What a boat ACTUALLY costs per year — my real numbers, 32' powerboat

Question

Everyone says '10% of purchase price annually'. Here are my real 2025 numbers on a $60k boat so first-timers can budget honestly:

• Slip: $6,200
• Insurance: $1,450
• Fuel: $2,100 (~60 hours)
• Annual service + impellers + zincs: $1,300
• Bottom paint amortized: $600
• The Surprise™ (this year: trim pump): $900
• Registration, safety gear refresh, misc: $450

Total: $13,000/yr, or about $250 per hour on the water. Worth every penny, but go in with eyes open. Post yours.

first_boat_bill · Answer

THANK YOU. The 10% rule held almost exactly ($13k on $60k = 21%... oh no, it's worse than the rule).

trawlerTom · Answer

Trawler version: half the fuel, double the slip (length), same Surprise™. The Surprise is a constant of boat ownership, like gravity.

catalina_kate · Answer

Sailboat version: replace 'fuel $2,100' with 'sails $1,800 amortized' and it's the same total. The wind is free the way a puppy is free.

weekend_wally · Answer

Printing this for my wife. Possibly framing it. We're still buying the boat.

What a boat ACTUALLY costs per year — my real numbers, 32' powerboat

4 replies