How much does it cost to maintain a yacht per year?

There is an unspoken rule among experts – the annual cost of maintaining a yacht is estimated at about 10% of its value. This allows potential buyers to estimate future costs in advance. However, you should not overly concentrate on the financial side of the issue, so as not to deprive yourself of the joy of owning a yacht.

Yacht owners are faced with the need to plan the costs of maintaining the vessel. The main items of expenditure include repairs, maintenance, insurance and parking (both summer and winter), as well as transport tax. Accurate calculation is difficult, but the approximate cost can be determined by taking into account a number of factors.

Older yachts (over 10 years without major repairs) may require significant investments in repairing or replacing worn-out components, while some experienced owners prefer to buy already updated vessels. Motor yachts are more expensive to maintain and consume fuel than sailing yachts.

Basic expenses:

The parking location also has a significant impact on costs. The cost of parking in European marinas is much higher than, for example, in Montenegro, Croatia, Greece or Turkey. The choice of home port is directly proportional to the quality of service and the cost of repairs.

The transport tax levied on owners of watercraft depends on the power of the engines. Russian legislation provides an opportunity to reduce the tax burden by registering a yacht as a boat in the purchase and sale documents.

Insurance is mandatory abroad, but in Russia there is a practice of saving money by choosing the minimum coverage. However, cheap insurance often does not cover the cost of repairs in case of minor damage (for example, replacing a screw after a collision with an obstacle). The high cost of full insurance coverage (about $10,000 or more) is justified during intensive yacht operation, as the risks of damage increase.

Operating costs (fuel, repairs) they also directly depend on the frequency of use of the vessel. At an average load (about 150 engine hours per season), fuel consumption is about 10,000 liters, and it is also necessary to lay funds for unforeseen repairs.

The maintenance offered by most yacht clubs is an integral cost item, depending on engine life and wear and tear of spare parts.

Temporary expenses:

A permanent captain is hired less and less often, many owners prefer the services of incoming specialists. Cleaning costs are also negligible.

The cost of parking and winter storage of the yacht varies depending on the yacht club and the specific offer. In the Moscow region, the summer parking of a 14-meter yacht can be up to $16,200 for six months, although discounts and promotions can reduce this amount.

Winter storage in the Moscow region is estimated at about $10,000, while in the Mediterranean countries this service is offered at lower prices. For owners who prefer long transitions between different marinas, it is recommended to use contracts with network yacht clubs in order to reduce storage costs and ensure a uniform cost of parking in different countries.

As a result, by optimizing a number of factors (age, type of yacht, parking place), it is possible to significantly change the total cost of maintaining the vessel.