Boat owners

[Aaronon38s]

The girlfriend wants to buy a boat, but she said she heard of it costing $500 in gas for a couple days of fun?!! I used my buddies boats before, but never asked about the cost of operating. Looking for a boat with a small cabin and able to ski with (20'-25'). Anybody do much boating around here and could that cost be right?

[Spongebob]

It really depends on the type of boat, the load in the boat, how fast your going and of course the engine size. Currently I have a 17' Bayliner that has the 3.0 liter Mercruiser Alpha 1. I can do 40MPH on flat water but at that speed I burn through the gas very quickly. That speed is at WOT (wide open throttle) which is about 4800 RPM and isn't very efficient fuel wise but it gets me from one end of the lake to another fairly quick. My optimum cruise speed is about 25 MPH (3200 RPM) and burns a lot less fuel. My boat is also not fuel injected which would really help things out.

Figure on spending at least one to two dollars more per gallon of fuel if you choose to gas up at the marinas on the lakes. When we go to lake Powell we haul an extra 30 gallons of gas so that we don't need to gas up at the marina.

When we go to lake powell, for a 4 day weekend, I burn about 100 gallons of gas between the truck and the boat (the boat also needs to run on 91 octane), so this last trip it cost me about $325 in fuel costs.

If your going to buy a boat here are a couple of recommendations:

1. Don't buy a new boat. Shop around and find a good used Four Winns or a Chaparral.
2. Make sure that it is fuel injected. These engines run a lot more efficiently.
3. Find out if the warranty is transferable. Usually, this will result in a $100 transfer fee.
4. Don't get caught up in goodies on the boat like a stereo, tilt helm etc. as you can add all of this stuff later and save a lot of money.
5. Check out the trailer thoroughly! Make sure it is road worthy.

Boating is a lot of fun and can be a cheap getaway for the family on weekends, but it can really turn into a money pit. Also, you may want to consider a bowrider rather than a cuddy as it is a lot nicer for riding on Arizona lakes.


Good luck,

[knockonit]

Being a boat owner is the same as being a jeep owner the mods never stop, i have owned jet boats, direct drive, pickle forks, cruisers, sailboats, just got rid of a bass boat that would make your eyes water it was so fast.
I presently have a 20 ft. pontoon, that in my opinion is much more fun, wont
pull the teenagers fast enough, but am looking at a small jet today to remedy that.
NO matter what you buy, it'll suck fuel, never have enough fuel on board and buying fuel at the lake is expensive. It is the cost of being a boat owner, if you have never owned a boat, I highly suggest taking one of the boating glasses offered by the local game and fish or the coast guard, it could save you dollars at the lake and perhaps a life.
At present only two places is speed typically not an issue unless posted, the lake and the air. I have recieved warnings by joes boys for pulling someone too fast on skis or otherwise.
But we were practicing for speed skiing and they just didn't get it.
Well good luck on your new adventure, and heed the previous posters advise, buy used and trade up or down after you figure out what works for your needs, its much cheaper and easier.
good boating.

[ThumpAZ]

You may want to look into boats in the Southeastern coastal states. like the Gulf side of FL.
The money you save purchasing the boat MORE than pays for the transport fees to get it out here. You can easily come out a thousand or two ahead by doing this.
Plus, you might get lucky and find a salt water equipped boat for cheap. This means that it'll have all stainless and other corrosion resistant internals, so the engine will simply live longer with standard maintenance... especially in fresh water.

Just to give you an idea, my brother got a 31' cabin cruiser, with trailer and salt water-equipped twin 351 V-8's for $10K in Pensacola, FL. All that the boat needed was a good cleaning and the fuel injectors cleaned/replaced (Throttle body injection, so 4 injectors at $60 a piece)
He just recently sold the boat when he moved back to AR (don't ask me why). Sold it in AR, had had the boat for 5 years, ran it probably 600-800 hours off shore and got 17K out of it! A $7K profit on something that he had for five years and should have depreciated.

Example out of New Orleans:
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/boa/186186250.html

Wow, looking through some of the listings... either they all got smart, or there just aren't a lot of boats left after last season's hurricanes LOL

[RickBeer]

B O A T
Break Out Another Thousand
I sure miss mine :( But I am glad I am not still paying for the maintence repairs, & especially the @ssholes out on the water on the jet ski's :eek:

[TRobertsRN]

If you are talking about a jet boat then yes you could spend that in gas.

