Newly Minted Sailors with $ Questions!

[thisiswater]

My husband and I are thrilled to be buying a good old boat in pristine condition. What can we expect to pay for:

Mooring (North Shore, MA)
Insurance
Winter Storage
Other routine costs/upkeep

We'll an engine, what to you recommend for daysailing?
She needs a head, the space is there and pristine ... what will the price range be? Are there do-it-yourself kits?

Thanks and fair winds -- thrilled to have found this forum!

[sailingdog]

Moorings can range in cost considerably. Private moorings can be very inexpensive, but require you to do the inspections and maintenance. Club moorings are often more expensive, but do often come with the amenities provided by the club and may include use of a launch service or space on a dinghy dock, making getting to your boat far more convenient. Prices range from $60-1500, based on whether you are using a private mooring, own a mooring, or using one provided by a yacht club or marina with launch and other amenities.

Insurance is highly dependent on the size and value of the boat. The minimum insurance generally required is $300,000 liability, and that can cost as little as $150, depending on what other bits you get and whether the policy is an ACV or an "Agreed Value" type policy. If the boat is financed and over 26' LOA, you'll generally be required to get an "Agreed Value" policy.

Winter storage costs can be very variable. Do you want to keep the boat indoors, outdoors, or at home on a trailer? Indoor storage is usually the most expensive and charged by the square footage the boat takes up. Outdoor storage is less expensive and usually charged by the linear foot of the boat's LOA. Storage at home on a trailer is usually the least expensive, but not always feasible, especially for larger boats. This can range from $0 for home storage of a boat on a trailer, to $3000 for a 30' boat stored indoors or so.

Other routine costs can include:

1. Haulout and launch fees, usually based on LOA of boat
2. Bottom Painting and pressure washing the boat, also usually based on LOA
3. Winterizing the boat—often based on the complexity of the boat and what systems it has
4. Shrinkwrapping the boat for winter storage—usually based on LOA, tarping or buying a canvas boat cover are other options
5. Washing, inspecting and repairing the sails each winter—usually based on size of the sails.

[thisiswater]

Thanks sailing - are you able to give us ranges -- ballpark for each? I think we'll shrinkwrap - that's popular around here. Also, the boat is ready for a head (has sink, etc.) the former owners just didn't put in the toilet.

[sailingdog]

A lot of this is dependent on the size of the boat, and also whether you have someone do it or you do it yourself. Shrinkwrapping a boat can cost anywhere between $400-900 for a 30' boat or so... but you can often do it for half that amount if you do the work yourself and split the costs of the materials with another boater.

If you need advice on any projects, feel free to ask... as it sounds like you're relatively local to me, since I live in the Boston area, I may be able to help personally.

Originally Posted by thisiswater

Thanks sailing - are you able to give us ranges -- ballpark for each? I think we'll shrinkwrap - that's popular around here. Also, the boat is ready for a head (has sink, etc.) the former owners just didn't put in the toilet.

[TQA]

Don't shrinkwrap if the boat has been painted. You risk the paint lifting.

[thisiswater]

Thanks - we'll want to have her painted ... how much time before it really cures?