"Stephen Trapani" wrote in message
...
Tim Shavinsky wrote:
Cruising is driving me to the poor house.

I typically put on 250 hours a years at 4 gph which puts fuel at about
$6,000.

The dockspace is costing me $5,000 a year.

Maintenance, insurance is $3,000 a year.

Depreciation of the trawler is $8,000 a year.

Opportunity cost(@ 5%) is $10,000 a year.

The thing is costing me $32,000 a year!

If I just took the money I paid for it and invested I could getting
checks for $10,000 a year rather than being 30K+ in the hole each
year. In 3 years I could have 30K in cash by foregoing the boat or be
100K in the hole.

On the horizon I only see higher fuel costs and everything else going
up in cost, the boat plummeting in value and no increased return on my
retirement egg. I love the boat but this is really draining me, I am
seriously considering pulling the plug before things get worse. Does
anyone here have any creative solutions or are we all in the same
mess? I figure I need 25 years of retirement funds and won't make it
with the trawler. Is there an American friendly country with cheap
fuel, good health care and low expenses? Thanks everyone.

We haven't cruised yet this season, but last year the four of us went on
about five long weekend trips. I spent about $50 total in fuel. We stayed
in five different really cool marinas and had some mild adventures,
exploring. The boat hasn't depreciated that I know of. I paid $7500 for it
about five years ago. It's a '79 Hunter 33'. Sleeps five. No insurance. I
paid about a hundred for the tabs. I have it anchored off a buddy's
property, no cost there.

A great investment, IMO.

Stephen


I hope you have at least liability insurance. An accident could ruin your
day.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com