boats can be expensive, but it's like a car, you can make it work for you.
I currently have an older pontoon boat that I paid $2500 7 years ago. I have been using it every summer since, I live in a lake community, where they store it for me in the winter for $75/year. I don't have to own a truck or a trailer, so for me, it was an easy decision.
I can't haul it places or to other lakes, but I'm ok with that. We get a ton of family fun/time out of it, which is why we wanted it. I have had some costs over the years, probably have put another couple thousand in it since 2011. Over all, boats are like cars, require maintenance, etc..
Where I see a lot of folks spend crazy amounts is when they buy newer, expensive, and have to have a trailer, and a big truck.