Cost aside - where is the comraderie, and time with friends and family in flying? That is what boating is all about. I just don't think you would get the same experience with flying. It's a much more individualistic hobby. I'm not saying you wouldn't meet great people in the aero community but you would just have a harder time hanging out with 5 of your friends/family, having a few cocktails, listening to music, and enjoying your weekend.

Just my .02

i made the same decision and am going the sport plane route amphib, the cost of the airplane is not bad and the maint and fuel cost are greatly reduced as you dont need avaition fuel-runs on regular, no annual or 100 hr inspections, all composite hull- no corrosion- runs a rotax motor with cruise speed 115, and a 600 mile range on 24 gallons.. i am a a& p though not current and after weighing all the facts chose this plane ,http://seamaxusa.com/ , and i can store it at home no tie down fee's

Get one of these........solves both problems:D

If you're thinking kit plane, there are a lot of options there, from a box of parts to a partial pre assembled. A friend of mine was building a RV-6A (well respected kit company and lots of units completed and flying) before he passed away, he was part of a group of RV owners and builders, lots of comraderie and hanger time with his buddies. He got involved in the local EAA fly ins too. Just my .02.

Why not pick up a Quarter Horse while you're at it...... :D

Join the Army and they will teach you how to fly for free. Actually, they will pay you. You can even choose from a couple different types of helicopters(real ACFT, not the 'RC' helicopters covering boat races).

How many girls in bikini's can you fit in a helicopter????

Truest statement ever posted on OSO.

I would say the planes we're cheaper to maintain & fly then the boats ,The 172 & Piper Arrow were'nt to Badd but the V Tail Bonanza was a lil costly Lots of funn and we rocked from CHI to Marathon Florida in 6 hour 15 with a fuel stop and that is the chit .For us the plane thing got old and seems nobody wanted to go fly around any more & after having to make a Emergency landing in FT Myers with 3 kidz in the back seat and complete with fire trucks & planes cleared off the runways was a good time to try boating .Seems like the boats are more xpensive but always somebody ready to jump in and party the weekend away .my .02 :cool-smiley-027:

Cause they are even more expensive than boating!