Average Boater
 

Allright, who is an average boater?

Seems to me that everywhere I look I'm inundated with above average people. I am seeing "Lifestyle" segments regarding this hobby that do nothing more than showcase how wealthy you are and how wealthy I am not. In magazines it's wealthy and beautiful people. On T.V. it's more wealthy and beautiful people. It's almost forcing me to be a poser (and I HATE posers) to fit in. So, at the expense of not fitting in, not being cool- who out there is the average boater? The person that doesn't live in a mansion. Doesn't drive a brand new Mercedes. That has to budget to go to the Miami Boat Show, and budget to put gas in that hog every chance you get.
Who boats for the passion and not because it's the flavor of the week? I know that there is atleast one out there...

Re: Average Boater
 

I think most of us are "real" boaters. Who do it cause we love it.

I don't drive a harley, no porsche, no season tix to pro sports... nada.
Just the boat. It's all i got and all i want.

Well, I'd take a porsche. :D

Re: Average Boater
 

I'm WAY average. Boat is a 1987 Baja outlaw, truck is a 1998 Dodge Ram with 135,000 miles on it, house is just under 800 sq. feet (I live alone) that I paid $59,500 for 10 years ago.

Re: Average Boater
 

I dont even have a boat
BUT I GOT PASSION...
And yes I did save to go to the miami show.
And yes I am saving to go to Key West to hang out with Angie & Race Girl.

Re: Average Boater
 

Average like Waterfoul..but boat is a 1986..with a SBC..truck is a 99 F250 PSD..160,000 ..way average here..I hate all of the glorifying of the celebs !!!! like in People magazine and stuff!!!

Re: Average Boater
 

God bless you guys. I am so tired of hearing the "I'm so wealthy I'll waste it on a boat" routine.
Actually, the wealthy part doesn't really bother me. It's the because I'm wealthy, I'm better than you that drives me nuts.

I'm all about the grass roots effort.:)

Re: Average Boater
 

I'm an average boater. Would love to have the money to go to more boat shows and buy bigger boats, but thats not going to be for awhile. Right now I just do the best with what I've got, boat whenever possible, and keep on dreamin!

Re: Average Boater
 

Schiz- I'll take wealthy over what I have any day...

I have become too acquainted with the term "unemployed" over the last few years... I have a decent job now..and I hope it stays that way...

I have bad luck.
I have gotten screwed...
I have never won anything.
I work every day. Yes, work.

I almost cried when that OSO poll for how much money you make went around... :eek:

I sold my boat after I lost the last job (screwed by National Marine) in order to keep my financial load light.
I still have no boat of my own. But, I save every day for another boat... but I probably won't spend what I did on the last boat.

So then I decide to give my girlfriend of 9 years a ring...
Now I have to get married this April... gonna cost me.

I don't own a home, and now she want's to buy a house....gonna cost me.

So, those of you with 90s 240 Bajas, etc........ Nice boat man. I wish I had one too...

But.. I still get out on the water more than most of you... :drink: And I don't have to pay for the boat (company boats) But the boats I get to run are far les than High Performance...

I owe my sanity to Albert MYPANTERA28) for takingme out on his boat every month... 85mph once a month seems to keep me just out of the looney bin. :crazy:

Re: Average Boater
 

I was going to post ( what about A poor mans poker run)
No boat more than 27 feet unless its a POS.

I was told last Sunday that if you boat doesn't do at least 85mph u could not run in the Sarasota poker Run.

I would say that for the rich.

Re: Average Boater
 

SH!t Im TimG but with no company boat to use..

Re: Average Boater
 

Average for sure and it doesn't bother me a bit. I wouldn't want anybody to think I was anything but average either, no matter where life takes me.

Re: Average Boater
 

Im glad to see this thread too. Just getting into the performance boat scene 1 year ago, I have learned a lot from this forum and glad to see other "average joes" like myself. I have a Baja 272 and absolutely love it. I bought my first boat at the the age of 24. It was a 1995 18ft Bayliner, loved it at the time, but through the years I have been lucky enough to upgrade and I hope to again next year.

I plan on buying a 3/4 ton truck soon, the F-150 has already had enough of what I have now, much less a 30-34 ft. (Good thing its a company truck)

I have friends with $300,000 boats and I love to ride on them when I can, but truth be known, I am out on the water with them having as much fun as anyone and only difference I see is MPH....

Re: Average Boater
 

Most of the boats at the PRA events are very high $$$.

I ran a little with the OPBA here in FL... I had a 75mph boat and was possibly the "lowest man on the totem pole"
The cheap poker run cost me $1000 for the weekend. (hotel, gas, gas, food, gas, beer)
There are enough poker runs here to do one each month.

I'll be all over that poor mans poker run.. once I have another boat. (my work boats barely run 50, which..in my book is pretty gay)

See the extreme joy in my eyes...

Re: Average Boater
 

i would say im below average trying to make it to the average. i got a 1990 21 foot four winns liberator that i have had for sale for 8 months and not even one phone call. i just bought a 2002 dodge ram so im kinda moving up. but i would like to sell this boat so i can get an wverage boat and hang out with the average boaters.

