What is a responsible percentage of net worth to have in a trawler/yacht?

[FWT]

Two points.

The first is, this isn't really a boating question, but a financial one. How much one should spend? The dream could as easily be focused on a property in Tuscany. Hunt down the answer in financial spots or via a trusted advisor.

Second, the boat dream is big enough relative to your balance sheet that you care about the chance of a wrong move, hence your question. Find a way to test the assumption the dream is as great in reality for BOTH of you. Charter, take some classes, but whatever it takes to get below the surface because cruising isn't nearly what the advertisements and videos make it out to be. Instead of dropping the hook and then sip wine from crystal glasses while watching a sunset in designer clothes, many is the evening you will be in grubby clothes crawling into the bilge to take care of something going on with the generator or AC unit so you get through the coming night, or some other chore. The work to fun ratio may surprise you. It is much more work than you might realize. Only then can you answer the question of, whatever the financial cost, or opportunity cost from having a non-earning asset, is that cost worth it to you. If you like it a little, then a little cost is OK. If it becomes a passion you cannot live without, then a larger cost is still worth it. But just maybe the reality under the dream isn't worth it at all and its time to hatch an alternative dream. Reality can be a bitch or a beauty. Find out which it is before jumping.

Here's a serious introspection question for you. Today in your dirt home, if something goes wrong are you more likely to try to handle it yourself or call someone? That something might span many areas from something sickly in the landscape, to drywall patching and paint, to light plumbing / electrical / lawnmower repair / etc. Its an aptitude and attitude question. Boats are work. You won't need landscaping knowledge (LOL) but it does take the aptitude to diagnose and get hands on when possible.

 

[Marco Flamingo]

I'd never thought of boats as percentage of my net worth. I've always thought of them as "will this get the job done." Sort of like how big of a hammer should I buy? Only large enough to get the job done. That served me well, including as a college student live aboard when I probably had a negative net worth.

For my wife and I, the difficulty was finding a Goldilocks boat, not too big, not too small. Turns out that the right size (about GB 32 size for a couple) was such a small percentage of net worth that I've never even thought about it. Some fraction of 1%?

It almost seems that thinking to ask the question indicates trouble ahead. I'm not an advocate of always "how cheap can I go," but maybe first asking "do I really need all that?" might eliminate a fixation on percentage of net worth.

My wife and I are blessed with not needing to accommodate dogs, cats, children, livestock, kayaks, generators, etc., so our boating requirements are simplified. It could be that "simplify, simplify" is your solution. Hard to say if you are also making the decision for another.

 

[slowgoesit]

I'm in OC Diver's camp (post 15). I already had that reply in mind before I read the entire thread and found that he'd already given the answer I had. But here is it again.

Don't spend more than you can afford to lose! Whether that's $50k or $1 mil, that's a decision only you can make.

We bought our boat 4+ years ago. It was in good condition mechanically, but needed some cosmetic work, AND upgrades, for the type of cruising we now envisioned doing with it.

We spent about 50% of our purchase price over the next two years, realizing that these were "sunk costs", and had no ROI (Return on investment). There IS NO ROI on a depreciating asset.

That said, in our financial planning, we count the boat as ultimately having ZERO value. Now, obviously, at such time as we end up passing her on the next caretaker, the boat will indeed have value, but we're not COUNTING on that value in our retirement planning.

Just for info, the types of upgrades we did, but were not necessary for the previous owners and their style of cruising included:

• New hard Bimini (to support solar)
• Solar Panels, along with their associated wiring, controllers, circuit protection, etc
• LiFePO4 batteries, and their associated wiring, circuit protection, monitoring etc
• Watermaker
• Swim step "wing" extensions
• New Fresh water flush heads
• New Inverter charger
• New high output alternator w/ external regulator (compatible with LiFePO4)
• New electronics, radar, chartplotter, depth sounder, etc

IMHO NO boat is "turn key" ready to go cruising. Even if the boat is perfect for the previous owner, it is not necessarily ready for the cruising the new owner envisions using it for.

And since I mentioned the new owner, HE/SHE also needs "upgrades, experience, and knowledge" with their new boat, and for that reason, no boat/operator combo is truly "cruise ready" on the day of transfer.

Best of luck in whatever you decide!

 

[l00smarble]

Two points.

The first is, this isn't really a boating question, but a financial one. How much one should spend? The dream could as easily be focused on a property in Tuscany. Hunt down the answer in financial spots or via a trusted advisor.

