hole (cylinder) to rebuild, and turbo, heat exchangers, aftercoolers, etc., are extra.

As long as you can write the check without too much discomfort if costs turn out to be way higher than you expect, I don't think buying a boat is a bad idea. But if you buy the boat and can't afford to keep it running, it is going to be a disaster.

We got our first boat (30 footer) when I was 52 and as much as others may disagree, I am no idiot

LandLubberDuck said:

That's what I'm tallking about! It's not like throwing money in the trash. You actually end up with something. A boat to sell and some memories. I believe the boat gets closer to 1.5 gpm? That's a boat thing, right? The Marina's want $500k in insurance. I think that might be $50 per month. It do add up and I make a.descent living and i think I'm prepared. Then I saw a guy here who has to pay $1500 for a salt water pump whatever that is. Thanks guys

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My 1982 MT34 DC gets 2.85 mpg almost 3 times what poster thinks- its very similar size .

From my experience your costs will be much higher in your early years because you're paying for "experience". AKA other people know better because they've paid for it.

I've paid thousands for outdrive, bellows, gimble bearing, prop, and shaft repair, and I never really did anything all that stupid. Just things that I'd never do now that I know. And yes you can have a perfectly maintained boat but someday the AC pump or fridge or windlass will just fail and it will cost a ton.
I don't know what else to say other than I think it's all worth it and we're going to double down and do it even larger and more intensive. We're hooked.

Some say, “the cost of boat ownership, less slip and insurance, runs about 10% of the purchase cost per year”. One may go several years with minor maintenance cost, then have to replace leaky fuel tanks ($$$). The engines purr along for years then one needs a rebuild ($$$). Over the long run the “10%” rule seems to be darn accurate, for me anyway.

Edit: I’m pretty sure everyone on this forum has some idiot in them! Speaking of myself, of course...

Giggitoni said:

Some say, “the cost of boat ownership, less slip and insurance, runs about 10% of the purchase cost per year”. One may go several years with minor maintenance cost, then have to replace leaky fuel tanks ($$$). The engines purr along for years then one needs a rebuild ($$$). Over the long run the “10%” rule seems to be darn accurate, for me anyway.

Edit: I’m pretty sure everyone on this forum has some idiot in them! Speaking of myself, of course...

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That's some very good math. Thank you

Hi,

Yes, it must be a bit crazy to be the owner of the boat.

Does it make any sense to own a boat and keep it for 6 months inside the house and only 6 months in the water, I confess to being an idiot.

If the money were a stock market or other investment they would produce +, now only financial expenditures.


NBs

Doubt that you would replace your Perkins for $5K each. Labor maybe. Rebuilt engines $10-15K each.
As long as you have finances to fix things, go for it.
And make sure your marina allows you to live onboard.

LandLubberDuck said:

Hi there
I'm 56 and buying my first ever boat down here in San Diego. Im getting a Californian 34 for $36k cash and it looks like I'll be paying $625 a month slip fee. I'm buying a boat because I'm bored and when consideing a new hobby his is the only one which excited me.

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Even idiots can have fun boating; witness membership here...

A tip. Use the Advanced Search feature here and find/read everything you can about Californian 34s. You mention Perkins engines; ditto. (And boatdiesel.com could be an even better resource.) You mention salt water pumps ("whatever that is"); ditto. And so forth.

As others have said, fuel will likely be one of you lower costs. Mooring and insurance will be a chunk. Maintenance will maybe be largest cost, IF you hire it all done by somebody else. IF you do it yourself, much less expensive and E Voila! Yet another hobby!

A tip. Boats are usually "systems of systems" and all the systems -- fresh water pump, engines (with salt water pumps), fridges, batteries and chargers. etc... are all made by someone other than the boat maker. You can usually (at least often) find the manual for all those various system on line somewhere, which is especially useful if paper copies don't come with the boat. And also especially useful to keep on board in softcopy anyway, so you don't take up a whole stateroom with paper manuals. As you get more familiar with the boat, find those manuals, and gradually learn a bit about each of the systems, especially whatever might be required for maintenance, routine service, etc.

Enjoy!

-Chris

We are all idiots! [emoji30]

I’m still just an aspiring idiot. 3-4 more years of saving, and I’ll be ready to go full-idiot.

I can’t wait.

I used to spend pretty much the same amount of money on the fixed costs of our boat (insurance & moorage) on booze and cigarettes...I’m much less of an idiot now!

...it depends...

LLD,

You might be a little naive, but you can easily overcome that by doing what you are doing here - learning from others, and what you will be doing every moment you are on your boat.

