GL: Cruising economically

[Bob Clinkenbeard]

If I only wanted a cheap alternative to tow the boat, I would buy a used 3/4 
ton truck...many around for a few thou. out there.   It could sit until I 
was ready to tow the boat to the coast.  Remember the truck only gets the 
boat to the launch and sits until I am ready to go back home.  It doesn't 
follow the boat.  In my case, I use the truck everyday in my business and 
that is what pays for the truck.
The PO and builder of my boat had an 80's dodge 4X4 used only for getting 
the boat to the water and home.
I don't want to sound argumentative, but you are calculating the total cost 
of the truck for boat hauling.....I don't know anyone that owns a $40,000 
truck used only for towing their boat.
I have a F-350 diesel dually and while a 3/4 ton truck would tow my 8,600 lb 
rig, I like having the extra weight and power my truck has.  Braking is a 
cinch with 4 wheel brakes on the trailer and the tow/haul function of the 
truck.  Being a crew cab and long bed it makes me walk a lot in parking 
lots....but I need the exercise. :>)

What works for some might not work for others.......this is only one option 
and not "The Answer for All".
As far as being cheaper, it is for me,  considering I would have the truck 
anyway...I just needed an excuse to buy it........


Bob Clinkenbeard
24' custom trailer trawler "Bobbin Along"
Locust Grove, Georgia
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-aboardbobbinalong


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Meyer" <sundowner at tmg-mad.com>
To: <great-loop at lists.samurai.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 8:29 PM
Subject: Re: GL: Cruising economically


> From: Bob Clinkenbeard clinkenbeardb at bellsouth.net
>
> "There is a lot more to be
> saved by owning a trailerable boat than just the
> fuel costs."
>
>
> Depending on
> the size of the boat, I think the cost of owning and maintaining a tow 
> vehicle
> would be quite large.  If you need a heavy duty diesel pickup to tow, 
> that'll
> eat up the marina cost pretty quickly.  We just have a 1/2 ton pickup
> F150 (not for towing our boat) and that cost close to 40,000 without a 
> diesel
> -- figure a good usable life (reliable) of 8 years max and that along is 
> $5000
> a year or $400 a month plus interest, plus insurance, plus gas, plus
> maintenance.  Of course, if you have other uses for the tow vehicle then 
> you
> can spread that cost.
>
> I wouldn't be too sure that towing a boat will be any
> cheaper.
>
> Enjoy your day,
>
> Robert Meyer
> 1990 32' Sundowner Pilothouse
> "BRAZO"
> Sturgeon Bay, WI