At 29 I'm the 2 year owner of a 1999 33' Outlaw that I paid cash for, and have since repowered ($$). Although I agree 100% with everyone that has stated that money is the major limiting factor on boating, I believe there are also several other "limiters". I have been involved in harleys, and rock crawling, both of which I still do when not boating, but I have to say that for me boating is the bigger pain in the ass. I can jump on my harley straight out of my garage, and I can get my rock crawler anywhere on my own, but when it comes to the boat, its hard to find a lot of people you either trust with your boat, or trust with your truck when you get around the ramps. Most girls my age have never driven a truck, much less handled one with 40 feet of trailer behind them. I must say there are always people saying " I want to go with you"! but, you have to keep in mind that 9-10 of these people will at some point consume too much alcohol, and I will be the one dealing with the leftover mess/drama in the end.

At my age, I'm not sure I could afford the sport if my boat weren't paid for. I use it nearly every weekend in the summer and sometimes 2 days a weekend. Its nearly equal to owning two houses and at 29 years old, I probably wouldn't have a house payment if I got rid of the boat, harley, and rockcrawler.... That being said, I have never been involved in a past time that consumes my mind as much as performance boating. Every minute of everyday im thinking about something that revolves around boating. Many days, I try to think of how I could tie boats into my everyday life/career, but so far haven't been able to do it, and often times worry that, living it everyday may take the fun out of it.

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.

I agree with this as it is how I am as well.

I don't have a big home and never want one either. I don't now and won't be having a family and I damn sure don't care what others think. I am very happy living my life in well furnished 1200sqft.


I much rather travel some place and see the world. Really out side of my boat I don't care to dump money into anything big really.

There is a whole lotta truth right there. I was talking to 22ish yr. old engineer for Honeywell earlier this summer. The boating topic came up and the first thing out of his mouth was "do you wakeboard"? After telling him I had a 28' offshore his first question was "how do you pull it"? Followed by "how does it fit in your garage"? This guy couldn't think of life outside of the condo unless it involved a boat that you intentionally fill with water after a night of Nintendo and drinking craft beer.

I grew up around fishing boats, bought my first offshore (28 Cig) when I was 19. All through my early 20's I begged and pleaded my non boating friends to go with me and none of them had any interest. By my mid 20's I had far more boating friends than non boaters. Nearly all of them no matter their age had some sort of boating background growing up. Cost is most definitely an issue. The latest generation tends to have the "want it now" attitude. They want the biggest, baddest, latest, and greatest, or nothing at all. If you want to be in a 38 or larger and run 90+ all year long, then the cheapest part of the whole experience for most folks is writing the check to buy the boat. I'm 33 now, still have the same 28 Cig. It puts just as big of smile on my face running 70 like a pissed off sprint car than running over 100 in something that you could take a nap in. There are plenty of days that I want to walk into the bank and sign on the dotted line to buy a 41 Apache. I just don't like the idea of having to work until I'm 70 in order to be able to afford the total cost of ownership.

Amen brother. I've always told my mom I'll make a great uncle!

Yes sir. I know exactly where you are coming from.

x3!

This describes me perfectly too. Besides boating.

Interesting thread. Been doing this for 10 years at LOTO and the cost of the house, utilities, maintenance and even just the gas to get there add up in a hurry. Now toss on a pair of boats, especially one that is a thirsty speed boat and it is pretty easy to see why many don't get involved. 2 or 3 of my buddies have a "lake reunion" every winter where we all get together in KC and have a few too many. That's about the only time we allow ourselves to add up what we spent in the last year on our hobby and the cost of the weekend lifestyle down there. Its pretty shocking but we wouldn't have it any other way. We all bought our first places down there when we were 24-25 and let's just say that it hasn't been getting any cheaper year to year (and it isn't the houses)!

Rule # 1 in boating - never put pencil to paper!! It will scare you straight into gardening!

Lol...great quote right there.