Guides

Plain-English notes on the numbers behind BoatCost.

• Boat club vs buying

  A club looks expensive until you count slip, insurance, and how few days you actually go.

• Boat loan vs total monthly cost

  Why a $583 payment is not a $583 boat, and how to read an illustration rate.

• First boat budget under 30 feet

  A pontoon, bowrider, or bay boat can be the right first boat if the all-in monthly number still lets you leave the dock.

• How to estimate gallons per hour

  Specific fuel consumption beats “it drinks a gallon an hour” — and it is still not a sea trial.

• The true cost of boat ownership in 2026

  A boat payment is the visible line. Slip, insurance, fuel, and maintenance are usually larger than people budget.

• Wet slip vs trailer — which costs less?

  Trailer storage is cheap until it is not. Wet slips win on convenience and lose on the invoice.