Boats

[westcoastrider1982]

Every summer I get boat envy! I absolutely love being out on the water.
Don’t have deep pockets so would definitely go the used route.
Like the idea of a 20’ runabout bow rider style with an inboard/outboard engine with a swim platform off the stern.
Would be used for pulling my kids around the lake on a tube, eventually skis and wake boards as they get older and trips up to okanagan lake. Maybe also throwing out the occasional fishing rod.
Looking through the ads many people mention “never been in salt water” Is running one of these boats in salt a death sentence for the engine and leg? Damn shame since our coast line is absolutely stunning too!
Thinking a Merc 5.0 would be the best choice for the engine as I’m a bigger fan of more power only when needed rather than say running a 4.3 harder. I relate that to owning a couple V6 trucks that pretty much got the same shitty fuel economy as my current V8 truck.
I’ve never pulled the trigger on a boat because for one my ex-wife thought it was the most ridiculous idea I ever had and I realize on paper boats absolutely make zero sense as renting is always your best option!
If it flys, floats or fucks it’s cheaper to rent lol!

Anyone have any advice or know of any good local clubs/forums for boating newbies?

 

[sensualsixty]

A boat is defined as a "hole in the water into which you pour copious quantities of money". Nonetheless, I empathize with you, even though my hangup was sailing. My boats' names all included some variation of "Obesssion".

 

[justwannahavefun]

I purchased my lifetime dream boat earlier this year and am glad I finally pulled the trigger. I knew going into it that it would probably be a money pit and was prepared for that. So if you are in that place, go for it!
As far as learning the ropes, I found that there is a lot of good information on various facebook groups, if you weed through the bullshit and drama. I just googled using various keywords to find forums, but I don't remember what words I used. Check out the i boat forums as well as various water sport and fishing groups.
Regarding salt water, I have had my boat in it a few times and am not worried about it. I had anodes installed and I am that guy at the boat launch flushing and rinsing everything forever. You know, the guy who pisses everyone off because he is creating a line up of people waiting for the flush station. When I get the boat home, she gets a complete wash in and out as well as the trailer. Lots of work but worth it if you like the salt water.
Have fun with it!

 

[Lo-ki]

Salt water clean up is the key for a long life for the boat and trailer...... it's a MUST......

 

[nightswhisper]

I massively discourage you from purchasing.

Your idea of what a boat can bring into your life are often illusions that will never ever materialize.

1. Storage (Moorage) costs, Winterization costs, Financing costs, Trailer Costs, Insurance Costs will make any regular boat cost at least $3000 a year on top of their sticker price, and that's being on the low side

2. Unless you grew up in a maritime family, you'll almost find every reason to not be on a boat - Too cold, too rainy, too gloomy. Vancouver has a shockingly short boat season for amateur or enthusiasts - Only 3 and a half months.

By comparison, renting:

1. 4 hours of a speedboat on a lake costs $300. You could go to a lake and play with that thing 10 times in the summer for what you pay in moorage.

2. Rent a whole pontoon and host 10 people for $800 a day on the water, while eating and BBQing. You'll do this no more than once or twice a year.

3. You can charter a massive 65 - 75 foot yacht for $$2500 a day. Blow $10,000 and you'll get to drive a yacht you'll never own for a week, without ever worrying about the maintenance. And trust me, it gets old faster than you think.

And you can split the costs.

 

[Amuse0ne]

Sailing / yachting: the art of slowly going no where at great expense. I believe there may also be a quote from Mother Shipton "Your destinations shall always lay to windward"

 

[nmjoff]

Owning a boat is worth every cent if you use it
There are so many new and amazing places that you can access...
A pot full of Dungeness crab freshly cooked is priceless
"Nightday" is right get an welded aluminum boat with an outboard just hose it off after you are done and flush the motor and trailer.
pm me if you need any help...

 

[EuroSZabina]

I massively discourage you from purchasing.

Your idea of what a boat can bring into your life are often illusions that will never ever materialize.

1. Storage (Moorage) costs, Winterization costs, Financing costs, Trailer Costs, Insurance Costs will make any regular boat cost at least $3000 a year on top of their sticker price, and that's being on the low side

2. Unless you grew up in a maritime family, you'll almost find every reason to not be on a boat - Too cold, too rainy, too gloomy. Vancouver has a shockingly short boat season for amateur or enthusiasts - Only 3 and a half months.

