First two years boat cost estimator

How this works

Each year is a low–high range: the sum of the lines below. Published lines use the lowest and highest rate that applies to your boat's length and type in your region. When your region has fewer than three, we pool every region and label the line so; the line also names how many rates and which businesses it comes from. Your own numbers are added as entered.

• Hull cleaning = published price per visit for your length × cleanings for your paint, following state guidance: copper up to 12 a year (no more than once every 30 days), non-copper biocide 13–17 (every 3–4 weeks), non-biocide 13–26 (every 2–4 weeks). The guidance also suggests no cleaning for 90 days after painting, so a new boat's first year is planned with three months fewer. That is guidance, not law; your paint's label and your harbor's rules can differ.
• Zincs = published labor per zinc × zincs × changes: once a year, twice for outboards and sterndrives (salt water). A used boat gets one extra change in year 1, at purchase. Anode parts are extra and not included.
• Haul-out (haul, wash, launch) at published rates, in the year the paint is due at the short end of its life: copper 2–3 years, non-copper biocide up to 2, non-biocide 5–10 (manufacturer claims). A new boat starts with fresh paint. Bottom paint labor and materials are your quote.
• Used boats, year 1: a short haul for the survey at published rates, plus your survey fee and catch-up budget.
• Fees: DMV renewal $20 every two years and the mussel sticker ($42 per two-year cycle, fresh water only), shown per year as in the ownership cost calculator; a $10 Boater Card per operator in year 1.
• Money is computed in whole cents and shown rounded to the dollar.
• Nothing you type leaves your browser; we remember your inputs on this device only.

Not included: the purchase, sales or use tax, title and original registration fees, property tax, lay days, anode parts, fuel, gear and repairs you haven't entered. Insurance, surveys and engine service have no published California rate in our data; enter your quotes.