Boat Ownership Cost Calculator
Total the true yearly cost of owning a boat: fuel, storage, insurance, maintenance, registration, financing and depreciation. All costs in US dollars (USD).
Boat Ownership Cost Calculator: The True Cost of Owning a Boat
The purchase price is only the start. Once you own a boat you also pay for fuel, a marina slip or storage, boat insurance, maintenance, winterizing, registration and often a boat loan. On top of that, the boat loses value every year. Our free boat ownership cost calculator adds all of this up. It shows your annual boat costs, your cost per month, your cost per day on the water and your cost per engine hour, so you can see what a boat really costs before you buy.
Choose from jet skis (personal watercraft), jon boats, bowriders, pontoon boats, center consoles, cabin cruisers and sailboats. The calculator loads typical US figures that you can edit to match your boat, your marina and your area. Boat owners in the UK can use it too – just enter your mooring, berth, insurance and licence costs in US dollars.
How to use the boat cost calculator
- Choose your boat type. This loads typical values for boat price, fuel burn, insurance, storage and maintenance.
- Enter the boat’s value and how many days a year you expect to go out.
- Add fuel details: engine hours per year, fuel burn in gallons per hour, and the marina fuel price per US gallon, UK gallon or litre.
- Choose where the boat lives: on a trailer at home, in a storage yard, dry stack, wet slip or on a mooring.
- Add insurance, registration, maintenance and loan payments.
- Decide whether to include depreciation. It is not a cash cost, but it is a real cost when you sell.
How much does it cost to own a boat per year?
A widely used rule of thumb is that yearly running costs are about 10% of the boat’s value, not counting the loan and depreciation. Smaller, trailered boats often cost less; big boats in marinas often cost more. Here are typical yearly costs in US dollars:
| Boat type | Typical value | Yearly running cost | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet ski / personal watercraft | $10,000–$18,000 | $2,000–$4,000 | $170–$330 |
| Jon boat / small fishing boat | $5,000–$15,000 | $1,500–$3,000 | $125–$250 |
| Bowrider / runabout (18–22 ft) | $25,000–$60,000 | $5,000–$9,000 | $420–$750 |
| Pontoon boat (20–24 ft) | $30,000–$70,000 | $5,000–$9,000 | $420–$750 |
| Center console (22–26 ft) | $60,000–$150,000 | $10,000–$18,000 | $830–$1,500 |
| Cabin cruiser (28–35 ft) | $100,000–$300,000 | $25,000–$45,000 | $2,100–$3,750 |
| Sailboat (26–32 ft) | $30,000–$90,000 | $10,000–$20,000 | $830–$1,650 |
These ranges include fuel, storage, insurance, maintenance and fees, plus depreciation. They do not include loan interest.
The main costs of boat ownership
1. Boat fuel
Boats measure fuel in gallons per hour (GPH), not miles per gallon. A small outboard may burn 2 GPH, a 20 ft bowrider 5–8 GPH and a twin-engine cruiser 15–30 GPH. Marina fuel is often 20–40% more expensive than road fuel.
Yearly fuel cost = Engine hours × Gallons per hour × Price per gallon
Example: 75 hours × 7 GPH × $4.50 = $2,363 a year.
2. Boat storage and marina slip fees
Keeping a trailered boat at home is the cheapest option. A storage yard might cost $50–$150 a month, dry stack storage $200–$600 and a marina wet slip $10–$40 per foot per month in popular areas. In the UK, a marina berth often costs $3,000–$8,000 a year (about £2,500–£6,500) for a 25–30 ft boat, and a swinging mooring much less.
3. Boat insurance
Boat insurance usually costs 1–2% of the boat’s value each year. A $35,000 bowrider might cost $400–$700 a year to insure. Premiums are higher for fast boats, young skippers, hurricane areas and offshore use.
4. Maintenance and repairs
Budget for engine servicing, impellers, oil and filters, batteries, props, upholstery and cleaning. Many owners spend 5–10% of the boat’s value a year on boat maintenance. Add winterizing and spring commissioning ($300–$1,200) if you live somewhere cold, and a yearly haul-out and bottom paint ($500–$3,000) if the boat stays in the water.
5. Registration, licences and fees
US states charge a yearly boat registration fee, from about $20 to $200 or more depending on the boat’s length and the state. Some states also charge property or excise tax on boats, and many require a boater education card. In the UK you may need a waterway licence (such as a Canal & River Trust licence) or harbour dues.
6. Financing and depreciation
A boat loan adds monthly payments and interest. Boat depreciation is often 10–20% in the first year and 5–10% a year after that. It is a hidden cost: you pay it when you sell.
Example: the cost of owning a 20 ft bowrider
| Cost | Per year |
|---|---|
| Fuel (75 hours × 7 GPH × $4.50) | $2,363 |
| Winter storage | $400 |
| Trailer upkeep | $150 |
| Launch fees (25 × $10) | $250 |
| Insurance | $525 |
| Registration, towing membership, fees | $300 |
| Maintenance, winterizing, safety gear | $3,100 |
| Depreciation (7% of $35,000) | $2,450 |
| Total | $9,538 ($795 a month) |
With 25 days on the water, that is about $382 per day – a useful number to compare with renting.
Owning vs renting vs a boat club
Many people buy a boat and then use it far less than planned. If you go out 25 days a year and a similar rental costs $450 a day, renting would cost $11,250. In the example above, owning is a little cheaper. But at 10 days a year, renting would cost only $4,500 – much less than owning. The calculator shows the break-even number of days for your boat.
- Rent if you boat fewer than about 15–20 days a year.
- Join a boat club (often $3,000–$7,000 a year plus fuel) if you want regular use without maintenance.
- Buy if you go out often, live near the water and enjoy looking after a boat.
Tip: Towing a boat to the lake? The extra fuel for your car or truck can be significant. Price it with the road trip fuel cost calculator – towing a trailer often halves your MPG.
How to lower your boat ownership costs
- Buy a slightly used boat to avoid the biggest drop in value.
- Keep the boat on a trailer at home if your local rules allow it.
- Learn basic maintenance: oil changes, impellers, winterizing.
- Compare insurance quotes every year and take a boating safety course for a discount.
- Cruise at the most efficient speed – often just on the plane.
- Share ownership with a friend or family member (and share the bills).
- Fill up at road fuel stations when trailering, not at the marina.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to own a boat per year?
Most owners spend about 10% of the boat’s value each year on fuel, storage, insurance, maintenance and fees. A $35,000 bowrider typically costs $5,000–$9,000 a year, and more if you include depreciation and loan payments.
What is the 10% rule for boats?
The 10% rule says a boat’s yearly running costs are roughly 10% of its purchase price. It is a quick estimate only. Small trailered boats often cost less, and large boats kept in a marina often cost more.
How much is boat insurance?
Boat insurance usually costs 1–2% of the boat’s value a year. For example, a $40,000 pontoon boat might cost $400–$800 a year to insure, depending on your location, experience and where you use the boat.
How much does a marina slip cost?
Marina slips in the US often cost $10–$40 per foot per month, or $2,000–$10,000+ a season, depending on location and facilities. UK marina berths for a 25–30 ft boat often cost around $3,000–$8,000 a year.
How much fuel does a boat use?
A small outboard uses about 1–3 gallons per hour, a 20 ft bowrider or pontoon 5–8 gallons per hour, and a large twin-engine cruiser 15–30 gallons per hour or more at cruising speed.
Is it cheaper to rent a boat than own one?
Yes, for most people who go out fewer than 15–20 days a year. Enter your yearly days on the water and a typical rental price in the calculator to see your personal break-even point.
How much do boats depreciate?
New boats often lose 10–20% of their value in the first year and around 5–10% a year after that. Well-kept boats from popular brands usually hold their value better.