Like with any type of boat, the costs of owning a day cruiser will vary from boater to boater and boat to boat but working out the average running costs of owning a day cruiser and how you plan to use it is very important.
Boat maintenance for example can be a grey area as the cost of this will depend on whether you plan on doing most of the technical work yourself or whether a boatyard or marine engineer is engaged to do the work.
A good way of finding out about the estimated running costs of owing a boat is to ask other boaters for their knowledge and experiences. Below is a list of some of the running costs that you will need to factor in when buying a day cruiser:
Mooring fees
Insurance
Boat maintenance
Fuel
Heating
Consider what you want to use your boat for, where you plan to use the boat and how many people you expect to be on board etc and most importantly what features you require. Knowing its purpose will assist you in having a greater idea of the running costs before you buy.
When buying a second-hand boat, it is advisable to have a survey done by a qualified marine surveyor. A survey is essential in providing both peace of mind and protection when buying second-hand boats and ensuring no important elements are missed in the vessel’s long-term maintenance.
The surveyor will advise on any faults on the hull and with the boat’s internal systems and highlight any issue the boat may have so you have peace of mind that you know exactly what you are buying.
Having the correct paperwork in place when you buy your day cruiser is important. This includes ownership papers, insurance, boat safety certificate etc. Make sure you have all of these in place when you buy.