Smallest Boat Cost Of Ownership For 12 Months?

[jgw50]

Going cruising in ~18 months (depends on location)
Family of 5 (37, 34, 10, 9 and 3 years old)
Purchasing a boat, cruising for 12 months, then selling.
Minimum time spent in marinas
Location: Assume tradewind rout, either Med to carribean, or South Pacific

Min Requirements: 40 foot cat or 49 foot mono, generator and AC

If you weren't worried about initial purchase price, but were looking to minimize total cost of ownership (depreciation, maintenance, brokerage fees, etc) what would you buy and why?

I am able and enjoy working on boats, but only if it makes financial sense to do so (does it ever?)

Not looking for a discussion on which boat is best for my situation, just interested in others' ideas of how to reduce cost when buying a boat, cruising for 12 months, and selling. It will be fun to get a lot of different perspectives on how this could be best handled!

Thank in advance for the replies.

[tuffr2]

Good question and a very good way to look at it.

If you buy a boat with an asking price of 500k, buy for $450k, after your use sell for $425k kinda question....hummm.

Everytime I run the numbers sales tax is a big factor. But no way around it.

I am looking at 3 - 5 year old boat and looking for a great deal as when I go to sell I am thinking I will need to also have a nice boat for a great price.

[dwedeking2]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Everytime I run the numbers sales tax is a big factor. But no way around it.

Buy in Florida. Leave before 90 days are up (leaving country). Line up sale before return. Close sale before 90 days are up after return. Let the next guy take care of the sales tax.

[jgw50]

Thanks for the replies. Taxes, duties, etc are all something to consider. Once constant for these plus brokerage fees is that the cheaper the boat, the less they all are!

I'd love to hear others' opinions about actual boat value / depreciate and maintenance cost in addition to tax considerations.