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Lifetime Passion Or Gimic?Jan 08 '01 Write an essay on this topic.I have owned a boat since 1982. Not a big one but, a 14' Starcraft deep vee. It has brought me many hours of enjoyment. But, I wonder if it was just a gimic or passion that I wanted to own a boat. There is a lot to do when being an owner of a boat even a small one like this one. When I first bought this one there was not much to do when owning it. But, since then all the laws have changed. A once beautiful passion and a dream of owning a boat has been taken over by a bunch of politicians. If you have an old boat such as mine you have to have a titled made to make it legal. Then there are the boating laws that you have to know like the back of your hand. God forbid that you don't know all of them when the game warden comes around. One little mistake could cost you dearly. Such as if you go fishing and you invite another person, if he or she does not have a fishing license, you are liable. You are the one that is going to loose your equipment. Then there is the maint. of a trailer that you have to look at. If you leave it sit for any length of time your tires will possible go flat and the trailer lights will not work. I have spent many hours redoing the wiring system on a trailer. Grant it, owning a boat is a lot of fun during the summer, but what do you do with it in the winter? There are other fees to think of such as insurance, and other idiots out there that don't know that a fishing boat on a lake has the right of way. You have to know all the rules and please don't drink while driving a boat. They are a lot stricter now when it comes to drinking and driving a boat than they were years ago. Then you have to worry about the cost of cleaning and painting the boat. I bought this one used so there wasn't much sales tax to speak of. When you purchase a boat, there is a lot of other equipment that doesn't come with it. Make sure that you have all the proper safety devices. A lot depends on what size boat that you have. The smaller the boat you have and the smaller engine size the less that you have to have. I know that when choosing between an outboard or in board, the outboard uses less gas. The weather is another important factor after you purchase a boat, that you have to consider. You have to know a lot of stuff when becoming an owner. These are just bits and pieces that I have learned. I know for a fact that there is a lot more to tell you but by then you might get board with this review. You also have to know that there is certain ways to pull a boat. If you get into trouble you have to know how to get out of it. This goes a lot with experience and on the job usage. Yes, you can have a lot of fun owning a boat but, just make sure that you do it safely. Please study all the new laws, they are changing every year. Even the taxes and licenses fees change yearly. Boating can be a passion, just make sure it is not a passing fancy. You might want it this year but next year you are stuck with it if you change your mind. This does take a lot of time when you are starting out. You and your family will enjoy the pleasure that it gives you.  |
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