Cost of owning a boat
Simply owning a boat incurs a lot of recurring costs: maintenance, docking fees, insurance. Here you'll get a good overview of what to expect so you can plan accordingly.
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Docking costs
Can get expensive depending on your location
Docking costs typically range from $65 to $100 per month, depending on boat length, dock type, and location. You can reduce docking costs by 80% — we'll show you how in our docking cost guide.
More on docking costs
Maintenance costs
It costs less if you keep up
Maintenance will roughly cost 10% of the purchase value of the boat, if it's new or a well-maintained second-hand.
In practice, this will roughly be between $250 - $1,000 per month, depending on the boat size.
This rule of thumb doesn't apply to project boats bought at a fraction of the cost.
Regular maintenance
Rigging and sails
Engine
Accessories
Transporting your boat
The cheapest option is not what you think
Transporting a boat costs on average:
- $1.50/mile to $3.50/mile by land
- $350-$450 per day (plus expenses) over water
Insurance costs
Can add up depending on your boat
If you have fuel tanks, you must be insured. Same goes for anchors and electronics. So that's pretty much everyone with a serious boat.
More on insurance costs
Equipment
The gear is what we're here for
Equipment cost depends on the type of sailing. Cruising equipment will typically cost between $5,000 - $10,000 for a full refit. For simple day trips, you can get around for just $500.
Explore topics
Docking costs
Can get expensive depending on your location
Docking costs typically range from $65 to $100 per month, depending on boat length, dock type, and location. You can reduce docking costs by 80% — we'll show you how in our docking cost guide.
More on docking costs
Maintenance costs
It costs less if you keep up
Maintenance will roughly cost 10% of the purchase value of the boat, if it's new or a well-maintained second-hand.
In practice, this will roughly be between $250 - $1,000 per month, depending on the boat size.
This rule of thumb doesn't apply to project boats bought at a fraction of the cost.
Regular maintenance
Rigging and sails
Engine
Accessories
Transporting your boat
The cheapest option is not what you think
Transporting a boat costs on average:
- $1.50/mile to $3.50/mile by land
- $350-$450 per day (plus expenses) over water
Insurance costs
Can add up depending on your boat
If you have fuel tanks, you must be insured. Same goes for anchors and electronics. So that's pretty much everyone with a serious boat.
More on insurance costs
Equipment
The gear is what we're here for
Equipment cost depends on the type of sailing. Cruising equipment will typically cost between $5,000 - $10,000 for a full refit. For simple day trips, you can get around for just $500.