The purchase price is the question everyone asks first, but it is the running costs that decide whether a yacht is affordable. This guide gives realistic price ranges by type and size, then breaks down the ownership costs — berthing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, crew and depreciation — so you can budget for the whole picture, not just the sticker. All figures are broad market guidance, not live quotes; use MarineDirect to see real current prices.
It’s not just the sticker price
Two boats with the same price tag can cost wildly different amounts to own. A sailing yacht and a planing motor yacht of the same length sit worlds apart on fuel; a catamaran costs more to berth than a monohull. So think in two numbers: the purchase price, and the annual cost of ownership. Budget for both before you buy.
Purchase price by type and size
Sailing yachts: a good used 35 to 40-foot production cruiser runs roughly €60,000 to €200,000; new ones about €200,000 to €500,000; performance, bluewater and luxury yachts climb well beyond.
Motor yachts: usable used 40 to 50-foot flybridges start around €150,000 to €500,000; new 50 to 60-footers about €1 million to €2.5 million; 70 ft and up runs into several million. Catamarans: used cruising cats from roughly €150,000 to €300,000, new 40 to 45-footers about €400,000 to €700,000, and 50 ft-plus over €800,000. Superyachts are a separate market entirely, from a few million upward.
The upfront extras beyond the price
Budget for VAT where it applies (a large sum on a new or VAT-unpaid boat), the survey and sea trial, delivery or transport, commissioning and any immediate fixes, and registration and flagging costs. On a new boat, add electronics, canvas and extras that are rarely all included in the headline price.
Annual running costs — the rule of thumb
A common industry rule of thumb is that running a boat costs somewhere around ten percent of its value per year once everything is counted — more for a demanding motor yacht, less for a simple sailing boat. Treat that as a starting estimate, then build it up from the real line items below.
The core annual costs are: marina berth, insurance, antifouling and servicing, engine and systems maintenance, winter storage, and fuel — plus crew on larger yachts.
Fuel — the biggest variable
Fuel separates the categories more than anything else. A sailing yacht barely uses it. A displacement or long-range motor yacht is efficient. A planing flybridge at cruising speed can burn serious money per hour. If you plan to cover distance under power, fuel alone can justify choosing a more efficient hull.
Berthing and storage
A marina berth is priced by length (and beam, for catamarans) and is markedly more expensive in prime Mediterranean spots and peak season. Annual contracts are cheaper per night than transient rates. Add winter storage ashore, and remember that cat-friendly and large berths can be scarce — book ahead.
Crew — when you need it
Below roughly 55 to 60 feet most owners run the boat themselves. Above that, and especially above 70 feet, you will usually want at least a captain, and larger yachts need permanent crew — a significant annual cost in wages, accommodation and food. If crew is not in the budget, keep the boat to a size you can handle.
Depreciation, resale and charter
New boats lose the most value in their first years; well-kept used boats from strong brands hold value far better, which is a big argument for buying quality used. Chartering a popular model can offset part of the cost, but between management fees, wear and (on motor yachts) fuel, treat charter as help toward the bills rather than a boat that pays for itself. Read our charter-income guide before counting on it.
Finding boats in your budget on MarineDirect
Set a price range in the filters and compare real, current listings by type, length and location, then use our buying, survey, VAT and cost guides to pressure-test whether a boat fits not just your purchase budget but your ownership budget too.
Često postavljana pitanja
Very broadly: used 35 to 40-foot sailing cruisers €60,000 to €200,000; used 40 to 50-foot motor yachts €150,000 to €500,000; used cruising catamarans from about €150,000; new 50-foot motor yachts €1 million-plus; and superyachts from several million upward. MarineDirect shows real current prices for each type and size.
A useful rule of thumb is around ten percent of the boat’s value per year once berthing, insurance, maintenance, servicing, storage and fuel are counted — higher for a hard-used motor yacht, lower for a simple sailing boat. Above about 70 feet, crew adds substantially on top.
A well-kept used sailing yacht or small cruiser from a mainstream builder, kept to a size you can handle yourself, on an annual berth rather than transient rates. Sailing yachts avoid big fuel bills, and buying quality used avoids the steepest depreciation. Shared ownership or a smaller boat used more often also lowers the cost per trip.
It can offset a meaningful share on popular, well-chosen models placed with a good management company — but rarely all of it once management fees, wear and (on motor yachts) fuel are counted. Plan on charter helping with the bills, not eliminating them.
In the EU, boats used by EU residents generally need to be VAT-paid, and VAT is a large sum on a new or VAT-unpaid boat. VAT status is one of the most important things to confirm before buying, especially on a used or imported boat — see our VAT guide, and always verify the paperwork.
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