Cost of owning a 40'ish boat

[Max Sail]

A question I imagine has been asked before: but roughly how much does it cost you per year to keep a 40' monohull cruising boat?

Insurance, registration, a summer mooring or slip in a cheaper not fancy location (in west Michigan), some fuel, haul out and winter storage, some basic standard maintenance perhaps ( but not including big project costs), do yearly property taxes apply?

Other costs I'm missing?

I want to make sure I'm not fooling myself for what his might take to own, even if I can manage to get a reasonably priced boat.

Thanks!

[S/V Alchemy]

There's really too many variables, like insurance, to gauge, and you haven't given the age, make or initial condition of the boat, but $3,500-$4,000/year seems typical.

Throw in new sails, a repower and a rerig, and that looks like couch coins.

[zeehag]

it depends on the particular boat. can be a wide discrepancy.
welcome
happy sails..

[Max Sail]

Haven't bought the boat yet, but it'll likely be a 70's era leaky teaky. Maybe 40k insured value. Figuring big project budgets separately , but yes, that'll likely be a whole bunch more.

[zeehag]

max--if you get a leaky teaky , please join the leaky teaky yacht club for help keeping costs down ..the folks are cool and smart...and they can help you with what to look for during your search and purchase as far as repairs etc are concerned...

as for costs yearly, i think i am still well under 5000, as i only use marinas for 5 months of the year, if that, at a rate of 376-600 per month, depending on where i am, and i spend very little on repairs--i just have a derelict boatwright as a slave, so that works--no, not bf--he actually works for and with me..LOL.... we fab and fix theitems needing that, and replace what is not fab nor fixable, preferably with slightly used--bu tnot worn--parts--new pumps, rebuilt pumps..not at premium pricing.

never pay retail.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Max Sail

A question I imagine has been asked before: but roughly how much does it cost you per year to keep a 40' monohull cruising boat?

see attached real numbers, no "depends"

[rnjpinz]

I have had a plan for years and stuck to it. I bought my boat three years ago and have been working on it since then. I have spent alot of money. Probably more than many, but I have stayed true to my budget.. I start cruising (East Coast) this summer with my wife and we plan to head south in the Fall. Serenity Now.

[zeehag]

max--pm me for more info if you need leaky teaky info...always happy to help a fellow soul addicted to these boats....keep in touch with purchase progress, also...

[cfarrar]

I defer to Michigan locals for information about moorings, taxes, etc.

Insurance will depend on the hull value you insure. A few quick phone calls will give a ballpark figure.

Launch / rig / haul / winterize / and storage will depend on the local yard. Again, a quick phone call will give you pretty good numbers. You can save money by doing some of the work yourself - install and remove sails, winterize the systems, or whatever else you're ready to do. I pay about $3500 for all this, including indoor storage, but I do my my own winterizing and annual maintenance. Outdoor storage is less.

The big variable is what you call "big project costs." When you buy a used boat you may inherit some "big projects" that the PO should have addressed. Other projects might be deferred, but not indefinitely. It's not just a question of changing the engine oil and filter. A new mainsail, a new furler unit, replacing the rudder bearings, overhauling the windlass or winches... stuff needs maintenance or replacement, and you need to anticipate this. The actual cost will depend on the condition of the boat you purchase and your own maintenance standards - ie, whether or not you want stuff to actually work when you go sailing. If you're handy you can save money, but you still need to budget for these "big projects." Personally, I'd plan on a few thousand dollars a year for a 40'ish boat.

That means around 5-6K at the low end, but it greatly "depends."

[psk125]

We budget a % of our boat's assumed value - about 10% a year - for maintenance and repairs. We've gone over that with some things, like the time we got Awlgripped, and the roller-furler, but in general it works reasonably well. Sometimes it's less, but that allows us the occasional new sail in another year.

[Emmalina]

Owning a boat in general..
Take whatever you have in your bank double it then allow 25% of this amount for "oh no i need a new ..." Then multiply said amount by how many years you intend to keep the boat.

[knot smart]

your marriage (unless she likes to sail as much as you)

[S/V Illusion]

It costs as much as you have to spend on it. No more, no less.

[model 10]

S/V Illusion is absoulty true.

[Teknav]

About 25%-35% of its value, spread over the first two years since its purchase; age of the boat is a big factor. Mauritz