$$$$$

[Odyssey]

When a new paddle can cost upwards of $350, and a canoe 10x that, it doesn't take long for the canoe tripping costs to add up. Unless of course you carve your own paddle, strip your own canoe. But few people do that. Frugal people choose used. And of course, how long before you acquire 2 more paddles and (don't tell the spouse) how many more canoes? And then there are the packs. And the tents. And that nice hammock you always wanted. Before you know it you've spent/invested some serious coin for this hobby turned passion.
How much have you spent in total for all the gear you currently own? The most you've paid for a paddle or canoe; the least you've paid? Have you ever thought how this translates on a cost per trip basis over the years? Is the cost even important to you, or is this number crunching pure nonsense, because at the end of the day, canoe tripping is "priceless"?

 

[lowangle al]

I never thought about it that way. I always looked at how much I saved on all of those weekends and vacations that only cost us a tank of gas and a bag of groceries.

 

[recped]

I'm not going to add it all up but I know for sure than quite a few people I know are involved in other types of "recreational sport" who spend MUCH more and hardly have any gear which is not replaced every couple of years.

The most expensive canoe I've ever owned cost CA$1200 when brand new (30 years ago), the most expensive paddle CA$225 (other than salvage I've only owned 4 paddles (not including the ones I used as a child), Dry suits (2) US$450 / US$550, Tents (5) most expensive just under US$300.

Almost forgot, well over $1000 for a couple of GPS, SPOT 1 and InReach

I don't even want to think about how much I've spent on Meal In A Bag! (but you gotta eat even if you stay at home).

Considering what I've spend on other types of "entertainment", the paddling money is not that bad.

 

[billconner]

I don't think I've spent on 3 canoes, paddles, and all the gear what 1 or 2 ocean cruises would cost.

 

[tketcham]

We all spend our money (and time) on what's most important to us. Some people spend their "disposable" income on nice cars or pickups, some on big houses, some on an RV or motor/sail boat, some on foreign travel, whatever is deemed our priority(ies). In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter? Everybody has a different idea of what "priceless" is and spend accordingly.

 

[Rippy]

I struggle to be practical in most areas of my life. But then there's this crazy part of me that takes over sometimes. Brad, life consist's of more than just being practical. Some times you just have to embrace your crazy and go for it.

 

[Benson Gray]

It is probably safe to say that everyone spends too much on the things they enjoy. The "cost per trip" metric doesn't mean much when you can spend the rest of your life enjoying the memories. Some values aren't easily measured by the price of beer and pizza,

Benson

 

[JohnSand]

I've spent more on boats than on cars.

 

[devils son in law]

I've had many folks question the cost of my canoe/bicycle fleet. It seems these same people have motor boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, atv's etc.....

They've got the initial cost, a trailer, insurance, gas, registrations, trail passes and off season up keep. I've got the initial cost only.

Suddenly our hobby doesn't seem that expensive, but all those others seem to somehow be justified.

 

[Boatman53]

It’s a hobby and a passion, I don’t consider the costs anymore. I looked a long time for a solo cane, finally gave up and bought a Hornbeck New Tricks. I my still build a strip solo boat but mostly I want to paddle.
As a hobby it’s not too bad. There are no membership fees for golf clubs, big boating (my old source of income) is crazy money per sail or trip not to mention just sitting at the dock waiting for the next afternoon sail.
Enjoy what you can, however you can.

 

[stripperguy]

I’ve bought used boats in the range of $200-$300.
Bought a brand new Swift for MDB at $2,300.
Built too many to count for $400-$700
Built many many paddles, last batch were about $25 each.

I don’t necessarily need any more camping gear, but if I find something that’s a significant improvement over my existing gear, I’ll buy it with no regrets.
I happen to have plenty of disposable income, partly because of my life choices… I like to buy wrecked vehicles, repair and use them, then sell for profit.
I just got back from Montana after field repairing and driving home a 45 ft insurance wreck motorhome. Motorhome was $28,000, cost to repair and retrieve was $3,000, book value is $180,000.yup, that’ll cover quite a few new builds!!

 

[scoutergriz]

over the years, I've probably spent far less than most other "hobbies" and paddling is less of a hobby than a lifestyle.
A decent new fishing boat, motor, and trailer easily can run you $20 grand, a top of the line snow-machine and trailer $16 grand, and a good 4x4 offroad truck $80 grand, none of these things will outlast my $600 (new) 40 year old Scott or my 25 yr old $2200 Swift ultralight.

