Owning a Boat: A Great Experience With Its Highs and Lows
The boating community shares a collective saying that the two best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. I was fortunate to enjoy many wonderful days aboard my first boat between buying and selling. Even so, after owning a boat, I can say there is some semblance of truth to the old adage.
I was overjoyed the day I picked up the Wellcraft Martinique 2400. There was also quite a bit of relief on the day that the new owner towed her away.
I learned a great many lessons during my inaugural stint owning a boat. Looking back, I can think of a number of things, in no particular order, that I did right and things I wish I’d known before I bought my boat.
What I Did Right Owning a Boat
I am going to start with the positives. These are the things that I did correctly from the outset, and I hope they point you in the right direction as you move toward owning a boat.
Bought the Right Boat
Taking the plunge to purchase my first boat during a global pandemic could have gone far worse than it did. I put in a lot of research prior to purchasing the watercraft, which resulted in a primarily positive ownership experience.
I wanted a boat that was big enough to use on Lake Ontario but small enough that I could trailer it with the family Suburban. New enough that it would be relatively reliable and in decent condition but old enough that I could afford it. I chose a single engine to reduce the weight but also minimize the cost of fuel and maintenance.
I had read about people who bought a boat as big and new as they could afford, only to be heartbroken when they experienced the first dock rash or fuel dock receipt. A definite downside to owning a boat. I made sure to get something that already had a few scuffs and wouldn’t cost too much to fill up with fuel or keep moored at my local marina.
Its age, size, and condition allowed me to learn how to dock properly without the help of two engines or bow thrusters.
Put Safety First
From the time my parents enrolled me in swimming lessons when I was very young, I was taught to have a healthy respect for water. This only increased as I became a lifeguard and swimming instructor as a teenager. I learned how quickly bad things can happen.
This knowledge and experience influenced my approach to safety for myself and my passengers. You cannot, in particular, ignore weather conditions. Wind direction and speed can change quickly, so keep tabs through a radio service or an electronic app to help you stay one step ahead to avoid potential danger.
In addition to being compliant with law enforcement should you be pulled over, a proper safety kit could save a life. I was also very grateful for having the foresight to secure a C-Tow membership, which I used multiple times. A faulty ignition fuse caused their first visit to save the day. The second time, I put too much trust in a 21-year-old fuel gauge.
The nominal costs required to be prepared for unexpected issues while owning a boat were well worth the money.
Watched and Learned
A little knowledge can get you into big trouble when it comes to owning a boat. Recognizing that I was new to the boating lifestyle, I approached my newfound hobby with humility and an open mind. I asked questions and accepted advice when dock mates offered it.
Regardless of how long you have been boating, you can always discover and learn more. Whether it relates to characteristics of a particular body of water or a better way to secure a vessel on the dock or at anchor. The boating community is often more than willing to help if you’re open to accepting it.
Explored and Enjoyed
I was constantly amazed by how many boats in my marina sat empty for the entire season or never left the dock. I put more than 100 hours on the Martinique in its first season, which allowed me to experience so many incredible moments I will remember forever.
Finding a private beach to drop anchor. Enjoying a beautiful sunset with a cigar. Catching the sunrise with a morning coffee while listening to the gentle lapping of waves against the hull. I will cherish all of those memories.
Being on the water provides a completely different perspective than being on land. I am glad I made the decision to get into boating and embrace the adventure it offers.
What I Wasn’t Prepared for Owning a Boat
Some things you just can’t prepare for until they happen, but you can learn from other people’s mistakes…and your own. I now have more knowledge and experience that I hope will make the ownership of my second boat go more smoothly.
Bad Behavior
Truthfully, I was not prepared for the utter debauchery displayed by a small but not insignificant population of the boating community. I am neither a prude nor a teetotaler, but the amount of dangerous behavior on and around boats—both moving and stationary—never failed to shock me.
I consistently witnessed overcrowding, littering, and excessive intoxication. The worst was the reckless driving that required me to drive defensively and even make evasive maneuvers to avoid coming into contact with boaters who didn’t know or care to follow the rules.
Never-ending Preventative Maintenance
While I certainly didn’t expect boating to be cheap, I didn’t expect the sheer number of necessary repairs to keep my vessel in tiptop shape. There was a stretch of time when it seemed like something broke or wore out on every voyage. Rather than waiting for things to go wrong, I learned to constantly scan for wear and tear.
I will proactively replace items such as impellers, fuses, spark plugs, and filters on my next boat. Beyond that, I’ll be prepared with spares to ensure I don’t get stranded…again.
Trailer Care
Boat trailers are the ignored stepchildren of the boating world. Left abandoned for long periods of time, their metal corrodes and their tires deflate. Then, they are expected to rise to the occasion for important heavy hauling duty at a moment’s notice.
Something as simple as mistaking an unmarked 1⅞-inch hitch ball for a 2-inch ball is significant. It can mean the difference between an uneventful day and expensive bodywork for the back of your vehicle. Ask me how I know. Rest assured, I store them separately now.
Take care of your trailer. You should regularly check the tire pressure and light bulbs. Grease the bearings. Lubricate the hitch mechanism so you don’t experience any surprises when it is time to load up. It is boring work that is less fun than relaxing on your boat, but also better than being the one stranded on the side of the highway. You’ve seen them.
Importance of Proper Storage
I can’t stress the importance of proper boat storage enough. Shrinkwrap sounds expensive until you price out a new interior after raccoons make a home in your cabin. Winterization will likely cause sticker shock until you have a cracked block because your cooling system iced up during the winter cold.
Taking preventative measures to prevent mechanical issues or unwanted wildlife may seem trivial and unnecessary, but they could also save you money and frustration.
Dustin Woods
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