Boat maintenance?

Question

Is it true that owning, say, a small motor boat is extremely expensive in terms of maintenance costs? What is involved and how expensive is it?

People have mentioned storage...would be curious as to how much this is. Thanks

Answer 1

I have a 1976 15' Boston Whaler (good shape), my yearly cost is (not inc. last years new 50 H.P motor,)

Storage: side of my house, cost = 0
tune up: (DIY) about $100 inc. water pump
bottom paint: (DIY) about $40
misc: about $100-250
fuel: use about 3-5 gallons per outing (pretty much all day) avg cost is about $7-15, usually $7 is what I spend.
mooring: Private house $550 April to DEC.
launching: I have my own trailer, cost is 0
Sea Tow (membership towing) $150 per year (optional) "unlimited tows" (never had to use them but, cheap insurance, non-member towing fee's are insanely high priced if you need "Sea Tow")
Insurance (optional) about $148 per year (covers all)
When I bought the boat in 1990 for $3100 (no trailer '1987 48 Hp motor), everyone said that I paid too much, and the boat was too small, "WHO'S THE KING NOW" ?????????

Answer 2

It's not horrible. Gas really is my biggest expense. We are able to keep our boats at a friends place close to the water, and let them use them when we're out of town so they share maint cost (oil changes & such). We're good about wiping down & looking after the boat every time out. We live way down south here so we don't have to winterize the motor for storage. There would be more, but we don't tend to keep boats for more than five years before we move on. It's deceptive though, depending on the boat you can run into a lot of costs if you aren't careful & vigilant in your care for it (much like a car). We've been pretty lucky avoiding major mechanical issues, and with a bunch of boating friends we try to do a lot of the minor work for each other. If you're just breaking in, I'd start by making some friends first & then getting a boat over the winter for next season. Oh yeah, we do pay $7-15 to launch at the state ramp. $15 close to town, 7 further away & further cruise on the water (gas), so it's just a matter of how long it'll take on a given day. Insurance too.

Answer 3

Consider the boat to be like a second car, and you'll have the average costs. Storage is all depending on where, and how. If your boat is trailerable, you can keep it in your driveway, or at a secure storage lot for maybe $25 a month when not using it.

Answer 4

I own a 23 ft Well craft. The maintenance is not near as bad as the cost of storing it. Figure that you will have to put about $500 each spring and then whatever fees you have to store it both winter and summer. Also, it cost about $100 in gas to run the engin for an hour and a half.

Answer 5

No most boats that are in good shape. They do take a little more care like grease trailer, fog the motor for winter and take a little care. I had a boat for a long time and didn't have to much in to it. Just remember that the gas will go bad and keep it clean and dry.

Answer 6

Storage has been my largest expense. $35-$60 per month for 22'

Oil needs changed at least once a year. $40
I needed to rebuild a raw water pump and repair oil/power steering cooler this year $30 in parts
Last year I bent a stainless prop repair was $100.
Had carb rebuilt $200- I can do it myself but did not want to at the time.
Fuel
20' Glastron with 350 Alpha drive 10-20 gal/hour
22' Checkmate 454Magnum Bravo drive 20-40 gal/hr

Answer 7

If the small motor boat is trailored and you have a good place to store it, It's ton's of fun. Depends on if it's salt water or fresh water. Regular maintenence is the key. Have fun and don't drink and boat.