Why so few young people?
12-03-2014 | 09:47 AM
#171
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 13
From: Florida
"if you have the money for a boat that's $150K why not run it every weekend". A point I tried to make earlier. It cost hundred's of dollars to run it. In the beginning when it is new perhaps you would take it out for a quick blast, but the reality is they are a lot of work. It's the same work no matter what you do. So, I think you find yourself using it more for a particular purpose..........meaning poker run's or group fun run's. Does this answer make sense?
12-03-2014 | 09:50 AM
#172
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 616
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From: New Bern, NC
I am 27, I bought my first performance style boat three years ago, and it's the boat I currently have 94 Baja 260. I paid 5,000 for the boat, the boat was in Clearwater beach Florida, and the guy that I bought the boat from inherited the boat and the condo that is was located at. The drain plug was left in while the boat was on a boat lift the cockpit of the boat filled about knee deep with rain water after years of it sitting. I rebuilt the motor myself, I build massive Diesel engines for generators for a living. I have redone all the stringers from the windshield to the bow, this winter I will be redoing everything from the windshield to the transom ( floors, stringers, bulkheads,transom). Right now as the boat sits with purchase of a trailer I have 12,000 into it. There is no way I could afford this boat if I was unable to perform the repairs and maintenance myself. I also have a good network of friends in my home town that pull together to help each other, as well as the vast amount of information/advise on OSO. And you can fish off a performance boat I have caught many of cat fish standing on the swim platform haha.
12-03-2014 | 10:12 AM
#173
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,628
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From: Huntsville, AL
Here is my take. I'm 26 and just bought my first powerboat (271 fastech). I grew up on the water, dad skied for the University of Alabama, as did I. While I was in college, he and I jointly purchased a wakeboard boat. I spent most of time skiing, very little time boating.
Later in college I met some new friends and one of them had a fountain 24cs. Was the fastest boat I'd ever been in and I was hooked. I had fast cars and motorcycles through school, but had never considered going fast on the water. I also met a few more friends, one of which had a 251 baja. They introduced me to this.
So fast forward to a few months before graduation, I had a good job, cash stacked up in the bank, and I was getting ready to go buy mid 20's foot eliminator. I was going to go REAAAAAAL ****ing fast on the water. Well, come to find out, I knocked up my girlfriend now wife. Needless to say, I didn't buy a boat, instead I bought a house. After the kid, the house, a diesel truck, and a lot of debt, I got my boat. Granted it wasn't the hotrod that I wanted, but its a great boat for our little family. My little girl loves it and my wife tolerates it. Lets also mention that my boat is my most expensive asset outside of house (INSANE).
I think the cost keeps 99.9% of my generation out of this hobby. Only reason I get to play is because I have good job that allows me to do all of that. I also agree with most of generation not being able to do the maintance, much less real repair work. Thankfully I don't fall into that category, and that helps offset some of the cost. And lastly I think priorities play a big factor. Most kids my age don't have friends doing this, so they have no desire to do it. My group of friends for the main part is like me and grew up on the water so we were all bred to do this.
Later in college I met some new friends and one of them had a fountain 24cs. Was the fastest boat I'd ever been in and I was hooked. I had fast cars and motorcycles through school, but had never considered going fast on the water. I also met a few more friends, one of which had a 251 baja. They introduced me to this.
So fast forward to a few months before graduation, I had a good job, cash stacked up in the bank, and I was getting ready to go buy mid 20's foot eliminator. I was going to go REAAAAAAL ****ing fast on the water. Well, come to find out, I knocked up my girlfriend now wife. Needless to say, I didn't buy a boat, instead I bought a house. After the kid, the house, a diesel truck, and a lot of debt, I got my boat. Granted it wasn't the hotrod that I wanted, but its a great boat for our little family. My little girl loves it and my wife tolerates it. Lets also mention that my boat is my most expensive asset outside of house (INSANE).
I think the cost keeps 99.9% of my generation out of this hobby. Only reason I get to play is because I have good job that allows me to do all of that. I also agree with most of generation not being able to do the maintance, much less real repair work. Thankfully I don't fall into that category, and that helps offset some of the cost. And lastly I think priorities play a big factor. Most kids my age don't have friends doing this, so they have no desire to do it. My group of friends for the main part is like me and grew up on the water so we were all bred to do this.
