Is It Too Much to Ask?

by "functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
Published 03/20/2017 at 13:01

Tags: boatlopnik
STARS: 0

It’s March and there’s still 18" of ice on the lake, so I’m dreaming. My son asked me this morning “When is summer!?” Yeah, buddy I know. Soon. Kinda soon.

Maybe this isn’t even a thing anymore, but I’m calling this a #firstworldproblem. I’ve been saving money diligently for enough years now that I can look at new boats. And every time I look, I think, Hey what about one year newer, they had THAT option... but of course it bumps me out of my budget. So I go back to, I’ll just keep my boat another season.

THIS boat is what I’d get if one came up for sale near me. I even like the color scheme of this one in particular.

Maybe lose the tower speakers and put a bimini top up there instead. I am not 19 and don’t need to broadcast my music directly into my neighbors’ homes. I do enjoy shade. But this is out of my budget for another year or maybe two.

My current plan is to use my boat most of this summer. Some time in July, try to sell it at the peak of the season (best seller’s market). Pocket the cash on top of my existing savings, and wait for the right deal. If I have to wait until next spring, I’ll have even more squirreled away so I’ll be closer to perfection. I can use other family boats for the remainder of the season, if I really want to get out. Like I said, #firstworldproblems.

Replies (22)

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
03/20/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 1

I’ve been very annoyed by this too and checking my weather app constantly. This morning? I saw 8" of snow on Sunday >:( 

"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
03/20/2017 at 13:06, STARS: 2

but what about ice boat

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
03/20/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 0

I’ve never been a boat guy, but I’ve been tempted...but only in climates where I could use it all year around. In the Deep South, the main reason winter is tougher is that all the reservoirs are 5'-10' lower and the shallows can get dangerous (up to — and including — your preferred dock or ramp).

"facw" (facw)
03/20/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 1

“When is summer?” is the wrong question. The question is where is summer, and the answer is “here”:

"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
03/20/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 3

Look, I don’t need to travel all the way to Texas to enjoy a sauna.

"CB" (jrcb)
03/20/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 1

The answer is always Boston Whaler.

"Azrek" (azrek)
03/20/2017 at 13:26, STARS: 1

Think of all the dead mosquitos!

"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
03/20/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 1

I’ve been eyeing the Bayline Element E16 with the upgraded motor. No real systems to fail, dirt cheap for a new boat, fits in the garage, and does everything I need to. It is basically my boat now, just 40 years newer. Throw a bimini top on the boat below and I’m in.

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 0

Those are sick. I would love to run one of those sometime. I’ve seen a few on our lake, but everyone’s into Kite Wings now....

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 0

Like the perfect 3-car garage, I have a perfect 3-boat garage (boathouse?). And a 17' center console whaler with a 90-ish hp outboard is definitely in it.

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 0

There are times when I wish I could use it year-round. But then I like the variety of snow sports, fall hiking, spring... mud slinging? And summer boating. To each his own...

"CB" (jrcb)
03/20/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 0

We had an 18' centre console with a 175 horsepower Johnson on the back. It was pretty great and would hit 40 mph on a calm day. Would recommend.

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
03/20/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 0

If only there was some sort of vehicle that could do it all...I love being able to get outside all year, but definitely wish I could do more snowshoeing, snowboarding, etc. Right now late fall through early spring are everything for me — climbing, hiking, obstacle races, running. Summer is like hibernation for me.

"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97)
03/20/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 1

We put our boat in the water for the year on Saturday. Southern New Mexico is blessed with long boating season.

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 0

Nice! It has to have been a 75 though? Typo?

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 17:16, STARS: 0

That’s a nice layout. Bayliners are not known for their build quality. But they can be fine if you take care of them. And the engines of course aren’t related to bayliner so that’s huge.

"CB" (jrcb)
03/20/2017 at 17:25, STARS: 1

Nope. 175 horsepower V6. Not a typo.

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 21:19, STARS: 0

Wow. An 18' Whaler? It’s a little odd, that’s all. I think some of those horses must have left the stable, as they say. Put it this way: I had a 1972 Starcraft, fiberglass boat with a windshield and big bench seat, about 16.5' long and powered by a 75hp Suzuki 3 cylinder outboard. THAT boat would do 40mph with only me in it. The marine patrol boat on our lake is an 18' McKee Craft center console with a Mercury 175, and it will go over 60mph easily. Maybe the Whaler was a bit waterlogged, and/or that motor was a lot of weight for its power... old whalers do tend to get water in the foam.

I’m really, genuinely not trying to be a jerk or anything, but I’ve driven hundreds of boats, and it seems like that boat should have been faster!

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 21:25, STARS: 0

A snowmobile! You can drive them over water, snow, grass, dirt... just don’t ask to turn sharply.

What I like about cold weather is that until it’s ridiculous like way below zero F, you can absolutely dress for any cold weather and so long as you stay active, you are warm. Of course wind can be a problem. But I spend a lot of time outside in very cold temperatures, and I much prefer that to sweating my nuts off but being unable to do anything about it, you know? I can’t take off any more layers! If I can’t be in or very near to water, I have no use for temps above 90. Or 80 if there’s high humidity...

Then again, I do enjoy those 90 degree days where I am in and out of the lake all day, never bother with a shirt or shoes...

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 21:33, STARS: 1

My father spent about 30 years as a surveyor. Days where it’s like, zero and windy? He’d say cheerfully: “Welp! It’s not buggy!”

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
03/20/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 0

Don’t get me wrong, I love winter. I actually just like having constantly changing seasons. Always something to look forward to! This afternoon I sat on my deck in the sun while my kids played, the sun was warm and it was glorious. Also it was about 45 degrees. It never ceases to amaze me how warm that feels in March, as opposed to September when it first dips down in the 40's. But I like that, too - relief from the heat... clearly I can never live somewhere without seasons.

But right now? Yeah I’m excited for summer.

"CB" (jrcb)
03/20/2017 at 23:24, STARS: 0

We had five people in it, probably adding about 800-900 pounds. And the engine was from the eighties, so power loss is probable.