After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're pretty
much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K range. The
basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and collectively
for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the expected cost. This
has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with purchase prices in
general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a major purchase (e.g.,
with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the current monthly payment), it
gives us the ability to incur after-sale expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a
sailboat does need a mast), and extends the time before one or more of us
needs to seriously get back to work. (Two of us will be standing down from
active work for the better part of 1-2 years, the other two will head back
into the grinder in less than a year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such as
for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty much
go all in or did you do something similar?

--
Nom=de=Plume

On Jun 8, 1:45*pm, "nom=de=plume" wrote:
After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're pretty
much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K range. The
basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and collectively
for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the expected cost. This
has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with purchase prices in
general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a major purchase (e.g.,
with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the current monthly payment), it
gives us the ability to incur after-sale expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a
sailboat does need a mast), and extends the time before one or more of us
needs to seriously get back to work. (Two of us will be standing down from
active work for the better part of 1-2 years, the other two will head back
into the grinder in less than a year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such as
for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty much
go all in or did you do something similar?

--
Nom=de=Plume


I cannot comment on your finances as this is far more than I would be
willing to pay for a boat.
However, it does not have a mast?

On 6/8/2010 1:45 PM, nom=de=plume wrote:
After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're
pretty much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K
range. The basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and
collectively for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the
expected cost. This has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with
purchase prices in general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a
major purchase (e.g., with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the
current monthly payment), it gives us the ability to incur after-sale
expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a sailboat does need a mast), and extends
the time before one or more of us needs to seriously get back to work.
(Two of us will be standing down from active work for the better part of
1-2 years, the other two will head back into the grinder in less than a
year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such
as for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty
much go all in or did you do something similar?


Pay off your debts before you incur more debt in the form of a boat.

Just curious. How do you figure your mortgages afford you to double up
on boat payments.
If you want my opinion, the four of you sound like a bunch of lazy morons.

On Tue, 8 Jun 2010 10:45:46 -0700, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such as
for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty much
go all in or did you do something similar?

The strategy of buying less than you can afford works well because
everyone always under estimates the cost of essential upgrades and
maintenance. It is important to try and estimate the upgrades and
maintenance as closely as possible and then double that number.

It is also important to try and nail down your ongoing expenses for
storage, both in and out of the water, and insurance. Insurance costs
vary by location, length of season, cruising range, and quality of
policy. There are big differences in policies, not always readily
apparent until you scrutinize the fine print.

The most expensive thing of all is buying the wrong boat, or buying it
with the wrong people. That may sound obvious but it happens all the
time. Have all of you spent a lot of time together on a boat before?
If not, I'd highly recommend chartering a boat similar to what you
want for two weeks and sail it somewhere. You'll learn a lot about
the boat, the people, and whether or not you really like the life
style.

On Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:08:00 -0400, Jeddadiah Smith
wrote:

On 6/8/2010 1:45 PM, nom=de=plume wrote:
After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're
pretty much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K
range. The basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and
collectively for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the
expected cost. This has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with
purchase prices in general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a
major purchase (e.g., with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the
current monthly payment), it gives us the ability to incur after-sale
expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a sailboat does need a mast), and extends
the time before one or more of us needs to seriously get back to work.
(Two of us will be standing down from active work for the better part of
1-2 years, the other two will head back into the grinder in less than a
year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such
as for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty
much go all in or did you do something similar?


Pay off your debts before you incur more debt in the form of a boat.

Just curious. How do you figure your mortgages afford you to double up
on boat payments.
If you want my opinion, the four of you sound like a bunch of lazy morons.

You sound like an asshole.

On Jun 8, 12:45*pm, "nom=de=plume" wrote:
After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're pretty
much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K range. The
basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and collectively
for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the expected cost. This
has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with purchase prices in
general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a major purchase (e.g.,
with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the current monthly payment), it
gives us the ability to incur after-sale expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a
sailboat does need a mast), and extends the time before one or more of us
needs to seriously get back to work. (Two of us will be standing down from
active work for the better part of 1-2 years, the other two will head back
into the grinder in less than a year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such as
for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty much
go all in or did you do something similar?

--
Nom=de=Plume


Wow! That's way more of an udertaking than what I could persue. But
good luck anyhow.

On Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:12:28 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 8 Jun 2010 10:45:46 -0700, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such as
for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty much
go all in or did you do something similar?

The strategy of buying less than you can afford works well because
everyone always under estimates the cost of essential upgrades and
maintenance. It is important to try and estimate the upgrades and
maintenance as closely as possible and then double that number.

It is also important to try and nail down your ongoing expenses for
storage, both in and out of the water, and insurance. Insurance costs
vary by location, length of season, cruising range, and quality of
policy. There are big differences in policies, not always readily
apparent until you scrutinize the fine print.

The most expensive thing of all is buying the wrong boat, or buying it
with the wrong people. That may sound obvious but it happens all the
time. Have all of you spent a lot of time together on a boat before?
If not, I'd highly recommend chartering a boat similar to what you
want for two weeks and sail it somewhere. You'll learn a lot about
the boat, the people, and whether or not you really like the life
style.

Good advice. I'd think about exactly how you're going to use the boat
and how many are likely to on board rather than deciding on a boat
based on the collective budget and affordability.

If you end up spending as much as you can afford but the boat only
sees two to four passengers on most trips, it's a big waste of $ to
purchase a 45+ ft boat. Although it may offer space, it's more to
keep up and more work to sail.

"Frogwatch" wrote in message
...
On Jun 8, 1:45 pm, "nom=de=plume" wrote:
After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're
pretty
much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K range.
The
basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and collectively
for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the expected cost.
This
has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with purchase prices in
general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a major purchase (e.g.,
with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the current monthly payment),
it
gives us the ability to incur after-sale expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a
sailboat does need a mast), and extends the time before one or more of us
needs to seriously get back to work. (Two of us will be standing down
from
active work for the better part of 1-2 years, the other two will head
back
into the grinder in less than a year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such as
for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty
much
go all in or did you do something similar?

--
Nom=de=Plume


I cannot comment on your finances as this is far more than I would be
willing to pay for a boat.
However, it does not have a mast?

That's a joke man... sheesh.

Wasn't talking about the money... talking about the strategy.

"Jeddadiah Smith" wrote in message
...
On 6/8/2010 1:45 PM, nom=de=plume wrote:
After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're
pretty much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K
range. The basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and
collectively for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the
expected cost. This has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with
purchase prices in general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a
major purchase (e.g., with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the
current monthly payment), it gives us the ability to incur after-sale
expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a sailboat does need a mast), and extends
the time before one or more of us needs to seriously get back to work.
(Two of us will be standing down from active work for the better part of
1-2 years, the other two will head back into the grinder in less than a
year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such
as for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty
much go all in or did you do something similar?


Pay off your debts before you incur more debt in the form of a boat.

Just curious. How do you figure your mortgages afford you to double up on
boat payments.
If you want my opinion, the four of you sound like a bunch of lazy morons.

What debts besides the houses? Your next sentence makes no sense. Don't need
your opinion. The facts are that you are a moron.

"jps" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:08:00 -0400, Jeddadiah Smith
wrote:

On 6/8/2010 1:45 PM, nom=de=plume wrote:
After much discussion by the four of us, we've concluded that we're
pretty much there, as far as being able to afford something in the $300K
range. The basic philosophy we're using (and have used individually and
collectively for most big purchases) has been to save for twice the
expected cost. This has the effect of allowing us some wiggle room with
purchase prices in general, not feeling like we're cash broke after a
major purchase (e.g., with our two mortgages, we can afford twice the
current monthly payment), it gives us the ability to incur after-sale
expenses (oh, yeah, I guess a sailboat does need a mast), and extends
the time before one or more of us needs to seriously get back to work.
(Two of us will be standing down from active work for the better part of
1-2 years, the other two will head back into the grinder in less than a
year.)

I'd be interested to hear what those who've made major purchases, such
as for a boat, have done (or not done) along these lines. Did you pretty
much go all in or did you do something similar?


Pay off your debts before you incur more debt in the form of a boat.

Just curious. How do you figure your mortgages afford you to double up
on boat payments.
If you want my opinion, the four of you sound like a bunch of lazy morons.

You sound like an asshole.

Sound like?? Sound like??