🛥️ How much does it cost to own a yacht annually?

Owning a large yacht is a dream for many, but understanding the financial commitment requires looking past the sticker price. This calculator uncovers your true annual operating expenses and hidden capital costs. Plug in your own numbers to see exactly what it takes to keep a heavy motor yacht on the water.

The baseline costs to own the boat and keep it at the dock add up quickly. This covers your home port slip and insurance, plus regular upkeep like bottom cleaning. You must also include the money cost, which is the opportunity cost of the cash tied up in the hull.

As Ed notes, if we didn't buy the boat and we had the $250,000 we would do something else with it. Putting it in the bank getting maybe 6% or 7% yields about $15,000 in interest. He ignores depreciation because his older, classic boat holds its value.

The variable costs to actually use the boat change your budget drastically. Fuel is a massive factor, as heavy motor yachts might get less than 1 mile per gallon, making long trips incredibly expensive. You will also need a budget for transient slips when visiting other marinas.

As Ed points out, it is 1,000 miles from Philly to Florida and 1,000 miles back so you have 2,000 miles total. Getting 0.75 miles per gallon means it is close to 3,000 gallons worth of fuel.