Dude I couldnt agree more. Like I said, mine ran right for 2 years and then blew up. I ran it hard and had alot of fun. Now this year I am getting a lesson in cost of ownership. Luckily I can afford it but I know there have been alot of guys, not just on the boards but everywhere in this boating scene who bought these projects, realize how much it takes to get them to run right and then have to sell to the next guy at a loss. I am lucky I had alot of good advice when I bought mine. Most importantly, buy something as nice as you can afford and then wait for it to blow up while praying that you get some use out of it first. Remember the 28 Apache Tex bought? I nearly bought that boat but he sold it to Tex before I could see it. Well Ol' Tex blew a motor like the first time out and had a bunch of issues. I am sure it got expensive.
The idea of boats sitting on trailers for years being worked on can be fun for some guys but it is more a labour of love than I would ever be capable of. I would sooner buy a bay boat with a 90hp outboard and hit the lake and go fishing every weekend.
Instead I hit the lake once or twice every 2 weeks, break something and then fix it for a week...then repeat. If you wanna mess with poker runs it is worse because any guy who likes offshore boats probably doesnt like to get passed by boats in your class/size so you run it hard. I cant even imagine what it is like, cost wise, to own something with 6's and big hp. You might as well light the fire at night with benjamins.
BUT when the throttle is down and the big block is roaring you aint thinking about cost, fixing, breaking, complaining broads, work or anything else other than "Phuck I love my life".
:cheers2: