It's tempting to see boating as a hobby exclusive to the wealthy, but the reality is that boating can be affordable for almost any budget. The caveat is that some people have to work a bit harder than others to make things work financially.
If you have a high income and savings in the bank, you'll have a much wider range of affordable boat models to choose from than someone who earns less with no savings.
Still, even people in a much worse position than the latter example can make adjustments to make boating more affordable.
Let's figure out how.
Is Boating Truly Affordable?
We can start by examining the expenses associated with boating to determine a baseline level of affordability.
These are typically the main financial problems people see with buying a boat:
- High initial costs. Many would-be boat buyers are concerned with the initial price of a boat. It’s true that luxury superyachts cost millions of dollars, but most boats aren’t this expensive. In fact, you can find some types of boats for just a few thousand pound/euros/dollars, which is the price most people can eventually afford.
- High secondary and tertiary costs. Of course, purchasing the boat is only the beginning of the expenses you’ll face as a boat owner. After securing the vessel, you'll have secondary and tertiary costs to think about, such as boat insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs, storage, towing, and the cost of supplies. This can eat into your regular monthly budget, seemingly putting a boat out of reach for some people. However, there are ways to control these costs.
- Questions on boating value. There's also a question of value. Just because you can technically afford a boat doesn't mean the purchase makes sense; if you have to take on a second job to afford the boat, you could end up spending so much time working that you have no time to actually enjoy the boat. But as we'll see, this isn't an especially common scenario.
There are mitigating factors for all these problems:
- Wide variety of vessels available. There is a wide variety of different vessels available. You may not be able to buy the omega-level super-boat of your dreams, but you can certainly buy something smaller and simpler. There are thousands of different styles and manufacturers of boats to choose from, so there's something available for almost any conceivable budget.
- New and used boats. We also need to consider the possibility of purchasing a used boat. Boats have a tendency to depreciate in value quickly when they're new; after using a new boat even once, the price significantly drops, despite there being little to no drop in reliability or performance. If you're willing to shop used, you can save a ton of money.
- DIY maintenance and repairs. You can also save a lot of money by doing your own maintenance and repairs. Yes, this is something that requires education and practice, but it's still accessible to most people. If you do all the work yourself, you could save thousands over the course of your boat ownership.
- Cost mitigation strategies. Frugal boat owners can also employ cost mitigation strategies to reduce expenses associated with boat ownership. Negotiation, buying in bulk, timing your purchases, and other strategies can all play a role here.
Tips for Making Boating More Affordable
These are some of the most useful tips for making a boat more affordable:
- Shop around. Don't just assume that you can't afford a boat because you saw one that was too expensive for your budget. It's important for you to shop around, so you can get a feel for what types of boats are out there and how much they cost. Attending a boat show and shopping online are two of your best options.
- Look for a used vessel. If costs are a concern for you, exclusively look at used vessels. Used vessels are significantly cheaper than new ones and they're usually in decent shape. Just make sure you get an inspection before you finalise the purchase.
- Build your own skills. Work on developing your own skills as a boat owner. Even if you don't own a boat yet, you can learn how to change the oil, conduct inspections, wax the hole, and more.
- Negotiate. Negotiation can help you get a better price for your boat – and boat-related products like insurance. If you learn the fundamentals of negotiation, and are willing to employ them, you'll significantly lower your costs.
- Explore financing options. Financing a boat can instantly make it more affordable, if you can find a good deal. If you take out a loan with a low interest rate, you'll only need to provide a small down payment initially. There are many financing offers to explore, so do your research before pulling the trigger.
- Save for a bigger down payment. If you plan on financing the boat, try to save up for a bigger down payment. It might prolong the time between you and your planned boat purchase, but it will make your monthly payments much lower and more manageable.
- Cut costs where you can. Find clever ways to cut secondary and tertiary costs. For example, can you find a less expensive refuelling station? Can you dig your own bait?
- Subsidise your hobby. Finally, make it a point to subsidise your hobby with side gigs or other sources of income. For example, if you rent your boat to other people, you can easily pay for most of the other expenses associated with maintaining the vessel. Before you buy a boat, you can also pick up a second job or side gig, assuming you have time.
Are you looking for a vessel that can support your favourite hobbies? Are you struggling to find something that fits within your budget? We might have the perfect fit for your needs. Check out our vast selection of new and used boats for sale today!