Free tool
Boat ownership cost calculator
Boats are famously cheaper to buy than to keep. Set your boat type, size and where you’ll keep it, and this calculator estimates the true annual cost of ownership — mooring, insurance, maintenance, licences, fuel and winter jobs — for the UK and Ireland.
Cruising or racing yacht with an inboard diesel
Estimated running cost
about £646/month — likely range £6,354–£9,454
- Mooring / berthing£4,300
Marina berth at ~£430/m/yr
- Insurance£395
Third-party + hull estimate
- Maintenance & antifouling£1,900
Yard labour assumed
- Engine servicing£299
Annual service & consumables
- Harbour dues / registration£90
Dues, SSR, safety kit checks
- Fuel£195
50 hrs/yr @ 3 L/hr
- Lift-out, launch & winter jobs£360
Craning, pressure-wash, storage
- Safety gear & consumables£210
Lifejackets, flares, ropes (amortised)
Estimates only, based on typical 2026 UK figures. Actual costs vary by boat, marina, insurer and how much you do yourself. Not financial advice — always get quotes before buying.
What goes into the cost of owning a boat?
The purchase price is only the start. The ongoing running costs below are what catch most first-time owners out — and they apply whether or not you ever leave the marina.
- Mooring or berthing — usually the largest cost. Marina berths are priced per metre per year; swinging moorings, trailers and inland moorings are much cheaper.
- Insurance — typically 0.7–1.5% of the boat’s value a year, with a minimum premium.
- Maintenance & antifouling — annual antifoul, servicing, seacocks, sails or upholstery. Budget more for older boats; less if you do the work yourself.
- Engine servicing — an annual service for an outboard or inboard diesel, plus oil, filters and impellers.
- Licences & registration — a Canal & River Trust or Environment Agency licence for inland waterways, or harbour dues and SSR registration on the coast.
- Fuel — depends entirely on how much you use the boat and how thirsty the engine is.
- Lift-out & winter storage — craning, pressure-washing and ashore storage over winter.
- Depreciation — new boats lose value fastest in the first few years; used boats hold value far better.
Average UK mooring costs (per metre, per year)
Mooring is nearly always quoted per metre of boat length. Indicative 2026 figures:
| Type of mooring | Most of UK & Ireland | South coast / South East |
|---|---|---|
| Marina berth (serviced pontoon) | £430–£470/m | £500–£620/m |
| Swinging mooring (buoy) | £90–£110/m | £120–£140/m |
| Inland / river leisure mooring | £200–£240/m | £280–£320/m |
| Dry stack | £380/m | £470/m |
| Trailer / at home | ~£180/yr | ~£180/yr |
How to cut the cost of boat ownership
- Rethink the berth. Swapping a marina berth for a swinging mooring or trailer can save thousands a year — often the single biggest lever.
- Do your own antifouling. Materials plus a haul-out cost a fraction of a full yard job.
- Buy used. Let someone else absorb the steep early depreciation of a new boat.
- Right-size the boat. Every extra metre adds to mooring, antifoul, insurance and licence costs.
- Share it. A syndicate or shared ownership spreads the fixed costs across several owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to own a boat in the UK per year?+
As a rough rule of thumb, budget around 10–20% of a boat’s value per year in running costs once you add up mooring, insurance, maintenance, licences, fuel and winter storage. A trailer-kept RIB might cost £1,500–£3,000 a year, a 10m coastal yacht on a marina berth £5,000–£9,000, and a large motor cruiser considerably more. Use the calculator above for a figure tailored to your boat.
What is the biggest cost of owning a boat?+
For most owners it is where the boat is kept. A serviced marina berth is typically priced per metre per year and is usually the single largest line item — often £430–£620 per metre annually, so £4,300–£6,200 for a 10m boat. Keeping a boat on a swinging mooring, on a trailer at home, or on inland waterways dramatically reduces this cost.
How much is a marina berth in the UK?+
Annual marina berthing is quoted per metre. Expect roughly £380–£470 per metre in much of the UK and Ireland, rising to £500–£620+ per metre on the busy south coast and South East. Many marinas add VAT and charges for electricity, so always check what is included.
Do you need a licence to own a boat in the UK?+
On the coast there is no annual national licence, though you may pay harbour dues and should register with the SSR or Part 1 register. On inland waterways you need a licence from the navigation authority — the Canal & River Trust or Environment Agency — priced mainly by boat length, typically £800–£1,300 a year for a narrowboat.
How much does boat insurance cost?+
Leisure boat insurance is usually 0.7%–1.5% of the boat’s value per year, with a minimum premium. A £30,000 yacht might cost £250–£450 a year to insure; higher-value or high-performance craft cost more. Third-party-only cover is cheaper but many marinas require a minimum level of cover.
How can I reduce the cost of owning a boat?+
The biggest savings come from where you keep it (a swinging mooring or trailer instead of a marina berth), doing your own antifouling and routine maintenance, choosing a smaller or simpler boat, and buying used rather than new to avoid steep early depreciation. Sharing ownership or joining a syndicate also spreads the fixed costs.
Ready to find your boat?
Browse boats, engines and gear for sale across the UK & Ireland — or read our in-depth guides on buying, mooring and running a boat.