My 2011 Boating Costs

[sailorboy1]

I don't expect much if any added costs for the year. So for those that wonder what it costs:

Other than boat payments; using my 2001 Hunter 410 (really a 43.5' foot boat and I get charged for than length on haul out)

$1,549 operation and general (fuel, insurance, mooring permit, etc)
$ 848 maintenance and repairs
$4,818 storage and marina (winter dry store and moorings during season)
$5320 upgrades

$12,535 total

In comparison not counting payments I think it costs around $6000 for my house between taxes and upkeep.

[IdoraKeeper]

Right on the money there Don. A little better than 1000/month seems normal for a sail boat that is not being raced. Imagine what it would be if it were a motor yacht.

Todd

[Mark1977]

Wow, I would not be able to own a boat if I had expenses like that. I will add up some figures for fuel and maintenance later , but this year it won't be much as i worked all summer to cover the cost of my refit during the winter. Thankfully I own my mooring (free) and when on the dock it is at a friends house so thats free too.
Just to let everyone know it can be done at both ends. You have to be creative to do it cheaply, but it can be done.

[sailorchic34]

Well at the lower end of the spectrum, I'm running about $320 ish a month for mooring, fuel, insurance and upkeep. I spend a lot of time on the hook. Bi or tri-annual haulout adds about $27 a month to the average (I do my own labor too, ). Add food to that and gee I'm real close to $500 a month.

[Target9000]

Repower this year put us well over 15k. = (

[Bash]

If it makes you feel any better, Don, I'll pay more than $10k in slip fees this year. Of course, that includes a second parking pass and a 4'x5' sail locker up on the boardwalk.

Will pay the diver $1k just to keep the bottom clean.

The joys of year-round boating. And I'll still have to haul her out and repaint in the spring.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Bash

Will pay the diver $1k just to keep the bottom clean.

Really? A whole boat buck for bottom cleaning? Assume that's annual but how many cleanings does that include?

I may have to move to SF and get into the bottom cleaning business.

[sailorchic34]

HAHAHA...Don't get your hopes up. I spent $20 this year on a diver, to replace my prop zinc. So YMMV

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

I don't expect much if any added costs for the year. So for those that wonder what it costs:

Other than boat payments; using my 2001 Hunter 410 (really a 43.5' foot boat and I get charged for than length on haul out)

$1,549 operation and general (fuel, insurance, mooring permit, etc)
$ 848 maintenance and repairs
$4,818 storage and marina (winter dry store and moorings during season)
$5320 upgrades

$12,535 total

In comparison not counting payments I think it costs around $6000 for my house between taxes and upkeep.

I just went away and totalled what I'll have spent this year. Comes to pretty much exactly what you've spent. Mines an 84 and this is the first year I've had it so spend more like 3K on maintenance but less on slip fees ($3600 for the year.) I get the bottom done every 6 weeks, and it's $85 a go on average.

I also blew $3K on a new pair of sails and I won't be doing that every year Hopefully next year will be cheaper (hysterical laughter)

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

HAHAHA...Don't get your hopes up. I spent $20 this year on a diver, to replace my prop zinc. So YMMV

Well, obviously I need to seek out the rich, yachty market instead of those who are just poor boat bums like myself (not of course to imply that Bash is a rich yachty but perhaps he knows some).

[Burls]

If I add it up, I'll have to sell the boat...........

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Burls

If I add it up, I'll have to sell the boat...........

Once again proving that ignorance is bliss. Sometimes it's just better not to know.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Once again proving that ignorance is bliss. Sometimes it's just better not to know.

True, but most of the time ignorance is just ignorance and I prefer to be informed. I'm surprised more people haven't posted their costs in the thread. Maybe most are living in the thier ignorance and I'm the one out of normal.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

True, but most of the time ignorance is just ignorance.

You do have a point here but then there are times when ignorance can contribute to marital bliss.

Seriously, I do keep pretty close tabs on boat costs, at least larger ones. It might be interesting to add up all the little expenses like a shackle here, a couple of bulbs there kind of thing. I have a feeling that these would add up to more than you think. Did you include this in your totals, every time you stopped by West Marine on the way home and dropped $20 - $40 on small stuff?

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

I'm surprised more people haven't posted their costs in the thread. Maybe most are living in the thier ignorance and I'm the one out of normal.

Since I'm not quite done with the refit my expenses are hopefully not typical of what they will be once I'm actually back in the water. At least I hope I won't have to replace the cutlass bearing, motor mounts, rigging, sails and such on an annual basis.

Maybe a new thread on what it costs to overhaul a used boat. Or I can just hijack your thread.

[bix85]

Great thread Don, It is useful for those of us who are planning for the future, as I am sure was your intent. I hope more cruisers will add up their expenses and share the info. I continually watch this forum for this kind of info.