Owning a yacht is associated with wealthy, upper-class lifestyles, but you don’t have to be rich to buy a yacht. Technically, a 20-foot boat can be classified as a yacht, and you can buy a used, modest vessel for a few thousand dollars. On the other end of the spectrum, you have super yachts that run for tens of millions of dollars.
Either way, buying a yacht is a major investment—and a commitment of time and effort. Are you truly ready to start looking for yachts for sale?
Why Do You Want a Yacht?
First, think about why you want a yacht. There are many motivations spurring people to buy these luxury vessels, and some are better than others.
For example, do you want to own a yacht because you’ve enjoyed being on the water your entire life, and you’re ready to retire with a comfortable, sturdy vessel? Are you interested in owning a yacht so you can spend more quality time with your family and friends? Or are you interested in developing a newfound hobby, like fishing? These are good reasons to own a yacht.
However, if you only want to own a yacht as a status symbol, you may end up dissatisfied with your purchase in the long run. Similarly, if you’re thinking about buying a luxury yacht as a financial investment, you might want to think again. Yachts depreciate much like cars, with most of their value disappearing in the first year of ownership.
The Financial Burden of Owning a Yacht
You’ll also want to consider the financial burden of owning a yacht. It’s true that you can find an affordable yacht no matter what your budget is, but you’ll still need to think about how this vessel fits into your financial plans.
- Initial cost and down payment. The biggest financial variable is going to be the initial cost of the vessel (if you’re buying in cash), or your down payment (if you’re getting a loan). This should be your primary barometer for whether or not you can afford this yacht. For example, if you’re looking at a yacht that’s more expensive than your home, or many times your annual salary, you should probably consider looking for something less expensive.
- Loan payments. You’ll also want to think about your loan payments. If your debt-to-income ratio is too high, if your credit score is questionable, or if you don’t have much of a credit history, you may not qualify for a loan at all. If you do qualify, think critically about the interest rate you’re going to be paying, and how much your monthly payments will be. Will you be able to work with this in your budget?
- Fuel and docking fees. Yachts come with a host of other expenses that many aspiring yacht owners don’t realize. For starters, you’ll need to pay for fuel, titling costs, docking fees, and storage fees.
- Maintenance and upkeep. You’ll also need to think about paying for the maintenance and upkeep of your yacht. Mechanical routines, like oil changes and filter replacements, are necessary to keep the vehicle running smoothly, and you’ll need to keep the interior and exterior clean. Depending on the size of the vessel, you may also need to equip it with staff members. Overall, maintenance, fuel, and other peripheral costs can add up to costing about 10 percent of the total cost of the vessel every year. In other words, if you buy a $100,000 yacht, you could end up paying $10,000 per year in secondary expenses.
How to Find Affordable Yachts for Sale
If you’re not worried about the financial impact of buying a yacht, and you’re still excited about the thought of venturing into the water on a vessel of your own, you’ll be ready to start looking for affordable yachts for sale.
There are a few tips that can help you in your journey:
- Talk to existing yacht owners. Nobody will have more insight than an existing yacht owner. Yacht owners have been through the process of buying a yacht, and they probably know all the pros and cons of owning one. They’ll be able to share some wisdom and lessons with you that they wish they knew when they were first starting out. You might even get a recommendation for someone selling a yacht that may interested you.
- Buy used. You might be tempted to buy a new yacht, but remember, yachts depreciate the moment they’re acquired, and depreciation in the first year is enormous. If you’re trying to make an affordable yacht purchase, it’s almost always better to buy used—as long as you get a warranty or some form of customer protection.
- Know where to look. There are many places offering yachts for sale, but not all markets or avenues are equally advantageous. For many new yacht owners, the best outlet is using an online platform. There, you’ll have access to thousands of yachts for sale, and you can sort and filter them based on custom parameters to ensure you’re getting what you want.
- Get to know different brands. There are many brands of yacht available, each with their own unique features, strengths, and weaknesses. Some are strictly better than others, but most of them vary in appeal based solely on personal preference.
- Inspect thoroughly. If you’re buying a used yacht, make sure you take the time to inspect the vessel thoroughly. Look at the inside and outside to see how it’s been cared for, and make sure you get your money’s worth.
- Negotiate. If you’re buying from an individual, consider negotiating the price; most yacht owners are flexible if it means closing the deal faster.
If you’re ready to start looking for yachts for sale, make sure to take advantage of TheYachtMarket. On our robust online platform, you’ll be able to browse thousands of yachts for sale from yacht owners all over the world! And if you know what you’re looking for, you should be able to find the perfect vessel.