Are boats really worth so little these days?

[fizzy]

That's got to be one of the ugliest planes I've seen.
While slower, I always thought the Rockwell Shrike (aero commander) would be a good dirt strip plane.

Aero Commander 500 family - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

They aren't bad. I wouldn't say no!
One of the most popular at the moment is another Pilatus. The PC12. Much loved by the flying doctors in Australia etc. Good STOL and speed/range - cheaper to run than a twin and an excellent safety record. nice pallet sized side door for cargo as well

But of course my very favourite bush plane has to be

The good old Beaver.

 

[Erie Fred]

I'm a firm believer that bush planes should have the wings on top, away from stray fence post's....

However the Evangel shoots that theory down...

Evangel 4500 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[fizzy]

I'm a firm believer that bush planes should have the wings on top, away from stray fence post's....

However the Evangel shoots that theory down...

Evangel 4500 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

And the Dakota of course!
Used by many countries after the war in remote areas.

 

[prepman]

Mine costs me £80 a month to moor on the river Avon near Evesham. It’s in the boat yard now for winter and I need to do some stuff to it. I wish I had some land to pop it on closer to home.

One of the reasons I bought my tractor was to tow boat back home... plenty of land. Bilge keel 24ft yacht so it'd sit on land....that was the plan...the reality was different. Have to drain red diesel out of tractor before road use one thing. Only 2 wheel drive. Practicalities mount up.
But still hanker for a Fletcher 29ft bilge keeler. Moving though water at reasonble speed silently is a real joy.

 

[Bullet2012]

Moving though water at reasonble speed silently is a real joy

Reminds me of ,

Opening sentence in “Jaws”, the novel by Peter. Benchley. “The great fish moved silently through the night water, propelled by short sweeps of its crescent tail.

 

[addjunkie]

And the Dakota of course!
Used by many countries after the war in remote areas.

Im a big fan of the Pilatus Porter, well tried and tested, door big enough to hop out with your friends!

One of the reasons I bought my tractor was to tow boat back home... plenty of land. Bilge keel 24ft yacht so it'd sit on land....that was the plan...the reality was different. Have to drain red diesel out of tractor before road use one thing. Only 2 wheel drive. Practicalities mount up.
But still hanker for a Fletcher 29ft bilge keeler. Moving though water at reasonble speed silently is a real joy.

Be a very slow tow home with a tractor….hope its not far. A fin keel will move through water at a better speed, far more efficiently, especially if the wind is against you, which for some reason it usually is!

 

[KemppiFrog]

Back in my aero days, I towed a Piper Pawnee cropduster back to the airfield behind my Ginetta G15 (wings off of course!) Tailwheel had stuck, putting it off the hard bit into soft ground, one leg collapsed causing the prop to hit the ground. Welded up the leg, towed it back and put her back in operation three weeks laterL.

Been around boats all my life and happiest times have been in little sailing ones. Looked after a 70ft heavy ketch for my German shipping co. Very glad I was not paying the bills! Had two Detroit diesels of 140hp each. Would do 12kts under power or sail.
Current stable is my 15ft Scottish faering with a gunter rig, A 17ft mini cruiser about to be launched, rigged as a cat yawl, a 20ft Kelt 620(currently having it's keel sorted by the barn) and an aluminium 13ft outboard skiff for picknics on the river.
Sounds a lot, but they cost zero to keep at home and slips and parking are free about here.

Here I am a while back in a nice wooden classic, off Cadiz en route to Gib.

And, more recently, my little faering at a rally in Brittany:

Motor boats I find not very interesting apart from a quick buzz.
It was Tommy Sopwith, refereing to the Express powerboat race way back
"Ocean racing in yachts is standing under a cold shower, tearing up five pound notes. Racing power boats, they dont make high enough denomination notes that you can tear up fast enough"

In UK, it makes more sense to take a Greek island sailing holiday, than spend more money with a boat you rarely use..

 

[prepman]

Be a very slow tow home with a tractor….hope its not far.

Only 7 miles or so.

 

[prepman]

One thing I didn't enjoy about being under sail was eyeing up a squall heading my way and knowing with the engine on it would still only put-put out of the way. Been in some really dodgy situations sailing over winter months. e.g. Cresting 12ft waves and falling into the valleys, keeping the mainsail up to act as a weather vane.
I now..... know all the the words to 'Abide with me'

 

[Burdekin]

We were out visiting my sister-in-law in Perth Australia last year. I lived in Perth for a could of years 30 years ago so it's changed quite a but and the one thing I really notice is it's a lot more affluent these days. I couldn't believe how many marinas there are now and the number of very expensive boats. I imagine most hardly ever move which is a shame but at least the marinas are often a good place to go for a beer, wine, food and admire all the pretty boats. :-)

 

[Aerohead]

Warmer climes marinas usually barely notice the boats...

 

[Aerohead]

In my youth my Dad had a 38' mahogany cruiser with twin 440 (7.3L) big block hemi Chryslers we could water ski behind, was real thirsty even with very cheap fuel, but my word did it attract the talent!

 

[marlinspike]

Not a boat fan at all but those 1950's era wooden motor boats are beautiful things. Ones like this..

 

[500e]

YES
Dufour 34 of Brittany, love sailing

 

[Trevorleach]

Warmer climes marinas usually barely notice the boats...

View attachment 422562

She sure looks lovely, pity the poor sod who has to keep on top of all that woodwork!

 

[Blobber]

Warmer climes marinas usually barely notice the boats...

View attachment 422562

I would hazard a guess and say neither are cheap to keep!

 

[500e]

Never pays to buy cheap pay for quality and pay once

 

[KemppiFrog]

Never pays to buy cheap pay for quality and pay once

Not quite sure what you are replying to??

 

[Bobupndown]

Everyone in here is old enough to remember Howard's Way.

Be your own Ken Masters

Loved that show back then, it was repeated on UK Gold or Yesterday some years back. Quite like to watch it again.

 

[premmington]

Warmer climes marinas usually barely notice the boats...

View attachment 422562

Fit as F###...