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Originally Posted by Rbesola
(Post 4228611)
At the ripe old age of 23 I find it impossible to get any of my friends interested in the sport. I'm told that it would be stupid for them to get boats because I already have one...I give up on them
As was said, butying seems to be the small part. Add in a tow vehicle, storage, and upkeep and it is a never ending slow bleed of money that has no end. |
Originally Posted by phragle
(Post 4228619)
Money and avail. of money...
There is no bubble right now. interest rates are low but financing is tight...... There is a waterfront house down the street from me that just listed for 45k. So for a 25 year old guy, whats out there for a financable 25-35 foot boat ? Thats not old, beat and heavily in need of an update, in other words, whats avail that fairly quick, blingy, modern and in a kids price range or financing availability? And dependable? todays cars are rolling computers.... Those muscle cars that we tinkered with as kids to learn how to wrench are long gone, So todays kids arent as mechanically inclined as we were, so they need to have other people fix their busted stuff which is expensive enough before a shop decides to take them for a ride. My boat is just that and there is many more like it. MAG 496's that are turn key, mine has all GPS plotters and all that, the big system, all the amenities, popping paint, SUPER clean, and a bank had zero issues loaning on it. I would say awareness of what they actually need to to what they want is a bigger issue. |
Lots of good points here. I would especially agree with the last post about the availability of money though. It's still out there for guys that make good money.
I agree about the generational changes, video games, wakeboard boats (even new Scarabs - WTF?!) etc, and the general 'pussification' of America. Not sure that's a word, but it works! The boys in blue pulled me over SEVEN times last year. That gets old fast. Never wrote me up for anything, but it's a pain having to worry about being bothered every time you're out. I don't like being boxed into a corner - there's a solution for everything, but what's the solution for this? It's obviously a cultural problem, although I refuse to believe it's a dying sport. I don't really know how to fix it, but the key is out there somewhere.... |
IMHO it's 2 things:
1. $$$ 2. The majority of younger kids are just not interested. They would rather play video games or be on social meida. This past Thanksgiving, the only way I could get my 14 year old daughter off the phone was to break out 1 of grandpa's 4-wheelers and then she put down the phone, and had some fun with Dad! :) I actually have some hope for her, she said she wants a jet-ski for her 16th B-day, I thinking a Seadoo jet-boat instead.... |
A few years ago, I was filling up my old Top Gun at our local filling station. Some kids in a crappy little car pulled up and one asked how big was the gas tank, when I told him 240 gallons, he looked at me and said "that thing's stupid" kids today just don't care about this stuff.
Yes, very much a dying breed and why I get pissed off when I read about the OSO bullies ganging up on a 19 yr old kid who actually likes this stuff. |
Originally Posted by 36Envision
(Post 4228491)
Overall Cost of boating and life in general. A boat is expensive to buy, operate, and maintain. Throw in the high cost of living, home ownership, auto(s), student loans, etc. It is just too much to take on at a "young" age for 99+% of people early on in their careers or business ownership.
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Originally Posted by Cash Bar
(Post 4228609)
I'll give you two versions as I see it:
Regionally(Florida) I used to be able to HEAR the fast boats rolling down the ICW at all hours. All I had to do was walk a bit to see them. Now there are wake zones and manatee zones and..... Utter BS. Nothing to get the blood and desire flowing. Nationally I think it's something as simple as no beacon of COOL like we had with MIAMI VICE for so many here on this site and in the sport in general. That was the catalyst for a generation of powerboat owners and fans. |
Originally Posted by 27daytona
(Post 4228589)
I have been boating for 40 years. My 27 year old son has no interest, he states that he can never afford to buy a boat, and certainly can not afford to insure or fuel it. I tell him to work harder. Boats should grow in both size and speed as your income grows. The big boats are expensive but worth every dime. My son does not agree and has turned down every chance to boat. No interest! The ability to pen a check for the purchase certainly limits the buyer. Limited usage is another downer for him. He sees me spending far more hours caring for the boat than running it. They just don't get it.
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Originally Posted by phragle
(Post 4228619)
Money and avail. of money...
There is no bubble right now. interest rates are low but financing is tight...... There is a waterfront house down the street from me that just listed for 45k. This is what 45K gets you in S Florida: (crack house) http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...-92493?row=420 |
I just turned 28, had my 30 Scarab for 3 years now, looking at buying a 38 Powerquest now. Used to be in Fast cars and street racing, got tired of all the drama with whose car is faster, and late nights arguing about racing on the street. Have since been selling most my car stuff and moving up in boat sizes, but yes it is expensive but it sure is fun! I was never much of a gamer, more of a motorhead my whole life, and I am currently an engineer for one of the big 3.
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