Benchrest vs boat.

[divingin]

Sort of off-topic: I have an 18' aluminum-hulled RIB that I used for diving off the west (Calif) coast. As such, I joined a UK-based RIB forum, as RIB's are much more popular in Europe compared to here. I remember this happening a *lot*: A guy shells out for a 7, 8, 9 meter RIB, that costs about as much as a house (often over $200K.) Then come the complaints that lifejackets shouldn't cost $80, and the whole industry is a ripoff. Pretty amusing.

But yeah, boats are expensive. Always something to fix (more so when you add in rigging and tools and crap - tools don't last long on seagoing boats. At least mine never did.)

 

[jackieschmidt]

Boating can be enjoyable…

View attachment 1681340

Well, if it springs a leak, there is plenty of Silicone on board

 

[Bc'z]

Boating can be enjoyable…

View attachment 1681340

Motor boatin !!

 

[jackieschmidt]

I climb around boats just about every day. I love ‘em because a lot of that money my customers spend on them comes to me.

This one came up on drydock last night. Time to get to work

 

[Steve Donlon]

I think if you buy a boat you should know why you want it. Otherwise you could get a boat that will not work for you in the long run. I've seen plenty of boats at Lake Powell that were a disaster. No freeboard, to much V to land on the beach not ready for open water. Bass boats and ski boats are the worst in open water when the wind come up and you are 20 miles from a ramp. Better to know exactly what the boat will be used for IMO.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have a 2014 Alumacraft Classic SC, 16.5' long with a 60hp 4S on it, and I use it for chasing crappie around here in E TN on the TVA lakes. I decked it all out like I wanted when I bought it new, but did transfer the almost new/good working troller motor and electronics over from the prior boat. I didn't do anything to it until this past April/May when I upgraded the electronics. That alone cost me the same as a new 2500x RFBR set up, but I'm fortunate that I could pay the CC off when the bill came in. I still have the same trolling motor on the boat and it was purchased in 2011 IIRC. I dread the day the TM dies as the new ones are totally outrageous in prices, and apparently not all that dependable based on some forums I visit.

I also have 2 RFBR setups, one I bought, another that I won via a raffle, so I'm fortunate there as well. All the related "necessities" for the RFBR games can get expensive just like it does for the CF games, but both of these "interests" get me out of the house, keep me somewhat active, interacting with the public (both good and bad there) and I have made friends and had lots of experiences that I otherwise would not have had. Every hobby has an entry fee of some type, some just have ongoing entry/maintenance fees, it all depends on what you want to do, and can you enjoy it enough to not mind spending the monies on these interests.

 

[NorCalMikie]

My dad had a saying regarding money, "it's only green paper" but if you don't have it, life can get pretty challenging. So, living within your means creates a more harmonious life. But it's more than that.

What I learned in close to 8 decades on this planet is that material possessions such as firearms, boats, cars, and beach houses, etc. are not the true secret to happiness in life, it's the people you love and the rewarding experiences (events) that fulfill one's life.

If the purchase of a material item can contribute to that, then this it is money well spent. What I remember the most about competitive shooting and hunting was not the firearms I used, but the relationships I formed and the experiences surrounding those matches and hunts.

While I never owned a boat or beach house, I spent many summers at the Jersey shore with my beloved wife and those were great times because I was with her. In my youth, my dad would rent a boat, and we would fish various lakes in Ohio and PA. Those were some of the best experiences of my life. The boat was only a means to an end.

I guess what I am trying to say is I've known a few wealthy people in my time who had all the "toys" money could buy however they seemed to be the most unhappy people I ever met because their entire focus was on materialism.

And it's only $$$$. Can't take it with you unless you change it into Travelers Checks. Only going around one time (unless you're Shirley MacLane) so, you better enjoy it.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Boating can be enjoyable…

View attachment 1681340

Short arm inspection to be sure they're girls.

 

[Ccrider]

Benchrest is more costly to maintain than my boats. The cost of admission is higher with any nice boat. And, some of the nicer rod and reel setups are 1500+. Shimano Stella 1000s are 800 bucks now. Add a high quality Loomis rod amd that’s another 700 bucks.

Hope to never have to sacrifice either. Hard to say which I would choose! They both bring me plenty of satisfaction at times:

 

[gmr4]

Sold my boat last year, I now shoot F Class open… I had to rifles built, earned the High master, and just spend 6 days loading ammo for nationals in Lodi.. probably wont score well but it beats the heck outta the boat so far. Boating is an event, so is fishing…. Shooting F Class is an almost daily set of tasks preparing….. no down time .. it is awesome.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

The best thing when it comes to boats...is having a buddy that owns one.

