How you determine what it costs to run your boat?

[Old Ironmaker]

I have crunched the numbers. From average yearly maintenances, insurance, storage and average fuel et all to operate my StarCraft Superfisherman 190, 115 HP Mariner. I keep track of everything including bearing grease for my trailer to electrical ties. I have it down to 20 bucks an operating hour. Have you ever calculated operating costs for your barge? I love when someone that has invited themselves that offer the preverbal 20 bucks for the day after 5 hours of fishing or boating. Keep it buddy it's on me. If I invite you it certainly is on me, I would never ask for your portion of food and drink if I invite you to my home for dinner. If you invite yourself that may be different. Anyone with a pool, a waterfront home (us) or a boat knows of what I speak of.

What do you folks do with your boat and costs, do you share operating costs, just fuel, of course depending? Fishing adds costs for bait etc. I'm interested in you sharing.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Once you accept that a boat is a hole in the water you pour money into, you can enjoy boating

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I enjoy it, usually with my money. I posted this because of a recent fishing trip on Erie. 2 1/2 days in my boat, my place, my food, my booze and a new guy in the crew offered me 20 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dingbat]

The fixed cost (insurance, maintenance, tackle, licenses, and equipment) are on my dime. Daily expenses (fuel, oil, ramp fees and truck gas) are usually shared between the crew.

Figure at least $75 ($125 offshore) to put the boat in the water and $1.75 a mile for fuel.

Average roughly 50 miles (inshore) per day so figure $150- $160 per day. A day offshore can rack up in excess of 200 miles ~ $500 per day

That's boat cost....tackle costs will make your head spin

 

[tpenfield]

$20 for a few days of fishing, etc. Wow . . . such a generous person

Anyway, doing the math, my boat costs about $130/hour of operation to have/run. A typical day would be about $300-400. I don't ask for, nor accept money . . . bring beer or food is great but no money is needed.

 

[JoLin]

I don't track individual expenses that closely, but I have a good handle on annual costs. I deposit the 'boat money' in a separate savings account. I have no major maintenance or repairs planned before I splash next spring. I'm caught up for now and just need to put new plugs, caps and rotors/sensors in both motors. Maybe 100 bucks.

Anyway.... I store her in my driveway, so I have seasonal prep, bottom painting, normal maintenance, a 'repairs fund', annual fuel cost, slip rental, hauling and transporting, insurance. Probably forgetting something, but it all averages out to $500./month that I deposit in that account. That doesn't include the cost of an annual summer trip we try to take on her (Martha's Vineyard in 2015, Mystic Seaport in 2016). That's a 'vacation' expense.

My .02

 

[briangcc]

I personally haven't calculated the costs but wow....$20 for a few days of use?? Hasn't tried renting a boat before huh??

I'm like the rest...IF I invited you then it's on my dime.

Now, when they ask if they can go out, then on certain occasions I have allowed them to cover launch fees - $7 at state launch. I've never asked for gas $$. On a couple occasions I've also let them trailer my boat with their truck, mainly to see how it would handle towing. Not a regular occurrence by any stretch - probably twice in a 10 year period.

 

[ahicks]

It's a hobby. I generally prefer NOT knowing what it's costing me.

As a guest, common sense would tell anyone 20 dollars for an experience like that would be just a token at best. I think expressing your gratitude with a sincere thanks and a hand shake would be worth more than that....

 

[redneck joe]

It's a hobby. I generally prefer NOT knowing what it's costing me.

a few years back after roughly figuring out what I have in the Carver at that time (and it has gotten worse), I quit tracking. Never again. Annual cost I don't track either other than I just know storage is $750. Operational costs are incremental and not tracked.

If you are on my boat, you have been invited - I would not allow an 'aquaintence' to 'invite' themselves on my boat. I know how to say no, firmly.

BYOB and food and towels, I'll take care of the rest. That said - my fishing costs are worms and a couple jigs/lures so that is no big deal; not like you salt people.

 

[pullin]

I took all my records for a year of operating my Sea Ray 270DA, and divided them by the hour meter. That gave me the total per-hour cost of operating my boat. I then deleted all the spreadsheets and burned all my notes -- Trust me, you don't want to know.

