Bought a new 18' cc fishing boat 1 month ago. I have already spent
over $2000 on it for...
GPS/Fishfinder, VHF and antenna, stereo, safety equipment, anchor, 2
types of grease, epoxy to fasten those screws that come lose in the
first few trips. My wife refuses to let me spend more money, but I
still NEED... trolling motor, on board battery charger, t-top, extra
rod holders, bench seat instead of captain's chairs (they are pretty
cheap) and that's about it. Women can be so greedy (I'm joking, I have
to say that because I'm sure someone will lecture me if I don't specify
that I'm joking).

FishinJC wrote:
Bought a new 18' cc fishing boat 1 month ago. I have already spent
over $2000 on it for...
GPS/Fishfinder, VHF and antenna, stereo, safety equipment, anchor, 2
types of grease, epoxy to fasten those screws that come lose in the
first few trips. My wife refuses to let me spend more money, but I
still NEED... trolling motor, on board battery charger, t-top, extra
rod holders, bench seat instead of captain's chairs (they are pretty
cheap) and that's about it. Women can be so greedy (I'm joking, I have
to say that because I'm sure someone will lecture me if I don't specify
that I'm joking).

You know the old saying about, if you have to ask how much, you can't
afford it. I hate to admit it but I'm up to 40K on my 37 in refinishing
and such. Thank god the engines aren't original and have low hours
(1500 hours on 3208 Cats). But I have to admit, the boat looks
incredible, it turns heads big time. And I bought it cheap, so I'm
still ahead of the game.

Bottom line, six feet or sixty feet, put the calculator away, it'll
just make you sick.

Enjoy your boat.

John

"Capt John" wrote in message
oups.com...

FishinJC wrote:
Bought a new 18' cc fishing boat 1 month ago. I have already spent
over $2000 on it for...
GPS/Fishfinder, VHF and antenna, stereo, safety equipment, anchor, 2
types of grease, epoxy to fasten those screws that come lose in the
first few trips. My wife refuses to let me spend more money, but I
still NEED... trolling motor, on board battery charger, t-top, extra
rod holders, bench seat instead of captain's chairs (they are pretty
cheap) and that's about it. Women can be so greedy (I'm joking, I have
to say that because I'm sure someone will lecture me if I don't specify
that I'm joking).

You know the old saying about, if you have to ask how much, you can't
afford it. I hate to admit it but I'm up to 40K on my 37 in refinishing
and such. Thank god the engines aren't original and have low hours
(1500 hours on 3208 Cats). But I have to admit, the boat looks
incredible, it turns heads big time. And I bought it cheap, so I'm
still ahead of the game.

Bottom line, six feet or sixty feet, put the calculator away, it'll
just make you sick.

Enjoy your boat.

John


I agree that one should not fret over the money spent on their boat unless
they cannot afford it..........and, as you say, in that case perhaps they
should consider selling the boat. Boating is definitely not a cheap
hobby, no matter what size boat, especially now with rising fuel and
insurance costs.

With that understanding............. recording/logging expenses and upgrades
to the boat, along with regular maintenance and trip information is a smart
thing to do. It is not only a handy PM tool but it is also a definite plus
when selling the boat, especially when backed up with engine hour meter
notations associated with the log entries and receipts.

My wife and I still read our old boat logs (from our larger boats) to
remember the trips and great times we had on those boats. Her trip logs
were quite detailed and we often had our guests offer comments in the logs.
;-)

FishinJC wrote:
Bought a new 18' cc fishing boat 1 month ago. I have already spent
over $2000 on it for...
GPS/Fishfinder, VHF and antenna, stereo, safety equipment, anchor, 2
types of grease, epoxy to fasten those screws that come lose in the
first few trips. My wife refuses to let me spend more money, but I
still NEED... trolling motor, on board battery charger, t-top, extra
rod holders, bench seat instead of captain's chairs (they are pretty
cheap) and that's about it. Women can be so greedy (I'm joking, I have
to say that because I'm sure someone will lecture me if I don't specify
that I'm joking).

My wife and I reached an understanding. Within the last few years, she
insisted the house had to have new siding, a new kitchen, two new
bathrooms, refinished hardwood floors, a new mega-bucks natgas
fireplace log and custom bifold door ("the doors match the leaded glass
panes in the LR windows!"), new plumbing, new wiring, etc etc etc. We
were writing 5-figure checks as frequently as if we were buying
groceries. She keeps the family books, and she has never really
admitted how much her home remodeling binge cost us (but I have a rough
idea. ouch).

When I told her we were going to do the boat, she said "That's a lot to
spend on *your* boat!" I replied, "It's not much compared to what we
spent on *your* house!" She then agreed right away, with the comment,
"OK, it's settled. In case of divorce, you get to keep *your* boat and
I get to keep *my* house......" Hmmmm. It's a bad idea to "step in it"
immediately prior to putting your foot in your mouth. Oh well....Aside
from the fact that she's a CPA, there are other reasons I let her take
charge of our personal accounting. :-)