Fast Fred writes:

<<My perception of how "trawlers" are actually used is open to correction,

but 45 years of observation still sez , Jewelry , for show , not GO!>>

C. Marin replies:

<<This may be true in the Carribean.  But try the Pacific Northwest.  We boat

all year. >>

But in the Northeast, Fast Fred may be more correct than most of us like to
admit. The operator of my local large marina, which keeps track of slip
vacancies, tells me that the average trawler slip is vacated only about 4 days per
season. The typical trawler accumulates only about 100 main engine hours per
year, according to the marina service manager. In the most densely boat packed
section of the Hudson Valley we usually see fewer that half a dozen boats out at
any time. Integrating all those dubious statistics, I would estimate that
boats are used less than 1% of the available daylight hours during a typical
season. It is nice to have a trawler but using it is something else--

Larry Z

I don't think of Curmudgeon as expensive jewelry, more like a leatherman
who provides interesting mechanical challenges and a "ride" to paradise
and freedom.  OBTW, I put on over 5,000 miles each year.

                               Regards.....

Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V "Curmudgeon" Marine Trader 44 TC
Currently anchored in Sandy Hook, NJ

Larry wrote:
I would estimate that boats are used less than 1% of the available daylight
hours during a typical
season. It is nice to have a trawler but using it is something else--

Larry Z

That statement is applicable to ALL boats not just trawlers.

However, we all seem to agree that boats become an affair of the heart, much
like our spouses are.
We do not think of our spouses in terms of so many hours of "use"  any more than
we think of our boats in that regard.

Therefore hours of run time on the main engine is not necessarily  a  proper
measure of the worth or utility to the boat owner.

I can just imagine the result of anyone  assessing the worth of a spouse  in
terms of hours on the clock < big grin >

Cheers

Arild

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.509 / Virus Database: 306 - Release Date: 8/12/2003

I've been a boat owner/user for most of my adult life, about 45 years, and
spend as much time on and around the water as I can.  During that time,
regardless of whether I was in California, Oregon, Washington, South
Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and other east coast states, it was
obvious that most boats are not really used, whether sail or power.

I remember back in the early/mid 1960s, a bank in So. California did a study
and found that in times of financial difficulty, people with home loans,
second home loans, furniture loans, Sears accounts, credit cards, car loans,
appliance loans, jewelry loans, boat loans, etc. always seemed to make their
boat loan payments even if they were behind on other loans.  After further
study and evaluations, they came to the conclusion that a boat represented a
dream and people always want to hold onto their dreams.  They then started
aggressively offering boat financing, as have most other banks since then.

Boats represent our dreams, even if we don't use them.  The reasons for not
using boats are many and varied, but include not enough time, wife, husband
or kids don't like boating, fear of operating the boat, health reasons,
financial difficulties, boat inoperable, lack of confidence, and so on.  We
have had periods of time when we couldn't use our boat for one reason or
another.  Now, we use our boat extensively.

That's the way it looks from here,

Bob Lowe

Fast Fred writes:

<<My perception of how "trawlers" are actually used is open to correction,

but 45 years of observation still sez , Jewelry , for show , not GO!>>

C. Marin replies:

<<This may be true in the Carribean.  But try the Pacific Northwest.  We
boat

all year. >>

Larry Z replies:

<<But in the Northeast, Fast Fred may be more correct than most of us like
to
admit. The operator of my local large marina, which keeps track of slip
vacancies, tells me that the average trawler slip is vacated only about 4
days per
season. The typical trawler accumulates only about 100 main engine hours per
year, according to the marina service manager. In the most densely boat
packed
section of the Hudson Valley we usually see fewer that half a dozen boats
out at
any time. Integrating all those dubious statistics, I would estimate that
boats are used less than 1% of the available daylight hours during a typical
season. It is nice to have a trawler but using it is something else-->>

_

Bob, I agree with your points completely.  Why some people feel a need to
put down others who lack the available time to cruise extensively is beyond
me.  Drive past any private airport and look at the rows and rows and
hangars and hangars of planes just sitting there, gathering dust!  I feel a
more positive way to view this is that many acquire their dream boat before
they acquire the time to cruise in it.  I see nothing to be ashamed of and
quite a bit to be proud of in that.  Among other things, along the way,
you're likely to change your idea of the "ideal boat".  Over the years my
wife and I have owned and sailed sloops ranging in size from 17 - 34', and
power craft ranging in size from 26' to 40'.  Each in its time was
appropriate and well-suited to our then current lifestyle and available
time.  I have retired and my wife has 1-2 years left with the local school
district before retirement.  So we are kicking the tires on, among other
types, 49' DeFever's around the SF Bay area and beyond.  In the process we
have also learned about other makes and styles that may suit our needs too.

I've been active in on-the-water operations with the Coast Guard Auxiliary
for 30 years operating and crewing aboard Auxiliary and Coast Guard patrol
craft.  Beyond the tremendous personal training this activity affords
(seamanship, communications, navigation, weather, etc.) I have also gotten
"up close and personal" exposure to the types of problems that befall
mariners and force them to seek assistance from the Coast Guard and salvers.
I consider this time well spent in preparation to our soon-to-be cruising
lifestyle.  Yes my current boat, a 34' twin-engine FBSF, outfitted with
towing gear and extra rescue equipment sits underutilized in her slip as we
examine potential live-aboards throughout the area.  I'm sure Fast Fred
would spot her and make fun of her for not being underway 24/7.  However I
don't lose much sleep over his opinions and consider the time my wife and I
have spent on the water over the past 40 years, we each came from boating
families, to be extremely educational and valuable for our impending
cruising life.

I think you touched on an important point when you said "The reasons for not
using boats are many and varied".  Sometimes our dreams exceed current
reality.  We owned a 40' Hershine single-screw (Ford Lehman 120) trawler for
five years and although we loved the boat, when we could squeeze in time for
cruising among our busy schedules, I've told others that it was like owning
a 747 and flying it between Oakland and San Francisco!  It was destined for
far greater cruises than we could undertake at the time.  But the skills we
perfected operating it and the fun we had, given our time constraints, were
well worth it.

But as we approach our cruising years, I can almost taste it now, I doubt
that I'll find any need to chastise the boat owners whose vessels fill the
marinas month after month.

Bob Peterson

By the way, an update for you, just got back from our local seasonal boat
show and was especially shopping for financing options.  Several independent
firms represented but not a single bank!

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Lowe
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 11:27 AM
To: TW List
Subject: TWL: Expensive jewelery?