I grew up on the water. Literally, parents bought a 17 foot searay when i was 2 months old. Grandparents on one side had a 42 foot sail boat. On the other side, 330 Searay. Uncle had stand up skis, and Hobbie cat. other uncle had a 19 foot searay. We would take WEEK LONG trips in a 17 foot bow-rider with camper tops. up and down the Tennessee river. with a family of 4 in the same boat. My parents where Not well off back then. that boat was the only $$ thing they had. As times changed, they upgraded to a 260 over nighter searay. Later when I was about 21-22 I was allowed to borrow it on my own taking friends out. I bought my first boat at 23 a Baja 252 Boss w/454Mag. This was a MAJOR purchase for me at the time. I had a 4 year degree from Auburn, good job, small house, and one paid off car/hot rod, and a truck.... a lot of my friends, family where like "don't get in over your head".... I also had student loans... to me that 25 footer with a cuddy cabin was a new LIFE. I stayed overnight on it like 13 weekends in a row haha. I met more boating friends my age, and our group started to grow, and grow.
I kept that boat for 5-6 years, and sold it 3 years ago, one week after it sold, I struck a deal on my current Baja 342 Boss... this was again, a major purchase. to me 28 years old spending big money on a boat. BUT I use it, almost every weekend. and I don't just run it for an hour and go home, Our group boats ALOT of over nights. Family birthdays are on the water, My sister/brother-in-law are big boaters. parents have a 330 SS formula now, uncle has a 330, grandfather has a 330... so on.
Our normal weekend consists of the following tied up at a beach my grandfather cleared off int he 60s.
Parents 330 SS, Sisters 270 searay, Friends Fountain 24sc, Racenfast 271 Formula, Freinds Baja Hammer, Friends Baja 2523 islander, freinds 170 Searay, Freinds, stingray, friends 28 DOnzi, freinds 380 searay, freinds 270 rinker... ect... and I am missing a few i am sure. This is our NORMAL crew, we all have friends that come along sometimes as well. With out this kind of group, and freindship I am sure most would sell the boats and move on to other things. a few of us in that group had the back ground like I did. but only 3-4 of us, the rest did not find the water until later in life.
Money, and time is a big deal. You have to want to spend the time on the water, its not all easy. its not all cheap. alot of our group is having kids (25-35 year olds) and they are finding the water was a fun hobby, and its still a fun hobby with kids. so I hope it countinunes. becasue I am one of the few that would be out alone if they stopped ha.
When I tried to buy my 342. I had a credit score of a 792... and was turned down by one if the biggest marine Mortgage company recommended on this site. I had 10k cash to put down as well. My credit union did not flitch when I asked them, that's how I did it. and Most my age don't have that kind of cash, or credit. (most being in the real world, this sight is mostly more well off people.. comes with the territory)
12-03-2014 | 10:18 AM
#174
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, Mo/ LOTO
I see this reason from a few different reasons....
I am 30 years old and my gf is 35. We both have good careers as well as extra income from her teaching competitive dance and me flipping cars. We have no kids and live in a Condo downtown that requires ZERO maintenance Other then showing up for work on time we have very little responsibility. Most all of our friends.... with-out boats do, they spend a lot of time and money on there children and there activity's, and also working and cleaning on there homes. If that's what is important to them so be it.... but they always ask us how we afford it, i say add up all the money you spend on kids, food, soccer dance hockey and i bet you could afford some type of boat! But, it's also what we choose our extra income on. It's deffintly a lifestyle many don't understand.
I grew up at the lake of the Ozarks every weekend since i was 9. We were raised on and around boats so the chores and work just came with it. Dad made us help clean and wash the boat before we took it out or went skiing or anything. During and after high school i lost interest in hanging out with mom and dad at the lake every weekend, and took up motorcycles, and then began drag racing them. But i soon remembered that sitting on a boat at the lake surrounded by hot chicks in bikinis was waaaay better then sitting in the pits at some drag strip in a leather suit sweating my ass off.
It does surprise me how many people just flat out are not interested in power boats. We have a house at the lake now and it seems almost impossible to get people to come down for the weekend. Some seem scared. one girl wouldn't even walk down the ramp of the dock, had one that wouldn't get in the water! Some say they cant afford it, but all we ever tell people is to bring food and booze... but then they go to vegas every month and feed money into slot machines! And those are the ones that say I am wasting my money! Owning a power boat is expensive, it is a **** ton of work, but I guess it takes all types to make the world go round!
I am 30 years old and my gf is 35. We both have good careers as well as extra income from her teaching competitive dance and me flipping cars. We have no kids and live in a Condo downtown that requires ZERO maintenance Other then showing up for work on time we have very little responsibility. Most all of our friends.... with-out boats do, they spend a lot of time and money on there children and there activity's, and also working and cleaning on there homes. If that's what is important to them so be it.... but they always ask us how we afford it, i say add up all the money you spend on kids, food, soccer dance hockey and i bet you could afford some type of boat! But, it's also what we choose our extra income on. It's deffintly a lifestyle many don't understand.
