[PCW] Costs of boats

[Robert Deering]

Bob, I suspect that a rec boat with new diesels will run fewer hours
regardless of engine design because fuel costs will limit it.  With diesel
just shy of $4 here in Juneau and headed skyward quickly, I'm hoping I have
enough money to wear out a diesel, especially after shelling out the $$ for
a new boat.  As fuel costs go up, the cost of the fuel that the engine burns
could be many times the cost of the diesel engine itself.  That's probably
the case already. 

I sold my 9 yr old aluminum powercat last summer for what it cost plus
upgrades (not accounting for inflation).  In the PNW aluminum boats seem to
hold their value very well due to their low maintenance and abuse tolerance.
I'm guessing that same boat would have a much poorer resale on the East
Coast, and especially Florida where it would be intolerable.

Bob Deering
Juneau, Alaska