Annual maintenance budgeting

C

Chriscz128

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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
I have owned several boats over the years and am looking at a Cutwater 28. I currently have a classic Boston Whaler Outrage 25 with twin outboards. Each year I have a variety of boat projects for maintenance and upkeep. Many just entail time and elbow grease. Some are more costly. Compared to my Whaler there are many additional components and features on these beautiful boats. What do folks plan for budgeting purposes for annual maintenance on their Ranger Tugs/ Cutwaters. I have heard using 10-15% of the vessel cost is one approach and obviously cost change over time and each year is not the same, but any information on general experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris
 
Bumping post delayed in moderation queue.
 
Chris,
One thing which makes a big difference in your annual costs is if you have a trailer or not.
Keeping the boat on the trailer off season and in your driveway saves a huge amount in annual expenses. After five seasons of keeping the boat on the trailer off season we have more than covered the total cost of our trailer - even considering the ongoing costs of trailer registration and maintenance.
Savings of being on the trailer off season include reduced moorage costs, reduced haul out expenses, eliminating diver costs, fewer zinc replacements and longer lasting bottom paint.
Some folks want their boat ready to go year round and are fine with the extra cost.
That’s a question that needs to be answered in figuring what to budget for ongoing ownership expenses.
 
I would likely keep the boat in saltwater at a marina, but am tracking moorage costs separately. So I would be planning on haul out and repaint as needed (every 2-3years?). I am a diver so would most likely do zincs and some limited hull cleaning periodically in the water.
 
scross":15l24ybv said:
Chris,
One thing which makes a big difference in your annual costs is if you have a trailer or not.
Keeping the boat on the trailer off season and in your driveway saves a huge amount in annual expenses. After five seasons of keeping the boat on the trailer off season we have more than covered the total cost of our trailer - even considering the ongoing costs of trailer registration and maintenance.
Savings of being on the trailer off season include reduced moorage costs, reduced haul out expenses, eliminating diver costs, fewer zinc replacements and longer lasting bottom paint.
Some folks want their boat ready to go year round and are fine with the extra cost.
That’s a question that needs to be answered in figuring what to budget for ongoing ownership expenses.
Click to expand...

At the risk of hijacking, i pondered this question a while ago. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10583&hilit=+Trailer

My thoughts are more around the ongoing maintenance. Having had a couple of Boston Whalers I can confirm that our RT has a lot more systems that lead to a really different level of comfort and experience. They do cost money to maintain as well as time.
 
Great thread Chimo et. al. !
My Whaler is currently on a trailer so I have experienced the pros and cons of a trailer in the PNW. Many of the comments from others capture the choices and options well. My situation is that I am 5 minutes from my house to the marina and 15 minutes from work. At my home in Seattle, my space is limited and issues associated with leaving the trailer in the driveway (unpopular option at home) or a storage yard (increases cost, launch logistics, and time) swing heavily towards the marina. While the costs are clearly higher in the marina, for me the ease of getting on the boat and out on the water within minutes is worth it. I have had my whaler in the marina for periods of time and enjoyed it. I also am aware of the biofouling and multitude of concerns of being in the water full time. I have not written off the idea of having a trailer for increased options (e.g., more distant destinations, periodic storage and maintenance) and the thread pointed out many of the benefits. Great information to think on.

But back to my question, which was really about average annual costs associated with maintenance and upkeep of these versatile boats. Anyone want to toss out a range? $5-10k, higher, lower?
 
I have a 2017 Cutwater 30. I spend about $5k per year on routine maintenance so far. I do not do a lot of repairs myself. In addition to maintenance, however, you should be aware that many of the components on the Cutwater are not the highest quality. I have upgraded the autopilot system and pump, added a head vent filter, upgraded the aft bilge pump, upgraded the shaft seal (to dripless), added a low speed module to the transmission. There are more projects on my list for 2021.

All in all, Cutwaters are great boats but if you spend time on this forum, you will discover many comments about quality control and some components that give owners headaches.

I too owned a Whaler. I much prefer the Cutwater, but the quality is not the same as the Whaler. Do a thorough survey and be realistic that you may need to do some upgrades over time.
 
gigharborite":1ri3qo1a said:
I have upgraded the autopilot system and pump
Click to expand...

I'm curious about this one -- the Garmin autopilot system is considered high quality, so unless you're switching to an entirely new system. What am I missing? (the Smartpump is an upgrade, but it's just that, an upgrade -- the regular pump is still considered pretty good; if you had the Reactor on your 2017 the Reactor 40 is broadly seen as a tweak not worth replacing).
 
