There used to be an "average use figure" I read somewhere (about 6 years back) that said the average cost to take out a family runabout (17-21 foot range) boat not including insurance, plates, decals, stickers, etc... was $150.00.  Or to put it another way the article had a guy say "every time I take my boat out it costs about $150.00" and here's why...

They explained that fueling the boat (average tanks) 26 to 40 gallons - that fuel was typically exhausted or spent in a weekend. Tow vehicle fuel costs from and to destination and average destination was 1 to 1.5 hours each way. Some miscellaneous expenses such as snacks at those remote snack & supply store's.

We haven't had our boat out this year and I was just calculating at $3.60 per gallon * 40 gallons that about $150.00 boat fill and we figure the vehicle fuel expense will be about $50....

So, my current guess is about $200.00 a weekend? Typically that's worst case as we don't burn that entire tank in a weekend. We might get a few trips or more out of it. In actual fact the number of times I've used my boat I'm concerned about water in fuel and or contaminants - not running out!

My spouse was wondering if we were to do it all over again would we consider "renting a boat" as opposed to wonership. I advised her that prices are not going to stay this high - are you kidding! 

Women's intuition maybe...Are the boat manufacturers looking at alternative engine packages for marine applications or transmissions! 

 

 

 

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CA$HFLOW

Here's an article that seems to indicate that my numbers are off as I read it boaters do not typically burn a tank in a weekend. (But, that's why I asked the question!). I am not the typical boater in that my hours on the boat is a fraction what typical boater puts on a season...the typical average boater was said to put on 100 hours per season.

http://www.boatohio.com/page11.htm

So if I don't burn my tank of fuel cost will be about $100.00 each time out then is my guess. That again is a smaller runabout and not including all the storage fees, insurance, repairs, maintenance, toys & accessories - we knew about all that that when we got a boat!

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CA$HFLOW

How you use your boat is the biggest factor - We boat a lot - In fact almost every weekend with several of them being 3 day weekends - Thing is, we have a cruiser not a go fast/skiing/tubing/wakeboard boat - Typically we motor to a beach or food/beverage establishment a couple times during the day and either anchor there or go to a marina for the night - Actual running time is only a few hours each weekend which equates to 40-45 hours a season - What used to cost us $60-$80 a weekend for gas will now be $90-$110 - We are so close to the lake that I don't even calculate vehicle costs - As I have said in other threads, our boat is our cabin and our annual boating expenses are less than what the yearly property taxes are on a cabin at the same lake - Perhaps the best thing is the great friends we have met thru boating - I suspect that some boaters will trim back on how many hours they put in "tow'in the toys around" or maybe how far they go to boat or perhaps they will ask friends to chip in for gas more often - Certainly if you only boat a couple times a year, renting may be the best option - Depending on the size of the boat and how long you need it, that can be awful expensive too.

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Rory Malner
'95 250CR - 7.4L W/BIII
"Parents Gone Wild"

We have the pleasure of boating all year long but our boating habbits are much like Rory's.  Our local ramp that we probably use half the time is 15 minutes from the house and our "Gulf of Mexico" ramp is about 45 minutes - 1 hour drive.

But after we hit the ramp we usually motor over to an island within 20 - 30 minutes of the ramp and spend the day.  So the boat is mostly transportation with an occasional run up to downtown or some tubing.

We used to be able to put $60 in the tank and that would last us 2 or 3 trips out.  Now it looks like $100 will do the same.  I'd say we probably spend anywhere from $45 on the low end to $80 on the high end for a weekend on the boat.  Still a reasonably priced hobby in my opinion and it's something our entire family enjoys.  Now if you consider we boat 2 times a month on average over 12 months the gas adds up but it's only money.

 Can't take it with ya when ya die!

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I guess we're lucky in that the Missouri River is only a few miles from our house, so there's really no expense in towing our boat to the dock. Plus, we generally go about 15 miles upstream, find our usual sandbar, and then eventually float most of the way home. We don't pull skiers or tubers on the river, either. I have to fill the tank about once per month. Yeah, it still sucks paying $3.50 (or more) per gallon, but I try not to put a price on fun, especially when you consider what they're paying for gas in Canada and Europe!

