Category Archives: boat safety

How much does a boat cost

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I like to think of the purchase price of the boat as an investment.  I know it probably won’t increase in value, but for me it is an investment. Whether it was a “Venti Carmel macchiato with two pumps and whipped” or a new issue of Go Boating, I would be spending the money on something.  I figure the money I spent on the boat and the hours of pleasure I get from it are a lot cheaper than hours I could be spending on a psychiatrist couch.  Come to think of it, it’s not just an investment but a health benefit.
So let’s be real. The boat is using money that could be gaining interest (small as that might be) in an investment account. It’s always good to remind yourself where the money is going and how much. Not that you’ll care, but at least you won’t be surprised.

 There are other costs which I like to break out into “variable costs” and “fixed costs”.  Variable costs are items like fuel and oil. The amount of money it costs me is based on how much I use the boat. Anything that is consumable, time limited or based on wear and tear or hours used, can be considered a variable cost. 


Fixed costs are just that, fixed, no matter how much I use the boat. This can include slips, insurance, license etc.  I still have to pay the fixed costs even if I leave the boat in my yard on the trailer.  And don’t forget to throw in a few extra costs like GPS, charts, skis etc…..
Insurance is not only a fixed cost it is a major cost on some boats.  Make sure you check buying the insurance before you buy the boat. Don’t commit to the deal and find out you can’t buy the insurance because the boat is too big or too fast. I own a specialty insurance agency, take my word on this. 
Last and probably more important than any other factor is your personal preferences.  What do I really want in a boat? This can actually override all the common sense factors; it’s the wild card in the “selection deck”.  It is very important, but don’t let it get in the way of buying a good boat.
Make sure the boat you buy is something you can handle and afford. Choose something that fits the way you live and where you live.  Remember, if you can’t afford the boat or can’t handle the boat, it will sit in the driveway and never see the pounding waves. And if you just have to get it, buy it. But if you are not sure, keep looking, there’s always another boat coming into the used boat marina. 

Want to figure how much your boat cost?  Send me a note and I’ll email you a cost analysis spread sheet. You can plug in the numbers and see what your boat is costing you. Or what that new boat you are thinking about buying, might cost.  

What are the most common boat claims ?

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There are a few claims that keep popping up.  One marine insurance claim department I contacted felt that about 80 percent of their claims are the result of hitting a submerged object.

Think about it.  The more storms there are, the more rivers that flood, the more stuff is floating in the water and under the surface. Submerged objects will result in damage to lower units, propellers, keels, and hulls.  Sometimes sinking does occur. If you think or know you hit something, make sure you check bilge area and monitor the bilge regularly to make sure there is not any damage that could result in submersion or, in other words…sinking.

Using information from marine insurance claim departments and organizations like Boat US, a few of the other common claims I discovered are:

Theft of assorted boat equipment and parts (portable or permanent).  Items like out drives, electronics, outboard motors, and trailers are some of the most popular parts.  Leaving the trailer unattended in the parking lot or the cockpit uncovered is an invitation for a thief.  Check your policy, many do not cover items stolen from your boat unless it was permanently attached or in a locked compartment. 

Grand theft boat.  Snatching the whole boat is another big claim.  While there are cases of theft from a slip or mooring, trailer-based boats are the ones that are usually turned in on a claim. Boats, like cars, are often stripped and the parts sold a piece at a time.  Remember the phrase “the sum of the parts is worth more than whole” well that’s true with boat parts.  Plus if you take all the parts off the boat, the parts are harder to track down. 

Collision claims.  Collisions with anything are bad.  Collisions with pilings, docks, and other boats can be deadly.  Collisions are not the same as hitting submerged items. Collisions are just that, colliding with something else either moving (another boat) or stationary (like a dock).  You can help stop collisions by watching where you are going, learn the rules of the area and use your charts.

Grounding or running aground.  Most claims departments indicate that often more damage is caused by trying to accelerate through the sand, mud or rocks than by just stopping and waiting for help.  Using a tow service or an alternative method to get unstuck like air bags, reduces the risk for further damage. . 

Now is a good time to repeat – carry up-to-date marine charts and plan your cruising routes to avoid accidental grounding.