For boating I believe in the 4 to 1 rule.

If the boat is new you take the payment and multiply that by 4 for a budget of repairs, maintaince, insurance, storage and gas if you use it once a month.

For a typical weekend of water skiing I usually spent about 100-200 dollars on gas. This is with an open bow I/O 18 footer with a 305 V-8. Bigger engine or bigger boat more dollars.

Older boat plan to spend more on repairs.

Used boat be sure to take it for a test drive.


Ditto on the safety classes, they will make you safer and usually save you money on insurance.

What will you be towing it with? This will important as a overloaded tow vehicle will won't stop in a reasonable distance.






dollars.

[DREDnot]

As a former boat owner, They are indeed a hole in the water that you throw money into.

You will most asuredly be $$$ ahead if you just rent a nice one when you want to use it.

A boat is great and a lot of fun but it will steadily burn your cash like an airplane or horses.

Try renting first.

[Aaronon38s]

Good idea on the renting, as neither one of use have actually "owned" a boat yet. I found out real quick that used was the way to go. Looking to spend around $25K. And for the tow vehicle, '98 Dodge 3500 CTD dually. I knew I bought it big for a reason :) .
Saw a few around the area with 5.7L engines (I think that should be fine, right? Only looking to ski recreationally, no speed skiing). Does everybody keep there boat in storage or at a lake marina? (At the house isn't an option for me..HOA) And what lakes are close to the south Phoenix metro area? And one more beginner question, what's the difference between bowriders and cuddies?
Thanks for all the input.

[Spongebob]

Good idea on the renting, as neither one of use have actually "owned" a boat yet. I found out real quick that used was the way to go. Looking to spend around $25K. And for the tow vehicle, '98 Dodge 3500 CTD dually. I knew I bought it big for a reason :) .
Saw a few around the area with 5.7L engines (I think that should be fine, right? Only looking to ski recreationally, no speed skiing). Does everybody keep there boat in storage or at a lake marina? (At the house isn't an option for me..HOA) And what lakes are close to the south Phoenix metro area? And one more beginner question, what's the difference between bowriders and cuddies?
Thanks for all the input.


Your tow vehicle is plenty good for a 20' boat. I would highly recommend that you go with a Chaparral or a Four Winns. Bayliners are good boats, don't get me wrong......I've had two of them. They are great beginner boats, but they are very plain and simple and the craftsmanship isn't the best. If you get one, in a years time you'll be wanting more.

The 5.7 liter engine is more than enough power for a 20' boat. You should be getting 50 to 55 MPH in a boat that size with that motor. There are a lot of other factors such as weight, prop type/size etc. but that is just a rule of thumb.

As for storage, There are plenty of places around town where you can leave your boat. I too have an HOA. I spend about $65 a month on boat storage. This is probably a little bit more than normal, but I have a larger spot so that I don't need to worry when I get a bigger boat.

Just about every lake around Phoenix is a lot of fun. I go to lake Pleasant quite a bit, but my favorite is Lake Powell. There is more shoreline at Powell than on the west coast of the U.S.

The difference between a cuddy and a bowrider is that the forward part of the bow on a cuddy is enclosed forming a sleeping area. A bowrider is open up front for people to sit. During summer boating, this is the best part of the boat IMO as you get the cool breeze when traveling down the lake.

Boating can be a pretty expensive hobby, but it is just as rewarding. Sure, boats cost a lot of money but what doesn't anymore? My boat has paid for itself time and time again as we use it all the time during the summer months for camping at the lake and I fish quite a bit during the spring and fall months. Just take your time and find the boat that is right for you. Test drive it and look over it very thoroughly. You may even want to have a professional take a look at it to make sure that you're not winding up with a lemon. Check out how much storage it has too as storage space is premium on a boat.


Good luck!

[Spongebob]

Here is the boat that I am getting in February. It is a 24' Chaparral Deckboat.