 

[MrPoling]

One great thing about paddling is the simplicity and durability of the gear. A good canoe and paddle can last 30+ years. The paddling gear I replace is normally broken by misuse. Even the camping gear is normally good for 20 years.

In most states paddled canoes are not registered. I sometimes think about getting a boat, but just the hassle and constant $50 here and there of trailer registration, boat registration, maintenance, etc is enough to discourage me.

The gear doesn't get obsolete quick either. Canoes haven't really improved much since the mid eighties when aramid became common. My mid '90s kevlar canoe is still lighter and faster than 99% of the paddling craft sold in my area.

Paddling is so cheap compared to everything else I do.

 

[billconner]

The most expensive part is the vehicle to get to and from water, etc.

 

[ppine]

A good question not easily answered. I cannot remember spending more than $700 for a canoe in my lifetime, and I have had lots of them. They were all improved and repaired and sold for more than I paid for them. I have bought a few $85 paddles over the years, but have made the best ones. Sometimes a used boat comes with paddles so there is a pile of them in the shed.

Duluth canoe packs used to be cheaper. Mine are 40 years old and that is not much per year. I use camping equipment that I would own anyway without being a paddle head. I bought a canoe trailer once which was around $1,000. It is probably still worth most of it today.

How much is a mental health plan worth? A lot more than it has cost me. Canoeing has been really cheap compared to power boats, sail boats and even a drift boat. I bought a 19 foot aluminum power boat in around 2008. It is worth about $5k more than I paid for it. I never buy new boats and have always come out at least even on all of them.

 

[SouthernKevlar]

If disposable income (i.e. money) is an issue, RECYCLE a canoe! There are many canoes out there coming up for sale.

Last night on Craigslist I saw an ad for a Mad River Explorer in Royalex and an Old Town H2Pro for sale. They were dirt covered, but stored indoors, and the Explorer is in need of seats and a carry thwart. Price: $175 each or both for $300.

They are now sitting on the racks of my car. I will recondition them and probably let the Explorer go to a friend of mine at cost. I will probably paddle the H2 Pro to see what it is like (I have never paddle one before) and then decide if I should clear out a space on the rack for it or not.

So many canoes, so little space.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I've spent probably $35,000 over the past 43 years on the 16 canoes and kayaks I've kept, lots of paddles, and lots of canoe and camping gear and accessories. It seems like a small investment for a lifetime hobby.

Most of the canoes and kayaks I bought in the 80's and 90's were new and cost less than $1,000 each, except for my Old Town OTCA, which cost about $1,600 in 1981 and my custom infused carbon/Kevlar Surge Marine sea kayak in 1996, which cost $3,000. My highly customized Huki V1-B outrigger canoe in 2004 was my most expensive new purchase at about $3,400. Since then, I've bought four used canoes in the $1,000-$2,000 range.

My most expensive paddle until 2007 was $150 for a Blackburn Lutra in 1984. In 2007 and later I've bought ZRE carbon paddles in the $260 range. They are now more expensive than that.

Everything I've bought over those 43 years still is in reasonable shape, except for the rotting wood gunwales on a few of my old canoes that I store outside and haven't maintained well.

I once spent $20,000 on a new car that has long since been junked, and $35,000 on a new tractor/backhoe that still works.

So . . . . . What!

 

[yellowcanoe]

I've spent a bit of money too like Glenn but looking at neighbors pontoon boats $60k
I have no regrets
When we lived in Connecticut I canoed just about every day. No liveries around
Now its most days when the water is soft
Yes I could rent a kayak daily as there is a livery close by
But living on a lake. Why?
And kkkkkjkykkkk

 

[Gamma1214]

Most expensive canoe to date: $500 (used)
Most expensive tent to date: $200ish (used)
I think paddles were $30 range, pfds probably the same
twig & backpacking stoves, 3 hammocks, 3 tents... I think I've spend more on hiking shoes!
Even with my inReach, I'd guess that my total investment (including footwear) is still less $3000.

 

[stevet]

Totaled up the canoe count to around 25-30 that have passed through my hands over the years (not to mention TONS of nice paddles, outfitting, etc) at a total cost of ???. Have realized that had I invested all that money over all those years I would have a lot more money than I do….…..not a single regret. Life is not a dress rehearsal….go for it.