Second, the boat dream is big enough relative to your balance sheet that you care about the chance of a wrong move, hence your question. Find a way to test the assumption the dream is as great in reality for BOTH of you. Charter, take some classes, but whatever it takes to get below the surface because cruising isn't nearly what the advertisements and videos make it out to be. Instead of dropping the hook and then sip wine from crystal glasses while watching a sunset in designer clothes, many is the evening you will be in grubby clothes crawling into the bilge to take care of something going on with the generator or AC unit so you get through the coming night, or some other chore. The work to fun ratio may surprise you. It is much more work than you might realize. Only then can you answer the question of, whatever the financial cost, or opportunity cost from having a non-earning asset, is that cost worth it to you. If you like it a little, then a little cost is OK. If it becomes a passion you cannot live without, then a larger cost is still worth it. But just maybe the reality under the dream isn't worth it at all and its time to hatch an alternative dream. Reality can be a bitch or a beauty. Find out which it is before jumping.

Here's a serious introspection question for you. Today in your dirt home, if something goes wrong are you more likely to try to handle it yourself or call someone? That something might span many areas from something sickly in the landscape, to drywall patching and paint, to light plumbing / electrical / lawnmower repair / etc. Its an aptitude and attitude question. Boats are work. You won't need landscaping knowledge (LOL) but it does take the aptitude to diagnose and get hands on when possible.

I have somehow given the impression (I suppose by providing no contrary information) that I am a n00b and a dreamer in need of a reality check. This is the not the case. Though I get it..."Should I buy a $1M boat?" sounds like a dreamer. I didn't really mean to ask the question that way. $1M is just a round number which would be quite expensive for most people even at the 2%er net worth level.

I know the question does not have a single/correct answer. So many things factor in.

I have owned and maintained many less expensive boats. I work on boats as a full time job. I have multiple ABYC Certifications. I fix nearly everything in my house, boats, cars, bikes, SeaDoo, ATV, SxS, offroad rigs, track cars, etc. But this wasn't really a thread about whether I should go cruising. I'm not clueless but I'm also not cocky enough to predict that after a year or two we will still love the lifestyle or not. We like to do many things including many kinds of adventures. Maybe I want to focus on somethign else by then?

 

[tiltrider1]

Most people buy a boat with no exit strategy. OP is showing some serious smarts by including an exit strategy in his decision making.

Again, I can’t help here. My exit strategy has always been the boat would have no value and be sold for next to nothing.

 

[mvweebles]

Agree. I only used Nordhavn as an example of a yacht that has a very flat deprecation curve after it is a few years old.

I think it is better to get a boat more suited to coastal/loop and if the bug bites and we want to keep going on going further we can upgrade to a XXXX (maybe Nordhavn.)

I wonder what percentage of Nordhavn/Selene/dd/etc buyers get one just in case they want to cross an ocean in the future and then never do.

BTW - while depreciation on a boat such as a Nordhavn is attractive, they are not cheap to own and keep in sellable condition.

Peter

 

[FWT]

I have somehow given the impression (I suppose by providing no contrary information) that I am a n00b and a dreamer in need of a reality check. This is the not the case. Though I get it..."Should I buy a $1M boat?" sounds like a dreamer. I didn't really mean to ask the question that way. $1M is just a round number which would be quite expensive for most people even at the 2%er net worth level.

I know the question does not have a single/correct answer. So many things factor in.

I have owned and maintained many less expensive boats. I work on boats as a full time job. I have multiple ABYC Certifications. I fix nearly everything in my house, boats, cars, bikes, SeaDoo, ATV, SxS, offroad rigs, track cars, etc. But this wasn't really a thread about whether I should go cruising. I'm not clueless but I'm also not cocky enough to predict that after a year or two we will still love the lifestyle or not. We like to do many things including many kinds of adventures. Maybe I want to focus on somethign else by then?

Great. That answers that.

Then here's a framework to use for the financial piece.

Look at the finances needed for a normal retirement life. Housing, food, everything. No wild luxury things thrown in, but include the cost going out to eat as much as your habit is to do that, the occasional 3 day weekend somewhere, and contingency for repairs. Include periodic vehicle replacement.

That's your base cost to live what is for your normal retirement life. Then, what assets does it take to do that, given reasonable financial return assumptions. That's your retirement baseline need.

Anything you have that is above that baseline is eligible to be used for the dream.

 

[Mako]

I actually do have a hard and fast answer for the OP. My perspective, don't spend more than 10% of your net worth (liquid and illiquid) on a boat. And make it in cash - no loans.

