Annual maintenance expenses

[Hank]

Hello All,

Considering a 25SC or R27 as my first boat purchase. Wondering what I can expect in the way of annual maintenance expense. Operating expenses will be variable dependent on use and I guess maintenance can be somewhat variable as well but I'm interested in knowing on average what I can expect to spend to keep the vessel in excellent repair.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Hank

 

[Scuffy]

I don't know who will be doing the labor but I would think you could figure about 1000 to 1500 dollars per year. We change an engine impellor annually along with both fuel filters and oil filter. Changing all zincs. That would not include bottom paint or cosmetic repairs from either the boat being trailered or the inevitable scratches that are bound to occur. Maybe batteries every 3 to 4 years. As far as the cosmetic end of things we have a buffer along with metal polish polishing compound and wax or get out about 500 dollars to have someone else shine up your toy for you.
Other things that you will need, Coast guard required safety items. Dock lines and bumpers. But first I think a stock of spare parts would good to have on hand. Even if someone else is doing the work so you don't have to wait on parts. A spare impellor for the engine and generator if you have one. Zincs for the thrusters prop and generator and for the engine if your engines uses one. A collection of fuses including the large ones for the thrusters. Thruster shear pins and the tools required to change them. Then a water pump belt and a serpentine belt, oil filter and primary and secondary fuel filters. A service kit for your toilet.
If you are in to upgrades it never ends. We added a better TV and FM radio antenna. A waste water tank gauge. An Aqua Alarm for the engine's raw water intake. Teak covers for the front overhead pockets. A reversible berth fan. A bigger and heavier anchor. Three or four inch Memory Foam for the V berth. Then better figure on the significant other
needing a paper towel and spice rack, dishes pots, silverware and pans. Oh wait you might need a dinghy and a engine or motor for that, a place to hang the dinghy and a maybe a bracket to hang the motor in the cockpit. The trailer and a tow vehicle if one is required will add to your overall annual costs. Oh I forgot about the insurance. :mrgreen: My point is it never ends; at least for us anyway. Might as well get some boat cards made up so you can hand them out to all the people who will be telling you what a nice boat you have etc. We included the factory website and the Tugnuts and our names with a picture of our boat. Vista Print does them up for cheap. Look at the photo albums you can see it never ends.

 

[Red Raven]

$1000 to $1500 is my estimate as well.

 

[knotflying]

Not to sound smug, but JP Morgan once said, "If you have to ask how much, you can't afford it." I do a majority of the maintenance and repairs myself. This includes trailer service, tires etc. All in with cruising about 3 to six months a year my boat budget is around $8,000 to $10,000. This is fuel, marinas etc. As I said, all in.

 

[NorthernFocus]

A lot depends on what you call maintenance. But I'd say if you are worried by the concept of spending 10 percent per year(plus fuel) of what you paid for the boat, you may want to re-think ownership.

 

[Crewdog]

Yeah, annual expenses are a drag, but I think we must consider the missed opportunity expenses that go with exploring the areas that our tugs take us to.

Think of it this way, on the Grande Mariner,

a Great American Waterways 2 week cruise is about $7000/person for a Class III cabin.

We get a captain and Admiral's dinner Every night on our cruise, and the service is much more personal.