[QUOTE]I have a lot of friends with boats / Jet Skiis and most of them agree with you guys. But there

 

Check out the cost comparison @ http://www.volenteboatclub.com/cost.html

It seems pretty clear that $195 is it. I suspect they have premium memberships that will let you have the boat a whole day or some other benefits, but the basic plan as described would be fine for my needs.

I also like that you can take out a wide variety of boats.

Cost of owning a $35,000 boat

Boat Ownership Volente Boat Club Members

Initial Capital Required Initial Capital Required
20% down payment $7,000 One time membership fee $995
Outfitting (life jackets, toys, skis, etc) $1,000 Outfitting (life jackets, toys, skis, etc) $0
Total Initial Capital Required $8,000 Total Initial Capital Required $995

Ongoing Monthly Expenses Ongoing Monthly Expenses
Monthly payment @ 8% for 5 years $568 Monthly dues $195
Insurance $75 Insurance $0
Maintenance $50 Maintenance $0
Slip Fees $275 Slip Fees $0
Gas (estimate) $75 Gas (estimate) $75
Total Monthly Expenses $1,043 Total Monthly Expenses $270


*Boat owners in the United States use their boats an average of 15 times
annually (NMMA).
*Do the math, it will cost the average boat owner somewhere between
$500-$1000 per use.
*The NMMA also reports that the average boaters needs change every 2-5 years.
That means that the boat you purchase today will most likely not meet your needs
in 2-5 years.

 

How much does it cost to rent a boat?

 

It seems like a good deal especially considering that $75 for fuel is a gross under-estimate. You would use more gas than that on a jet ski...

 

I got some more info - the membership I'd want is another $100/mo. and another $1000 up front, but it still seems like a pretty good deal.

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Here are our membership options.

Level 1 (Premium): Includes unlimited access to entire fleet of 20 boats including; wakeboard, ski, tri-toon, sail and fishing boats = $1995 one time membership fee and $295 monthly for 12 months. If you like sport boats or sailing you'll like this option.
Weekday Level 1: Includes unlimited access to entire fleet of 20 boats including; wakeboard, ski, tri-toon, sail and fishing boats Tuesday thru Friday excluding holidays = $1295 one time membership fee and $225 monthly for 12 months.

Level 2 (Basic): Includes unlimited access to 12 boats including; tri-toons, ski, and fishing boats = $1795 one time membership fee and $275 monthly for 12 months.
Weekday Level 2: Includes unlimited access to 12 boats including; tri-toons, ski, and fishing boats Tuesday thru Friday excluding holidays = $995 one time membership fee and $195 monthly for 12 months.

Annual Membership includes-
" A variety of new high line boats (wakeboard, ski, tri-toon, sailing, and fishing)
" Unlimited boating and guaranteed reservations with 97%+ availability.
" Valet boating i.e. (we prepare and clean up the boats for members)
" All water toys are included i.e. (wakeboards & skates, skis, tubes, knee boards, etc)
" Free access to the Volente Beach Waterpark for you and your guests (restaurant, bar, beach, water slides, pools, volleyball, and more @ www.volentebeach.com)
" Husband and Wife are included in membership
" Full coverage hull insurance
" Boats are fully outfitted, under covered slips
" Boat operation and boater safety training
" Member events i.e. (holiday party, shipwreck party)
" Discount on Jet Ski Rentals & Cottage Rental @ the VIP marina
" Full service marina with ships store

If you're interested I'd recommend coming down for a tour of the club. We've added 8 new boats this year and the best way to get a feel for which membership level would work best for you would be to see the boats.

Let me know if you'd like to set up a time. Tours are encouraged and by appointment only. Please contact us during our regular business hours to set up a time (Tues-Sun, 10-5).

Call Austin's premiere boating country club for more details 257-BOAT (2628).

 

[QUOTE=y2ks2k,Aug 19 2008, 01:30 PM] Peoples opinions are pushing me more towards the 18" Bowrider (max $250 a month vs $700).

I have a lot of friends with boats / Jet Skiis and most of them agree with you guys. But there

 

Docking fee is the killer.
At least around where I'm living.
A decent docking place asked for $13000 a year.

 

Sooo...although 'it seemed clear' that the $195 a month was it, it wasn't it after all. I would definitely take a tour and talk to someone face to face. As I mentioned with today's fuel prices the fuel cost alone could easily exceed the $295 monthly fee with just a days usage. Make sure there aren't anymore unknowns...

 

When I was a teen, I used to work at a boat supply shop and got to know a few customers quite well. All of them echoed the same sentiments....boating costs major $$$$$, as people already have repeated here. If you are going to get your feet wet so to speak, just make sure you are fully aware of not only the costs to operate, but the maintenance, docking fees, storage, etc, etc.

I would also look at how much you are actually going to use the boat as well. Will you use it often (i.e. every weekend) or just a few times a season. Seeing that you are up in the Pacific Northwest, you have a small window to really use that boat.

 

It's interesting, but w/ a kid due in 2 mos. and a potential move to Nor Cal, now isn't the right time. I'll certainly keep it in mind for a couple years from now.

Agreed, gas expense on a boat, esp. when you have to fill up @ a marina, can be painful. At least they have a sailboat available!