Re: Average Boater
 

Bullship!

"Back in the day" we'd do a Poker run on snowmobiles. Had alot of fun without the "Big Number".

I'll tell you what, I'll organize one here locally. Keep the venue small and focus on the fun. I bet that if it's not fashionable to be there, more average boaters will attend.

Re: Average Boater
 

1984 19' Wellcraft - that hasn't run in 3 years. 1996 Chevy P/U. Saving for a Cigarette under 50,000.
The wife wanted to buy somethin soon, but I know what I want, and might as well wait.
I remeber back when I had money, owned my own Co. Brand new Chevy Dually, bought a $14000 1986 Baja 25' Force. Hell, I thought I was living large! It wasn't a big deal when I put a $3500 paint job on it. Didn't think anything about re-upholstering the interior. Never blinked an eye at the fuel dock.
Divorces happen, businesses can get screwed and have to shut down.
I just think, if I could apply my child support (for one daughter) to a boat payment....
Keeping my eye out for "MY" boat, but want to make sure I can afford to use it whenever I want, and not be worried about fuel costs, repairs, maintenance, etc.
Yeah, I'm your average boater (or at least I'm striving to be...)

Re: Average Boater
 

We organize a "poor mans" poker run here every year on Lake Michigan, at Holland. We run it after work on a week night, it's only about 20 miles total, and the prizes aren't that big. But we have a really good time. Boats run from 18' bowriders to a couple of offshore wave busters like Rambunctious in his 272 Formula and a couple of others. Just good ole boys having a good ole time. It's the only poker run I've ever entered my boat in.

Re: Average Boater
 

im an average boater also 1988 fountain needed alot of work when i bought it thats the only way i could afford it my truck is a 1993 dually no i cant buy a new one. ive been luky enough to find some good deals on parts and motors. Who has $70,000 to spend on motors , not me

Re: Average Boater
 

I would consider myself an average boater, all though I do like to go fast... :D Wouldn't want anyone having any other impression. Not trying to impress, just having fun at what I love. Sure, I'd love a big new go-fast cat, but I know my limits too... :D Like everybody else says, some day?

Re: Average Boater
 

i think just because some of these guys don't have to sacrifice one hobby to do another doesn't mean they don't have passion for it, i have met lots of people in this hobby, some with modest means, some with not so modest means, and they both will have a smile on their face when they come back from running their boats.... and isn't that the point?

is there a lot of ego in this hobby? yes... is there a lot of ego with motorcycles, muscle cars, exotic cars, houses, second houses, third houses, clothes.... everything in life there is somebody trying to top you... let them do it, heck, more power to them, i like looking at their million plus boats..

lets not turn this into a rich bashing thread, most of them are pretty cool and have worked pretty hard to be where they are at.... remember, being an jerk isn't restricted to any one social status.... there are plenty of average and rich jerks alike.

Re: Average Boater
 

Hey SpeedRacer
If your looking for a "down to earth" group of boaters try the Seneca power Boat Association a.k.a the SPBA. We welcome everybody - all the time, big or small. We have a great Poker Run every Year on Seneca Lake called the Pirates Run. We get half million dollar boats and we get 5K dollar boats. Our goal from the start is to have a good time. Try our Website at www.senecapowerboats.com for club info and a calander of events.

Re: Average Boater
 

I take it your friends don't have performance boats?

Re: Average Boater
 

probably below average here...

18' powerplay
2000 chevy 100,000 miles
credit card debit up the azz
and here get this....


Still live at home with parents :eek: :eek:

save all my money to buy $4 gallon race fuel :D

Re: Average Boater
 

How often do you get down to LOTO? That's a commitment from MN. It's 5 1/2 to 6 hrs. down for me and always ***** about that being way too loooong... :D

Re: Average Boater
 

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful! :D :D :D :D

What "average" boater are you looking at? I had a HobieCat 16 for nearly 15 years........I loved that boat! So you're got boaters with a boat that cost $500 (canoe) to $100M+ megayachts. To a canoe owner......spending $15,000 for a boat is insane! To a person with a $15,000 boat......spending $300K on a boat is equally insane. A person with a $300K boat couldn't even imagine spending $15 million on a yacht. It's a matter of scale, but most importantly it's the kind of person you are that counts and if you can get on the water! :drink: :drink: :drink:

Re: Average Boater
 

Average - I wonder what that means anymore. Whats the average cost of a 18 to 50ft boat in 2005? 150k ? I hate payments so I'm limited and would have to say below average - but when it comes to time on the water Im above average. . Its all about priorities and security comfort level.

Re: Average Boater
 

I would say I'm average. My boat is an 89' 311 SR1 Formula. Mild power, 454 mags. Truck is an 01 Dodge 2500 4x4 that I use for work, closing in on 80,000 miles.

Own a house that we are probably going to have to sell because of rising cost of insurances and taxes. Doubled in last three years.

