Currently don't have a boat but that will be changing.

 

I have the funds for it, I just need to decide what I want exactly. Storage being a main "concern".

 

Anyways, I'm curious how much you guys spend a year on your boats. I know it will depend on if you have a $5,500 boat or a $55,000 boat but I'm looking for ballpark numbers.

 

I honestly have ZERO clue about anything boat related. So things like maintenance, unless it's really easy I won't be able to do probably.

 

Gas

Insurance

Registration

Maintenance

Storage - will be zero for me. I'll have it at my house during the fishing season and then in my dad's machine shed during the winter.

 

THANKS!

Every boat is going to be different, and the size/manufacturer of your motor will affect it as well. I do all maintenance and repairs myself, so this is a rough estimate on planned/basic parts cost only. Also, my Ranger is old and my 2stroke is terrible on fuel. 

 

Gas/Oil: $1800/yr ($20 gas/1 pint oil every trip)

 

Insurance: $1200/yr

Registration: Boat is $35/yr - permanent tags on trailer

 

Water Pump Impeller: $60/yr

Basic maintenance (plugs, grease, etc) about $400/yr

 

Polish/wax/gel coat maintenance supplies: $300/yr

 

Two things we say around here:

 

Boat= Bring On Another Thousand

 

Boat= A hole in the water that you pour money into.

 

I don’t know what it costs.  I just pony up when I get the bill.  I do know that I will be spending close to $3,000 on the trailer this month.

 

If I knew I might go back to golf, not.

9 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

 

I don’t know what it costs.  I just pony up when I get the bill.  I do know that I will be spending close to $3,000 on the trailer this month.

 

I just recently replaced the world’s most expensive light bulb on my trailer. What started as a marker light that irritated me ended up as a complete rewire, all new lights and reflectors, and since I was doing all that I may as well replace that ratty old  jack……now the old safety chains look awful, may as well do that. Let’s just wet sand and buff the whole trailer and fenders…..now the step pads look terrible, let’s replace those with EVA instead of that crappy old carpet. May as well do new hubs and bearings…..everything is shiny so let’s do new transom tie downs and winch strap. Winch is ugly, better order a new one. Since I did all that and I’m wiring anyway, let’s put some bling lights on the trailer…..

 

Few hundred bucks and a couple weekends later it looks pretty good, and that stupid marker light works🤣

I have a an 18 foot mod v bass boat with a 75 hp 4-stroke motor. It’s a 2015 so it’s now 10 years old. I use it from April - October.

 

Gas - about 30 gallons, ethanol free premium fuel @$4/gal comes out to about 120 bucks a season.

 

Insurance - full replacement coverage, plus a $5k rider for equipment is $125/year through Progressive. I have never submitted a claim and my premium has gradually fallen. Vanishing deductible.

 

Winterizing - annually done by the dealer in late October. I pay 240 bucks. They winterize the outboard, change oil, filters, check all the wiring in the boat and trailer, replace minor items, grease the trailer bearings, etc.

 

Watercraft registration is $35 for 3 years, so about 12/year. Estimated total just over 500 bucks per season. I am not counting fuel used in the truck to get to the lake, as that varies based on where I am going. I use a lot more fuel towing the boat to get to and from the lake than I do on the lake while fishing. That comparison is not even close.

 

Every 5 years I replace the trailer tires, and depending on the battery type, those are replaced when needed too.

 

Fishing license costs me 13 dollars.

 

Anyone who thinks owning a boat is outrageously expensive doesn’t have any kids.

1 hour ago, gim said:

Insurance - full replacement coverage, plus a $5k rider for equipment is $125/year through Progressive. I have never submitted a claim and my premium has gradually fallen. Vanishing deductible.

 

Winterizing - annually done by the dealer in late October. I pay 240 bucks. They winterize the outboard, change oil, filters, check all the wiring in the boat and trailer, replace minor items, grease the trailer bearings, etc.

 

Watercraft registration is $35 for 3 years, so about 12/year. Estimated total just over 500 bucks per season. I am not counting fuel used in the truck to get to the lake, as that varies based on where I am going. I use a lot more fuel towing the boat to get to and from the lake than I do on the lake while fishing. That comparison is not even close.

 

Every 5 years I replace the trailer tires, and depending on the battery type, those are replaced when needed too.

 

Fishing license costs me 13 dollars.

 

Anyone who thinks owning a boat is outrageously expensive doesn’t have any kids.

