How Much Does a Sailboat Really Cost? From Beater to Bluewater

When we bought our first boat, Kittiwake, we had no idea what we were getting into financially. She was cheap, she was charming, and within a year we’d outgrown her, trading up to Skua, a 37ft Tayana bluewater monohull, and a whole new set of numbers to wrap our heads around.

That’s the thing about sailboat prices: the number on the listing is just the beginning of the story. Between surveys, insurance, dockage, and the maintenance bills that never seem to stop, the real cost of owning a sailboat can look very different from the asking price.

We’ve lived through both ends of the spectrum…..the scrappy fixer-upper and the proper liveaboard cruiser, so in this post, we’re breaking down exactly what you can expect to pay, with real examples and real numbers from our own boats and others on the market today.

So, Just How Much Does a Sailboat Cost?

Now, just how much does a sailboat cost? This is not an easy question to answer because there are sailboats for sale for all budgets – from a few thousand to over a million dollars.

Here are a few examples to wrap your head around:

Type	Typical Price
Small daysailer (20–25ft)	$3,000–$30,000
Coastal cruiser (30–35ft)	$20,000–$150,000
Older bluewater cruiser (35–40ft)	$40,000–$150,000
Modern liveaboard monohull	$150,000–$600,000+
Cruising catamaran	$150,000–$1m+

There are some key elements that affect a sailboat’s price.

These include the kind of boat you need, her size and whether she’s new or used. Each of these factors dramatically changes the price range you’re looking at.

Can You Really Buy a Sailboat for $10,000?

Yes, you can. In fact, you can buy a sailboat for much less than that.

The real question is whether you’ll be happy with what you get.

There are plenty of boats on the market for $5,000-$20,000, especially older vessels that need some work. 

Here’s a rough idea of what different budgets can buy.

What Does $5,000 Get You?

At this price point, you’ll find everything from well-loved older daysailers and small coastal cruisers to vessels that have been neglected, damaged by hurricanes, or left sitting in a yard for years.

If you’re handy with tools and enjoy big DIY projects, a $5,000 boat can be a great way to get started.

What Does $10,000 Get You?

A budget of around $10,000 opens up more options.

You might be able to find an older boat between 22ft and 27ft that is ready to sail, although it will likely still need some upgrades and repairs.

What Does $20,000 Get You?

With $20,000, you can start looking at larger cruising boats, including some older liveaboard and bluewater designs.

But don’t assume that spending more automatically means fewer problems. Many boats in this price range are 30 to 50 years old and may still need a lot of repairs or expensive upgrades.

Now, we’ll take a look at the various factors that influence the cost of a sailboat.

Liveaboard vs Weekender vs Daysailer

First of all, you need to decide what you’ll use the sailboat for: are you going to live on board? Will you just take her out at the weekend? Will you sleep onboard or go home for the night?

You need to make a decision on this early on because the sailboat price between these three kinds of boats varies wildly.

Here are some examples to consider when figuring out just how much a sailboat costs.

• Typically, a daysailer will be around 20-24ft and will only feature a little cabin where you can shelter from the elements and make a cup of coffee.
• A weekender is generally 26-35ft long and will have bunks and a v-berth, a small heads (bathroom), a small saloon and a modest galley.
• A liveaboard sailboat is usually between 27ft and 55ft (or, if you dare, even bigger) and features a decent-sized berth, decent heads, a couple of sea berths, a saloon, a galley, and, sometimes, even guest cabins.

You’ll also need to consider the kind of sailing you’ll want to do – coastal or bluewater. Sailing near the coast means you’re never too far from help.

An ocean-going sailboat requires a solid construction, a deeper draft to steady her in rough seas, a safe design with plenty of handholds and lots of additional gear.

So, just how much a sailboat costs will largely have to do with your goals and plans.

Our first boat was a 26ft Heavenly Twins catamaran called Kittiwake. She was lovely, but lacked headroom, so we upgraded to Skua, a Tayana. Skua is a 37ft bluewater monohull and features a lot more living space and a much gentler movement underway.

Monohull vs Catamaran

Whether you buy a monohull or a catamaran also makes a price difference to the overall question of how much does a sailboat cost. Catamarans typically cost more, as they have two of everything: two hulls, two engines and two keels.

Catamarans tend to be more spacious and offer more amenities than monohulls of the same size, which means a higher sailboat price. A huge advantage of catamarans is that they don’t roll.

Monohulls are more compact and they can roll; however they usually sail better against the wind and bounce less underway. With the new deck saloon models on the market, you can get that open-space, bright interior feel even on monohulls these days.

Size

Once you’ve chosen the type of sailboat you want, you’ll need to consider size. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the boat, the cheaper it is. But of course, you’ll also need to consider the age of the vessel.

New Vs Used Sailboats

Just like with cars, the price of new sailboats is more than that of second-hand ones.

Buying a brand-new sailboat means you get to choose all the gear and options on board, but you’ll need to wait for production and delivery times – typically a few months to a year.

Buying a used sailboat means getting a proven design that’s already geared up with all the essentials. You’ll probably need to make some adjustments to make the boat fit your needs, but this is usually an enjoyable process.