We have found that this is a reasonable amount of money that won't hurt us by its total loss. In addition, I have no plans to carry hull insurance anymore, so total loss or major damage literally means walking away from it or selling for $1 to the next dreamer.

Losing that 10% does not hurt us or our financial security demonstrably.

That said, the boats I really like would cost about 20%, but now that boat is becoming an asset. Boats are poor "investments" the majority of the time, so I get nervous thinking about spending that much.

So OP, run that exercise in your mind. If you're planning on putting 50% of your worth into a boat that you only want to own to 2 years, then yes, that's really really risky. You can mitigate that risk by buying a very marketable name brand like a Nordy or KK or such, which must be in spectacular condition so you don't need to invest much into upgrades. And then you need to have tremendous discipline not to go out and buy all the latest and fanciest toys and electronics and fun stuff. Just buy a boat in great shape, use it for 2 years, sell it for a (assumed) 20% loss, then go back to work.

Hope that helps

 

[JackConnick]

"Responsible", "Financial" and "Yacht" in the same sentence?

 

[Pprior]

FWIW I'm at spending about 5% of net worth (flat part of the depreciating curve) and that feels expensive - not a fan of opportunity costs and losing income. I do strongly disagree with anyone taking debt for a depreciating asset so I'm cash only. Operating costs are higher relative to cashflow. Probably 15-20% of after tax annual income which does tighten the budget elsewhere.

Rather than everyone explaining to the OP why he's right or wrong it might be more useful to simply answer with what *you* find appropriate. Understand why some prefer not to post it, and we all have different circumstances and financial strategies, but heck why not just answer the question?

 

[SteveK]

But @Pprior how am I supposed to work put your net worth with no details or picture of your boat? 5% of what.
Just tell us your net worth and the value of your boat and we will work out the %.

 

[Pprior]

But @Pprior how am I supposed to work put your net worth with no details or picture of your boat? 5% of what.
Just tell us your net worth and the value of your boat and we will work out the %.

I’m not understanding the point.

My guess is the majority of folk in this forum have a NW of between 1 and 10 M. Some people have 1-2M boats, some people have 50K boats. Probably the people with 9M don’t have 50K boats and probably the people with 1M don’t have 2M boats. Hence the concept of %.

I guess you're implying that people are reluctant to answer because knowing the boat owned and a percentage allows a backwards calculation of net worth, something that most people don't want to share publicly. Fair enough.

 

[ABfish]

How about "What percentage of my net worth am I comfortable with losing?"

Assume a $1 million boat plus $100,000 in upgrades after purchase for an "all in" of $1.1 million.

In 7 years, it has depreciated 25 percent, and your sales costs are 8 percent of original purchase price. Thirty-three percent of $1.1 million is $363,000.

Are you prepared to lose 33 percent of the purchase price?

The percentages are debatable, but the fact is that you will lose money on a boat in all but the most unusual circumstances.

 

[Wtrguy]

Most people buy a boat with no exit strategy.

Just curious, is letting the kids deal with it after I'm dead an exit strategy or an abdication of responsibility? The two kids that aren't really boaters are excited, the one that understands it is apprehensive.

 

[Delta Riverat]

Again, I can’t help here. My exit strategy has always been the boat would have no value and be sold for next to nothing.

Yeah, me too. Have bare bones insurance and and a cheap slip. The other nice thing about an old boat is you don't feel as bad every time you "ding the dock" and you will of course aided by wind and currents.

Of course, you all have much more experience than I who didn't even know how to start the engines at time of buy.

I guess the bottom line is get the best boat you can that allows you to sleep at night w/o worry of expenses and that will be different for everyone.

 

[dannc]

...
Look at the finances needed for a normal retirement life. Housing, food, everything. No wild luxury things thrown in, but include the cost going out to eat as much as your habit is to do that, the occasional 3 day weekend somewhere, and contingency for repairs. Include periodic vehicle replacement.

That's your base cost to live what is for your normal retirement life. Then, what assets does it take to do that, given reasonable financial return assumptions. That's your retirement baseline need.
...

Bingo.

That is what I was going to say. It takes money to live so how much will one spend if one has done the "normal" retirement?

What seems to get lost in these discussions, is that for most people, the reason to have a boat is to TRAVEL. The expense of TRAVEL is often not discussed. The boat is just the means used to TRAVEL. Is the boat expense worth what one gets to TRAVEL and how does the TRAVEL expense by boat compare to TRAVEL by other means?

