If you were to regret buying a boat, what would the reasons be? This time, I’d like to offer my personal opinions on the matter, based on Rikutsu Konetaro’s own biased perspective.
When it comes to the financial aspects, thanks to online information, you can get a fairly accurate estimate of the price, maintenance costs, and taxes in advance. So, I believe few people would regret it for financial reasons. (For reference, check out the relevant pages here and here on this site.)
However, if a boat owner regrets their purchase, it would likely be due to things that can’t be fully understood until they actually start operating their own boat.
To get straight to the point:
- The ride quality of the boat at sea is rough, and it’s difficult to handle.
- Docking and undocking maneuvers are challenging, and rope work is physically demanding.
- The number of times you can actually get out to sea is fewer than expected.
- People who don’t genuinely love being on a boat (those who aren’t truly passionate about boating).
These are the four main reasons that I believe lead to regret.
Let’s start with the first issue: ride quality.
All sea-going vessels are subject to the unavoidable reality of being tossed by the waves. Sometimes, the sea surface hardens due to surface tension, and the hull can be violently struck. The first surprise when buying a boat is often that the ride is rougher than expected, requiring more physical strength, which prevents you from enjoying the elegant and graceful boating life you imagined.
The ride quality of a boat is influenced by its size and hull shape, but universally, the bow bobs up and down during travel, and the boat sways significantly from side to side when moored. While higher speeds can stabilize the ride, sometimes the hull will jump from the water and slam back down, with the impact reverberating through your body.
To address this issue, Rikutsu Konetaro installed a Seakeeper Ride on his boat. The results of that installation are reported on another page (click here).
Next is the second issue: docking and undocking maneuvers. These are basic skills for enjoying a voyage, but they can be difficult to master. With regular practice, you’ll get used to it, but it requires a clear sense of purpose and a willingness to take on challenges. Additionally, the work of tying and untying mooring lines is physically demanding, and for those who dislike this kind of work, it can be quite tough.
However, completing all tasks single-handedly is considered, by some, to be the ultimate form of boat fun, and it is even respected in certain circles. That said, captains who don’t find meaning in single-handed work may prefer to ask friends or family to assist. Just be sure they enjoy the rough ride and rocking of the boat.
The third point is that the number of times you can actually go out to sea is fewer than expected. Boats need modification and also break down, and problems arise. Even with a new boat—especially imported ones—issues often occur just after the warranty period ends.
Repairs can take several weeks or even months. Rikutsu Konetaro owns two boats, but both are currently out of service while being modified to suit his specific needs.
Lastly, let’s discuss the fourth point: people who don’t genuinely love boating.
For example, people who see a boat primarily as a tool for fishing often feel overwhelmed by the time, effort, and cost involved, leading to a sense of, “This is too much.”
If your love for fishing outweighs your love for boating, you’ll likely feel that the costs associated with owning a boat far outweigh the benefits, making it seem hardly worthwhile.
These four factors—ride quality, docking maneuvers, limited sea time, and a lack of genuine passion for boating—are interconnected. Over time, opportunities to use the boat diminish, unexpected issues arise, repairs take longer, and motivation to go out on the water wanes. Eventually, you might start thinking, “Maybe it’s time to sell the boat,” which is when the regret of buying it sets in.
That’s all for now.
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