BoatProblem Run my numbers

The real cost of a boat

Every boat is a math problem.

Solve yours before you sign. Put in the price, the loan, the slip and the fuel, and see what each day on the water really costs, and whether owning beats renting, a boat club or sharing with friends.

Run my numbers Start a Season Ledger

The planner is free: no sign-up, no email, no dealer calling you back. The Season Ledger's Ledger Pass is $1.95 a month, free during preview.

Cost per year against days on the water per year Own it: $11,400 a year before any days, plus $128 per day out. Rent by the day: $0 a year before any days, plus $558 per day out. Join a boat club: $4,188 a year before any days, plus $108 per day out. Share it: $3,800 a year before any days, plus $128 per day out. Marked: your 20 days. $0 $25k $50k $75k $100k 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 Days on the water per year your 20 days Own it Rent by the day Join a boat club
Each line is one way onto the water: what it costs per year (up the side) for the number of days you go out (along the bottom). Where two lines cross, they cost the same.

The crossover

Where the lines cross is your answer.

Owning starts high and climbs slowly. Renting starts at nothing and climbs steeply. The planner draws your own lines and tells you the number of days a year at which owning starts to win.

In the example, owning beats renting at 27 days a year or more (break-even 26.5).

Draw mine

Same days on the water, four different bills.

What each way of getting out makes you carry all year, and what it charges you each time you go.

Four ways onto the water compared
WayAll year, used or notEach day outUsually wins when
Own itValue it loses, loan interest, insurance, the slip or winter storage, service.Fuel and small change.You go out often.
Rent by the dayNothing. Someone else stores and fixes the boat.The full day rate; fuel may be extra.You go out a handful of days.
Join a boat clubA joining fee and monthly dues. Read the contract for booking limits and how to leave.Fuel, if the club charges it.You sit between renting and owning.
Share itYour share of one boat's fixed costs.Your own fuel and day costs.Partners want different weekends.

Quick check

Fuel, the loan and boat clubs are in the full Cost Planner.

Season Ledger

Then keep score.

Log each day out and every bill as it comes. The ledger shows what the season is really costing per day and per hour, where the money went, and how it compares with your plan. One private link, no account, works on your phone at the dock.

Start a ledger

Sample, made-up entries

DateEntryAmount
Jun 14Day out · 5 h–
Jun 14Fuel$118.40
Jun 02Slip, mooring and storage$1,950.00
May 20Insurance$880.00

So far$2,948.401 day out

BoatProblemwhat it costs

Cost Planner
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Own, rent, club or share, with crossover chart
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Guide to the costs new owners forget
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One Season Ledger, up to 40 entries
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Ledger Pass up to 2,000 entries per ledger, printable season report, CSV export, plan against actual

Monthly
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or yearly (two months free)
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Due today, during preview$0.00

Free during preview. Payments are not switched on yet, so everyone has the Pass. Nothing is charged and no card is asked for.

Pricing

The planner is free. The ledger has a Pass.

BoatProblem sells nothing but the Pass. No boats, loans, insurance or listings, no affiliate links, and no dealer pays to be here. The one labelled banner at the bottom of some pages is WeldonPC’s own ad (how it works).

See both plans

Where the guide's facts come from

U.S. Coast Guard, A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats · Ohio Revised Code 1547.05 and 1547.54 · Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Hiring a competent marine surveyor. The planner itself uses no outside prices: every dollar figure is one you type. Read the guide