 

I'm right there with you @gim.

 

I should probably get a rider for equipment...my Progressive insurance is $100 per year, just renewed today. 

 

I do most of the maintenance myself:

• Three year boat registration in Nebraska is $55
• Oil change kit with filter, $56
• I change lower unit oil every other year, $20
• Fuel filter, $17
• New plugs, $16
• Fog the cylinders, $17 for the whole can...should last me a few years
• Fuel stabilizer, $16
• Put two new tires on the trailer this year, $210 (will likely get new tires every 5 years as well)
• Nebraska 5 year fishing license is $132
• Not sure how much fuel I run through the Lund
• Hot Sauce, two 128oz @ $48 each = $96

I would say ~$500 a year is about right. 

 

Empty nest, only two doggos to worry about. And yes, owning a boat is much less expensive than any kids(!)

Appreciate all the comments so far.

 

Hopefully this can help others as well that are thinking about getting a boat.

 

Thanks again!

6 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

Every boat is going to be different, and the size/manufacturer of your motor will affect it as well. I do all maintenance and repairs myself, so this is a rough estimate on planned/basic parts cost only. Also, my Ranger is old and my 2stroke is terrible on fuel. 

 

Gas/Oil: $1800/yr ($20 gas/1 pint oil every trip)

 

Insurance: $1200/yr

Registration: Boat is $35/yr - permanent tags on trailer

 

Water Pump Impeller: $60/yr

Basic maintenance (plugs, grease, etc) about $400/yr

 

Polish/wax/gel coat maintenance supplies: $300/yr

 

When people find out how much I spent on my kayak, electronics, and trailer they always ask me, “Why don’t you just buy a boat?”

 

This is why.

12 minutes ago, Kayak Koz said:

When people find out how much I spent on my kayak, electronics, and trailer they always ask me, “Why don’t you just buy a boat?”

 

This is why.

You definitely have a point! To be fair though, mine spends at minimum 100 days a year on the water, and being “elderly” by boat standards raises costs a little bit. 

On 8/6/2025 at 3:31 PM, ElGuapo928 said:

Every boat is going to be different, and the size/manufacturer of your motor will affect it as well. I do all maintenance and repairs myself, so this is a rough estimate on planned/basic parts cost only. Also, my Ranger is old and my 2stroke is terrible on fuel. 

 

Gas/Oil: $1800/yr ($20 gas/1 pint oil every trip)

 

Insurance: $1200/yr

Registration: Boat is $35/yr - permanent tags on trailer

 

Water Pump Impeller: $60/yr

Basic maintenance (plugs, grease, etc) about $400/yr

 

Polish/wax/gel coat maintenance supplies: $300/yr

 

These numbers are very high compared to me.

Gas/oil:  Depends how much you run.  An oil change for me is less than $75.  I don't keep tabs of my gas but when I go out and run all over the place on Lake Michigan it costs me $15-$20 or so in gas.  When I stick to smaller lakes it is much less.  The ring free for my Yammie is kinda expensive but a bottle lasts me all season.

Insurance:  Less than $300 and I have an agreed upon payout if my boat is totalled.  State Farm and I have multiple discounts.  

License plate/registration:   $40 or so a year

Impeller/Water Pump:  Every 3 years and get this done at the marine shop.  I think last time it was $250

Repack bearings:  $150 this year which I thought was very high.  I thought it was $60 at a different place a couple years ago so I might shop this next season.  

Maintenance excluding oil change:  Less than $100 for plugs, a fuel filter, and lower gear lube

Wax and Polish:  Less than $50 for a couple bottle of Lucas Mist and some wax.

 

Personally, I think the cost of boat ownership is exaggerated as long as you do your maintenance yourself and you don't have to pay for storage.  

40 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

Personally, I think the cost of boat ownership is exaggerated as long as you do your maintenance yourself and you don't have to pay for storage

Cost of ownership is also highly dependent on the type of boat too. Heavier glass boats suck up a lot more fuel. They have bigger motors and are heavier, often requiring tandem axle trailers. And since the value is higher, insurance is too.

42 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

These numbers are very high compared to me.

Gas/oil:  Depends how much you run.  An oil change for me is less than $75.  I don't keep tabs of my gas but when I go out and run all over the place on Lake Michigan it costs me $15-$20 or so in gas.  When I stick to smaller lakes it is much less.  The ring free for my Yammie is kinda expensive but a bottle lasts me all season.

