Would You Own a Luxury Yacht if Rich? The Reality of Yachting Lifestyle

Would you buy a yacht if you had the means, or would you rather rent one when needed? This question sparks a heated debate, with some prioritizing practicality over luxury, while others dream of the open sea and adventure that a yacht can offer.

Opinions on Yacht Ownership

Many believe that buying a yacht purely for impressing others is a waste of resources. Instead, one should focus on building a strong character that is honest, fair, giving, and God-loving. Character, it's argued, is more impressive than material possessions, which often come with a significant cost and do not guarantee a noble character.

Environmental Impact and Practicality

Buying a yacht isn't just about luxury and lifestyle. It's important to consider its environmental impact and practicality. Owning a yacht comes with responsibilities such as navigation, maintenance, and repairs. This lifestyle is not for the faint-hearted, as it requires significant time, effort, and resources. Renting a yacht, on the other hand, is more flexible and requires less effort, making it a more attractive option for many.

Personal Experience: Yachting as a Lifestyle

I currently own a yacht and am typing this from the deck. Our yacht is a 41-footer, comfortable yet compact, equipped with hot and cold water, a cabin heater, a refrigerator, and a freezer. We are on our way to Glacier Bay, Alaska, where this will be our second trip. We are not wealthy, but we are doing okay. My wife is retired, and I work and am self-employed.

Challenges and Rewards of Yachting

Our relationship with yachting has been a journey of sacrifice and hard work. We raced our sailboats to Hawaii multiple times, delivered yachts as professional skippers, and sailed around the world. Our success in yachting came from a combination of hard work and good fortune. We became proficient in navigation, electrical systems, engine maintenance, and repair. We also invested wisely and made some poor choices.

Perception vs. Reality

Many legislators and people in general assume that yacht owners are wealthy. In reality, many boat owners, including yachting enthusiasts, are just regular folks. We have faced the challenge of being perceived as rich and facing higher taxes as a result. The money we pay in taxes goes into the general fund, while some recreational boat taxes go towards cleaning up abandoned commercial boats, not recreational ones. This is an unfortunate disparity, but it underscores the important difference between perception and reality.

Conclusion

The decision to own a luxury yacht is not just about affluence but about the passion and commitment required. While it's certainly helpful to be wealthy, making it a goal and sticking with it is far more important. We can make it happen with hard work and a bit of luck. If you dream of yachting, you can sail around the world, and you can make it a reality. The key is to set your goals and never give up on them.