Numbers sound high??? I live on the Gulf Coast where all the experts say that we should be getting 3-4 cat 3+ h-canes a year. Yea right>> it aint going to happen. BUT the insurance companies in all their wisdom are (profitering)killing us on premiums, if you can even get it. A new 38 ft Lightening with 1000+ HP valued at 300K will cost you 5500 per year with windstrom. compared to a one year old 35 Lightening with <1000 HP (2x496s) valued at 180K runs 1700 per year. Based on 90 hours of operation a year and you dont live at WOT your avg fuel costs (@3.35gal) should around 2800.00. A gated marina, coverd slip with a 15K lift runs 400.00 per month. If you can do the bulk of your more simple maint you will save big time. However, when major problems arise they can get costly. I rotate/change boats every 3 years, staying with 1-2 year old or newer boat with low-low hours. Its a little costly but it keeps me out of the big time maint costs we tend to find on go-fast boats. I have found that maintenance cost skyrocket at the 3-4 year point. And I am of the opinion that I
do not want to turn my hobby into a job, when I get the compunction to go boating> the boat is always ready.

Here were my costs last year - 04 35 Executioner 2 x 496HOs

Payment - $3912 - $326 per month
Marina Fees $3350
Insurance $900
Maintenance $3500
Gas $6000 - 87 hours

Total was $17,662
Now add in the very real depreciation cost of $10,000 a year and you have it at $27,662

Two words that do not go together> Economical and Boating how about the phrase>> I got a great deal on my new boat.
or when you go to the mechanic with a problom and claim
Oh its proably somthing simple and should not take long to fix

I have a 2000 35 Lighting with 500 EFI and the boat cost about 30K a year when it is all said and done.

Ive always said up here that a 4 month long boating season aint nessesarily a bad thing.........

(un)fortunately its year round in BVI

That looks like an excellent price for insurance! What is the company or underwriter?

fbrs glad to have you as a new owner. you got a great boat. FOUNTAINS ROCK!!!!!!

David, sorry was calling you Kahn earlier... doh , yes i hope to, in my nearest marina there's a fountain centre console fisher, i guess about 31', (im sure it was twin 300's :-) ) - thats on a hoist, on some floats, all looked a bit flimsy to me - couldnt figure it out. theres loads of secure 'parking' near all the marinas here, (hundreds of yachts), so might end up just trailering it out the water each time and leaving it very close by... not absolutely convinced my little grand vitara is up to hauling 4.5 ton up a ramp though!

... not absolutely convinced my little grand vitara is up to hauling 4.5 ton up a ramp though![/QUOTE]

Hi Francis,
I don't know too much about a Grand Vitara, but it is small and light. My Fountain on an Aluminum trailer has about 1000pounds of tongue weight, and you are correct it weighs about 10K on the trailer. I think a 1/2 ton 4x4 pick up might be the minimum that would do the job on a launch ramp, and even then you wouldn't want to go too far or too fast. I tow mine with a Ford Super Duty Diesel long bed crew cab 4x4 and it does a good job.