By comparison, renting:

1. 4 hours of a speedboat on a lake costs $300. You could go to a lake and play with that thing 10 times in the summer for what you pay in moorage.

2. Rent a whole pontoon and host 10 people for $800 a day on the water, while eating and BBQing. You'll do this no more than once or twice a year.

3. You can charter a massive 65 - 75 foot yacht for $$2500 a day. Blow $10,000 and you'll get to drive a yacht you'll never own for a week, without ever worrying about the maintenance. And trust me, it gets old faster than you think.

And you can split the costs.

Well said. Filling up cost is crazy expensive and when you are out on the boat you can't relax much, there's always something to do on it.
Just get a paddle board. Pretty much free to operate it lol and you are on the water.

 

[CDNVT]

Salt water clean up is the key for a long life for the boat and trailer...... it's a MUST......

SO very true !

Every summer I get boat envy! I absolutely love being out on the water.
Don’t have deep pockets so would definitely go the used route.
If it flys, floats or fucks it’s cheaper to rent lol!

Thats the name of Jims P boat

I massively discourage you from purchasing.

Your idea of what a boat can bring into your life are often illusions that will never ever materialize.

1. Storage (Moorage) costs, Winterization costs, Financing costs, Trailer Costs, Insurance Costs will make any regular boat cost at least $3000 a year on top of their sticker price, and that's being on the low side

2. Unless you grew up in a maritime family, you'll almost find every reason to not be on a boat - Too cold, too rainy, too gloomy. Vancouver has a shockingly short boat season for amateur or enthusiasts - Only 3 and a half months.

By comparison, renting:

1. 4 hours of a speedboat on a lake costs $300. You could go to a lake and play with that thing 10 times in the summer for what you pay in moorage.

2. Rent a whole pontoon and host 10 people for $800 a day on the water, while eating and BBQing. You'll do this no more than once or twice a year.

3. You can charter a massive 65 - 75 foot yacht for $$2500 a day. Blow $10,000 and you'll get to drive a yacht you'll never own for a week, without ever worrying about the maintenance. And trust me, it gets old faster than you think.

And you can split the costs.

Above can be so true also

Bring On Another Thousand.

I live on the water. Neighbours have killer boats that keep the dock afloat. They literally never use them.

Having said that, nothing wrong with salt water use as long as the motor has been rinsed with f/w, lifted out of the water when not in use. Inboard/outboards should have a salt water heat exchanger, but I would recommend outboards. Also, make sure that the boat is not covered with barnacles and mussels. If kept in s/w hulls should have anti fouling paint applied.

I lived on My Sailing Cutter rigged ketch for years in Coal harbor in the winter and Eagle harbor in the summer, If you use a fresh water boat in the salt chuck , in a few years problems will arise .
First i would get a license and have marine courses of the traffic bouy system,then renting is much quicker and EZ.
Buy YOUR-SELF a pop out life vest and always wear it on board , It makes boat life so much nicer.
If you buy a salt powered boat and use it only sometimes in the ocean , then slip the boat up west van or Lions Bay http://www.lionsbaymarina.com/

Your trailer will not see salt water , thats the killer for trailers , I had a salt water trailer for my tender (Boston Whaler with merc salt engine )
Tenders are used to get to shore while the sail boat was at anchor .
Boats are expensive , but if you dry launch the boat , the trailer will last the life of the boat.

I now live on a farm , no more web feet !

Be safe
VT

 

[girth-brooks]

If it flys, floats or fucks, it's cheaper to rent...

 

[CanineCowboy]

Having grown up the son of sailing enthusiasts, a sailboat is as good an investment as you make it. The boating season is much longer than the 3.5 months nightswhisper has suggested - we sailed year round. Not only did we go day sailing almost every weekend, we spent weekends and summer vacations exploring the coast.

As long as you don't buy new, sailboats can be very reasonable to buy and hold their value better than cars and don't require the massive amounts of fuel that powerboats require.

 

[CDNVT]

Above is very true , but you need to be a smart tech . Lots of work to do on any vessel .
been on boats since 60's.
You start to hire techs your investment is a Money Pit !!

If it flys, floats or fucks, it's cheaper to rent...

Vessel was a money even , Ex was a total loss , Quite Bee is as the boat was ,,,, like the Vessel , pays it's way .MD 902 !