www.iFourWinns.com

Unfortunately for me Santa put all his attention to the kids this year Just before the holidays I had a domestic Solar Hot water system that was 17 yrs old fail and needed replacement before the tax credits expired on Dec 31 so the wish list of new toys for the boat got scraped. As much as I like boating, I hate more the idea of having to use electric to heat my water in the house and the larger electric bill stealing money from the boat gas fund.

So what was everyone else fortunate enough to receive from Santa?

_________________
Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

No boating goodies for me either, but the Toronto boat show is just around the corner, so I'm sure I'll make up for Santa's slack in the boating goodies while I'm there.

_________________
2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

None for me, either...

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I got a new set of water skis that match my new boat and wakeboard.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2874314&cp=2367826.2672645&clickid=topnav_watersportsdrop_9&parentPage=category
http://www.wakeboardreview.com/iconnlaunch.html

...Along with a black and silver ski vest. After appeasing the tax man I hope to put in a spare batt/disconn, spare tire/mount, stereo remote, and lights for the tower.

The new toy's first time on the water will be just amazing..... or completely embarrasing

Hey, where have you guys picked up those "low-profile" transom mount trim/tilt switches and how much?

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Don't really need anything for the boat, so nothing here either. Might end up selling it this spring anyway.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Why, Cap'n?

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Several reasons to sell and get out of boating for awhile. If things continue like they have been, it's not something I can afford by myself. We will see. Would pretty much have to give it away, as boats are not selling very well these days.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I have been given the all clear for another season from the other half. We had the boat up for sale, but good luck with that in this market. You could sell and take a bath. Good market for buyers though. I also got a new camcorder. Been wanting one of them for awhile. Also got an ice cream machine for my Kitchen Aid mixer. Cant wait to try that out. Also makes frozen drinks. Got a few other smaller things. All in all, the only thing I wanted was to keep the boat. For now we will.

We are also wrestling with the idea of putting "Mental Floss" on the market. The wife is going less and less leaving the boat to me and Ben. I was thinking down-sizing to a larger cuddy that I could air condition. If it is going to be mostly the two of us only I don't need the size of what I have. Although, I am sitting in a marina in Melbourne right now typing this. The space is nice. So as I sit here I'm torn. The money savings would be nice but I'm spoiled. Looks like I'm going to have to go some soul searching. Ben and I have been toying with the idea of down-sizing and putting the savings intoa Lotus Elise that we can play with when not on the boat. Gotta have toys...

_________________
Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

There are times I think about getting out also. We only used it a few times all of last season. I fear next season will be the same, and it just isn't worth the ~$3K per year in storage, taxes, summerizing/winterizing, etc. - not to mention loan payments - to get out a few times. Throw in the $4 gas we may see in the spring, and - well, you know what I mean. On the other hand it's a sucky time to try to sell a boat, and we have one we like a lot, we know how it's been maintained, it's not saddled with catalytic converters and some of the other crap that's coming down the pike, so - I guess we're going to have to make some judgment calls about keeping it long-term for our own enjoyment after the kids are gone, vs. continuing to use it very little.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

It seems alot of people are considering/ trying to get out of boating. Its kind of funny how many people got into it not having any idea of the cost. Then there is the issue of usage. Gas prices are too high so it just sits there in the driveway or slip going unused. I could care less about the cost, and as long as it doesnt bankrupt me, I want to keep doing it. Now the other half looks at it a tad differentlt than I do. Its all about the cost, not the enjoyment.

I agree. It's not just the cost for us, in fact it's just one of many considerations. In our case, we have 3 kids right at the age where for the next several years they're going to be more wrapped up in their friends and working than doing anything with us, and to some extent it will have an effect on how often we can get away. In other words if it were just the price of gas or whatever, we'd be gone every weekend. You can't put a price on getting away and enjoying some peace. But when other things keep you from being able to use it, after some amount of time goes by you have to start looking at what it's costing just to keep it.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I got new binoculars as my old one was the one I bought with my 1st boat some 25 years ago. The new ones are pretty cool. Much smaller and a little bit stronger, w/ a built in digital camera and a removable chip, so I can take a snapshot of what I am viewing thru the binoc''s! I haven't tried it out yet, but I like the idea.



I am very Happy to Hear That! As you know, I was so disappointed when I heard you had it up for sale! In the meantime, Stay out of that really rough water!!

Happy New Year To All!!!
Regards,
Jim

_________________
'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

I have really enjoyed the weekend so far. I guess what I need to do is be more prudent on expenses, especially on cruises.

Slip prices here have gone up greatly making some trips quite expensive.

This trip expenses:
Fuel for the truck towing the boat: 20 Gal @ $3.35 = $67
Boat Gas used: 52 gal @ $2.96 = $153.92
Slip for two nights: 30 ft min @ $1.75 + $5.00/night 30amp = $123.05
Provisions for the weekend: $76
Cash spent misc items: $35

Total so far for this trip: $454.97

One good thing, when it's just Ben and I, the costs are greatly reduced because we eat on board mostly all of the time. Can't say the same when the wife is aboard. There would be eating out $ above if she were here.

The new trend now seems to be not paying for your boat length but paying for the slip based on length of the slip. The city owned marina in Tampa now after they remodled charges $2/per foot of boat length or $2/per foot occupied slip length, which ever is greater. So for me, my 30' boat will go into the smallest transient slip (40') so it's $80 per night.

Mike brings up a very good point. I would be hard pressed to be able to afford what I have now if I had to buy a new boat. I know this boat. I've been the only one to use it and know it's condition. Other than a few scratches and nicks in the gelcoat she is pretty much bristol every where else. Most can't believe we have owned her for over 4 yrs now. It just hurts like hell to have her sit not getting used and pay the monthly payment and storage. It's a large monthly expense to just have her "avaialable" for use.

I need to do an analysis about dry storing her. Based on my truck fuel, money I spend owning a trailer and the monthly storage on land, it could be a wash or even a savings. I would have to give up exploring new areas but even if we put her in the water for a weekend and not go anywhere, but just "get away" I might get more use out of her.

_________________
Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"