Work my azz off only to seem to be going backwards. Had a 16 week bout with kidney stones last May that just killed me. Lost our health insurance and owe debts that otherwise would not and that just bugs the chit out of me.

So I do what most do, keep working and hope that nothing goes wrong for maybe two weeks in a row.

I love going down to see the PRA guys leave the Hyatt. I don't begrudge them at all, gives us all something to look at.

Some of my memories of my life are my most treasured assets. And then there are those other memories when all I can do is think to myself, "what in the *^#+ was I thinking"????

The friendships I've made here on OSO is right at the top. :drink: :drink:

Re: Average Boater
 

Troutmaster: that's a pretty good day's driving pulling a rig behind you. :drink: :drink:

Re: Average Boater
 

It's all about the boating and the friends. I am pretty average I can only boat the way do because I focus! No high dollar cars (04 2500 truck "leased", 94 Accord "driver) wife has a demo for work.

Decent house (only 1) No vacation home. (that's what the boat is for). No motorcycles. No snowmobiles.

Oh yeah! No Kids yet.

For my wife and myself we are VERY passionate about boating. That's all we do.

And we have made most of our best friends from boating


Dan

Re: Average Boater
 

I do agree it's all about the people.

Wealthy or not, good people are good people!!!!


Dan

Re: Average Boater
 

It's all relative. Someone is always going to have something better, bigger, more expensive. Make do with what you want to afford and you'll usually find your friends are those who don't critique you for what you have or don't have. :D

Re: Average Boater
 

No.... I don't thik this is a "bash" on guys with $$$..
Like I said.. I'd love to be making $20k/mo.... :eek:

I had a lot of fun in the few Poker Runs that I've done... Great people no matter what they were piloting...

I think the thread is about what an average boater has for a ride...

So what is average?
I certainly don't call a spankin' new Top Gun an average boater's ride... $300+ is not within the means of the average guy..

Like FO said.. Probably a good average boat...'89 311 Formy...

As far as the Troutmaster... He's a cop... With a boat like that... He's got to be on the take.. :drink: :eek:
Too Old- Nope. Not average. Word is that he owns half the burger kings in the USA. For sport he opened a boat parts shop. He buys sweet muscle boats to park in his garage as trophys. Probably one for every billion burgers sold. :D
I hear he's getting into the high performance hot dog business...

Re: Average Boater
 

I am a way-above average boater. I have gold chains that cost more than your sh''tty boat. I have a tow hitch on my Gulfstream. I spend more in one weekend on racing fuel than you will spend on your kids Junior College. I spent more on my wife's tits than you will spend for your "new to you" POS car / truck. I spent MORE than than that on my GIRLFRIENDS tits.

I rule . . . you suck. Get some fenders for that POS boat, and don't even THINK of rafting.

Re: Average Boater
 

92 26' Larson Senza with fresh 2000 502efi & bravo, 95 suzuki gsxr750,
02 Z71 Tahoe, 99 grand prix GT, and a 80000 home since I added new 1000sq garage, home was build in the 50's so it by no means fancy except for the real hardwood floors. I will be remodeling by myself for several years, can't afford all those expensive contractors. I did get to go to Miami in 04, missed this year because I chose to have a new HDTV Sony 55"
it was one or the other TV won :D next year though either Key West or Miami but not both :rolleyes:

Re: Average Boater
 

Hey Bryan we know you have all the cash :D :D :D

Re: Average Boater
 

1988 boat and a fifty year old house here!!

But............The harder I work, the luckier I get!! ;) ;)

Re: Average Boater
 

I'm happy with my 22' Donzi, which I own. I'd trade some cash for more boating time to tell u the truth. I get out about 6X per season. This spring, I'm looking for a V8 beater to tow the boat with....looking to spend 2G or so. Those 6 times I get out per year, I'm happy to talk to the guy with the bayliner or the TG....I've seen good and bad with lots and little money. I just make sure i enjoy myself when i can finally get the boat wet. As for winning the $$$ race, that's not even one i can run....so guess what? It doesn't bother me........ ;)

Re: Average Boater
 

ok this is not for the average person
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=4351335214

Re: Average Boater
 

I love the rich !!! they pay me good for my construction equipment and they pay me good to landscape their homes and cut their lawns!!!!! plus I by their cars boats and trucks when they trade them in?? I let them take the hit...The ones who think they are all that..who don't talk or wave..They are all small D-ck guys !!!!

Re: Average Boater
 

average here , 1972 cigarette , restoring. i can not imagine paying a loan on a boat. or the insurance :eek: i will say this i'm 35 and if i would have saved all the coin i just pissed away on dumb stuff i wolud be alot more settled. i try to tell younger people to save . that's what my mom used to tell me just put XX amount of money each week and don't touch it. well i didn't and now today i realize why she would tell me that. i pay for the toys as i go. use a credit card only to order and then pay off before end of the month. if i can't i don't buy.

now , i am going to be a father , doctor said it 's going to be a girl :eek: so now i am going to start a seperate savings account for her. that will cut into my toy money. my priorities are changing , again, for the better.