Quote:

the old saying goes: "A boat is a hole into which you throw money."


Yes and we are hoping to get into a hole which someone else dug and is nearing its bottom.


All these are good points, some which we need more information for and most we have considered. However, given the cost of owning a cottage, buying it , property taxes, upkeep and then using that for every other weekend out of the year, i foresee the concept of a small yacht being cheaper even in the long run and yet providing a similar level of peaceful enjoyment. We figure with savings in a few years we could pay down half and borrow the other half and simply add the cost to our monthly expenses which really, at $300-$400 extra a month, that is manageable. A cottage would cost us a second full mortgage although both ideas are long term. We would likely buy the boat and keep it for 10-20 years depending.

Fuel can be expensive but we don't plan on driving many long distances. I think the range on most of these boats varied on the engine rpm during cruising (and hence how fast you want to get there) with range numbers like 200-800 nautical miles being typical often with values of less than 5 miles per gallon though (big tanks as you say). We would use it for travel to more secluded areas on occasion or possibly out to an aunt and uncle's cottage (Lake of the Woods to answer your other question so yes, a big body of water).

Seasonal insurance is available for many recreational vehicles in Manitoba so we are not too concerned about huge insurance bills. Cottages have to be insured year round.

Slip/berth fees depend on where you dock. A colleague at work bought a 27' yacht style (1979 but i don't recall the name) and is berthing it for 3k a year on Lake of the Woods which includes the winterization, pull out and storage and bottom cleaning. These are things we would need to ask about for a larger boat though and of course, we would have to find out how many marinas could handle a near 40' yacht. On Lake of the Woods, i'm not too concerned about finding a place. With million dollar cottages for sale, it is somewhat like the Muskokas and i am sure there are boats just as big.

"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."