Do boats go up or down in value?

As we mentioned, boats depreciate over time , much like cars. Unless it has some collector's value, a 15-year-old boat isn't going to be worth much, no matter how valued it was in its prime. The brand is probably more of a factor than it should be.

How do I find the value of my boat?

Much like the Kelly Blue Book is used for valuing automobiles, there are three main price guides used for valuing boats: NADA Marine Appraisal Guide, BoatWizard's SoldBoats database, and the ABOS Marine Blue Book .

Do boats lose value quickly?

Depreciation is an insidious force that can erode your boat's resale value over time. The depreciation curve is particularly steep in the initial years of ownership, with some boats losing up to half their value within the first five years .

What increases the value of a boat?

Regular engine maintenance, low engine hours, and documentation of service records can enhance a boat's marketability and resale value. Buyers are more likely to invest in a boat with a well-documented maintenance and service history.

How do banks determine the value of a boat?

If you're taking out a secured loan, you may have to wait for a marine survey report . This report assesses the boat's value, similar to how a home appraisal estimates the value of a home. The lender will run a hard credit check and may ask you for additional documentation before finalizing your loan paperwork.

How much is the average boat worth?

While owning a boat can provide a sense of freedom and excitement that no other form of transportation can offer, it's not without costs— they can be more expensive than you anticipate, and not just at purchase. The average purchase price of a 20-foot boat is between $10,000 and $60,000 .

What is actual cash value of a boat?

Actual Cash Value An ACV policy provides coverage up to the current market value of the vessel in the event of a total loss , taking into account depreciation and the condition of the boat at the time of the loss.

Are boats a good investment?

From a financial perspective, you will almost always lose money on a boat. You should never approach buying a boat as a money-making or investment growth opportunity . Even on a business purchase, a break-even is difficult, and operating expenses are high.

Are boats still in high demand?

The boating market reached full normalization in 2023, and this year continues to show similar trends. As high interest rates and inflation persist, consumer demand continues to wane , with global searches related to boat purchasing dropping by 7.6% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

Is it a good time to sell a boat?

Generally, the best time to list your yacht for sale is during the spring or early summer, between February and June .

At what rate do boats depreciate?

Boat depreciation occurs the fastest during the first few years of ownership, and this trend is more drastic when you are buying a new boat. As a general rule, anticipate about 10% to 15% depreciation after the first year of use and up to 40% by the 10th year of use .

The Bigger the Boat, the Bigger the Price Increase

Posted April 11, 2023

In Price Digests Blog

Increases are Highest for Outboards

Year-over-year, outboard MSRP values increased by 62%, with large, expensive boatssuch as Sportsfisherman, Sports Cruisers, and Sports Roundabouts, all averaging MSRP upwards of $300,000, skewing the data upward. Looking at the most popular subtypes for this category—center consoles and fish and ski boats—we can see how prices for smaller options rose at a slower pace than those for larger items.

Chart 1: Outboard MSRP Values 2021-2023

While prices for small center consoles rose by 3%, medium sized center consoles rose by 26%. Values for fish and ski boats followed a similar trajectory. Small fish and ski boat prices rose by 22% and medium-sized fish and ski boats rose by 28%.

Sterndrives See the Second-Highest Increase

Sterndrive boat values have risen 22% compared to last year. When we look at the most popular subtypes—runabouts and ski boats—we see the same trends that we do with outboards.

Chart 2: Small, Medium Ski and Runabouts MSRP Values 2021-2023

Small runabout boat MSRP values have increased by 1%, while medium-sized runabout values increased by 11%. Prices for small ski boats increased by 3% year-over-year, while medium-sized ski boats increased by 18%.

Price Increases for Pontoon Boats Reverse the Trend

Pontoon boat values, which rose by 7% year-over-year, didn’t follow the same trend as outboards and sterndrives. Pontoon boats come in three sizes, in order from smallest to largest: subcompact 0-20 feet, compact 21-30 feet, and small (which is actually pretty large!) 31-40 feet. Subcompact MSRP prices rose 14% between 2022 and 2023, while compact and small prices rose 7% each.

Chart 3: Pontoon Boat MSRP Values 2021-2023.
Small = 31-40 ft., Compact = 21-30 ft., Subcompact = 0-20 ft.

Interest in Boating is Still High, and Inventories are Returning to Normal

According to boat dealers, rising prices and interest rates are causes for concern, but they haven’t completely diminished interest in boating. In its most recent survey of boat dealers, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas found that many reported strong interest at winter boat shows. And inventory levels seem to finally be rebounding. Fifty-eight percent of new boat dealers said they have too much inventory.

Boat Values by Price Digests

Interested in the value of your boats? Price Digests’ boat values application is powered by the ABOS Marine Blue Book® and supplies values and specs for boats, personal watercraft, outboard engine, and boat trailers. Check it out.

2023 values, ABOS Marine Blue Book, api, Boat Values, insurance

Lisa Djahed

The Bigger the Boat, the Bigger the Price Increase - Price Digests (2025)