My father owns a boat that is currently permanently parked at a large lake ~5 hours from his house that my family takes annual vacations to. My uncle, who lives in the same city as my parents, also takes semi-frequent vacations to this lake and borrows the boat when he does so. I also love this same lake and plan to continue visiting, hopefully annually, so long as I can afford to, in perpetuity, though I now live in a different state. It's kind of a family tradition.

I recently encouraged my parents to get their will figured out. My parents and have a very good relationship with both me and my sister, so this is not a situation where everyone is trying to grab for the most goodies they can get, we're all just trying to figure out how to set up the estate to cause the least headaches for everyone.

My dad specifically asked me how I would like the boat to be handled. He said it is his wish that both my uncle and I have continuing access to the boat once he passes. He said that could be accomplished by making us both 50% owners, by leaving it to my uncle with the proviso that I have continued access to it, or by leaving it to me with the proviso that my uncle has continued access to it. He said that if he leaves it to one person, he would probably put that person on the title today to avoid it being held up in the estate at his passing.

Other relevant information: I am on good terms with my uncle, though we're not that close. He has more knowledge about boat maintenance and repair than I do. As stated previously, he lives much closer to the boat than I do, though neither of us live terribly close. He is, as far as I can tell, a financially responsible person. My parents are not elderly or otherwise near death, so long as they avoid any freak accidents.

What should I be taking into consideration? I would definitely continue to use and own the boat if it were willed to me, but given that I am distant and not terribly familiar with boat upkeep, it may be better to let my uncle take over full ownership. Or would joint ownership guarantee the best of both worlds? I feel there are probably considerations I am missing since I'm not familiar with estates or boat ownership.