There’s something about being on the water that can’t quite be replicated on land. The rhythm of the waves, the wind on your face, the hum of a well-tuned motor – whether you’re chasing a tide, fishing a flat, or just anchored off a sandbar for the day, boating offers a kind of therapy you can’t buy at any pharmacy. But make no mistake: boating is not an investment and strains the financial plan.
It’s a lifestyle, a passion project, and above all, a memory machine.
My journey with boats began far from the warm shores of Florida, on the chilly, rugged coast of Alaska. As a teenager, I learned the fundamentals on rugged Jon boats – aluminum workhorses that were less about pleasure and more about practicality. It was hard, cold work. But it planted the seed.
Later, I’d find myself navigating the waters of the Kenai River on aluminum skiffs, or fishing outside of Homer, Alaska, for Halibut, casting lines and enjoying a world view that only the water can provide. At 19, with my first real earnings coming in, I bought an Arctic Cat 1100cc jet ski. Speed, spray, and freedom. I was hooked.
Then upgraded in college to an 18-foot Bayliner inboard bowrider. Thank you to Scottrade Financial internship, student loan, and some light eBay sales (wink).
It wasn’t fancy, but it was mine; it floated and friends helped chip in for gas money.
When I returned to Florida, married, with my financial adviser position at Raymond James, my love of the water matured into a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship and utility. I upgraded to a 26-foot Cobia center console, made in Fort Pierce, a reliable, family-capable fishing vessel. That was followed by a serious step up: a 32-foot Stamas Express Cabin Cruiser, built in Tarpon Springs (still a family-owned business) the Stamas was a perfect blend of function and form. It came with air conditioning, sleeping quarters, and tall gunnels – ideal for the young, busy feet of my three small children at the time. It allowed for safe overnights and weekend coastal adventures with a little peace of mind for Mom and Dad.
During my time as commodore of the Bradenton Yacht Club, the Stamas stood as a proud symbol of intentional family fun. But as career demands grew and weekends filled with soccer games, dance recitals, and life in motion, I eventually sold it. Still, every boater knows: you can’t not have a boat. So, I picked up a 21-foot Chaos runabout – simple, easy, and perfect for last-minute trips to Egmont Key or towing a tube.
Most recently, I checked off a lifelong bucket-list brand with the purchase of a 30-foot Chris Craft center console. Timeless design, seaworthy lines, and a serious attention to detail. It’s not just a boat, it’s a nod to everything boating should feel like. Designed by Italians, built right here just a few miles from my office near SRQ airport. The Chris Craft facility is worth a visit if you’ve never seen a boat build.
They blend heritage craftsmanship with modern practicality with money funneling into our local community, powered by twin Mercury (USA) outboards.
And in every single case, purchased used. Thoughtfully curated. Researched for the best “bang for buck.” Boats aren’t about showing off, they’re about showing up. For your family. For adventure. For your peace of mind.
Budgeting for a boat is like budgeting for a vacation home on water; it most likely ends up on the negative side of the T-account. With the added benefit (and responsibility) of motors, batteries, trailers, and barnacles. There’s a rhythm to boat ownership: maintain, clean, break, replace, polish, repeat. And yet, there’s joy in that, too.
Pride of ownership isn’t just about glossy gel coat or top-end electronics. It’s about knowing your boat inside and out. It’s seeing your child jump off the transom for the first time. It’s catching your first tarpon of the season or watching a sunset from a quiet cove no road can reach.
To the untrained eye, boating may seem like a luxury reserved for the few. But for many families in our area, it’s a lifestyle thoughtfully built into the fabric of how we spend time together. It’s fishing rods instead of iPads, laughter over lunch boxes, and discovering a version of yourself that only seems to exist on the water. In fact, some of the wisest clients I’ve worked with over the years are the ones who’ve taught me this: When it comes to experiences that bring your family closer it is worth the spend.
That also means choosing a boat that’s built to last. Choosing the brand that has a real service network behind it. Skipping the flashy upgrade if it means cutting corners on safety or reliability. You don’t need the biggest, fastest, or newest but you do need to know why you’re buying. You’re buying memories. You’re buying access to a slower pace. You’re buying the right to sit in the back of the boat with your feet up, watching your kids take the wheel for the first time.
So, no, a boat is not an investment in the traditional sense. But if you’re careful, curious, and patient, it can be a priceless tool for family connection, personal joy, and the kind of living that never shows up on a balance sheet.
And if you ever hear someone say, “The best two days of boat ownership are the day you buy it and the day you sell it,” they’ve probably never done it right.
Another popular saying is, “What is better than having a boat is having a friend with a boat.”
Thanks for reading friend, see you on the water!
Evan R. Guido is the founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC, a 2018 Forbes Next-Gen Advisors List Member, and Financial Professional at Avantax Investment ServicesSM. Evan heads a team of retirement transition strategists for clients who consider themselves the “Millionaire Next Door.” He can be reached at 941-500-5122 or [email protected]. Read more of his insights at heraldtribune.com/business. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM, insurance services offered through an Avantax-affiliated insurance agency. 6260 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240.
