>>448457I'm assuming you're talking about more expensive items, several hundreds worth of gear, if not thousands.
$30 a trip, 5 trips a year, $150 a year. $200 tops.
Is it worth the $200 a year to not have any wear/tear on YOUR gear? Get a newer whatever-it-is every time you rent? Not have maintenance/storage costs?
Or is it worth the investment to have something you can customize/set up for your particular use? Would you go out more if you didn't have to rent every time? (Can you afford the time to use $ITEM more often... time off work, etc?)
Snowmobiles are big $$$. $10k-ish for a new one, even a later-model used machine in good condition will still set you back $5-8k.
If you're only going riding a couple times a year, that $200/day cost to rent becomes pretty damn cheap, especially when you factor in fuel/oil, maintenance, storage, transportation costs with it.
I tell people all the time that maybe buying a sled might not be the best option, spend the money on outerwear/avalanche gear and just rent when you do have a chance to go ride.
Sounds like for whatever it is you're doing, that $30/trip rental cost is a pretty damn good deal...
