3 years ago, my dad bought a brand new boat (17' center console bay boat). For the last 3 years, I have had it most of the time, and through much toil and labor, and capital investment, have kept it looking like the day we bought it.
My little brother recently moved to Tampa, and would like his rightful turn at having the boat, and I can't blaim him.
Problem is, Dad and little brother don't have a clue about the demands of boat upkeep (but they think they know everything they need to know).
Bigger problem is, little brother doesn't have a tow vehicle for the boat (he has a hyundai). He has deeded indirect access to a 70 acre lake with a dirt ramp that would require a 4WD in residential Tampa. With that in mind, little brother and Dad see NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER with leaving this fiberglass boat beached in the sand or tied to a brand new friend's dock for a week or two at a time. He will depend on friends with 4WDs to pull it out from time to time.
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Dad and little brother swear they will pay for any incurred damage, but they don't get the concept of depreciation due to neglect.
I have designed my family vacation time at the end of July with boat use in mind. Dad will be there, too. Naturally, I want the boat to be in prime condition, the way it is now.
Should I:
1. Bite my tongue out of respect for my Dad (and his rightful property) and let the boat meet its demise?
2. Offer to buy the boat from Dad so it is my property that I can protect?
3. Try to have mutual friends explain the hazards of improper boat storage and maintenance since I can't get my point across?
4. Do something totally different?
I'm trying to avoid a family meltdown over a material possession, while trying to hedge against losing an investment of my personal time and money. HELP!!