The expense of living on a boat will likely be more than living on land, but one has to make sure to account for the cost of just living. That seems to get lost in these How Much Money Does It Cost To Live On A Boat discussions.

Just made up numbers but lets say one will spend $36,000 a year to eat, pay for a place to live, health care, transportation, power, cell phone, internet, food, etc., in a "normal" retirement.

If living on a boat would cost $56,000 a year, including one's living costs, then the boat is costing an extra $20,000 a year. The question then is, can one afford the extra boat expense AND is it worth the cost? The value of what one is getting with the boat is seldom considered on these money conversations.

How about "What percentage of my net worth am I comfortable with losing?"

Assume a $1 million boat plus $100,000 in upgrades after purchase for an "all in" of $1.1 million.

In 7 years, it has depreciated 25 percent, and your sales costs are 8 percent of original purchase price. Thirty-three percent of $1.1 million is $363,000.

Are you prepared to lose 33 percent of the purchase price?

The percentages are debatable, but the fact is that you will lose money on a boat in all but the most unusual circumstances.

Is on really losing $363,000?

I think most people who own a boat, due so to TRAVEL. The TRAVEL could be just to local lakes or around the world, but it is to TRAVEL.

To drive home my previous point about worth/value, if one can afford that 33% cost, $363,000 over seven years, or $52,000 a year, is it worth it? Was it worth $52,000 a year to travel, see places, experience different cultures, etc? Is it really a loss to travel and do what one has planned?

One also needs to include the cost of having a place to live. If one is living on the boat full time, part of the $56,000 a year expense, one might have to pay for a mortgage or rent payment so the boat expense might not be as high as one thinks.

But lets also assume the cost of a non "normal" retirement where one wants to travel extensively overseas. Depending on where one goes, this could be very expensive. If one wanted to spend three or six months in various European countries, for instance, the cost for a place to stay is going to be very high. And in many countries, the shortage of housing not only increases prices, but is forcing governments to limit AirBnB type of rentals, which means one might not be able to get a place to stay short of expensive hotels. The hotel expense could be so high that one can afford the travel.

How much would it cost to travel in Europe 12 months of the year just from a rental expensive perspective? One will have to move to a new country every 3-6 months due to visa and tax reasons which is an expense. Moving either with a boat or by land transport is going to be an expense. All of this has to be factored into the cost of TRAVELING.

Living on a boat is going to cost money. Living on land is going to cost money. TRAVELING is going to cost money.

What it really comes down to, is can one afford the cost of TRAVEL and is it worth what one paid.

 

[psneeld]

I would say most boaters are NOT cruisers. The fish, they anchor out at nearby sandbars, they ride over to their favorite restaurant, they do water sports, and on and on.

True most here either cruise or want to cruise which is a form of travel and that can be done in a variety of ways/costs. Some travel in small vessels and lodge/eat ashore... some stay aboard while anchored out or in marinas. Lot's of differences at lots of different cost levels.

As I posted back in #11, till one know what they want out of cruising, it's hard to even pick a boat and until you pick the boat, it's hard to estimate costs of the moving and maintaining the boat and then comes the cost of what you do while cruising.

Generic questions get generic answers. So until there is at least a rough sketch of the plan it will be really hard to determine the net worth question.

If it is just a ceiling question of how much net worth to use.... that's a quagmire because net worth then has to be organized into categories that can cash out for the boat purchase and another to maintain an income stream. That income stream has to be stable enough to provide the minimum to keep things moving without stress. Then a category for emergencies at whatever cushion makes one comfortable.

I liked the great answer that contained 3 different scenarios in life... the young and reckless couple, the overwhelmed middle-aged family, and the comfy retirement couple.

 

[l00smarble]

I actually do have a hard and fast answer for the OP. My perspective, don't spend more than 10% of your net worth (liquid and illiquid) on a boat. And make it in cash - no loans.

We have found that this is a reasonable amount of money that won't hurt us by its total loss. In addition, I have no plans to carry hull insurance anymore, so total loss or major damage literally means walking away from it or selling for $1 to the next dreamer.

Losing that 10% does not hurt us or our financial security demonstrably.

That said, the boats I really like would cost about 20%, but now that boat is becoming an asset. Boats are poor "investments" the majority of the time, so I get nervous thinking about spending that much.

