costs of owning a boat

vagabond · 07-26-07, 02:25 AM

Hey guys,

I'm shopping for a boat now but probably don't plan to buy until fall or spring, depending on when I forsee the biggest chunk of free time. I'm not sure if I'm buying new or used. I've seen some really nice boats that are 5-6 years old.

I know there's fuel and registration costs. I know there's insurance (not sure how much that is).

What are the other routine costs that I can expect?

JB · 07-26-07, 07:07 AM

a couple of batteries, aerator plumbing and pump, gas and oil mix, greasegun for bearings, taillights that go bad, big motor and electric motor can occisionaly need working one...boats are bottomless pits for money at times.....90% of the time they are worth having tho lol

WTL · 07-26-07, 11:43 AM

Lots of things break all the time. TMs, depth finders, batteries go bad, trailer tires blow out..normally when you buy a boat that is well to moderatly used you are going to spend a little money initially. After a while it will level off some though.

As an example, my Dad spent 1,000 on our 16 foot bass tracker. I say our, since I have probably put more than that in getting it up to par since the purchase. New tires, 3 new batteries, tm, depth finder, carpet and decks, rigging, motor repair...not to mention my valuable time.

Snake2715 · 07-26-07, 03:18 PM

I am about to tackle my older lund. Just got rid of the second car last night that we had been selling...

Now on to some house and boat projects.

Typically the insurance can be added to your home and that doesnt run to much.

Good luck and look around for a bit.

zooker · 07-26-07, 05:09 PM

home owners typiclly will cover the boat up to a certain amount of horse power. -i think 35-

i have a second insurance on the boat once it is floating-car insurance coversit while trailering-what ever you do no matter how fast the boat goes NEVER tell the insurance company it goes faster than 50 mph..

zooker

Rebbasser · 07-26-07, 07:58 PM

The old joke that a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into has some truth to it. Seems like there is always something-upgrades, maintenence, etc. But, like JB said, they are worth having.

Christopherkeene9 · 07-26-07, 09:31 PM

Bust Out Another Thousand

GregK9 · 07-28-07, 06:09 PM

Just like any other hobby - it cost money.

zooker · 07-28-07, 06:19 PM

more like owning a second car..

zooker

everettvet · 07-31-07, 11:29 AM

There is one phrase that sums up the cost of maintaining a boat - "a lot." I love my boat. If the boat is empty on gas, it is $135 or so to fill it up and that is not including the gas for my truck ($67). Oil costs $16-20 a gallon for the boat. Don't forget the initial cost of the safety equipment: life jackets, throw PFD, fire ex. to name some. I love the boat and wouldn't want any other but the money plays in a big role. I can save a bunch on gas by the way I run the boat. My boat tops out at 73 mph or so. There is only one time for me to do that and that is during a tourney. Most of the time, I run 40-55 mph. Takes a few minutes longer, but I save a lot on gas. Another way to save money is to maintain your truck that you will be pulling your boat with.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Guttboy · 07-31-07, 11:39 PM

Folks here have mentioned just about everything....

Registration/title for both the boat, motor, trailer (laws vary state by state).
Safety gear...PFD's, throwable, signal device, fire ext, etc.....
Anchor, chain, line.....
Line for tying up to docks, trees, etc.....
FIRST AID KIT! (optional but highly recommended)
Onboard tool kit....never know when you might need it....
Duck Tape!
Fuses.....
Cover for the boat (unless you are storing it in the garage)
You may need an adapter for the trailer lights depending on what you have on your vehicle.....
Battery charger
Trailer hitch lock
Storage fee's if not on your property

The list is pretty long but you get the idea.....

Regards,

:-)

Bender · 08-01-07, 12:47 PM

Insurance is actually pretty cheap, mine is about $300/year for about $28,000 total coverage.
The only other thing I don't see mentioned yet are ramp fees/launch stickers. I know I have well over $100 in just park stickers this year alone: State parks, DNR, Metro Parks (truck and trailer), City park, etc.....
I usually end up spending more on upgrades than my actual boat payment. This was my mistake in not getting everything I wanted installed by the dealer at a cut rate when I bought the boat. Things like GPS, larger display sonar, radios, etc.

