The cost of keeping a boat in California

Berth rent

Usually the biggest line. Marinas typically price by the foot per month; ask whether the length is your boat's or the slip's, and what costs extra (electricity, liveaboard status, parking). One published example: South Beach Harbor (Port of San Francisco) listed 2025 rent for a 38-foot slip at $18.43 per foot, or $700.36 a month; a 30-foot slip was $15.46 per foot ($463.95 a month).^[1] Last verified November 11, 2026

Rates differ by harbor and change often. Use the current rate sheet from your marina, and check the harbor pages for what each harbor publishes.

Insurance

California marinas commonly make liability insurance a condition of the berth. Berkeley Marina, for example, requires at least $300,000 of protection-and-indemnity or watercraft liability, coverage for wreck removal and fuel-spill cleanup, the City named as additional insured, and 30 days' written notice before the policy is cancelled.^[2] Hull coverage for the boat itself is separate. Premiums depend on the boat, its value, where it's kept and your history, so get quotes from a marine insurance broker, and tell them the marina's exact requirements.

Registration, stickers and cards

• DMV registration renews every two years, by December 31 of odd-numbered years.^[3] The renewal fee is $20 for the two years (about $10 a year), plus a late penalty if you miss the deadline.^[5]
• Mussel fee sticker if you use fresh water: $21 bought in an even year, $42 in an odd year (since October 22, 2026).^[6]
• California Boater Card: $10 once per operator, for life.^[7]

Property tax and use tax

Property tax, every year. The county assessor values boats each year at fair market value as of January 1, and boats are taxed in the county where they're usually kept. Owners file a yearly Vessel Property Statement; filing late adds a 10% penalty. Whoever owns the boat on January 1 owes that year's tax.^[8] Ask your county assessor for its tax rate.

Use tax, once. If you bought the boat from a private party or out of state and paid no California sales tax, use tax is due at the local sales tax rate.^[9] See buying a boat in California.

Hull cleaning: set by your paint

Cleaning cost per year is the price per visit times visits per year, and the paint sets the visits. State guidance is to clean copper paint only when needed and no more than once every 30 days (at most about 12 a year); non-biocide coatings every 2–4 weeks (roughly 13–26 a year).^[10] Details in how often to clean your hull; published prices in hull cleaning cost.

Zincs are usually extra: plan to replace them about once a year, or every six months on outboards and sterndrives in salt water.^[12]

Haul-out and bottom paint, spread over the years

A haul-out and repaint happens every few years, so divide it by your paint's life to get a yearly figure. Copper paint is estimated to last 2–3 years, non-copper biocide up to 2, and non-biocide 5–10 (manufacturer claims).^[10] For scale, Santa Cruz Harbor Boatyard's FY27 haul-out (haul, pressure wash and shoring) is $13 a foot for a monohull with a $300 minimum, before lay days, paint and labor.^[11]

Engine and systems

• Routine engine service per your owner's manual. For example, Yamaha's four-stroke outboard schedule includes service every 100 hours or once a year.^[13]
• An annual electrical inspection.^[14]
• Pump-outs, detailing, canvas and the repairs nobody plans for. Keep a line for them; your own records are the best guide to what it will be.

Add it up

Yearly cost = berth rent × 12 + insurance + registration ÷ 2 (plus the mussel sticker, if any) + property tax + cleaning price × cleanings per year + zincs + (haul-out and paint ÷ years the paint lasts) + engine service + everything else.

The boat ownership cost calculator does this with your numbers, and the cost guides show published prices for each service.