How much work in owning a boat

Rodman · #1 03-03-2006, 10:11 PM

Well I've never owned a boat before, but I'm having a serious look at getting one at the moment. The reasons are:
1. Easier to get a full day's fishing in, otherwise the minister of the interior only lets me have a few hours. Of course, then she says I need to sacrifice some of those land based sessions.
2. Thinking about having a go at the comps. I can't do any of the Bream comps as a non-boater this year due to other commitments (manning? too far?), but there's always next year and of course the Vic Bream classic series. Not that I think I'd have any chance of course.

One of the things I'm keen to get some opinions on is how much work is involved in owning/maintaining a boat compared with just going land based for a few hours, which is all I'm doing now.

There's obviously a lot more to it than just firing the boat up and away you go. There's making sure the boat is maintained and everything is working beforehand, then it needs to be put in and then trailered again. When you get it home it needs to be cleaned and motors washed, etc. I'm sure I've missed a lot of things.

Next question (rhetorical)...would I actually get enough use out of it to justify getting one? I don't know the answer to that one.

Opinions/experiences welcome.

eddystone · #2 03-03-2006, 10:17 PM

Only got a small boat...

I guess the $$$$ of the boat determines how much care it gets

For me a wash down with fresh water and i run the motor when i get home (most of the time)

Leccy just does its own thing

(not to say you shouldn't wash them.)

Then i guess you can do the bearings etc on the trailer every now and then. Its not too much work in my opinion and will take you to MORE fish!

eddy

Dell · #3 03-03-2006, 11:00 PM

At times it can be hard work cleaning the boat. but think about it this way if you have a boat you will have a great days fishing that will beat landbased fishing handsdown. So in my opinion if the boat gives you something you must return the favour back to the boat.

brw0513 · #4 04-03-2006, 07:01 AM

When Brownie was doing his Coastwatch show years ago I remember him saying that if you intended to go fishing more than 10 times a year then buy a boat. If less than 10 times a year, then pay to go with a guide.

In MO, the biggest reason for people selling their boats is all the hard work flushing, cleaning etc when you get home. There is no fun in having to flush the outboard and hose the trailer and hull well after dark, when you're sunburnt, cranky and caught no fish. Don't underestimate the time it takes to do the routine maintenance, let alone the cost of the yearly service.

There is also lots of lessons to learn when you've decided to go boating. Bungs in and motor up when launching at the ramp spring to mind.

I don't want to put you off though. I think you would be missing out on a very big chapter if you don't take the plunge.

I have a few tips:

Get a fishing mate (the kids are great too) to help with the post-trip clean up and split the fuel bill. I like to launch from ramps where there is a tap so I can flush the outboard with my hose and flushing ears while the mate ties the boat down to the trailer and packs away the tackle.

Don't use bait - it stinks up the boat no end. SP, HB or fly only.

Find out exactly what sort of fishing it is that you really want to pursue before you buy your boat.

When buying the boat, take your time, do a thorough inspection and have a big think. A water test is essential. If it is not offered look elsewhere. The ideal boat is up for sale every two weeks. It is very easy to get way too excited and buy a complete dud. Don't ask me how I know this!

I wish you well.

peter bear · #5 04-03-2006, 07:12 AM

rodman i've got a 465 stessl and it takes a bit of time to clean after the fishing trip, but the secret is go early and come back early that way you have a lot of sunlight to clean the boat after wards.
dont know about vic but here in wa the sw trade winds come in about 1.30 ish so i tend to get out about 6 and back by 1 and there is the still the drive home after you pull the boat out it usealy takes an hr to go home from the ramp.
but i wouldnt be without it i go when i want and you'll will always have new people

to go out with you fishing .
peter.

Bream Addict · #6 04-03-2006, 07:16 AM

Not that i have much experience in boating,however,after fishing a fair bit recently out of some quality rigs i can cee that there is more than you would think to do initially.
personally,once i have enough $$ saved up i will be buying a new rig,regardless of time taken up by cleaning etc,the fishing from a boat is just so much better so much more of the time.
Rodman,what boat/s are you looking at specifically?

Lone Ranger · #7 04-03-2006, 07:18 AM

It's a real PITB sometimes depending on how the fishing went and the weather for the day, and how good ya docking was for the day!

That's my opinion. I've only had mine for 3 months. I spend more time caring for the boat than I do with my car or housework! Normally I only wash my car once every 6-12 months, if it's lucky! Now I wash and shampoo my boat/trailer after every use including the back of the car, flush the motor, dry the damn boat, charge up the battery, spray the parts, etc etc, talk to him to make sure he does better the next time ..... but he still hasn't given me a BIG BREAM!

It sure is better than shorebashing but a lot of work. I still shorebash occasionally. Saves getting the boat ready the night before e.g. petrol, DC battery, no queing up at ramps.

Basically your other half will see less and less of you I reckon!

... Oh and I forgot to say, it doesn't end there! You'll want to spend more and more on the boat , and also want to buy more boating/fishing magazines ... even if your pocket says no! It's never ending!!!

Zac 87 · #8 04-03-2006, 07:40 AM

when i get home i spend about 15 mins cleaning the boat after each trip. motor gets flushed with rainwater and the boat and trailer also get a good spay. included in that 15 mins is puting the battery on charge. pretty easy if you ask me

Lone Ranger · #9 04-03-2006, 07:45 AM

Lucky you Zac, charging the leccy is the worst issue for me as I live in a very very old complex of units with no power in the garage. Like a bloody nomad, I have to ring everyone of my relatives to beg that I cart the boat there to charge up the battery! I am such a weakliing it is just impossible for me to lift 30kgs out of the boat, down the trailer and walk to the unit complex, climb up the stairs to my unit! I even put out about nearly 80 metres of extension cord once just to charge up the battery!

... I need to buy a new house next!