My last boat is the same as my first boat....but with 30 yrs of upgrades.

Thanks everyone, interesting answers.

OK, I'm 54 and have downsized a couple of times primarily due to lack of use and just financially sensible rather than holding too much $$ in a typically shrinking asset. My plan was to keep my current boat until I'm 60 ish then decide on going back to a bigger boat, probably cruiser, or staying smaller performance boat but brand new. Haven't bought a brand new boat for a long time and like the idea of owning exactly what I want rather than what someone else wanted.

I'm still a little way from that point but now realise that my next boat will probably be my last boat. Hopefully finances will be good at the time so I might be tempted to spend more. I'm not filthy rich at all but I plan to enjoy what I have, but like everyone, I don't know when to start enjoying it......

RR

P.S. I'm especially happy to read comments from those who love their current boats so much they will be their last boats.



.

I have wanted a Fountain for almost 30 years and I bought a a1997 single engine 29 Fever Labor Day 2016. I thought it was going to need a little work but I have been working on it for almost 2 years. It has been a classic restoration job: much more expensive and it has become a joke to my friends when they ask when it will be ready. Thank goodness I kept my old boat.

When completed, it will have new paint,new cockpit skins, new carpet cockpit and cabin, new custom cockpit cover, new gauges, new windshield and new retractable ladder for getting out of the water on the swim platform, new Garmin 741, new VHF radio and a new 2000 watt stereo.

When i discovered that there was rust inside the 525 SC , I decided to build a strong NA 540 with a blower motor bottom ,4340 crank and rods, aluminum Brodix heads, and an 800 HP Holley fuel injection system. The Holley was on back order and after 6 monthes of waiting, I bought the 800 HP Fitech system. I bought an upgraded drive with Imco SCX upper and a-2 Imco SC. I also bought a Drive Guardian. The first prop will be a Hydromotive P5X.

As you can see, my initial estimate of 20-25K and to be in the water by early Spring 2017 did not happen. So when I finally get in the water, I expect this will be the last sport boat I will buy. A 64 year old man should be contented with the fast boat fleet of the Fountain and my 23 foot 300xs outboard.

The beautiful thing about OSO is that I can see that I am not the first or will I be the last one that one that falls into the restoration trap. The sad thing is I went through the same journey with my smaller boat 10 years ago.

B.O.A.T.

I've been noticing that for some time now. I never ask people their age but often, it comes out in a post. Sometimes they state their age or sometimes refer to their first boat in the late 70's or seeing Elvis live and similar obvious clues. This thread is aimed more at the mature age boater but always like to see what younger guys think too as they are the future. The age factor no doubt plays a part in the changes on OSO that many of the long term members have talked about.

I still can't definitively answer my own question but good to read the responses so far.

RR