I grew up at the lake of the Ozarks every weekend since i was 9. We were raised on and around boats so the chores and work just came with it. Dad made us help clean and wash the boat before we took it out or went skiing or anything. During and after high school i lost interest in hanging out with mom and dad at the lake every weekend, and took up motorcycles, and then began drag racing them. But i soon remembered that sitting on a boat at the lake surrounded by hot chicks in bikinis was waaaay better then sitting in the pits at some drag strip in a leather suit sweating my ass off.
It does surprise me how many people just flat out are not interested in power boats. We have a house at the lake now and it seems almost impossible to get people to come down for the weekend. Some seem scared. one girl wouldn't even walk down the ramp of the dock, had one that wouldn't get in the water! Some say they cant afford it, but all we ever tell people is to bring food and booze... but then they go to vegas every month and feed money into slot machines! And those are the ones that say I am wasting my money! Owning a power boat is expensive, it is a **** ton of work, but I guess it takes all types to make the world go round!
12-03-2014 | 10:18 AM
#175
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 512
Likes: 1
From: Merritt Island, FL
I am the guy he was talking about with the 252 Baja.
I grew up on the water. Literally, parents bought a 17 foot searay when i was 2 months old. Grandparents on one side had a 42 foot sail boat. On the other side, 330 Searay. Uncle had stand up skis, and Hobbie cat. other uncle had a 19 foot searay. We would take WEEK LONG trips in a 17 foot bow-rider with camper tops. up and down the Tennessee river. with a family of 4 in the same boat. My parents where Not well off back then. that boat was the only $$ thing they had. As times changed, they upgraded to a 260 over nighter searay. Later when I was about 21-22 I was allowed to borrow it on my own taking friends out. I bought my first boat at 23 a Baja 252 Boss w/454Mag. This was a MAJOR purchase for me at the time. I had a 4 year degree from Auburn, good job, small house, and one paid off car/hot rod, and a truck.... a lot of my friends, family where like "don't get in over your head".... I also had student loans... to me that 25 footer with a cuddy cabin was a new LIFE. I stayed overnight on it like 13 weekends in a row haha. I met more boating friends my age, and our group started to grow, and grow.
I kept that boat for 5-6 years, and sold it 3 years ago, one week after it sold, I struck a deal on my current Baja 342 Boss... this was again, a major purchase. to me 28 years old spending big money on a boat. BUT I use it, almost every weekend. and I don't just run it for an hour and go home, Our group boats ALOT of over nights. Family birthdays are on the water, My sister/brother-in-law are big boaters. parents have a 330 SS formula now, uncle has a 330, grandfather has a 330... so on.
Our normal weekend consists of the following tied up at a beach my grandfather cleared off int he 60s.
Parents 330 SS, Sisters 270 searay, Friends Fountain 24sc, Racenfast 271 Formula, Freinds Baja Hammer, Friends Baja 2523 islander, freinds 170 Searay, Freinds, stingray, friends 28 DOnzi, freinds 380 searay, freinds 270 rinker... ect... and I am missing a few i am sure. This is our NORMAL crew, we all have friends that come along sometimes as well. With out this kind of group, and freindship I am sure most would sell the boats and move on to other things. a few of us in that group had the back ground like I did. but only 3-4 of us, the rest did not find the water until later in life.
Money, and time is a big deal. You have to want to spend the time on the water, its not all easy. its not all cheap. alot of our group is having kids (25-35 year olds) and they are finding the water was a fun hobby, and its still a fun hobby with kids. so I hope it countinunes. becasue I am one of the few that would be out alone if they stopped ha.
When I tried to buy my 342. I had a credit score of a 792... and was turned down by one if the biggest marine Mortgage company recommended on this site. I had 10k cash to put down as well. My credit union did not flitch when I asked them, that's how I did it. and Most my age don't have that kind of cash, or credit. (most being in the real world, this sight is mostly more well off people.. comes with the territory)
I grew up on the water. Literally, parents bought a 17 foot searay when i was 2 months old. Grandparents on one side had a 42 foot sail boat. On the other side, 330 Searay. Uncle had stand up skis, and Hobbie cat. other uncle had a 19 foot searay. We would take WEEK LONG trips in a 17 foot bow-rider with camper tops. up and down the Tennessee river. with a family of 4 in the same boat. My parents where Not well off back then. that boat was the only $$ thing they had. As times changed, they upgraded to a 260 over nighter searay. Later when I was about 21-22 I was allowed to borrow it on my own taking friends out. I bought my first boat at 23 a Baja 252 Boss w/454Mag. This was a MAJOR purchase for me at the time. I had a 4 year degree from Auburn, good job, small house, and one paid off car/hot rod, and a truck.... a lot of my friends, family where like "don't get in over your head".... I also had student loans... to me that 25 footer with a cuddy cabin was a new LIFE. I stayed overnight on it like 13 weekends in a row haha. I met more boating friends my age, and our group started to grow, and grow.
