"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...

When the industry posits each
vessel as something that will convey the aura of being among the
privileged elite, it's no wonder that pretty soon people are unwilling
to consider boating as a family pastime because it appears to be far
too expensive.

It is far too expensive. I figure that it costs me $2000/month to own my
boat (loan, insurance, maintenance, and fuel). And that's before
depreciation...and excluding any major repairs.

Add in the additional cost to have a home on the water to keep the boat at
(or for those not on the water, dry storage which can run $500/month), and
the cost of ownership is off the charts.

But I look at it this way...
I don't gamble. I don't golf anymore. I have no real vices (except for the
internet). Every weekend, I go out on the boat and have a mini-vacation
with the family. To me, it's worth every penny.