We are looking at getting a 23 foot Hunter (1986) or 22 foot Catalina (1980). Visually they both seem to be in good condition but this is our first boat and we really don't know much about them yet. We want to estimate what maintenance would entail and how much it would cost, assuming that for the first year until we get more familiar we would probably have to pay for the work rather than doing it ourselves. Thanks in advance!
How much should we budget for annual maintenance
- Thread starter supgirl2277
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That's a difficult question because of all the variables such as condition of the boat, yard rates in your locale, upgrades that you would like to add, items that you can do and are willing to do vs things that you cant do or don't want to do and will have to pay. Just going to throw a number out there for you ranging from $2500 to $3500 per year; maybe less and possibly much more if you are going to pay a yard for extensive projects. Finally, it also depends on how well you want to maintain your boat. There is a guy on my dock that probably hasn't spent $100 on his boat in two years. The boat is in terrible condition; however, he is content to sail it as is. On the other hand, I am very meticulous about the care of my boat. Probably have spent $12K to $15K over the last three years primarily on upgrades and one haul out. I have done at least 95% of all upgrades and maintenance myself. My advice is to read, read, read, and ask a lot of questions to other owners on your dock, in the yard, and on forums about work that needs to be done. Learn from others and start doing small simple projects on your own and build from there. You will learn a lot about your boat and how to fix things when you're "out there" as well as developing a sense of pride in your boat and your new abilities. Oh, one last bit of advice; hire a good independent surveyor to do a thorough inspection and sea trial on your boat of choice. In your offer sheet, make the sale contingent on satisfactory survey and sea trial----this is critical, especially for someone like yourself who isn't familiar with sailboats. Good luck and welcome to the forum.
Boats that age will not be in pristine condition. Plan on a few improvements and fixes. My first keelboat was an '86 H23. We upgraded a few things but regular maintenance wasn't particularly expensive. It's a great boat that's a pleasure to sail.
There is an old rule of thumb in the boat ownin' business - the annual cost to own and maintain a boat is roughly 10% of the purchase price.
That's the deal. 30 year old boats need stuff. Cash strapped owners will spend nothing for years. Others will spend thousands per year on a $5000 boat.How much you got?
You'll spend what you can. No more no less.
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Thats for dang sure and it may NOT be for boat maintenance. There are Family and Admiral needs/fun too.
Jim...
PS: FWIW mine averages $98/foot per year for everything associated with our hobby/sport. This includes fishing and scuba gear.
Nearly everything you buy for your boat will seem more expensive than it should be, especially if it is a new item. There are, however, literally hundreds to thousands of items of good used sailboat equipment out there for sale. Yard work is often shockingly expensive--matching or surpassing labor costs for work done in service departments at automobile dealerships, as a comparison. Thus, many folks do learn how to do their own work--and this is a tradition, centuries old. Ship captains have never liked putting the boat into a yard to do what they and their crew could do themselves, mainly for $$$$ reasons, but also b/c yards throughout history are notorious for skimping on the quality of their materials and to a certain degree, workmanship. One could attribute the murder of Captain Cook to shoddy work at an English yard as it was a sprung mast (poor-quality material) that forced his second visit to Hawai'i where he was killed by the Hawaiians while fitting out a new one, etc.!
For your size boat, you could average $2,500/yr as mentioned above. But if you take it to a yard for bottom paint & replace all of the thru-hulls, then there's most of your $2.5K for that year already. Engine service, replace standing rigging, new sails, etc., etc., & so forth. Honestly, a potential newbie boat owner probably does not see (appreciate) what the boat will need b/f purchase. When I bought my first cruising boat I somehow failed to notice the compression post was bent slightly. Almost right away to the YARD to replace the compression post and check for structural damage under the mast step. $$
For your size boat, you could average $2,500/yr as mentioned above. But if you take it to a yard for bottom paint & replace all of the thru-hulls, then there's most of your $2.5K for that year already. Engine service, replace standing rigging, new sails, etc., etc., & so forth. Honestly, a potential newbie boat owner probably does not see (appreciate) what the boat will need b/f purchase. When I bought my first cruising boat I somehow failed to notice the compression post was bent slightly
. Almost right away to the YARD to replace the compression post and check for structural damage under the mast step. $$
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it is impossible to say how much it will cost you for that boat. but for a boat that we know like our own, its easy to figure out or yearly costs.
its your first boat.... how is it really possible for a first time boat owner to know what the boat needs immediately?.... or what they will want to change after owning it a few months?....and at the time of purchase when the surveyor tells you what it needs and how much it could cost, it will give you a general idea UNTIL the boat is opened up for repairs and the truths about the damage are revealed... then it could go a lot more.
the yearly maintenance costs are relatively low in comparison to the initial expenses of making the boat yours, after you purchase price.