In terms of the cost vs what any normal person thinks is reasonable, its a life choice. I think my friends / relatives who spend thousands of dollars to travel to resort places, disneyland, etc are insane. Those trips are so short, and cost so much money, and what do you have to show for it? Not enough IMHO. I reserve those funds for boating. I have chosen not to burden myself with huge loans for fancy trucks/cars, and maybe I live in a house that is much less than I can afford.

My vacations are on my own ship (mostly) going where I want, when I want. I go places and do things that require me to rely on my equipment and experience for my and my family's safety. I'm not coddled and herded in some pre-planned vacation experience.

As far as the costs, yep, boat things are $$$. Don't be tempted to use anything but high quality marine components. Most of us here spend years getting rid of failing/failed poor quality work that previous owners have done to the boat. Do it right the first time, bite the bullet, and you will have components on your boat that you can trust and will serve you well in relative safety.

Learn about the boat you are looking at, ask other owners of that model about fuel efficiency. 1 nmpg seems like an aweful lot for a twin diesel yacht that can move along at trawler speeds. Some of our boats can get up and move in the low to mid teens, doing that has crazy high fuel consumption. Our last boat was a huge heavy 30' powerboat that had twin gas V-8's. I always saw 1 nmpg unless I tried to go fast, then it got worse. I see you being able to run at much less in that Californian at trawler speeds.

Good luck, ask questions, and keep learning!

Mr LandLubbererDuck,

When you wake up on board YOUR BOAT after the very first night of anchoring-out "away from the madding crowd " then my friend you will scream at the top of your voice 'I GOT A BOAT' !!!!

Its more then a hobby Becomes a way of life
Just make sure it does not become a anchor around your neck
I use my boat 2 times a week .
I have a 30 ft Regal Commodore twin IO New long block engines this year
Fuel burn is an issue with me Since I use boat often I don't go too fishing grounds 25 miles off shore , Plus a cruiser is not fishing friendly
I stay close too shore dropping a line,
I top off hundred fifty bucks every other week .
At plane I burn 1 gallon a mile
I always have had a boat . Last 25 years a 22 ft bay & close too shore fishing boat
Wife hates the boat not comfortable . Its a day fishing boat / no cabin no head no air
She says Lets buy a cruiser , were retired , something we can do together .
Few weeks ago listed boat with marina broker After 3 years , major repairs , ( almost a new boat ) might have too keep , depending on what interest broker gets . He did say twin gas IO boats are tough too sell . Owners are giving away
Next boat , I am considering a trawler . Retirement offers time too travel

Since I am considering a trawler I am new too this forum , At 71 I want too purchase smart and enjoy boat I love the ocean , marina life , and want too love my next boat .
You have heard it . OPPIONS are LIKE A.W. everybody has them .

Your first boat , your selection is large but what the hell , go for it . Will take some time U controlling boat rather then boat controlling U . JUST GO SLOWLY

Repairs are the normal . You must do preventive maintenance. Salt is not kind too moving parts .

Good luck and HAPPY BOATING

If the boat is diesel run at 6 kts and you should get 3+ NMPG

cardude01 said:

We are all idiots! [emoji30]

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That’s true but we’re idiots with a chick magnet. Well at least my wife and daughter love the boat.

Pack Mule said:

That’s true but we’re idiots with a chick magnet.

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Some of us have to use a net...

As others have mentioned, slow down and you'll improve your mileage. My Californian runs at 7.5 Kts and burns 3.2 GPH/2.3 MPG. I'm sure I could get over 3 MPG if I slowed to under 6.5 Kts.

Mpg

On average I get about 2 to 2 1/2 nautical MPG with my 34 Californian LRC. I run easy most of the time at 1000 to 1200 RPMs and when I want to scoot along a little usually due to sea conditions I will run it up to 2000. I have the 200HP 6.354 engines. In bigger seas I find I get a better ride at about 10 knots.

You are measuring the wrong end of the equation.
It is not, "What is this costing me?" that you need to ask, but "Why did I wait this long before doing this?"
The only cost relevant question is, "can I keep doing this?".

bogranjac1 said:

When you wake up on board YOUR BOAT after the very first night of anchoring-out "away from the madding crowd " then my friend you will scream at the top of your voice 'I GOT A BOAT' !!!!

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First overnight costs $36K. Second costs $18K. Third costs $12K. And so forth (although not counting additional costs).

But you see where that's going; pretty soon an overnight will cost almost nothing.

koliver said:

You are measuring the wrong end of the equation.
It is not, "What is this costing me?" that you need to ask, but "Why did I wait this long before doing this?"
The only cost relevant question is, "can I keep doing this?".

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Yep, "psychic income" is sometimes priceless.

-Chris