COLUMN
Nick Burnham: It’s worth taking at least a shallow dive into the boating budget, as current running costs are always interesting
Yes, it’s that time of year again when all the invoices for the boat thunder in together, leaving me impecunious and bereft. But it’s worth taking you for a shallow dive into the budget, as current running costs are always interesting.
If you are thinking about buying a boat and find the following off-putting, do please bear in mind that you can often do it cheaper. So why do I spend so much? To some extent I’m buying peace of mind, and I’ll give you a perfect example. My engine and outdrive service was done by my local Volvo Penta agent and it cost me about £2,000. I’m quite sure that an independent contractor would be cheaper, but I’ve had an unfortunate experience in the past where a drive belt started shedding teeth, at which point I discovered that cheap pattern parts were being used rather than the proper original Volvo Penta parts that I had been assured would be fitted. So I feel reassured that by using a Volvo Penta agent, the right process will be followed and the right items will be used.
The berth is another great example of cost and return. I used to pay about £2,000 to park my boat in a council marina, now I pay around £5,000. But the difference is immense and it’s in every aspect. My extra outlay buys me somewhere secure to park the car close to the marina. Toilet and shower facilities that rival a decent hotel. The finger pontoon is longer than the boat and the berth wide enough that we’re not touching fenders with next door. It’s monitored 24 hours, sheltered enough that I can leave the boat afloat far longer and it includes eigh
