Boating Affordability

Boating is affordable and there's a boat for every age, lifestyle and budget.

Most people don't realize how affordable boating is: in some instances, you can buy a brand new boat financed for around $250.00 a month, like a car. Check with your accounting professional for more details.
Boats provide tax deductible and cost effective second homes. Interest on a boat loan can be deducted if the boat has a galley, berth and head.
Visit a boat show to see what boating products are available and line up the best deals.

The typical boater only operates his or her vessel about 75 hours a season.
Nearly 95 percent of boats on the water today are under 26' in length. These crafts do not require exorbitant amounts of gas, so any impact would be negligible.
In fact, 64 percent of boaters say they purchase less than fifty gallons of gas per season-roughly two trips to the gas station to fill up your SUV or Minivan. (NMMA/RMRC, July 2005)
Boating isn't an activity like driving where you are using gas all the time. In fact, when a person is boating, they may be fishing or swimming and not using the motor at all.
Higher fuel prices present a marginal increase in the operating cost of your boat. For owners of $500,000 boats that use 100 gallons in a weekend, a 50 cent increase in gasoline means that a weekend of fun on the water will cost $50 more, while owners of smaller boats that use 20 gallons of gas will end up spending $10 more on gas. The small increase in operating cost isn't expected to limit boaters' time on the water.

Boat insurance costs vary by boat length and type, cost of the boat and level of coverage.
Consult your insurance agent for quotes or compare rates online. Some smaller boats can be insured for a nominal sum as a rider on a homeowner's policy.
You can reduce the cost of marine insurance premiums by taking a boater's education course.

For owners of larger boats, and owners of small boats who crave convenience, a marina slip is the best way to go. Visit our docks page for up-to-date rates >> Dock Slips