Well, upon returning from Afghanistan and getting out of the Army, I plan on purchasing a boat for diving. I've read through the "which boat" section and haven't decided what I will get but have an idea what to look for. I plan on moving to Florida and I was wondering how everyone gets their dive boats from one place to another. Do you keep it docked somewhere? or do you drive it from your house? If you dock it, how much does it cost per month and what are the maintenance things to check and do regularly? If you drive it, what kind of vehicle do you use? I currently have a 01 jeep wrangler. I'm doubting it will be enough to pull a boat but I don't know.
So, the short version, how much does it cost to keep a boat docked somewhere? If you trailer it back and forth, what do you use to pull it? Suggestions for engine size/vehicle type for boat length/type.
thanks for your time.
This process really begins with the boat you decide to purchase. But there are some things to think about in advance.
A slip is the most convenient (and most expensive), a mooring is the 2nd most convenient (less expensive), and trailing is the least convenient in my opinion and least expensive. Slip fees vary based on area and time of year. In Boston, a cheap slip is $125 a foot for May through October. It's a little less in other areas. There is nothing like driving to the marina, grabbing a cart, and rolling your gear right to the boat. Most marina's have good security and usually slip neighbors keep an eye out for each other whether a thief or a line has become fouled or such. A mooring is nice in that your boat is in the water and ready to go, but you need a dingy or water taxi to get back and forth. You can rent a mooring in Salem MA where I'm located for example for $1000 a summer (May - Oct). They do the maintenance, etc. I own my mooring. As a diver we can do our own service. You need to dive on it once a year and replace chain/shackles as necessary with just a few tools. (Don't expect a good air consumption rate for this effort - he he). With a slip or mooring you need to powerwash and apply bottom paint annually in your area. In the cold water of MA I can go two seasons on Petit Unepoxy. I pull my boat a few times a year to trailer to a different area. When I do this I powerwash the hull just to stay ahead of it. Even with good bottom paint, you will still get some slime and such and this affects fuel consumption, speed, etc. It's prudent to powerwash a few times a season.
When you trailer you don't need to worry about bottom paint or other things, but I find it a pain. Go to a marina on a warm day in July and it can be a long wait to get to the ramp. It's a hassle to find parking in many cases as well. It's certainly the least expensive means of keeping a boat though. I don't like loading gear at the house. It's a huge weight increase for the trailer and boat structure. It's probably OK, I just don't care for it. You also need to back your rig farther into the water to float the boat. If it's a shallow launch and low angle you need to back pretty far into the water. You also need to live in a place/area where you can keep the boat. Most apartment complex's would not allow you to keep a boat in the parking lot for example. There are some suburban communities where you cannot store a boat - even at your own house. This usually depends on the size of the boat.
You need to equip your boat with electronics suitable for your uses. At the very least, VHF radio, depth finder, compass, and a handheld GPS. (In addition the necessary USCG safety equipment including fire extinguiser, anchor, signal devices, life jackets, etc.) You will want insurance on the boat of course. This totally depends on the value of the boat and deductible, etc., etc. but is cheaper than car insurance. For a $20,000 boat for example you would be looking at about $400 a year. Many states offer discounts for those who are licensed or complete boaters safety courses. This again is the minimum, you may want to do things that require radar for example and now we're talking thousands of dollars for electronics. The electronics package for my next boat will be about $3400 before the other items I mentioned above.
Your 6cyl Jeep will pull an 18' boat but you would want to be very careful as noted by others.
Definitely take a boaters safety course. It's a great way to start off right and it may also save you money on insurance.
