Chris,
Plugs are $5.00 or less if you shop around the world. And fuel can be made for way less than $45.00 a gallon. It is a costly hobby, but mostly it is a lot of time that you have to devote to the hobby like you and your Dad have done years ago. I am sure you still have some competitive boats, you just need to find time to do it all.
Not easy if you are working a lot of hours. Good to see you are still following the hobby.
Mark Sholund