 

[muleystalker]

I get weird looks from my friends (hunters) when I dump a few grand into a scope. But let one of them spend $100K on a boat they all smile.
I own a 20-year-old Sea Ark with a 90 Suzuki that I bought brand new with cash. It still runs like a champ. I duck hunt out of it, fish, haul lumber and materials for blinds, fill it with crab pots, whatever. It's aluminum, tough as nails, and I don't have to worry about scratches and dings.

I shoot mostly Savage rifles with after-market parts on my backyard 900-yard range. Everything is paid for, and I do what I want. Life is good.

View attachment 1681317

View attachment 1681318


View attachment 1681321

Thats why I sold my North River with the windshield for the open tiller driven skiff, I haul lumber and supplies also working on duck blinds. I also do a lot of plugging for striped bass and black bass and crappie so the open front deck and trolling motor is a plus. It also works out for bait fishing for sturgeon and stripers. Just an all around great boat.

 

[muleystalker]

Nice, but this is who usually comes aboard our boat
View attachment 1681346

Blues and Backs are my favorite rock cod along with olives! Nothing like using light spinning gear and swim baits. for them. When we were able to fish the North Farralon Islands I used to do shallow water rock cod trips, we would even get them on top water baits and fly fishing.

 

[muleystalker]

I know what you mean! I grew up on a river near the Outer Banks, which has been ruined by over development and regulations. Looking back I had as much fun in a 14ft skiff with a 10hp as with anything else; it's a state of mind.

Some of my best times were in a 14' Valco aluminum deep vee with a 10hp or 18hp running all over the SF Bay and Ca. Delta chasing ducks and fish as a kid. I was 7 years old and my brother 9 when my dad started dropping us off in the boat, by ourselves, before he went to work. He would then pick us up on the way home..... Great times and we learned a lot out there. He taught us well and trusted us, it was big water out there especially when the wind picked up and the outgoing tide started.

 

[cwebster]

If it's got tits or tires, fly's or floats, it's going to cost yer azz.............

 

[CharlieNC]

Some of my best times were in a 14' Valco aluminum deep vee with a 10hp or 18hp running all over the SF Bay and Ca. Delta chasing ducks and fish as a kid. I was 7 years old and my brother 9 when my dad started dropping us off in the boat, by ourselves, before he went to work. He would then pick us up on the way home..... Great times and we learned a lot out there. He taught us well and trusted us, it was big water out there especially when the wind picked up and the outgoing tide started.

I bet those are some of the best memories of your life, and lessons for a lifetime. I pity kids today who will never know the childhood we were able to enjoy.

 

[muleystalker]

I bet those are some of the best memories of your life, and lessons for a lifetime. I pity kids today who will never know the childhood we were able to enjoy.

They are, my father didn't make a lot of money but he always had us out hunting, fishing, abalone diving and spear fishing along with other things on the coast such as clamming. And he would always take any kid on the block that want to go, a lot of my friends dads didn't hunt or fish and some were never around so my dad would just tell them to bring a change of dry clothes and off we went, stop and get a bucket of KFC or he would take a camp stove and cook. My friends ate better out with us fishing than they did at home.

You're absolutely right I feel sorry for kids today. I try and make it a point that any kid that shows interest in my hunting or fishing, to take him along with me . I tell them as long as they are trying there best in school and are respectful and stay out of trouble I'll take them but they have to keep up their end of the bargain.

 

[CaptainMal]

It all depends. I have owned large and small boats for over 1/2 a century. My last larger boat cost me just in fuel, maybe $400 each use on average. Often much more. Pay the marina fees, maintenance and equipment to come up with expenses in the few thousand each month with minimal use. You price 150-200 gallons of fuel at a marina today and do the math.

Replacing just one motor was more than having a single bench gun built. Shoot benchrest just one event and it will cost maybe $300 or more each event. Barrels wear plus bullets and other components have gotten stupid expensive. Add on the often huge cost just to participate in an event - including travel, stay and registration. It still does not come up to a large boat expense.

Today I just have a skiff. It cost me a bit more than a custom bench rifle. Keep it at home and a full day of grouper fishing covering 50 miles of trolling uses about 6 gallons of gas. Now the boat is way, way cheaper to use than a single shoot. Plus, the clean-up is must quicker than all the reloading ordeal you have to go through for one shoot. Then at the end you just could have some great eating fish to take home and enjoy.

Conclusion - depends on the size of the boat.

 

[Steve Donlon]

This is the 16" skiff I built for lobster fishing. The long stem on the boat is for coming in thru the surf when the waves are big. To keep from broaching dropping into big waves.Sometimes it's harder coming back in than going out!

 

[Steve Donlon]

Here is a side view