Other options.

These are options we've thought about, and if we lived somewhere else they might even be considered still, but from St. Louis? Nah...

It's a safe bet that even going bargain, we're looking at $20k to get into a boat. A cheaper boat will need more to get it ready. If the money were available, we'd easily be able to spend 3, 4 or even 10 times that much. Considering that a 2001 Gibson on BoatTrader was listed for $134K and a 1990 model (granted, 3 feet shorter) was only $57,500, there is HIGH depreciation on a houseboat.

A cabin or house on the lake would have less depreciation, would weather storms and such better, and would be usable year round (in our region, most houseboats are only usable in the summer, at least on the lakes) . The cost might be a bit higher than the low end boats, but the better depreciation and easier loans for realestate would make up for that, and resale would be closer to getting your money back. With a house on the lake, a smaller boat or even a jetski could take care of water fun, and a dock off the house could serve as your own marina!

The problem around here is that the population is so high in relation to the recreational facilities, the lake front is expensive, and many lakes have none at all!

Something else we looked at before we bought our last boat was an RV. In our case, a travel trailer. Cheaper than a boat, and it has the advantage that you can move it easier. Many folks around here rent year round or seasonal lots at various lakes and resort areas so they don't have to tow. Before we decided to get another boat, I had even brought this up to Kay since she never seemed that thrilled about the lake anyway. The RV would give us a bit more options.

The problems with the RV route is that with gas at $4 a gallon (or at least threatening) we wouldn't be able to drive a motorhome, or even pull a trailer often, and frankly, most of the parks we looked at were over crowded and noisy. Not what I want for a weekend. A trailer would require a bigger car (truck) than we have, so unless we keep a car only for towing (EXPENSIVE) we would be paying through the nose for our daily commute (EXPENSIVE). If we had some land on a nice secluded lake, a trailer parked there long term might be an option, but see above. There ain't those lakes round here.

But we decided on the houseboat. In some ways, I wish we hadn't, because 3 years is a LONG time to wait, but at least I have time to research the market and options. It is real frustrating when those great deals come drifting by and you don't have the ability to act on them. At least with trailers there are places around here I can go look at them and window shop, but most of the boats require at least a short road trip, and many require setting up appointments to see, which make me feel kind of guilty since I know I can't buy at the moment, and what are the odds of any boat for sale now, being on the market in 3 years? I think it's made worse by this oppressive heat wave the midwest is gripped in. Everytime the heat hits me I think of floating beside the boat in the nice cool water, or sitting in the AC watching my fishing pole on the deck.

What are my odds on the lottery??????????