So OP, run that exercise in your mind. If you're planning on putting 50% of your worth into a boat that you only want to own to 2 years, then yes, that's really really risky. You can mitigate that risk by buying a very marketable name brand like a Nordy or KK or such, which must be in spectacular condition so you don't need to invest much into upgrades. And then you need to have tremendous discipline not to go out and buy all the latest and fanciest toys and electronics and fun stuff. Just buy a boat in great shape, use it for 2 years, sell it for a (assumed) 20% loss, then go back to work.

Hope that helps

Thanks for the on-topic response. I agree that 10% seems quite reasonable through almost any lens. In fact I hinted in original post that maybe you should be worth $10M before blowing $1M on a boat.

Maybe inch it up a bit if careful with a strategy to preserve the asset and exit gracefully.

50% is out of the question in my mind.

My plan may be to find a boat that IS in need of some updates particularly in my trade where I can benefit from being able to source gear at wholesale and do the work myself or have my guys do it. This gives me an opportunity to make significant "front facing" upgrades at far less cost than what most others would have to pay. This part of the strategy hopefuly could make a boat that was less attractive to buyers (when I am a buyer) and then more attractive to buyers (when I am a seller.)

 

[mvweebles]

My plan may be to find a boat that IS in need of some updates particularly in my trade where I can benefit from being able to source gear at wholesale and do the work myself or have my guys do it. This gives me an opportunity to make significant "front facing" upgrades at far less cost than what most others would have to pay. This part of the strategy hopefuly could make a boat that was less attractive to buyers (when I am a buyer) and then more attractive to buyers (when I am a seller.)

Sweat equity in a boat almost never works. Frankly, buying a boat in good condition and keeping it there is tough enough. Starting the race from 50-yards back is really tough. Keep in mind there is almost nothing on a boat that won't sink if given the chance.

Strong case to be made for paying a premium for a boat in premium condition. Use it immediately, sell whenever you're ready. You won't see a fixer-upper with a name like "No Regrets" on the transom.......

Peter

 

[Mambo42]

Nobody lives forever, so if this is really what you want to do then it basically becomes a question how to finance this.
For me the acquisition of the boat was cash. After that all expenditures on the boat, living etc need to be paid by what I make each year through investments, so am not burning any capital there.
That does not mean we will spend without limit. We make a budget every year, based on fixed income of our investments. Any additional return on our investments are welcome, we won't spend it, it will just increase our budget for next year.
Do I expect to see any return of the money I spent on buying the boat ? Not really, I don't think we will sell the boat before I die, so it is up to my wife what she wants to do with the boat. She can keep it or sell it. If she sells it she has a bonus, but she will always have her fixed income each year and that will get her through life without a problem.
My advice would be to make sure you have your future expenses secure, so you don't need to worry about that. Whatever is left you can go spend on useless things like boats. And yes, they do cost a lot of money.

 

[Bacchus]

Agree. I only used Nordhavn as an example of a yacht that has a very flat deprecation curve after it is a few years old.

I think it is better to get a boat more suited to coastal/loop and if the bug bites and we want to keep going on going further we can upgrade to a XXXX (maybe Nordhavn.)

Your initial question is essentially - how much boat can I afford? - is IMO better answered by your financial advisor. Once you determine that forum members may have meaningful suggestions based on budget and intended use.
IMO (only) a good loop boat and an extended blue water cruising boat have very different requirements that won't necessarily interchange very well. I don't aspire to do either so my thoughts may be off base??

 

[BruceK]

It`s good the OP is thinking about the issue.
But it`s such a personal issue, involving personal worth, stage of life, competing responsibilities, family situation, health, income, appetite for risk, only one person can answer it, and that`s the OP. That said,some pointers along the way may help.
I doubt it comes down to percentage of anything. It`s what you are comfortable with. Can you service the initial and continuing outlay for the time you anticipate going boating? If yes, get going. If no, make some adjustments, or don`t proceed further.

 

[TodOneD]

Great points @dannc about boats as a tool for people who love to TRAVEL. Obviously, that doesn't apply to everyone, but it fits my perspective perfectly. Anyone who spends time traveling knows how expensive it can be. Traveling by boat and/or RV offers up opportunities to travel in a unique way (bringing your home along with you) and as you go you can make adjustments based on your budget (anchoring vs. marinas, how much gas you burn, etc.). Up until a year ago my upcoming retirement travel dreams were always focused on our RVs, but then I realized a boat was another exciting option. It is great to hear everyone's views.

 

[Delta Riverat]

I never thought of travel as much as I did of a second home. Sure you travel but it takes a whole day to get where you could drive in an hour and a half.

But a second home, a floating home that takes you where nobody is...

