Getting out of Boating

slman · **Joined:** Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:54 am **Posts:** 199

Anyone ever get out of boating to put an inground pool in their yard instead? Did you regret it afterward? Or did you downsize your boat to help offset the pool costs? Anyone ever wrestle with this? :?:

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:11 pm

Uhhh, NO!

Seriously, its nothing I could dream of considering. I work a ton of hours and work pretty much every Saturday of the year, save an occassional vacation day. We have found that the boat is the best thing for our family. It has built countless memories and provided the best family bonding time of anything we do. I coudnt fathom being without a boat of some sorts.

My ex-wife has a pool and a pontoon boat. According to my son, they dont use either one a whole lot. Depending on where you live, they can both be seasonal luxuries or they could be enjoyed year round. Both come with a lot of expense, liability and maintenance. Both can be used to entertain family and friends. Only a boat can get you away from it all and let you experience the beauty of other locations. You cant put the pool on a trailer and take it on vacation like you can a boat.

If its a one or the other type of decision, I keep the boat. If you can find a way to have the best of both worlds, downsize the boat and get a pool.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:17 pm

Part of the allure of boating is 'getting out of the house'

At least for us, we seem to stay 'connected' to life around the house... chores, cleaning, cooking, etc... all part of normal life.

It isn't until we step away from work, the house, and our everyday surroundings that we are able to really 'disconnect'.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:24 pm

I think every family will be different on that. Someone who has to plan for a week and then drive for a day just to get to the boat might look more favorably at a pool, for example. And not everyone's kids love boating; I happen to have two who love it and one who hates it (but would love a pool).

Know this, though - a pool is not a trivial undertaking either. The annual cost of upkeep, water, & chemicals can be astronomical. In the neighborhood I grew up in, we had a family who had an in-ground pool built. I recall their annual operating cost to be almost $1,000 (in the '70's). One night, they had a neighborhood pool party and one of the neighbors broke his neck in the pool. He was handicapped for the rest of his (shortened) life.

The coup d'etat was the year we had a severe drought, which caused the earth support around the pool walls to contract, cracking and shifting the walls. That pool is now a weed-filled garden with a sidewalk around it and the remnants of a diving board at one end.

slman · **Joined:** Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:54 am **Posts:** 199

230 Mike wrote:

I think every family will be different on that. Someone who has to plan for a week and then drive for a day just to get to the boat might look more favorably at a pool, for example. And not everyone's kids love boating; I happen to have two who love it and one who hates it (but would love a pool).

Know this, though - a pool is not a trivial undertaking either. The annual cost of upkeep, water, & chemicals can be astronomical. In the neighborhood I grew up in, we had a family who had an in-ground pool built. I recall their annual operating cost to be almost $1,000 (in the '70's). One night, they had a neighborhood pool party and one of the neighbors broke his neck in the pool. He was handicapped for the rest of his (shortened) life.

That pool is now a weed-filled garden with a sidewalk around it and the remnants of a diving board at one end.

My situation is that with the size boat I have it is 1+Hrs to go use it depending on where I want to go that particular day (I keep her trailered). I understand the maintenance costs of both and that is not the issue. I guess my issue is distance to use it and the planning required (which invariably adds up to the fact I don't use it enough). But I, like most here LOVE my boat and LOVE the feeling of being out there. My kids love it too but they are also home all week during the summer while I work and they all love to swim. Its a predicament for sure. As for liability, I refuse to have a diving board to limit injury and I could hurt someone on an inner tube or skiing just the same as someone getting hurt in my pool.

ric · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:47 pm

Just rent a slip somewhere and keep the boat in the water. That's what I do. I couldn't imagine owning a boat any other way. I'd slit my wrists if I had to trailer the thing and do everything else associated with that process everytime I wanted to use my boat (2-4 days a week!!).

slman · **Joined:** Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:54 am **Posts:** 199

ric wrote:

Just rent a slip somewhere and keep the boat in the water. That's what I do. I couldn't imagine owning a boat any other way. I'd slit my wrists if I had to trailer the thing and do everything else associated with that process everytime I wanted to use my boat (2-4 days a week!!).

Where my extended family and I go all the time would be a great place for a slip. I have been on the waiting list for one since 1998!

french829 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:39 pm

Like a bunch of others--I could not give up my boat and have no desire to take care of a pool. I guarantee though--5 minutes after you sell the boat--you will get a call that a slip just opened up. Isn't that always the way? Good luck with whatever you decide.

LouC · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:19 pm

We put in a pool 5 years ago, in ground one with a view of the harbor behind us and heat pump...keep it between 86-88 degrees. It is wonderful. We have a salt generator to make chlorine and it is very little maintenance. Way, way less work than the boat. I am in a salt water area and it greatly increases the maintenance on the boat. I have to say I was not for getting the pool, but it is wonderful to cool off, the family loves it and it is very little trouble. Kept the small boat, got the pool. If I sell the boat, I am going to look for a '55 Chevy hot rod....

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 4:51 pm

Sell the kids and get a bigger boat :wink:

Xavid · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:39 pm

I would like the pool for a year or 2 then be bored with it, and I think my kids would too. If you want a pool, I'd say join a club. The kids I think would like that better because of the social aspects of it. I also don't like the idea of keeping my boat in a slip season long. The same lake or river would bore me also. I enjoy trailering to a variety of places, staying at different places, and meeting different people.

taz42169 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:01 pm

Our Marina has a pool! Checkmate!

Flying Sushi · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:17 pm

Ouch!.... That will hurt…. Pool is good but no match to River, Ocean and Lakes.
I understand you must satisfy her needs in order to maintain your freedom…. This one will be a tough compromise....

If you end up going that direction we will more than welcome to take you and family out for ride on our boat… The guys on this forum will be always around for you if you need to escape time to time..

StirCrazy · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:36 pm

Slman, where are you located? It's probably listed but I missed it.

Your boat is absolutely awesome in my eyes. You would have to do a Disney type pool to ever top her. What would you ask for the 262?

ric · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:17 pm

Pool is 20yds from front door, boat in at dock 100yds from back door.

I raise you.

www.iFourWinns.com

Getting out of Boating

Who is online