Serious answer: Including maintenance, slip rent, insurance, fuel and taxes (but excluding purchase price) it costs about $170.00/hour.

As far as cost sharing, I never ask but I appreciate those who offer to cover something. If it's a young couple with kids struggling to make ends meet, I decline offers and even cover meals, etc. if we stop at a marina. If it's a friend who's much better off, I'll let them buy the meal or drinks. They generally return the favor some other way.

My dad had a saying that I like: "With friends, never worry about who pays for gas or drinks. If you find yourself picking up most of the costs, you aren't with friends."

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Boat big Big ongoing active toll

 

[Ned L]

I do it for my enjoyment, I wouldn't even consider accepting something from a guest.

Do I track annual costs? Not really. I can start with $3300 for the slip and then go from there.

 

[redneck joe]

I If it's a young couple with kids struggling to make ends meet, I decline offers and even cover meals, etc. if we stop at a marina. If it's a friend who's much better off, I'll let them buy the meal or drinks. They generally return the favor some other way.

To your former, of course, boating or not. On the latter, just got home from a weekend where 'dad' always has to buy me lunch and offer helps or various kinds most of them I politely have to accept even if it takes more time..

 

[JASinIL2006]

I don't want to know what it costs annually...

 

[REN3G8]

I haven't got that far yet since this is my first year... but I sold my sports bike and old school Toyota to get into boating with the family... so far I'm breaking even, lol.

 

[jimmbo]

Accepting any compensation for a day of boating/fishing can be an issue regarding insurance coverage and liability

 

[redneck joe]

I've seen that argued countless times on the internets, no clear winner.

I'll stick my my original statement in post #9.

 

[dingbat]

Accepting any compensation for a day of boating/fishing can be an issue regarding insurance coverage and liability

That argument was put to rest in 1999.

http://The Passenger Vessel Safety A...ub. L 103?206)

The Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 added the requirement for having an "uninspected passenger vessel" license (six pac) whenever some form of tangible consideration is being exchanged as a condition of carriage on the vessel. Consideration may be cash, checks, money orders, or in the form of goods.

The issue of sharing of expenses for fuel, providing food and/or provisions for a trip was a concern to recreational boaters as to whether or not it fell within the term of "consideration" sufficient to require a six -passenger license and whether it affected the boat insurance policy.

Congress amended the definition of "consideration" effective 1 October 1999 to allow voluntary sharing. "Consideration" is now defined as an economic benefit, inducement, right, or profit including pecuniary payment accruing to an individual, person or entity,but not including a voluntary sharing of the actual expenses of the voyage, by monetary contribution or donation of fuel, food, beverage, or other supplies.

The key is whether the sharing is required by the owner/operator (license required) or is voluntary (no license required). A guest may offer or request to contribute to the cruise, either in sharing of actual expenses of the voyage, by monetary contribution, or by donation of fuel, food, beverage or other supplies. However, if that occurs, the skipper should make it clear, and while the gesture is very much appreciated, there is no requirement or obligation to do so, but that voluntary contributions are always welcomed. If contribution were to be required, the skipper would clearly fall outside the exception: and a "six pac" license for hire would be required. A skipper should likewise refrain from initiating any suggestion about a "contribution" in order to avoid the appearance that such is required or expected.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Wowza Dingbat. That there is some pretty fancy jargon for "chipping in for gas." A Darwin Award winner on a fishing forum told me that I was obligated to inform Canada Revenue of any barter I did as income. I repaired my 85 year old next door neighbours stairs that took 10 minutes and she gave me a smoothie, and if I didn't he was going to turn me in for tax evasion, he was absolutely serious and obviously insane to boot.

 

[Benny67]

Funny to be reading this thread because my wife was just busting my balls telling me it cost us $660/trip this season each time SHE was on my boat...

I've only put 20 hours on it this season due to being so damn busy..I took her out 5 times.

Fact of it is that dock space, transportation, fuel, bait, beer,ect adds up quick.

For those of you guys who think about moving up to a boat that is too big to trailer think twice about it...It's an additional $1100/year to move it back and forth to the water....more if you don't store it in your driveway and need to pay off season storage.