Owning a Boat - worth it ??? (Edison, Toms River: for rent, how much, to buy)

[lplkemc]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

Wow, lots of discouraging comments here. Looks like it would cost me about $5,500 to dock it for the year in JC.

I think it'd be worth it, seeing that it's a quick walk to where it'd be docked. Would be great to entertain guests that visit town, even clients...especially since I am a half-mile from NYC and even closer to Statue of Liberty. 4th of July, when the fireworks are all over the NYC harbor. I guess I'll have to think about it...

I think you should go for it. Just be sure you know what you are buying. First decide on what kind of boat. Be sure to take a course offered by the coast guard/power squadron. My parents did this when they got their first boat. It helped immensely as at that time (and probably still) you didn't need any kind of licensing to own and operate a boat. Kind of like rules of the water, including boats under sail always have right-of-way.

We did have many years of enjoyment with our boats. My parents have always had a house boat or a cruiser (selling the cruiser now). The parties we had on board were great as well. Enjoy!

[desertsun41]

Dont let all those negative comments scare you. Either you buy a boat because you love boatng or you buy a boat to show off and keep up with the Jones's.

There is no feelng quite like being out on the water. How many times I brought my fishing gear and instead just cruised and cruised and cruised instead. It's a great feeling.

Other then the major expense of docking fees, you have spring tune up, oil change, flush and of course the cost of gas or gas/oil mix to cruise. Nothing much different then owning a second car. Insurance is very cheap.

DO TAKE THE FREE BOATING COURSE BYTHE COAST GUARD AUX.

If you think you will save money by parking your boat at home rather then docking and paying for a slip you would be wrong. Just take a drive around your neighborhood and look at the boats parked in the driveways or yards. They have leaves and grass growing around them. They are never used.

If you come home from a hard day and want to take a quick boat ride you have to go home, uncover the boat, hook it up, drive it to the launch ramp, pay $15 or more to launch, and do it all by yourself if you feel like going alone. If you keep it moored, you just drive to the marina, park your car, walk to your boat, start it and go go go.

I paid $950 a season at Barns Bros on Lake Hopatcong in Mt. Arlington. Most marinas were about that price but that was from 1990 to 1998 so it probably is more now. Sometimes I pulled out the boat and towed it down to Raritan Bay and went up the Shrewsbury or the Navisink Rivers to do some Blue Claw Crabbing.

Boating is a lifestyle. And winter boating is fantastic. Nearly everyone pulls out their boat out on Labor Day. From that point on we had the whole lake to ourselves till ice formed. If there was no ice then I was out there. I have pictures of me in my boat on the Lower Delaware River with 5' of snow on the ground. Im in front poking the ice with a bar so we can navigate out to the fish. That is obsession.

Hope I shed some light on your questions.......

[JBrown]

The thing is these toys don't maintain themselves. If you're handy and learn from others around you save money but at the expense of some of your free time. Otherwise you pay the marina to do things....and they liked to get paid too...
A lot of all this depends on what size and kinda boat you're thinking of... A seventeen footer that your trailer ? or a 30 footer with a pair or a trio or Honda 350s hanging off the stern.. A open Boston Whaller or a sport boat to pull a pair of skiers... new or old ??

Go to your local Barnes & Noble and read some the boating magazines....go to a boat show...there's lots of choices to be made.

I will tell you this though...for me it's sailing off shore...no roar of a motor...just the gurggle of water passing by and the wind in the sails
and at night...it's magical...

To each his own

[JERSEY MAN]

Go for it Tommy if money isn't a problem. I've owned boats since 1982. As others have said definitely do the basic Coast Guard Auxiliary boating skills and seamanship. Just be careful with the Hudson River as there is a very strong tidal flow that can run up to 7 or 8 knots at times. So docking can become a challenge for a novice.

[Doorway]

Originally Posted by tommyc_37

Honestly, I'm not worried about the money, so long as it enhances my lifestyle.

Sounds like a Viagra commercial !

[FlyersFan]

I'm 61 and over the years I've spent many vacations on large, powered, vacation houseboat rentals traveling through the 1000 Islands, up the Rideau Waterway from Kingston on Lake Ontario to Ottawa and also through the Trent-Severn Waterway that runs from Lake Ontario all the way around to Great Georgian Bay. Its a very peaceful, rewarding way to live....even if its just for a few years while you have good health. It would be nice once retired to able able to live on one for a few years, perhaps down in Florida, and maybe traveling up the intercoastal wayterway seeing the sights.....even just to come home and be able to motor out for a weekend and drop anchor and do a little fishing...a little bar-b-queing....a little snorkeling.....mmmyabe do nothing at all and just watch the sunset with a glass of wine......and no worries. I've done this for a few weeks at a time and I always find it very difficult to leave the lifestyle behind.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by Doorway

Sounds like a Viagra commercial !

[joe moving]

is the dock a walk or drive from your house/flat??

My parents have a boat down in FL . We have not had to do anything to it, but clean it. With the new EFI motors there is not much to do. There is always the battery issue - if you do not use the boat - you will want to either disconnect the battery, or put a solar trickle charger on it.

for me, boats are scary. i am always afraid of running aground or who knows what else.

[desertsun41]

JBrown brought something up that I forgot to mention in my long winded post. Yes indeed you should go to a boat show to buy your new boat.

These local shows mark down boats as well as RVs big time. I dont think your going to find any big bargains in the huge boat show at the rip off Jacab Javitts center in NY so hit your local shows.

These shows will also give you a chance to look at many different brands because at your local boat dealer they usually only carry one or two brands. In addition the sales people at these shows are the most knowledgeable. You see.. those sales people earn the right to do these shows from the places they work, and dummies dont set sales numbers on fire. So you know you have a salesperson that can answer all your questions who you can trust is the best.

When I bought mine, included in the sale they launched my boat the first time while I watched and took tips. They also went on the first ride with me to give me more tips.

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by Doorway

Sounds like a Viagra commercial !

Hahahahahahaha.