1FASTLASER · 08-06-07, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everettvet

There is one phrase that sums up the cost of maintaining a boat - "a lot." I love my boat. If the boat is empty on gas, it is $135 or so to fill it up and that is not including the gas for my truck ($67). Oil costs $16-20 a gallon for the boat. Don't forget the initial cost of the safety equipment: life jackets, throw PFD, fire ex. to name some. I love the boat and wouldn't want any other but the money plays in a big role. I can save a bunch on gas by the way I run the boat. My boat tops out at 73 mph or so. There is only one time for me to do that and that is during a tourney. Most of the time, I run 40-55 mph. Takes a few minutes longer, but I save a lot on gas. Another way to save money is to maintain your truck that you will be pulling your boat with.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Sounds just like me setpt for one thing.......I usually am trying to set the water on fire

07-26-07, 02:25 AM	#1
vagabond BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 120	costs of owning a boat Hey guys, I'm shopping for a boat now but probably don't plan to buy until fall or spring, depending on when I forsee the biggest chunk of free time. I'm not sure if I'm buying new or used. I've seen some really nice boats that are 5-6 years old. I know there's fuel and registration costs. I know there's insurance (not sure how much that is). What are the other routine costs that I can expect?

07-26-07, 11:43 AM	#3
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	Lots of things break all the time. TMs, depth finders, batteries go bad, trailer tires blow out..normally when you buy a boat that is well to moderatly used you are going to spend a little money initially. After a while it will level off some though. As an example, my Dad spent 1,000 on our 16 foot bass tracker. I say our, since I have probably put more than that in getting it up to par since the purchase. New tires, 3 new batteries, tm, depth finder, carpet and decks, rigging, motor repair...not to mention my valuable time. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

07-26-07, 03:18 PM	#4
Snake2715 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 249	I am about to tackle my older lund. Just got rid of the second car last night that we had been selling... Now on to some house and boat projects. Typically the insurance can be added to your home and that doesnt run to much. Good luck and look around for a bit. __________________ -Josh

07-26-07, 05:09 PM	#5
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	home owners typiclly will cover the boat up to a certain amount of horse power. -i think 35- i have a second insurance on the boat once it is floating-car insurance coversit while trailering-what ever you do no matter how fast the boat goes NEVER tell the insurance company it goes faster than 50 mph.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

07-26-07, 07:58 PM	#6
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	The old joke that a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into has some truth to it. Seems like there is always something-upgrades, maintenence, etc. But, like JB said, they are worth having. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

07-26-07, 07:07 AM	#2
JB BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,655	a couple of batteries, aerator plumbing and pump, gas and oil mix, greasegun for bearings, taillights that go bad, big motor and electric motor can occisionaly need working one...boats are bottomless pits for money at times.....90% of the time they are worth having tho lol

07-26-07, 09:31 PM	#7
Christopherkeene9 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oviedo, Fla Posts: 2,270	Bust Out Another Thousand

07-28-07, 06:09 PM	#8
GregK9 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 57	Just like any other hobby - it cost money.

07-28-07, 06:19 PM	#9
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	more like owning a second car.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

07-31-07, 11:29 AM	#10
everettvet BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Paducah, KY Posts: 730	There is one phrase that sums up the cost of maintaining a boat - "a lot." I love my boat. If the boat is empty on gas, it is $135 or so to fill it up and that is not including the gas for my truck ($67). Oil costs $16-20 a gallon for the boat. Don't forget the initial cost of the safety equipment: life jackets, throw PFD, fire ex. to name some. I love the boat and wouldn't want any other but the money plays in a big role. I can save a bunch on gas by the way I run the boat. My boat tops out at 73 mph or so. There is only one time for me to do that and that is during a tourney. Most of the time, I run 40-55 mph. Takes a few minutes longer, but I save a lot on gas. Another way to save money is to maintain your truck that you will be pulling your boat with. Good luck and happy shopping!

07-31-07, 11:39 PM	#11
Guttboy BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 50	Folks here have mentioned just about everything.... Registration/title for both the boat, motor, trailer (laws vary state by state). Safety gear...PFD's, throwable, signal device, fire ext, etc..... Anchor, chain, line..... Line for tying up to docks, trees, etc..... FIRST AID KIT! (optional but highly recommended) Onboard tool kit....never know when you might need it.... Duck Tape! Fuses..... Cover for the boat (unless you are storing it in the garage) You may need an adapter for the trailer lights depending on what you have on your vehicle..... Battery charger Trailer hitch lock Storage fee's if not on your property The list is pretty long but you get the idea..... Regards, :-)

08-01-07, 12:47 PM	#12
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	Insurance is actually pretty cheap, mine is about $300/year for about $28,000 total coverage. The only other thing I don't see mentioned yet are ramp fees/launch stickers. I know I have well over $100 in just park stickers this year alone: State parks, DNR, Metro Parks (truck and trailer), City park, etc..... I usually end up spending more on upgrades than my actual boat payment. This was my mistake in not getting everything I wanted installed by the dealer at a cut rate when I bought the boat. Things like GPS, larger display sonar, radios, etc.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)