Hello all,
It was recommended in my boat search thread that I truly consider the cost of operating and maintaining a larger trawler. Here are my numbers, and peramaters given the intended boat being on the horizon:
52' single engine, FD hull.
Maintenance: $8,000-$16,000
1-2% of new boat cost (seems that many avg. 1.1% of new, $8,800)
...am I even on the ballpark?
Maintenance is the area I'd suggest a bit more work. Now many things need to talked about first. Single engine you say. What about generator? Watermaker?
Then on maintenance, it's not just the routine expenses, it's the major ones. Many budget based on routine and find themselves in trouble when they need to rebuild or replace an engine. Location will somewhat determine the frequency of bottom cleaning and of bottom painting.
Now so much depends on what you do yourself and where you are, but here are some numbers is our area for a boat that size. Hauling $520. Pressure cleaning $210, Blocking $210. There are some marinas that won't allow divers to clean so you'd incur that cost each time.
Again, in our area you need to clean a bottom monthly.
Now to bottom painting, $2,100 - $3,000 for a boat that size. Obviously if you do it yourself much less but don't forget to add in yard time.
I would probably budget $3000-4000 per year toward engine rebuilds. If you have a generator maybe $1500 a year toward rebuilds.
On a boat that size you may well be talking stabilizers and thrusters and they cost to maintain. $1000 a year to maintain a watermaker.
And then painting your deck, replacing teak if any, redoing your interior.
Considering all factors and doing no work myself, I calculated about $33,000 per year for a similarly sized boat. Regardless, just make sure each year you're saving for the "Big One."
Here is a calculator you might try just for fun. Now, it's really designed for boats 80' and up so it's accuracy on smaller boats is not great, but a fun exercise.
https://luxyachts.com/management/operatingcostcalculator