whether or not you get a good deal on the boat, you will have the purchase price invested, then after the purchase, its almost a certainty that you will have a minimum of another 2000 for upgrades, and it will probably be more depending on how you like to keep your boat, how its equipped and the components you will add... and if you need sails or new rigging, much more.
the moorage fees are like rent, you have to pay it or you will have to find a bridge to live under.... but the general upkeep is the haul out fees the bottom paint fees and sail and line replacement....
to keep a boat in a slip and not do anything to it except take it out and sail it until its not usable any more, costs nothing more than slip fees, and license, and of course the actual price you paid for it because it will be so run down you can never recoup any of the initial "investment".... but to keep it in pristine condition so that you can sell it for as much as the market value will bear, it is almost guaranteed that you will never recover what you have into it keeping it in that condition.
boats are expensive toys and the bigger they are, the more you have to pay to play..
its your first boat.... how is it really possible for a first time boat owner to know what the boat needs immediately?.... or what they will want to change after owning it a few months?....and at the time of purchase when the surveyor tells you what it needs and how much it could cost, it will give you a general idea UNTIL the boat is opened up for repairs and the truths about the damage are revealed... then it could go a lot more.
the yearly maintenance costs are relatively low in comparison to the initial expenses of making the boat yours, after you purchase price.
whether or not you get a good deal on the boat, you will have the purchase price invested, then after the purchase, its almost a certainty that you will have a minimum of another 2000 for upgrades, and it will probably be more depending on how you like to keep your boat, how its equipped and the components you will add... and if you need sails or new rigging, much more.
the moorage fees are like rent, you have to pay it or you will have to find a bridge to live under.... but the general upkeep is the haul out fees the bottom paint fees and sail and line replacement....
to keep a boat in a slip and not do anything to it except take it out and sail it until its not usable any more, costs nothing more than slip fees, and license, and of course the actual price you paid for it because it will be so run down you can never recoup any of the initial "investment".... but to keep it in pristine condition so that you can sell it for as much as the market value will bear, it is almost guaranteed that you will never recover what you have into it keeping it in that condition.
boats are expensive toys and the bigger they are, the more you have to pay to play..
Supgirl2277,
You know you're in when you get a video in your replies. Welcome aboard!
You know you're in when you get a video in your replies. Welcome aboard!
In 2013, bought a trailer sailer built in 1976. So far, the maintenance costs have been about $25 to replace a tired tire on the trailer, $15 to replace fraying main halyard (I left the metal wire portion), and less than $20 to do seasonal maintenance on the 2.5 Hp motor. I use the motor so little that I've done that maintenance just once, except that I always add a bit of fuel stabilizer to the motor. I also apply a persistent bug repellent once a year, but just use a tiny bit of what I use on my house, so that is negligible. I don't forsee any necessary maintenance expenditures in the next two years. So about $20/year so far. After 5 years, the maintenance costs will be $12/year.
On the other hand, I have made unnecessary improvements and upgrades to the boat, all related to performance, sailability, and launching/retrieving speed. Learning how to do boat projects was one of the reasons that I bought a small boat. They are expensive.
My advice is to make sure that the boat that you buy can be safely and enjoyably sailed without having to do any projects.
Don't forget to consider expenses such as launch fees, storage costs, club dues, taxes, licenses, etc. Also budget in a boating safety class for your first year.
On the other hand, I have made unnecessary improvements and upgrades to the boat, all related to performance, sailability, and launching/retrieving speed. Learning how to do boat projects was one of the reasons that I bought a small boat. They are expensive.
My advice is to make sure that the boat that you buy can be safely and enjoyably sailed without having to do any projects.
Don't forget to consider expenses such as launch fees, storage costs, club dues, taxes, licenses, etc. Also budget in a boating safety class for your first year.
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I get that question alot from charterers who are thinking of buying. I tell them, you can have $$ in the bank OR you can have a boat. You can't have both. Take your pick.
I can see how a charter skipper might not wish to see too many customers opting out of chartering to buy their own boats!
Actually there is an entire segment of the yacht industry devoted to convincing people they can have the boat they "want" but can't sail, or really afford. We sail on them when we run off for a quick winter sailing vacation! The Charter industry is built on the model of using OPB (Other People's Boats) to make revenue. Buy what you can afford.
Fully agree with the comments above, except the portion of BigEasy's reply (otherwise really good) about hiring a surveyor (a boat inspector). Surveyors limit your risk, particularly for hidden flaws. If you are investing tens-of-thousands in a 30+ foot Beneteau, then a survey is necessary. Professional surveys cost $400-700, depending on the boat size and travel costs. Call a registered one up, if you're curious. If you're buying a thirty-year-old trailerable boat, and can afford to walk away when the sudden repair bill leaves you upside down on the value of the boat, then just take your chances.