Parking the boat for a season or two
 

Anyone else ever thought of, or actualy have, parked thier boat for a long period of time for whatever reasons?

Thinking about parking the boat due to high cost of gas. Both truck and boat usage. :(
Thinking that if I do not spend the several grand on gas this year along with the upgrades I am looking at doing and put the money to other uses I will be in a much better position next year.
Sorry, but I just do not make the $$ as some people and just finally getting all the CC paid off for over the years.
Kinda getting a nice feeling of have a several grand sitting in the bank for no reason. The last year is the first in over ten that I have not lived check to check.
It is nice knowing that I do not have to look at my bank statement every day to see if I can afford to go out for a drink or buy dinner out.
But now with spring coming i am looking at dropping several grand into the boat.
Then wanting several grand to drop into a kitchen and house window remodel.
Then to top off the truck needs upgrading :(
I am afraid of getting back to check to check just to go boating.
Sorry, just venting on what to spend the $$ on and what to save it on.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I actually sold my boat to put myself in a better position for the future. I'll be back into one in the next couple of years and I'll have saved enough to buy it cash, and will have finished some major remodel projects on the house. This is the first time in 35 years I've not had a boat, but it'll be worth it in the long run not to have that noose (payment) hanging over me. I'll also have more $$ in the bank than when I did when I had the boat...it's torture, but wise.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

Do you need to drop several grand into the boat this yr? Don't park it, just cut back on it. You still have the ins and payments(?) The amount of gas used can be controlled.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I agree what is the purpose of making the payments if you do not use it. Sell the boat if that is the case. But if you keep it moderate yourself. By the way all boats are pretty good on gas when you stay out of the secondary's!!!!!

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I have been without a boat for two years and it sucks. :mad:

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

Mine sat on the trailer for 379 days because of the work I had to do to it, then work I wanted to do to it, complicated by a sixteen week kidney stone ordeal that hit me last May.

It helped just looking out the window and knowing that "someday" it would be back in the water.

Well I will say, that 379 days later, by the time I was 10 ft. away from the dock, all the 400 plus hours and all the money spent was forgotten. For the next six hours, the world was a perfect place.

Well at least until I got back to the ramp and ran into a very bad case of "floating trailer syndrome" complicated by a current that kept pushing the trailer under the dock.

It was worth it.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

My outlook is a little different. Ive always tried to live on the philosopy that I might (heaven forbid) die tomorow, so have at it today. I also tried to go without a boat for a couple years after I sold my formula to help get rid of some debts but that didnt last long (2 months I think). Of course, the older I get, the more I realize that Ill have to work till I die because retirement isnt in the picture for me. Enjoy it while you can because no one knows what tomorow will bring.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I couldn't agree more, Live for today!

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

Sell it then.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I'm with dgduck; I couldn't agree more ... I'm not the original author of this but it just about sums it up:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, beer in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!"

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I know what you mean about the gas, I buy about 8 five gallon cans at the store and put it in the boat at the dock, $1.75 is better than $2.30 at the marina. Also I now go to areas on the lake and hang out instead of running all day, that has cut back my fuel by about half. Also save your gas receipts and send them in to the state to get your state road tax back, VA is 17cents a gallon, trust me it adds up.

If you really enjoy it don't park it keep going, we are only on earth for a short time make the most of it.

WILL :D

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I second the sentiment about just being smart about it, use it as a retreat for you and your family. instead of eating out at places that are designed to make their money during the boating season, pack food to take with you.cold wings are awesome, so is an italian sub. there is a place here that sells beer by case cheaper than anyone else spend more time goin slower and enjoying the scenery, and maybe only go on saturday, instead of both days. knowing that you can go out and enjoy it for a few hours is worth it. I thought the same thing a few times, made me wonder if I was growing up and looking at things more responsibly? nahhhh just being fiscally responsible is cool...my .02...Rob

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

If your not going to use it.............Sell it and you'll have more money in the bank.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I thought about doing that....ONCE....But I'm in the frame of mind of "I could die tomorrow". I'll hold back on the long full throttle runs and beatin' the daylights out of the boat to keep costs down but I won't stop hitting the water. :D

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

Every boat I have ever had was or is for sale ALL the time. Somebody gives me my price it is gone. No regrets, just on to another opportunity. I get as much enjoyment out of having one tore apart and rebuilding it as I do running them.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I agree with just cutting back on the WOT runs or only going out once a week instead of twice. I would be sick if I was unable to use my boat for an extended amount of time....winter is long enough.

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I agree.
I guess it depends on your situation....Personally I would sell it.....for me, it is too costly to keep it and pay the mo. payment, pay insurance, pay storage, and then let it depreciate more!!

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I know exactly where you are coming from. I have to work hard for my money as everyone does. I am really debating on buying a used boat with twins. Now with gas prices going up; what do i do. I would barely be able to afford this other boat(which needs work) and cost twice as much to run.

But it comes down to I don't do drugs, run around chasing women(well not a lot of women), drink or smoke. But I definately have a boating problem. I love offshore powerboats. It is so bad that the first five or six times at the ramp at the begining of the year the hair stands up on my arms when I fire that pour 454 up.

Sorry for the long explination. I guess you just have to make up your mind what is more important.

plus none of my friends have boats, so I can't bum a ride from them :drink:

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I guess another way to look at it is this. Think about the amount of money you would spend on a couple weeks vacation for you and your family. If you decide to go away, there will be gas, hotel, meals, destination, road hazard(flat tires,breakdowns,etc) if you fly, plane tickets again hotel rental car. what it boils down to is you're going to spend money which ever way you choose. A family of four for a two week vacation is going to run in excess of 3 grand, so its a wash dollar wise, for that same amout that would be a good 8 sensible weekends on the water locally barring repairs... food for thought...Rob

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I myself am in a situation where the ~$6000 cash money I'll spend for 4 months of boating (slip/fuel/incidentals) would be a real boon to me NOT to spend this year, as I have a kid in college and am trying to amass some property in a hot area before the interest rates go up. I need everyday cash-on-hand to pull this off, it's the right thing for me in the long run.

That said, I live through seven months winter here (total no-boating season) and the thought of floating/running my boat is what keeps me going.

The boat would not be for sale, even if I didn't run it. I would probably run it a few times off the trailer, just not have the full-blown season I usually have. I could not replace it 12-24 months from now for the $$. I got a stupid price on it, and a 4.5% rate. The chances of that happening again are slim at best. To let it go for the temporary boost that I need, would be foolish.

The reality is if I want to make a killing on a couple deals in the next 6 mos. to live better long-term, I too have considered biting the bullet for a season.

I wouldn't be too f'kin happy about it though!

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

I did it for 2 years after boating for 20 years. Young kids. The built in
pool. New kitchen. It was the biggest mistake I ever made. Wanted
to put a bullet in my head after the second season. Dont forget, just
because you dont have a boat doesnt mean you wont still be spending
money. Believe me,your old lady will find a way to get rid of it for ya!!
You only go around once, Enjoy It !!

Re: Parking the boat for a season or two
 

You can park it at my place.. I'll keep good watch over it.
And... if you want to use it in FL.... :drink: