Boat v's Reeftank - Page 2

1SickReefer · 08/08/2007, 05:14 PM

This poll is right on spot for me... I just sold my 120g and my boat is about to come out of the shop. completely re-powered with new motor.

I had the below tank in my signature and all the equipment, I bought a boat 6/16. 5 weeks later the motor blows up and I put $6000 into a new motor and labor. Had to sell the below equipment to pay off the credit card

And here is the kicker, I'm so glad I bought the boat and sold the tank. I actually do stuff outside of the house now with my family.. unlike the tank that just sits there indoors with me indoors with it. I actually feel like I have more of a life now... if that makes sense.

I'm going to save big on all 3 monthly utilities.

Sewer is going to go way down b/c no more RO waste water
Water is going to go way down for the above reason
Electric, obvious

I say go for the boat! there is nothing like being on the water..

MC Lighting · 08/08/2007, 05:15 PM

have owned several boats and I am in the ball park of the whole favorite 2 days of a boat owners life is the day he buys and the day he sells they are a pain in the ars especially if you are talking ocean going, monthly expenses no matter what, and most of the rare times you can actually go out an use it they won't start or have some other problem. I love my reef tank and if I can someday afford both MAYBE I might consider a brand new boat with a full coverage waranty otherwise FORGET IT! but to each his own thats what makes the world go round...

scotmc · 08/08/2007, 05:34 PM

I have both. I guess it really depends on what size boat and tank were talking about.

In my Situation, I have 90 tank. The costs don't even come close to owing a boat. Owing a boat is one back hole. It just sucks money out of ya. I have spent 2k on my set up and all the goodies. The monthly costs are 100. My boat costs are about 1000.

The tank really adds enjoyment to my home Espically during the winter. Nothing beats time on the open ocean.

For me, it's a boat.

t11t5 · 08/08/2007, 10:12 PM

Im probably going to sell the reef. Then I can buy a new house and not worry about moving the tank. Then I can buy a boat. Then I can start a new reef. This all sound good.

HBtank · 08/08/2007, 10:44 PM

Boats are money pits. Period.

I know very few truely happy boat owners, and the ones that seem to be are driven by another activity that they are VERY involved with, such as wakeboarding or fishing, or are just rich enough to not care. If it is to just go out for "fun in the sun".. no way IMO.

That aside, and if I could afford the one I wanted, I personally would choose boat

I would be heading over to the channel islands all the time.

PUGroyale · 08/08/2007, 10:58 PM

I've got both and wouldn't trade either

I get way more day to day satisfaction out of the tank but if you've ever wakeboarded on a glassy mountain lake... it's a religious experience

mountaindew · 08/09/2007, 12:54 AM

To me both are usefull. The boat is used for fun and sun, party! The reef is a work of natural art and is used for peace and quiet. Variety in life is good for you !

t11t5 · 08/09/2007, 03:32 AM

I wakeboard, waterski, tube, snorkel, scuba dive. If it involves water I'm into it. I think I am going towards the boat. Like I said before, I had a 25' closed bow, but it was to big for me. I'm looking at 20-22' openbow. I'm more likely to wait till next spring to get serious about one. Now I'm looking and researching.

Nano Chris · 08/09/2007, 05:42 AM

Depending on how much you want to spend on the boat, say $5-10k? Maybe more, i would have an ultimate aquarium for that.

t11t5 · 08/09/2007, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Criminal#58369
Depending on how much you want to spend on the boat, say $5-10k? Maybe more, i would have an ultimate aquarium for that.

I have been looking alot lately at boats. For what I want I am going to spend 20-25 thousand. Thats not bad I think.

jimwat · 08/09/2007, 07:38 AM

This week my tank is ticking me off (bryopsis problem) so I'm voting Boat. Next week...

Subliminal · 08/09/2007, 08:09 AM

My neighbor has a boat. It's a 18 foot searay with a Merc 125 outboard.

He's owned it for about 4 years now, and bought the boat, trailer and motor for $8k.

Besides the props we've bent up, the skag that's made to break off, and the bimini top, his only expenses have been the $100 a summer for the ramp, gas, oil and one set of tires.

He's not even changed the plugs yet.

Given, it's a little small for some people's taste, and if you get more than 5-6 people on it, it starts to get crowded real fast, but we wakeboard/waterski on that thing EVERY weekend from June to September (and sometimes to October).

So, saying they're always money pits isn't necessarily the truth....they're USUALLY money pits.

JRoweNole · 08/09/2007, 08:37 AM

I've got both (2006 Searay 340 Sundancer and a 92 gallon reef tank), and I have to have both of them!

It really comes down to financial responsibility - if you can TRULY only afford one, go for that one and save for the other.

If you go boat - go high quality and newer, or high quality with fewer hours on engines. Do your homework and research many sources (boatus.com, trailerboats.com., boats.com, etc.), and obtain a surveyor if you go used (kind of like a house inspector). With this, you will lessen your chances of problems.

xtm · 08/09/2007, 10:30 AM

The REAL question is.. Scuba Gear or Reef Tank?

t11t5 · 08/09/2007, 09:28 PM

I could afford both. I don't want the responsibility of both. I am afraid in the summer I would lack on the care of the tank. I don't want to put the inhabitants through hell cause I want to go boating.

InLimbo87 · 08/09/2007, 09:30 PM

I say buy a boat and set up a nano tank. That way you can still have a reef tank, and have your boat

t11t5 · 08/10/2007, 01:10 AM

I have a JBJ 12g DX. I hate it. Biggest POS. I was thinking of a 75g. Not to big not to small. I want to keep a few corals I have. Im still leaning towards the boat idea.

JRoweNole · 08/10/2007, 08:50 AM

It's not that hard or overly time consuming to be able to enjoy your boat and maintain your reef tank.

I've got a boat, a 92 gallon reef tank, a dog, a 20 year old Leopard Tortoise, a formal garden, a wife, and an 800 gallon pond. I have a full-time job and I am an exercise nut.

57chevygirl57 · 08/10/2007, 10:16 AM

$500 for a weekend with our boat?
$500 for a bunch of corals for our tanks?

as much as I love my boat,
I would have to say, our tanks.
from one hobby to the next.

The boat has been in the garage for 5 years,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Maybe next summer,,??

bobt2 · 08/10/2007, 10:21 AM

i have both !you can really appreaciate the reef tank when do jump off the boat with a mask on!

t11t5 · 08/14/2007, 07:19 AM

I went cuba diving in Hawaii in 2001. I think that is what inspired me the most to start a reef.

dkellyrc · 08/14/2007, 08:08 AM

my wife always says "why choose? get both!". And yes, we have a 40' boat and several reef tanks.

MrSpiffy · 08/14/2007, 09:09 AM

Man, it'll be nice to be able to ask myself that question.

It'll be a long time before my wife and I will even think of having a boat! Granted, we're young and only married for 2 years. But, if we can afford a boat, we can probably afford the boat and a tank. Ahhh... I can see it now...!

t11t5 · 08/17/2007, 09:10 AM

Im single with no kids. I love it......

Aquaman · 08/17/2007, 10:13 AM

LOL,

One is a box you put into water.
One is a box you put water into.

Take your pick

View Poll Results: What would you rather have?
Boat	37	33.64%
Reeftank	73	66.36%
Voters: 110. You may not vote on this poll

08/08/2007, 05:15 PM	#27
MC Lighting Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: WA Posts: 351	have owned several boats and I am in the ball park of the whole favorite 2 days of a boat owners life is the day he buys and the day he sells they are a pain in the ars especially if you are talking ocean going, monthly expenses no matter what, and most of the rare times you can actually go out an use it they won't start or have some other problem. I love my reef tank and if I can someday afford both MAYBE I might consider a brand new boat with a full coverage waranty otherwise FORGET IT! but to each his own thats what makes the world go round... __________________ DSA 105g Rimless w/ 40g breeder sump, SWC skimmer, dual Ecotech Radion G3 Pro LED, Ecotech MP10DQ, EcoTech M1, Neptune Apex Current Tank Info: 105 DSA Rimless Reef

08/08/2007, 10:44 PM	#30
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	Boats are money pits. Period. I know very few truely happy boat owners, and the ones that seem to be are driven by another activity that they are VERY involved with, such as wakeboarding or fishing, or are just rich enough to not care. If it is to just go out for "fun in the sun".. no way IMO. That aside, and if I could afford the one I wanted, I personally would choose boat I would be heading over to the channel islands all the time. __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA Last edited by HBtank; 08/08/2007 at 10:49 PM.

08/08/2007, 10:58 PM	#31
PUGroyale Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,711	I've got both and wouldn't trade either I get way more day to day satisfaction out of the tank but if you've ever wakeboarded on a glassy mountain lake... it's a religious experience __________________ Dave :~)

08/09/2007, 05:42 AM	#34
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	Depending on how much you want to spend on the boat, say $5-10k? Maybe more, i would have an ultimate aquarium for that. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!

08/08/2007, 05:14 PM	#26
1SickReefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Perryville, MD Posts: 1,048	This poll is right on spot for me... I just sold my 120g and my boat is about to come out of the shop. completely re-powered with new motor. I had the below tank in my signature and all the equipment, I bought a boat 6/16. 5 weeks later the motor blows up and I put $6000 into a new motor and labor. Had to sell the below equipment to pay off the credit card And here is the kicker, I'm so glad I bought the boat and sold the tank. I actually do stuff outside of the house now with my family.. unlike the tank that just sits there indoors with me indoors with it. I actually feel like I have more of a life now... if that makes sense. I'm going to save big on all 3 monthly utilities. Sewer is going to go way down b/c no more RO waste water Water is going to go way down for the above reason Electric, obvious I say go for the boat! there is nothing like being on the water..

08/08/2007, 05:34 PM	#28
scotmc Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 765	I have both. I guess it really depends on what size boat and tank were talking about. In my Situation, I have 90 tank. The costs don't even come close to owing a boat. Owing a boat is one back hole. It just sucks money out of ya. I have spent 2k on my set up and all the goodies. The monthly costs are 100. My boat costs are about 1000. The tank really adds enjoyment to my home Espically during the winter. Nothing beats time on the open ocean. For me, it's a boat.

08/08/2007, 10:12 PM	#29
t11t5 I love Bass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,847	Im probably going to sell the reef. Then I can buy a new house and not worry about moving the tank. Then I can buy a boat. Then I can start a new reef. This all sound good.

08/09/2007, 12:54 AM	#32
mountaindew Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 98	To me both are usefull. The boat is used for fun and sun, party! The reef is a work of natural art and is used for peace and quiet. Variety in life is good for you !

08/09/2007, 03:32 AM	#33
t11t5 I love Bass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,847	I wakeboard, waterski, tube, snorkel, scuba dive. If it involves water I'm into it. I think I am going towards the boat. Like I said before, I had a 25' closed bow, but it was to big for me. I'm looking at 20-22' openbow. I'm more likely to wait till next spring to get serious about one. Now I'm looking and researching.

08/09/2007, 07:38 AM	#36
jimwat Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,270	This week my tank is ticking me off (bryopsis problem) so I'm voting Boat. Next week... __________________ "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day and drink beer." Current Tank Info: 65 gal with 192w PC 10k, 192w VHO actinic, Blue-Moon LED, Tunze 6060 on WavySea, AquaController 3. 20gal sump, Natureef CDECX-1, Phosban Reactor, Remora, Kalk Drip, Ozone.

08/09/2007, 08:09 AM	#37
Subliminal Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 322	My neighbor has a boat. It's a 18 foot searay with a Merc 125 outboard. He's owned it for about 4 years now, and bought the boat, trailer and motor for $8k. Besides the props we've bent up, the skag that's made to break off, and the bimini top, his only expenses have been the $100 a summer for the ramp, gas, oil and one set of tires. He's not even changed the plugs yet. Given, it's a little small for some people's taste, and if you get more than 5-6 people on it, it starts to get crowded real fast, but we wakeboard/waterski on that thing EVERY weekend from June to September (and sometimes to October). So, saying they're always money pits isn't necessarily the truth....they're USUALLY money pits.

08/09/2007, 08:37 AM	#38
JRoweNole Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kennesaw, Georgia Posts: 324	I've got both (2006 Searay 340 Sundancer and a 92 gallon reef tank), and I have to have both of them! It really comes down to financial responsibility - if you can TRULY only afford one, go for that one and save for the other. If you go boat - go high quality and newer, or high quality with fewer hours on engines. Do your homework and research many sources (boatus.com, trailerboats.com., boats.com, etc.), and obtain a surveyor if you go used (kind of like a house inspector). With this, you will lessen your chances of problems.

08/09/2007, 10:30 AM	#39
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	The REAL question is.. Scuba Gear or Reef Tank? __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

08/09/2007, 09:28 PM	#40
t11t5 I love Bass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,847	I could afford both. I don't want the responsibility of both. I am afraid in the summer I would lack on the care of the tank. I don't want to put the inhabitants through hell cause I want to go boating.

08/09/2007, 09:30 PM	#41
InLimbo87 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 3,197	I say buy a boat and set up a nano tank. That way you can still have a reef tank, and have your boat __________________ We are forever responsible for that which we tame... Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

08/10/2007, 01:10 AM	#42
t11t5 I love Bass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,847	I have a JBJ 12g DX. I hate it. Biggest POS. I was thinking of a 75g. Not to big not to small. I want to keep a few corals I have. Im still leaning towards the boat idea.

08/10/2007, 08:50 AM	#43
JRoweNole Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kennesaw, Georgia Posts: 324	It's not that hard or overly time consuming to be able to enjoy your boat and maintain your reef tank. I've got a boat, a 92 gallon reef tank, a dog, a 20 year old Leopard Tortoise, a formal garden, a wife, and an 800 gallon pond. I have a full-time job and I am an exercise nut.

08/10/2007, 10:16 AM	#44
57chevygirl57 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 295	$500 for a weekend with our boat? $500 for a bunch of corals for our tanks? as much as I love my boat, I would have to say, our tanks. from one hobby to the next. The boat has been in the garage for 5 years,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Maybe next summer,,??

08/10/2007, 10:21 AM	#45
bobt2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: long island NY Posts: 1,835	i have both !you can really appreaciate the reef tank when do jump off the boat with a mask on!

08/14/2007, 07:19 AM	#46
t11t5 I love Bass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,847	I went cuba diving in Hawaii in 2001. I think that is what inspired me the most to start a reef.

08/14/2007, 08:08 AM	#47
dkellyrc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 14	my wife always says "why choose? get both!". And yes, we have a 40' boat and several reef tanks.

08/14/2007, 09:09 AM	#48
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	Man, it'll be nice to be able to ask myself that question. It'll be a long time before my wife and I will even think of having a boat! Granted, we're young and only married for 2 years. But, if we can afford a boat, we can probably afford the boat and a tank. Ahhh... I can see it now...!

08/17/2007, 09:10 AM	#49
t11t5 I love Bass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,847	Im single with no kids. I love it......

08/17/2007, 10:13 AM	#50
Aquaman Fishinchick's better half Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: St Cloud, FL USA Posts: 2,278	LOL, One is a box you put into water. One is a box you put water into. Take your pick __________________ Tang Police most wanted Outlaw. ORCA Founder Previous tanks, 125,120, 55,37,20, 15, 10, 5 Current Tank Info: 65 reef