Insurance:  Less than $300 and I have an agreed upon payout if my boat is totalled.  State Farm and I have multiple discounts.  

License plate/registration:   $40 or so a year

Impeller/Water Pump:  Every 3 years and get this done at the marine shop.  I think last time it was $250

Repack bearings:  $150 this year which I thought was very high.  I thought it was $60 at a different place a couple years ago so I might shop this next season.  

Maintenance excluding oil change:  Less than $100 for plugs, a fuel filter, and lower gear lube

Wax and Polish:  Less than $50 for a couple bottle of Lucas Mist and some wax.

 

Personally, I think the cost of boat ownership is exaggerated as long as you do your maintenance yourself and you don't have to pay for storage.  

Thanks for the quote there:

 

I caught a typo - insurance should be $200, not $1200

Learning a lot from replies.

 

I figured insurance would have been a lot more.

 

Glad I’m wrong!  

Insurance is minimal on a Bass boat, much lower than one would expect.

I pay $ 362 per year.

 

Maintenance is minimal and if you can do it yourself, it's a non issue and as easy as your wife's vehicle.

 

Once per year, change the oil, grease the 3 fittings on motor, grease the splines on prop and check water level on batteries.

 

Every 3k miles, grease the wheel bearings on trailer.

A impeller replacement takes 25 minutes and I do it every 5 years along with fuel filter.

 

 

 

 

 

23 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

I should probably get a rider for equipment

Mine covers anything that isn’t bolted down. So basically all my tackle.

7 minutes ago, gim said:

Mine covers anything that isn’t bolted down. So basically all my tackle.

 

Are TM's and trolling motor covered under the general policy?

 

I should probably ask my insurance lady that question just to be sure. 

 

Yes. Mine are.

 

Short answer is that if it’s attached to the boat, it’s covered under the boat policy.

 

If not, it’s covered under the added rider.

I have a ‘17 RT178 with a 70 HP Yammy on it. I do all my own maintenance. 

• Oils & filters about $125.
• Boat registration is $66 for 2 years, trailer registration $20/year.
• $454 this year for insurance, through Progressive.
• If I use a tank of gas for the season, that’ll run about $65.
• $87.62 for MA sporting license (fresh, salt, and hunting ((w/archery stamp)).
• $63 for NH non resident fishing.
• $59 for VT non resident fishing.

I'm afraid to add it up. In my case a lease a yearly slip at the marina. That's $ 1700 and goes up every year. 

The lift I also lease for $ 980 per year.

Fuel is $150 to fill it up but I don't run very far anymore so that lasts a couple months.

My insurance runs about $ 100 a month 

Be sure you have enough to cover the contents of the boat. When I lost the Triton in the Tornado last year I had taken out an additional $10,000 for Tackle and contents and topped it out easily.

I think in my case with Am Fam the standard coverage would have been $ 3000 .

They make a distention between what's attached to the boat like graphs and the trolling motor and contents . 

You want to have that conversation with your agent.

 

 

 

I pay like $220 in insurance I can’t remember the exact payment. 
 

registration $39 for two years.

 

gas for the boat in probably around $640

 

towing the boat $800 on the low side.

maintenance $200 probably. 
 

boat payment… this is what you make it. 

25 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

My insurance runs about $ 100 a month 

So you're paying 1200 bucks/year for boat insurance?

 

That is super steep compared to what others are indicating here.  Something isn't adding up.

7 minutes ago, gim said:

So you're paying 1200 bucks/year for boat insurance?

 

That is super steep compared to what others are indicating here.  Something isn't adding up.

It may reflect the fact that his boat is kept off site in a Marina.

1 hour ago, gim said:

So you're paying 1200 bucks/year for boat insurance?

 

That is super steep compared to what others are indicating here.  Something isn't adding up.

Now you have me wondering. I'll check with my agent

 

$ 641 per year. Don't know what I was thinking of.

On 8/6/2025 at 9:47 PM, Kayak Koz said:

When people find out how much I spent on my kayak, electronics, and trailer they always ask me, “Why don’t you just buy a boat?”

 

This is why.

I wish.  Every body of water I fish contains long runs that can exceed 30 miles.  Then there’s the weather and big bodies of water.  I can’t imagine getting caught 15 miles off shore on lake St Clair and have a storm roll in.  Or being 10+ miles up or down river in the Rappahonock or Potomac rivers in a storm.  Often we have to make those long runs to find fish.