When most people decide to look at boats available for sale, they usually browse either new boats or used boats. However, they can also look at leasing, fractional ownership or chartering options as well. If you don’t live right on the water, then it might make more sense to spend the money on a sailing vacation. While your day or weekend trips may leave you feeling like you could have bought one at that price, consider the maintenance, fuel costs, insurance and docking fees. In the words of JP Morgan, “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it.” For the rich elite, luxury yachts are waiting.
Going through a certified yacht broker is a great way to discover both used and new boats that are up for sale. In this way, you will find your dream boat much the same way you would find your dream home; by enlisting the help of professionals who have access to multiple listing services, insider connections and sweet deals that have not been advertised.
The broker will work with you to define your needs and find all the amenities you desire. Brokers can also help you with financing, deal brokering, setting up an inspection, title clearing, procuring docking space and yacht services to ensure a smooth closing and transition to boat ownership. Check out www.yachtcouncil.com for more information on yacht brokers.
In addition to the initial cost of sailing boats comes the fuel cost, which is an important consideration when perusing boats for sale. If you are rich, then this caveat will mean less. For instance, physician Chris Troupe spends $12,000 to fill up his massive $4 million yacht. Burning through 40 to 50 gallons of fuel an hour just while idling, this fill-up will last him about four days on a sailing vacation, he says.
Gary Abbamonte drives a more modest, six-person fishing, whale watching and bay cruising boat that burns 7 to 10 gallons of fuel an hour. Even so, that can add up to $400 for an overnight trip. However, there is a silver lining. “Catamarans are lightweight and burn about one-third the fuel as a mono-hull,” says Cory Gracy, VP of Everett’s Sharp Yachts. Owners of sail boats don’t suffer like the powerboat owners and diesel-powered boats consume gas more efficiently as well.
- Going through a certified yacht broker is a great way to discover both used and new boats.
- Browsing online is one of the best ways to find new and used boats available for sale.
- The broker will work with you to define your needs and find all the amenities you desire.
While considering boats for sale, keep in mind you will also need marine insurance before you can get your boat out into the marina. Insurance quotes can range by as much as 200%, depending on who you call and where you live. One boat owner may pay $389/year for a 24-foot cabin cruiser or $406/year for a 32-foot cruiser. Of course, the larger 44-foot sailing yachts may cost $868/year to insure.
You will get to choose what you want, such as physical damage coverage (engine, hull, trailer, including collision, theft and storms); personal effects coverage (personal property like cell phones, radios, TV, laptops, GPS, cameras); boat liability (to cover the damage you do to others); towing coverage (for breakdowns); salvage coverage (to find pieces of your boat in the event of a wreck); and spillage coverage (to clean up oil/fuel spills). You can visit www.unitedmarine.net for a good quote, without having to give out much information.

