T&T: Annual Costs

[Bob Austin]

I figure inflation at 10% for personal financial planning.  Always have,
always will.  Boating inflation is at least that all in all.  Martin's
observations are borne out in our area of Florida.  When we got here 14 years
ago, slip rental was $3 a foot a month.  Now it is $2 a foot a night--and I
would expect to see $3 (as in South Fl) soon).  Slip rental now is min. $12 to
$15 a foot a month.

Boating material costs are certainly going up.  I know that the manufacturer
of my boat went up about 10% in base cost for next year.
We have been in an era of "low inflation"--by CPI, but other items not well
measured in that data base have steadly been going up. Recent fuel costs and
shortages have driven them up even further.  Even metals are up way beyond
"normal" inflation currently.

The other major impact in Florida is cost of Insurance, if you can get it.
Marinas have also been hit very heavily with increased insurance premiums--and
many are "self" insured--which often means, "sell to a condo developer".  if
your docks are destroyed.

Regards,

Bob Austin
Pensacola, FL.