Chris0128":3ul1d2jx said:
I have owned several boats over the years and am looking at a Cutwater 28. I currently have a classic Boston Whaler Outrage 25 with twin outboards. Each year I have a variety of boat projects for maintenance and upkeep. Many just entail time and elbow grease. Some are more costly. Compared to my Whaler there are many additional components and features on these beautiful boats. What do folks plan for budgeting purposes for annual maintenance on their Ranger Tugs/ Cutwaters. I have heard using 10-15% of the vessel cost is one approach and obviously cost change over time and each year is not the same, but any information on general experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris
Click to expand...

Chris,
I'm a Whaler fan and like the Classic Outrage 25. I never owned a larger whaler but always wanted to. I have owned 15 Super sport, 17 Super sport, 17 Montauk and 18 Outrage. I negotiated to purchased a clean '92 27' Walk around before purchasing the Cutwater 26. I would have purchased it but the cost of upgrading the 2 strokes to present day 4 strokes and upgrading the electronics put the boat purchase at over 100K. That was to much to spend on at that time 24 year old boat. So much for BW talk!

If you are a DIY boat owner the cost of maintenance for your twin engine BW 25 would be close to the same as a C28.

*Slip cost would be close to the same.
*Boat hauling for maintenance close to the same.
*Bottom painting ( if you purchase a new Cutwater figure 4K for the first bottom coat if you have a yard do it) ($1000.00 if you do it yourself) After the first bottom job the cost would be close to the same as the BW
* Engine maintenance D4 Volvo DIY yearly service (engine oil, transmission oil, two engine filters, trans filter, crank case ventilation filter, air filter, two fuel filters, Water pump impeller, fuel conditioner) under $700.00 parts. If you have a yard do it figure approximately 8 hr for a yearly service at the hourly rate for your area.
* winterizing fresh water, head, raw water wash down, air unit, shower sump, I purchase a case (6 gallons) of 100 below propylene glycol non toxic antifreeze (blue) to do everything. $70.00 DIY, have a yard do it add 2 hours labor
* Hull maintenance, waxing, washing, bottom cleaning DIY the cost would be the same. Have yard maintain the hull. Double the cost of your whaler. Triple if you get a colored hull Cutwater. The Gel coat used on Cutwaters and Rangers is poor quality. I have been told from a Fluid Motion representative that they are now using a higher quality gel coat.
* Anode cost and protection. 100.00 a season if it is left in the water year round 100.00 to 400.00 depending on the marina
* trailer maintenance 1/3 more (extra axel) 1000.00 every 3 years for tires, 150.00 every 3 years for wheel seals and grease, 100.00 yearly bunk carpet, lights, winch strap, tie downs, brake pads, fluid, tongue jack. DIY yearly= 400.00
* General component replacement, bilge pumps, wash down pumps, electronics close to the same.

If you have maintained your 25 outrage by the book keeping it in Pristine condition and plan to maintain a C28 the same way. The cost difference will be slightly more with the C28 but I don't think you will need to open a new bank account to maintain it. Good luck with your search and decision.
 
Thanks for the great info and all the details, exactly what I was hoping to learn. Also great to learn there are other former Whaler owners now with RT/CWs. I previously also had smaller whalers going from a small one as a kid to a Montauk 17 to the Outrage 25. The difference between the last two was enormous, with the 25 performing incredibly well in tough weather conditions and really smoothing out the ride in mid conditions. Its amazing what length, beam, and some weight does. Of course every boat has its wave period- wave height nemesis.

My one experience, to date, piloting a Cutwater 28 has me feeling good about these boats as well. Although it is a bit like switching from a sports car (name your favorite) to a Mercedes Sprinter (note I did not say minivan or VW bus). Twin outboards to a single inboard with rudder will take some adjustment. I am fine with the loss of speed, since racing around get old for me quickly.
I am however curious with others experiences with Cutwaters or RTs in rough water, following seas, crossing inlet/estuary bars, tidal passes, etc.. We have a vast range of sea conditions here in the PNW and of course elsewhere and I am sure the knowledgeable folks on this site would have some advice or lessons learned in handling these boats in less than ideal conditions.

Chris
 
I concur with Brian's response. Just some more detail: For my 2018 R31-S, keeping our boat in Puget Sound year around, a diver charges $215 to replace the zincs, which average every 7 months so far. The annual service was less the first year but the second year cost $1130, including the impeller change.
Dubs
 
28GG great string as well! Thanks for the additional annual cost data from you and others.
For my situation, I also share many of your sentiments regarding rationalizing the boat purchase (value of enjoyment and and the benefits of marina moorage for your usage patterns. I am the type who enjoys "going to check on the boat" and just spending time on it. Heck, I have been know to spend a couple of hours just sitting and tinkering on stuff on my Whaler, just on the boat sitting in the driveway on the trailer. Heading down to the marina for a beer or doing some "project" is part of the plan. I am also realistic about the frustrations of things not working, it's a boat after all and saltwater is brutal. Keeping my fingers crossed to be able to join this community.

Chris
 
I budget $150/month for maintenance. This does not include fuel, slip, bottom cleaning or hull waxing.
 
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