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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you.
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If you are interested in buying a boat and setting sail on the open water, you have a lot of costs to consider. While the cost varies significantly depending on the type of boat you want, the average cost of a new boat can be anywhere from $40,000 to $75,000. The average cost of a used boat is between $10,000 and $20,000. However, there is more to the cost of a boat than the initial price tag. You also have to consider the maintenance costs, boat insurance, fuel costs and potential taxes.
Yearly boat maintenance typically costs about 10 percent of the cost of the boat, though that can vary depending on the type of boat and how often you do maintenance. You should be diligent about preventative maintenance if you intend to boat in saltwater because the salt can damage the boat over time. Average boat insurance rates are around 1.5 percent of the boat’s insured value, but exact rates depend on the insurance company and the area you live in. You should also consider the cost of getting a trailer, safety items, winter storage and other miscellaneous costs.
The best boat for you will depend on how you intend to use it, the area where you intend to go boating and your budget. For example, if you want something you can use for water sports, a speed boat would be a good choice; but if you’re looking for something to take out into the ocean and go fishing, a fishing boat or cabin cruiser could be your best bet.
If you want to buy a boat but are unsure about the costs involved, the information below will help you make the best decision for your finances.
The best time to buy a boat is typically in the fall, right after summer. Most manufacturers start advertising discounts in September or October and continue to do so into the winter months. Purchasing your boat during the off-season could help you cut costs significantly and could even help you avoid taking on any debt.
However, buying and maintaining a boat is expensive no matter when you buy it, and you may need help financing it. If you need to borrow money to cover the cost of your boat, there are several options. The most popular ways to finance your boat are through a boat loan, a personal loan or financing through a dealership.
A boat loan is a type of personal loan used to purchase a boat. Boat loans are fixed-rate installment loans, meaning that you will make the same monthly payments throughout the life of your loan. You typically need a credit score of 680 or higher to qualify for a lender’s best rates. You may be required to pay a downpayment of 10 to 20 percent of the boat’s purchase price, but many lenders do not require you to do this.
There are secured and unsecured boat loans. If you take out a secured boat loan, the boat itself is used as collateral. You could lose your boat if you do not make your monthly payments. Unsecured boat loans do not require collateral, meaning you will not lose your boat if you default on your payments. However, unsecured loans usually have higher interest rates than secured loans, and getting behind on payments will cause damage to your credit score.
If you are considering a boat loan to finance your new boat, you should compare lenders, get quotes from your top choices, and calculate your monthly payments before making a final decision.
Similar to a boat loan, personal loans are fixed-rate installment loans. A personal loan is a good financing option if you have a high credit score and a steady income stream. They can be used for virtually any purpose, and some have low interest rates for good to excellent credit borrowers.
Because personal loans tend to be unsecured, you do not have to worry about losing your boat if you don’t pay it off. However, you should calculate your monthly payments and make sure you can comfortably afford them before making a final decision.
Marine financing through a dealership is the most convenient boat financing option. Dealerships sometimes offer perks like manufacturer deals and rebates, and you don’t have to search for loans from alternative lenders. However, this option tends to be a lot more expensive. Loans from dealerships have higher interest rates and longer repayment periods than other loans.
When you buy a boat, you have to consider maintenance costs, potential repair costs, and the cost of fueling and operating a boat.
Typically, annual boat maintenance costs about 10 percent of the cost of the boat itself. For example, a boat that cost $20,000 to purchase would cost roughly $2,000 a year to maintain. Some examples of typical boat maintenance include painting the hull, cleaning the deck, replacing broken or worn down parts and winterizing the boat to protect it from the elements during the off-season. Like a car, boats require regular maintenance to reduce wear and tear.
You must also consider fuel costs, especially if you have a larger boat. Smaller boats typically just take regular or premium gasoline, while larger vessels may require diesel, which is more expensive. You can avoid fuel costs if you get a sailboat, which is entirely wind-powered, but most other boats require fuel. You should research the fuel needs of the boat you want to buy before making a purchase.
Additional operating costs for a boat include oil changes, batteries, a pump and lights. Just like a vehicle, these elements should be checked and replaced regularly.
When you buy a boat, you also have to get boat insurance, get your boat registered and potentially get certified to drive it, depending on the state you live in. Some states also charge boat taxes, so research your local requirements before buying a boat.
Here is a breakdown of these costs:
Additional costs associated with boat ownership include the cost of storing your boat, the cost of a trailer, safety necessities and miscellaneous items such as water sports equipment.
An important but often overlooked element of owning a boat is properly storing it. Most people do not use their boat year-round, and you have to have somewhere to store your boat during the winter months.
There are a variety of boat storage options. Generally speaking, unless you choose home storage, you will likely spend between $50 and $200 per foot for indoor storage and $20 to $50 per foot for outdoor storage. Indoor storage is more expensive because it offers tighter security and you do not have to worry about winterizing the boat to protect it from the elements.
Storing your boat in your garage or driveway is likely the cheapest option. However, you will likely have to buy a trailer and winterize the boat. Note that Homeowners Associations sometimes have rules about parking boats in driveways, so make sure you are allowed to do so before settling on this option.
Here is a breakdown of the most common boat storage options:
In order to get your boat to the water, you need to have a boat trailer and a vehicle that can tow it, such as a truck. These costs can vary depending on the size of your boat. A boat trailer can range from $500 to over $10,000.
In addition to a trailer and a towing vehicle, you must invest in your boat’s required safety equipment. This includes a fire extinguisher, enough life jackets for every passenger, a flotation device, a visual signaling device and a sound signaling device. The exact safety equipment you need can vary by state, but these are the basics. Having a medical kit and flashlight is also a good idea. Depending on the size of your boat, having paddles on board in case of emergency could be beneficial.
Once you buy your boat, there will inevitably be accessories you want to splurge on that aren’t strictly required. Budgeting for these things ahead of time is a good idea to avoid overspending. You may want to invest in water sports equipment, dry bags to keep your valuables safe, waterproof electronics, fishing equipment or other items that make the boating experience more pleasurable. Before shopping for these items, create a budget to ensure you get the most out of your experience without going over budget.
Buying a boat is an exciting adventure, but it is also costly and time-consuming. There are so many extra costs outside the initial buying price, and you must stay on top of maintenance and repairs to keep your investment in good shape. Before buying a boat, consider all these costs and write a cost estimate/yearly budget. It is important to ensure you can handle all of the costs associated with having a boat before buying one.
Choosing a financing option like a boat loan, personal loan, or dealership financing could help you plan some of the costs. However, you can avoid taking out a loan by saving up instead, buying a used boat for a lesser cost or splitting the cost and sharing the boat with a trusted friend or family member. Whichever option you choose, make sure that you do your research and come up with a plan before making any decisions.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. Bankrate is compensated in exchange for featured placement of sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. This compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Bankrate.com does not include all companies or all available products.
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