 

[socalrider]

Interesting discussion. My nightmare scenario is as follows:

1. I have a really good couple of years at work, make a ton of $$, get really excited, decide we're ready to cast off & cruise as a family for 2 years working remotely on a semi-sabbatical.

2. In a fit of optimism I extend myself on purchase price, getting a really nice boat (for me, say, $650k) in an expensive slip, and spend $100k on upgrades in preparation for the journey

3. Someone gets sick/hurt & we can't leave home. Economy tanks. Boat sits unused. Income dries up. Boat is unsellable, but OpEx stays the same on top of unexpected medical bills. Oldest kid's about to go to college.

4. I wake up in a cold sweat, grateful for my 45yo TT on a mooring ball.

 

[mvweebles]

Great points @dannc about boats as a tool for people who love to TRAVEL. Obviously, that doesn't apply to everyone, but it fits my perspective perfectly. Anyone who spends time traveling knows how expensive it can be. Traveling by boat and/or RV offers up opportunities to travel in a unique way (bringing your home along with you) and as you go you can make adjustments based on your budget (anchoring vs. marinas, how much gas you burn, etc.). Up until a year ago my upcoming retirement travel dreams were always focused on our RVs, but then I realized a boat was another exciting option. It is great to hear everyone's views.

Travel via boat or RV can be less expensive I suppose. We had a blast putting 35k miles on our camper van but it wasn't a cheap way to travel. We enjoyed the lifestyle but to be honest, driving our car and staying in a Hilton Garden Inn is cheaper, faster, and nice in its own way. Same with a boat - even a very modest and efficient boat such as our 1970 Willard 36, which is our magic carpet. We love the lifestyle and find it to be a good value for us. But "economical" is not a word found on our list of adjectives describing our boat or our lifestyle.

Peter

 

[l00smarble]

It`s good the OP is thinking about the issue.
But it`s such a personal issue, involving personal worth, stage of life, competing responsibilities, family situation, health, income, appetite for risk, only one person can answer it, and that`s the OP. That said,some pointers along the way may help.
I doubt it comes down to percentage of anything. It`s what you are comfortable with. Can you service the initial and continuing outlay for the time you anticipate going boating? If yes, get going. If no, make some adjustments, or don`t proceed further.

This is all true....absolutely. And there are many factors. But...at some point there is some proportional relationship between net worth and the amount of said worth that should be responsibly put into a depreciating asset. But one post here brought up a good point about three example boaters - one couple young and reckless, one middle aged and saddled with responsbilities, and one older/retired and living on their assets. I'm really focused more on the third category.

 

[l00smarble]

Interesting discussion. My nightmare scenario is as follows:

1. I have a really good couple of years at work, make a ton of $$, get really excited, decide we're ready to cast off & cruise as a family for 2 years working remotely on a semi-sabbatical.

2. In a fit of optimism I extend myself on purchase price, getting a really nice boat (for me, say, $650k) in an expensive slip, and spend $100k on upgrades in preparation for the journey

3. Someone gets sick/hurt & we can't leave home. Economy tanks. Boat sits unused. Income dries up. Boat is unsellable, but OpEx stays the same on top of unexpected medical bills. Oldest kid's about to go to college.

4. I wake up in a cold sweat, grateful for my 45yo TT on a mooring ball.

Good things to fear. But also my fears:

1. Making good money so keep working. We have enough but can you really be sure? How long am I going to live? Maybe work "just one more year"

2. Get old, sick, and/or die before doing more of the stuff I wanted to do. (I watched both sets of parents/inlaws get sick and die in their late 60s, early 70s with specific lifelong bucketlist items never fulfilled)

 

[SteveK]

Just retired May 31st.
I was making good money too. Could have kept making it, but I now wonder if I waited too long, time will tell. At 73 this boating is a lot harder than it was when I was just 72. Before it was a decade before I noticed a difference.
A dream remains a dream if you wait too long.
At least I have boated most of my life.

 

[Mac2]

Just retired May 31st.
I was making good money too. Could have kept making it, but I now wonder if I waited too long, time will tell. At 73 this boating is a lot harder than it was when I was just 72. Before it was a decade before I noticed a difference.
A dream remains a dream if you wait too long.
At least I have boated most of my life.

Congratulations on retiring! I’m always intrigued when someone on this forum starts relating their age to their ability to boat. What makes it harder for you in the last year? Is it the boat or you? I want to extend this lifestyle as long as possible. I’m thinking the robots will help with the washing, waxing, and maintenance in the future, so just need to make it that long.