How much does it cost to maintain a 6-meter boat?

One of the main concerns that arise at the time of acquiring your boat is how much the maintenance of this boat is going to suppose per year.

How to calculate the annual cost of a 6 metre boat

You can’t calculate exactly how much it’s going to cost you to maintain a 6 metre boat per year, but there are some expenses that vary depending on the type of mooring or vessel you want to buy.

The best thing in these cases is to consult an expert; that is to say, a person who has a boat with the same characteristics as the one you want. Even so, the professionals assure that the annual costs of maintaining a boat usually suppose 10% of the total cost of the boat; others, on the other hand, are more optimistic and assure that this value is between 5% and 6%.

The best thing is that, if you are going to buy a boat, analyze the area in which you live, the type of navigation you want and the vessel you are going to buy. In this post we explain all the expenses you will have to face if you decide to buy a boat.

Boat insurance

Any boat, as well as any means of transport, needs insurance to cover the owner in the event of an accident, so it is best to speak with an insurance agent specializing in the marine sector.

These insurances can be divided in two: obligatory and voluntary. The obligatory one is the one that covers the civil responsibility of the owner and is the same in all the companies; on the other hand, the volunteer has his own coverage depending on the insurance company.

What coverage do you have?

The coverages of the obligatory insurance of a boat are:

• Material damage to third parties.
• Death or injury to third parties.
• Economic losses caused by the aforementioned damage.
• Damage to other boats due to collision or being towed.
• Legal and extrajudicial costs which represent the defence of the insured.

On the other hand, the main coverages that are usually included in voluntary insurance are:

• Own damage.
• Damage to the occupants of the boat.
• Navigation assistance.
• Legal defence.
• Travel assistance.
• Claims for damages to third parties.

In the same way, if you are going to buy a boat of 6 meters to go to the regattas you must have a specific insurance thought for this sport practice.

The cost of mooring

The cost of mooring varies depending on the area in which you live and the use you are going to make of your boat. A more distant mooring means a lower cost, although it will not allow you to enjoy your boat as much as you will have to move more.

On the other hand, you can also save money by choosing a towable boat, transporting it in your vehicle and storing it in your garage. It is best to go to different ports and see the possibilities they offer, for example, if they have access for people with reduced mobility.

Maintenance of the boat, its equipment and engine

The maintenance of a boat of 6 meters is the expense that generates a greater economic outlay, even more than the own purchase in some occasions. This investment ensures the good condition of the ship, both inside and outside.

The maintenance varies according to the years and the state of the boat; it also changes if the boat is second hand or if it is a new one. To give you an idea, here are a few things to watch out for on your boat:

• Engine overhaul, oil and filter change, tuning. Annual.
• Change of sacrificial anodes. Annual.
• Electronic revision. Every 10 years.
• Revision of life rafts and other safety equipment. Every 2 years.
• Hull cleaning. Annual, although it can be greater if the boat is used very frequently.
• Interior maintenance of the boat.
• Change of batteries. Between 3 and 5 years.
• Subscription to navigation applications.
• Revision of the pumps of the bath and of bilge. Every 2 years.
• Revision of the air conditioning and dehumidifier.
• Change of upholstery, fenders and bimini. Between 7 and 9 years.
• Change of sails. Every 10 years or 5 if you are a sailor.
• Change of sheets and mooring lines. Between 5 and 10 years.
• Use of wax, cleaning or polishing products, among others.

Fuel and other expenses derived from its use.

Fuel is another expense to consider when buying a 6 metre boat. In motorboats, the cost of fuel is higher than in sailing boats; moreover, these expenses increase if you are going to cook on the boat or if you are going to sail in winter, since it will be necessary to turn on the heating of the boat.

On the other hand, if you want to save a good amount of money in this section you can always opt for a sailing boat, whose consumption is minimal.

Travel costs

This refers to the expenses involved in accessing the boat; that is, the vehicle’s fuel, tolls, parking and other economic disbursements that you must make each time you go out to sail.

You don’t have to take these expenses into account if you are going to sail sporadically, because they won’t involve a large annual outlay; on the other hand, if you are going to use the boat very frequently if you have to write down these expenses.

Cost of wintering and dry dock

The best time to sail is summer; once winter has arrived, it is necessary to think about where you are going to keep your boat during these months.

These costs can be calculated very easily, depending on your area of residence and the type of wintering you choose.

Cost of Technical Inspection of Ships (ITB)

The technical inspections and surveys to which all ships are subject also involve costs. To be able to sail, a boat needs to have the Certificate of Navigability and the Certificate of Registration.

For boats over 6 metres, these inspections must be carried out every five years although most owners carry out a survey in the middle of this period. The cost of these surveys depends on the size of the length.

Extras and contingencies

Small arrangements, needs or changes that you want to make often involve an extra cost that was not planned. These costs can range from buying a new cabin cover to installing an extra awning for your length.