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boating is an investment in the familyJan 24 '02 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line For me it is well worth the cost because the return is so high. Now the question for you is, can you NOT afford to invest in your family? A friend of mine said "If you like wadding up $100 bills and flushing them down the toilet then buy a boat. On some days it is just like that. But it is the other days that make it all worth while. Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself before buying a boat. 1. When the boat breaks down (and it will)can you fix it yourself? Do you know enough to fix the minor stuff and trouble shoot? If you can't or just don't want to, then are you ok with the boat sitting at the shop for weeks waiting to get repaired while you continue to make payments? All boats will foul up at some time or the other, so be advised. 2. How are you going to get it to the water? New truck, storage facility or boat slip all cost big bucks. 3. Where are you going to store it? If it is in storage it will be dirty, cobwebs, mice etc. If it sits on the water lots of moisture ie potential for problems. If it is in your driveway the rain will soak it leaves will fall in it and your cover will rip with water sitting on it. My point??? If you have a boat it must be easy to use it or you won't. It will just be another "thing" after the new wears off and an expensive mistake. You should be able to hook up and take off in less than 30 minutes or it is too much work. (my opinion) 4. Buying a used boat may be someone elses problems, but it can have some bonuses too. Life Jackets, skis, upgrades all typically come with the boat. Just make sure you see all the records. If they lost interest in it and it has been sitting up for a couple of years, take a walk. 5. If you can't see putting at least 30-50 hours a year on your boat, then don't buy one. Try renting one, much cheeper in the long run. This might be hard to predict, but ball park estimate it. A good friend of mine services Correct Craft ski boats. This winter he winterized 10 boats on one lake and not one of the had more than 11 hours total for the year. These boats cost $45,000 and up. These people had more money than sense, do you? Owning a boat is about making memories with your family. It may be a memory of running out of gas, forgetting the keys, forgetting the plug (!) But none the less it bonds you together. Be it a boat, a pop up tent trailer, or just less hours at the office and more time involved in your family's lives. Count the cost and you will reap the reward.  |
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