[masraum]

Originally Posted by jyl

So, here are my questions.

1. Realistically what does it cost to buy, moor, maintain and operate a 35-45' used power boat that is of a quality that you might hope to not lose a ton of money over ten years? Or is there no such thing?

Not lose money on???

2. Also realistically, how do you become competent and safe at operating said boat? Assume you're starting from zero.

I've done a fair bit of sea kayaking up and down the West Coast and Baja, but that's the only sort of "boat" I've even operated.

Sea kayaking? Then you're ready. Get a boat and hit the open ocean. THere's not teacher like experience!

Sorry I can't be of any actual help, but those were the responses that came to mind.

I've never owned a boat and only know a little about them. I had a buddy that had a couple (well, him and his parents, including a tiny sailboat) when I was in college. They seemed to require constant work. I remember him swimming down the canal to his parents with the bowline tied around his waist one night.

My parents had a pontoon boat for leisurely river boating, and I think that was a smaller less expensive pain in the money-pit than a larger boat (which my dad had originally wanted, thank goodness they didn't go that route!)

Don't forget, the two best days of boat ownership....