Its great that the fun of boating can be one of the cheapest ways to get out of the house and have what seems to be a whole day of fun.

Compared to the cost of taking a family of four to the movies, boating for the entire day is a bargain!

Kieth, I could not agree more! My other favorite is people who use the mall as entertainment, I'll take a day on the water anytime. We probably spend less than $100 a weekend on the boat. Every time we (4 of us) go out to eat, it's ~$75.

Diesel fuel to tow the boat: $20.
Gas to run the boat all day: $50.
Food, drink, sunblock, misc: $40.

Time spent with kids: Pricele$$.

Sounds about right. $100 a day. We could do it for less but being out on the boat is vacation time for me and I don't mind splurging a little.

Days like this can be priceless.

Heading out in about 3 hours for the afternoon. $100 for that time is well worth it. WAY BETTER than say going to Disneyland and standing in a hot line all day... and cheaper too.

We are finally going to open up our cabin tomorrow and get the dock and pontoon boat in. My boat goes in next weekend. We have had lousey weather around here. It seems like it's been raining for two months. A lot of work tomorrow getting things ready but still seems like fun to me.

We actually spend just about every weekend down there from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. It's only 40 minutes from home but is a world away. No cell reception, no real T.V. to speak of, just friends and family. It's like a mini vacation every week and costs us next to nothing.

Deckedout, It's good to see another Tahoe owner here

Familyman, Which model do you have. If I recall correctly it's the Q6?

One day at my local amusement park:
Gas- $8
Parking- $8
Tickets- $54 x 2= $108
Food- $25 (that is with sneaking in water bottles and refilling them in drinking fountains throughout the park)
Total= $149

One day at the local lake:
Gas for towing- $20
Ramp fee- $3
Boat gas- $20
Food/ drinks (brought from home)- $15
Total= $58

I can go boating 2 full days for the price of one day at the amusement park. Boating is relatively cheap in comparrison

4th of July last year. Just sittin' on the lake, enjoying food & beverage with the company of friends, kids are swimming and having a ball on the slide---and no one even thought about using the Bayliner tied up out back!

Time spent on the lake:
About 5 hours

Cost for food & beverage:
Who cares, we were going to eat & drink anyway!

Cost for day's fuel use:
About $5

Pretty cheap entertainment for 15 people!

Boating can be as cheap--or as expensive-- as you want it to be.

2004 Q4 SF.

2004 Q4 SF.

And more fun.

FR, You should make a run to the local reservation and p/u some fire works this year. Adds a few hundred to the festivities but gets sure oohhs and aahhs!