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'00 202 BR
'08 Silverado 4X4

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition...

Michael, our fuel prices have increased some 25% over recent months.We pay about $1.50 a litre for boat fuel, tow vehicle is diesel about $1.60 a litre. I know when we ski/board the fuel consumption goes up. The whole family enjoy the experience.  We are about 2 hours from our usual boating location. However Boating has never been a cheap exercise but the family have had more fun on the water over the years than any where else & the memories are forever. I try not to think about the costs too much. All the best.

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Gary
"POZOR"
2008 19SS, merc 220, 5lt

Here we go again... Today's prices of 95 octane (lowest available): EUR 1.536/litre = USD 2.377/litre = USD 8.999/GAL

I hope this make YOU feel good! It will not stop us from boating this afternoon!

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Stefan

2008 275CCR 496MAG B3
"Arosa"

I didn't buy a new boat to look at, We're going boating !!!

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Don Updegraff
2007 220LS 305MPI B3
" Sarah Ann "

With gas at $3.57 where I live this morning, it does make me think more about everything we do.  We haven't had the boat out yet this year due to the weather and now hope to put her in around Memorial Day weekend but we knew boating wasn't a cheap activity so we've budgeted accordingly. 

We travel about 90 miles to our lake and at around $70-$80 a fill-up for the SUV and $130 plus for the boat, yes it will be expensive when all of the other costs such as food, etc. are added in.  Nevertheless, we'll choose to pay as my family figured that the memories and fun we had with friends more than made up for the expense.

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Doug & Laurie Weets
"Majority Rulz"
2007 200LS

We contract our fuel every year.  (202br 5.7L lx ) It saves some, however the convience is the biggest reason as it is next to our shed.  I figured it would cost us $180 dollars more this year than last.  (we burned 180 gallons last year)  I figured if I dinged/scratched the boat with a  $250 deductible I wouldn't hesitate to have it fixed so I'm not going to let $180 stop my boating this year.  Airline tickets vary at least that much for a family of 4 to go on vacation.  We look at the boating money as a vacation that lasts all summer. 

 

 

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202br 5.7L
"A Trip"
Let'r happen captain

We contracted our fuel this year for the first time, and boy are we glad that we did.  We were able to contract 400 gallons at $3.26 a gallon and an additional 200 gallons at $3.41.   Right now the prices at the pump are $3.58 for unleaded gas.   We really won't have to worry about the price of fuel for this boating season.  I agree we didn't buy a new boat to see it sitting in the driveway. 

gee... wish i could get some of the $3.50 fuel.... Seattle is pushing $4 for the cheap stuff... we decided we would eat less and ride our bikes to work so we coudl burn our money on boat gas:).... just wouldn't have it any other way.

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2007 Crownline 240LS Merc MAG350-BIII
-Corsa thruhull, Social Swim, Sport package, Factory Tower
- HeaterCraft heater
-Mercury Smartcraft SC1000 Tach and Speedo
... in need of a name. :(
Towed with a 2008 Nissan Armada LE 4x4
Redmond, Washington

I tried filling up yesterday before heading out and the pump stopped at $90.00  It was 3.84 a gallon here then.  Not fun paying but once we were on the water we had forgotten what it cost!!

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1996 182 BR 5.7 V-8 Alpha 1

I haven't checked the price of gas yet this year. I know it will be well over $200 to fill up. I also calculate the dry storage fees since I do not have to trailer. With storage being $2200 a year, if I took the boat out 20 weekends it would equate to $100 a weekend. I don't trailer and I live 4 miles from the marina. They put it in and take it out. So in a typical weekend with food and all would run $250-$300 dollars. How I figure it with the cost of storage the more I use it the less it costs me on a daily basis.

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Gas at the dock is $5.75 per gallon. On thbe 340 with 193 gallons that pushes us over $1000.00 on a fill. Last year we burned about 150 gallons per month.