I kept that boat for 5-6 years, and sold it 3 years ago, one week after it sold, I struck a deal on my current Baja 342 Boss... this was again, a major purchase. to me 28 years old spending big money on a boat. BUT I use it, almost every weekend. and I don't just run it for an hour and go home, Our group boats ALOT of over nights. Family birthdays are on the water, My sister/brother-in-law are big boaters. parents have a 330 SS formula now, uncle has a 330, grandfather has a 330... so on.
Our normal weekend consists of the following tied up at a beach my grandfather cleared off int he 60s.
Parents 330 SS, Sisters 270 searay, Friends Fountain 24sc, Racenfast 271 Formula, Freinds Baja Hammer, Friends Baja 2523 islander, freinds 170 Searay, Freinds, stingray, friends 28 DOnzi, freinds 380 searay, freinds 270 rinker... ect... and I am missing a few i am sure. This is our NORMAL crew, we all have friends that come along sometimes as well. With out this kind of group, and freindship I am sure most would sell the boats and move on to other things. a few of us in that group had the back ground like I did. but only 3-4 of us, the rest did not find the water until later in life.
Money, and time is a big deal. You have to want to spend the time on the water, its not all easy. its not all cheap. alot of our group is having kids (25-35 year olds) and they are finding the water was a fun hobby, and its still a fun hobby with kids. so I hope it countinunes. becasue I am one of the few that would be out alone if they stopped ha.
When I tried to buy my 342. I had a credit score of a 792... and was turned down by one if the biggest marine Mortgage company recommended on this site. I had 10k cash to put down as well. My credit union did not flitch when I asked them, that's how I did it. and Most my age don't have that kind of cash, or credit. (most being in the real world, this sight is mostly more well off people.. comes with the territory)
12-03-2014 | 10:27 AM
#176
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
I think the big thing with our group is a lot of us grew up on the water. I know that plays a huge factor in wanting to put your dollars into this crazy expensive hobby. There are 100 cheaper hobbies I could have, but my boat is by far my favorite toy and was worth shuffling the deck of other toys around to get it.
My dad, Mike, heath, daniel, Dave, and others did not.
Last edited by mittens; 12-03-2014 at 10:30 AM.
12-03-2014 | 10:37 AM
#177
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,090
Likes: 3,680
From: On A Dirt Floor
I'd say there are a lot more 'younger' people on this forum than many have thought, including myself.
Good sign.
Soooo.....if i was young 20yrs ago, can I still be young ? LOL.
Pssst: Mentally I am...obviously...lol.
Mental age: 25
Physical Age : 1800 BC
Good sign.
Soooo.....if i was young 20yrs ago, can I still be young ? LOL.
Pssst: Mentally I am...obviously...lol.
Mental age: 25
Physical Age : 1800 BC
12-03-2014 | 10:51 AM
#178
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 302
From: Clearwater, FL
not to thread jack though... does anyone else see this... up near our cottage... theres some brandy spankin new nortec cats. very new sunsations with big power, imco drives, etc etc.. i see them on the boat lifts every weekend, and have never seen the nortec run... EVER. and the sunsation ive seen off the hoist, about half a dozen times... i dont get it... if you have the money for a boat thats 150g + why not run it every weekend?
Cause generally people with the money to buy that boat own and run a business that takes up even more of their time. That boat is prob their small time of year get away to let loose and enjoy.
Just cause you make more one day does not equal to working less or now magically having more free time or every weekend free.
12-03-2014 | 11:02 AM
#179
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 302
From: Clearwater, FL
Painfully, I been using my boat less and less every year. I love to get out but effort it takes just getting harder and harder to justify. Not the $ part, just al the BS that's going with it. Uncover, rinse off, hook up, trailer, get it ready, fuel, check fluids. etc. ok, after a least an hour, I'm on the water and loving it. Dreading the return. Wash, flush motors, parking back to storage, wash trailer, cover etc. So for a few minutes of run time, several hours of STUFF to do. My Son see this and while he loves being out, he hates helping. It's a chore. It's either in your blood or not. It's becoming more and more of a limited special event toy. So.. it's up for sale.
And that right there is the biggest reason my Sonic is for sale lol
12-03-2014 | 11:10 AM
#180
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, MI
I'm 29 soon to be 30, I have always loved boating and I've had several different old cheap boats since I was 19 (mostly crap that was more fixing than driving). I bought my first "nice" boat ('98 Baja Outlaw 24) this year, I did it after buying a house and advancing my career to a point that I felt comfortable buying it. I really think it all comes down to finances holding younger people back, I know I would love to have purchased a bigger boat with twins but I had to buy something smaller that I could tow/store myself to stay in budget.