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6623&stc=1&d=1154352825

[ThumpAZ]

Good idea on the renting, as neither one of use have actually "owned" a boat yet. I found out real quick that used was the way to go. Looking to spend around $25K. And for the tow vehicle, '98 Dodge 3500 CTD dually. I knew I bought it big for a reason :) .
Saw a few around the area with 5.7L engines (I think that should be fine, right? Only looking to ski recreationally, no speed skiing). Does everybody keep there boat in storage or at a lake marina? (At the house isn't an option for me..HOA) And what lakes are close to the south Phoenix metro area? And one more beginner question, what's the difference between bowriders and cuddies?
Thanks for all the input.
Actually... you CAN keep a boat in an HOA, or a RV for that matter...
If the house was offered with an "RV gate" then you can park an RV or boat alongside the house behind the fence. They are "Recreational Vehicles" and thus are exactly what that wider gate was offered for. You have to make sure that the options sheet for the house said RV Gate or it won't work.
My next door neighbor went through exactly this issue with his boat. All it took was a letter to the HOA/Mgmt Co that his house was offered with this option, and that he is using it for its intended purpose. And he has a Malibu, with the overhead ski rigging, lights and speakers. Never had another problem with the HOA after that... and his next door neighbor (other side) HATES him (property damage, police-involved, court case type of hate). They hate me, too because of the above... I'm the one who witnessed the property damage, called the cops and was the key witness in the court case... and thay have tried to get me on stuff before. You just have t be polite to the board/Mgmt Co and state your case logically without getting ticked off.
The CC&R's are rules that are handled with interpretation and you'll sometimes have different interpretations... both of which are legal. Most times, though, they'll bow down before a court case as they don't have the money, or simply don't want to spend the money, to take you to court.

[Aaronon38s]

Actually... you CAN keep a boat in an HOA, or a RV for that matter...
If the house was offered with an "RV gate" then you can park an RV or boat alongside the house behind the fence. They are "Recreational Vehicles" and thus are exactly what that wider gate was offered for. You have to make sure that the options sheet for the house said RV Gate or it won't work.
My next door neighbor went through exactly this issue with his boat. All it took was a letter to the HOA/Mgmt Co that his house was offered with this option, and that he is using it for its intended purpose. And he has a Malibu, with the overhead ski rigging, lights and speakers. Never had another problem with the HOA after that... and his next door neighbor (other side) HATES him (property damage, police-involved, court case type of hate). They hate me, too because of the above... I'm the one who witnessed the property damage, called the cops and was the key witness in the court case... and thay have tried to get me on stuff before. You just have t be polite to the board/Mgmt Co and state your case logically without getting ticked off.
The CC&R's are rules that are handled with interpretation and you'll sometimes have different interpretations... both of which are legal. Most times, though, they'll bow down before a court case as they don't have the money, or simply don't want to spend the money, to take you to court.
True, but unfortunately I don't have a gate. If I did, it would be where my Jeep trailer went, but after a couple warnings, I had to rent a space. Not bad though, $46 for a 30' lot. If I could just somehow stack the boat on the Jeep hauler :rolleyes: . And she really wants a cabin so a cuddy is probably more her style. BTW, this is my first year here. Do you still boat during winter months (up in South Dakota, it wasn't really an option)?

[Spongebob]

I use my boat year round for fishing and camping. It's a great form of entertainment.

[ThumpAZ]

yup, just take a waterproof jacket.

[ThumpAZ]

True, but unfortunately I don't have a gate.
It doesn't matter if you HAVE the gate, if it was an option with the house when built (assuming you're in a tract subdivision), then you can add it with the architectural approval BS and then start parking behind it, provided you put in a concrete pad so as not to sink into the ground.

[weasel_ugs]

The girlfriend wants to buy a boat, but she said she heard of it costing $500 in gas for a couple days of fun?!! I used my buddies boats before, but never asked about the cost of operating. Looking for a boat with a small cabin and able to ski with (20'-25'). Anybody do much boating around here and could that cost be right?
A guy I work with said his friend paid $3750 to fill his boat in the Bahamas:eek: ! I think it may have been a big boat but it was only a few days use:D . Don

[Aaronon38s]

A guy I work with said his friend paid $3750 to fill his boat in the Bahamas:eek: ! I think it may have been a big boat but it was only a few days use:D . Don

Yeah, that sounds like more than a 20'-25' boat. I'm not taking a loan out every weekend to go skiing in the bahamas.
What's the rough cost of insurance and registration?

[Spongebob]

Insurance will depend on the year of your boat, but I pay about $400 a year (I think) for mine for full coverage. My boat is a 2003 model. If I remember correctly, registration was about $15 this last year. You'll definately spend more money on gas than on insurance and registration.