Hi Folks, Couldn't find a similar thread, hope this is in the right place. Looking to buy a used 45-50' MY or convertible, to be berthed in San Diego. Budget probably puts me in the 15-30 year age range. Trying to get a feel for ownership cost in this area, exclusive of fuel and slip. I have no experience with boat ownership other than a seadoo. I'm handy with tools and things mechanical, so I can probably take care of some light maintenance myself. The Navy left me with some ship-handling skills (trained on 100' twin screw boats at one point) and also diving skills so I assume I can do inspections and maybe hull cleaning? I would assume maybe 100-150 hours per year, at slow to moderate cruise. Any ballpark swag as to likely routine mx costs? And how much annual reserve should I budget for bigger expenses down the road? Registration fees or taxes? TIA!
I'm further north so can't help with local costs, but in the LA area, bottom cleaning on my 43 Mikelson was around $70/month (probably more now since that was 2020). My 62 Offshore costs $130 to clean the bottom, not including the occasionally higher amount for zincs and thrusters. I'd say figure on at least $3 per foot per month all in for that. Also if you're having the boat washed twice a month (what I do), that's probably another $200 or so per month. Also figure on waxing at least once a year, maybe more. That's probably another $1500 or so annual. Keep in mind these are all approximations. I could be way off. Also, my sense is bottom cleaning is cheap enough that, even if you could do it, you'd probably not want to do it. Property taxes will be around 1.25% of the purchase price (ballpark) annually. Don't forget about use tax if you're not buying an entity that owns the boat. That could be around 8% of the purchase price (San Diego has a lower tax rate than LA), one time. Annual Coast Guard fee (assuming this is a documented boat) is minimal. Your big variables will be maintenance and repairs/improvements. You're going to want to change fluids and filters once a year (that's what I did), maybe more. Zincs 1-2x per year. Repairs depends on what breaks. I'd probably budget ~$30k-$50k per year for everything. Stuff always comes up. Canvas/see-through plastic wears out, batteries go bad, pumps fail, etc. That $30k-$50k is nothing but a guess. Could be more (a lot more), could be less. Doing the work yourself would save a ton and would drive that number way down. Also if the boat has certain Cat power, you may need to budget in changing aftercoolers every 6 years, depending on when last changed and whether you want to comply with Cat advice. That gets expensive. I'm doing mine now. Best of luck!
Move to Oregon, no sales tax, no excise/use tax, no property tax. Wait, it it covered in frozen rain right now and San Diego probably not, never mind. 50' MY expenses other than moorage and insurance. Like Luv I do not was my boats so about $150/mo for every two weeks exterior wash. I have the crew wax the hull and topsides twice a year, I find once a year to be just not as awesome. Right about $2K each time for 50' Diving, you got that, andode/"zincs" AKA diver's dream, you go that, boat zincs dot com or what ever and that becomes incidental. Engine and genset fluids and filters are 1 or 2 times per year depending on use. That is a lot of oil, you can price that out. Impeller yearly usually. I find the stuff to be careful about is the upgrades that will be temping. New anchor, new chain, new hatches, new paint, new varnish, the sky is the limit. Fuel is the big deal for me. I see folks type YMMV. Well, if that stands for Your Mileage May Vary, you get the idea. And if you are thnking of running around fishing with this Convertible, you will be at the fuel dock.
Looking at several boats now. A 2002 Maxum 46 SCB does not have a lower helm station. What are opinions on that? Intend to do some island trips, so 5-8 hours cruise in SOCAL waters. But no plans or need to be at sea in inclement weather.
If it’s the limited edition model with a hardtop, and you have a good polycarbonate enclosure, you’ll run the boat from the flybridge 100% of the time anyway. It’s quieter. Visibility is much better. And you get more room in the salon. And FYI- That’s a better boat with 450 hp C series Cummins than it is with 370 hp B series.
The Maxum 46 was a pretty good boat, well built. definitely need C series…. With a good enclosure, you don’t really need a lower helm.
That’s a lot of repairs on a boat that looks to be $200k or so now. Granted, that’s based on a lot higher original price but still a lot comparatively.
Not sure what repairs you're referring to. I didn't provide a number for repairs only. My number was for repairs and improvements. It's a budget. If he doesn't spend it, great, but that's a number that I think is reasonable for repairs and improvements a 45-50 ft MY or convertible that is 15-30 years old. Depends on a lot of factors, including how **** the person is about keeping their boat in good shape. From what I've seen there are people who spend a lot more and some who hardly spend anything. Bottom paint/prop speed (if desired), zincs, electronics, dock lines, fenders, stabilizer rebuilds/upgrades if applicable (and other hydraulics), isinglass, canvas, cushions, headliners, water maker maintenance, water filters, shaft seals, impellers, generator(s) maintenance, steering systems and more in addition to engine fluids and various hoses. Not to mention the possible rebuild/replacement of turbos, exhaust and cooling systems. This is all stuff tends to require attention at some point. At least I'd budget something for it. Again, if not used great. Also, if a 45-50 ft motor yacht is $200k my guess is it will need more, not less, work than a more expensive version of the same boat. Curious, what do you think a reasonable budget would be?
I wasn’t saying there was anything wrong with your budget, more so saying that’s a large number for the acquisition price and something I think many oversee when acquiring an older boat.
Found a 1994 46' OA CMY which was in significantly nicer cosmetic condition than the Maxum, under contract for the OA now. Sea trial, survey, etc on the 23rd. Cat 3208's.