With used sailboats, you also need to consider age. Older boats tend to be cheaper and in need of more work, but if well-maintained and recently upgraded, they can be a bargain. The condition of the boat is therefore extremely important.

The price of newer sailboats is way more and usually require a smaller maintenance investment, but they may need a lot of upgrades.

For example, a lot of 10-year-old boats never had any gear replaced and suddenly a lot of things will need renewing, such as the standing rigging, sails and the electronics. These sailboat costs quickly add up.

The Hidden Expenses of Sailboat Ownership

Buying a sailboat is a bit like buying a house – there are lots of hidden and ongoing costs. Let’s look at what these are.

The Survey Before You Buy a Boat

During the purchase process, if you’re buying used, you’ll need to pay for a survey and, sometimes, a haul-out.

Given the investment you’re putting in and the costs involved in owning a boat, it’s always best to hire a surveyor to inspect the vessel. The survey will reveal whether there’s anything that needs fixing or renewing on board and how important it is to the boat’s seaworthiness.

The cost of a survey varies from a few hundred bucks to over a thousand dollars, depending on the size of the boat, how in-depth you’d like the document to be, and whether the surveyor needs to travel to the boat.

This expense will always be worth your peace of mind and you can easily recover it by knocking the price of the boat down, citing the survey findings.

Surveying our 26ft catamaran in the UK cost us £350 – the surveyor lived just down the road and the owner simply dried the boat out at low tide.

Our second survey on the 37ft monohull in Spain cost us €850, including travel expenses.The surveyor lived three hours away and used his own car. Luckily, we didn’t have to pay for the haul out – that would have cost another €800.

Dockage and Storage Fees

Unless you plan to live on board and anchor out 365 days a year, you will need to consider mooring and storage costs when purchasing a sailboat.

The bigger the boat, the more it costs to dock. Catamarans are charged one and a half to two times more than the equivalent-length monohull, to account for their beam (width).

The main options you have for dockage are marinas, yacht clubs, mooring fields and boat yards. Prices for these vary a lot based on their location and amenities.

Typically, a mooring ball or a yacht club slip will cost less than a marina stay. Yard storage rates can be cheap, but you’ll need to add haul out costs, as well as other extras, such as chocking.

For example, a night in a beautiful marina for a 40ft monohull in the Caribbean island of Grenada, during hurricane season, typically costs $1.5 per foot per night.

Ongoing Sailboat Maitenence Costs

The biggest expense associated with owning a sailboat is maintenance. New and old boats alike need to be looked after – from antifouling and wood varnishing to replacing the rigging and anchor chain. There’s always a boat jobs list going; it never ends.

As a rule of thumb, the smaller and simpler the boat, the more economical it will be to maintain.

People typically recommend a yearly budget of 10-30% of the boat’s value. However, this can be inaccurate.

It all depends on the condition of the boat, the age of the gear, the upgrades you need to make, whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional, and the area you are in when carrying it out.

There are too many variables and unexpected breakages involved. The sea is a rough environment.

As you can see the question of how much does a sailboat cost ends up being hard to answer as there are so many other costs to add up!

After purchasing our 26ft catamaran built in the 70s for cheap, we had to put in the equivalent to her purchase price into two separate refits.

With our 37ft monohull, we have invested the equivalent to 50% of her purchase price into maintenance and upgrades in the first two years. We did all the work ourselves, DIY.

Insuring Your Sailboat

Of course, you’ll need insurance. No marina or yard will allow you in without having at least third-party liability.

And with the risk of the boat sinking, being hit by lightning, losing the rig, dragging into another boat, and more, you’ll want to be covered.

Insurance costs depend a lot on the underwriter, the boat’s age and condition, the area you choose to cruise in, and more.

Typically, insurance companies quote anywhere between 1 and 5% of the purchase price, or of the survey-assessed value. Always read the fine print, as you may not be insured on ocean crossings, during named storms, and more.

We used to purchase full insurance for our 26ft catamaran for cruising in the Mediterranean for a mere £350 per year.

Now that we are in the Caribbean on our 37ft monohull, we pay £1,100. However, we are only covered against tropical storm damage in Trinidad and the ABCs.

The Real Cost Of Buying A Sailboat: Your First Year

When budgeting for a sailboat, it’s important to remember that the purchase price is only the beginning.

Even a well-maintained sailboat will usually need a few upgrades or repairs before she’s ready for your adventures.

As a very rough guide, buying a $50,000 sailboat could involve:

• Survey: $500-$1,500
• Initial repairs and upgrades: $5,000-$20,000+
• Safety equipment: $1,000-$5,000
• Insurance: $500-$2,500 per year
• Dockage, moorings, or storage: highly variable depending on location

Of course, these numbers can vary enormously.

Examples of Various Price Points of Popular Sailboats

Still wondering exactly how much a sailboat costs? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s some examples of sailboat costs, so you can get a good idea of what to expect for your money.

Catalina 22

Price: $3,500-$22,000, used
Type: monohull, daysailer

The Catalina 22 is an iconic American daysailer and the perfect small boat to start sailing on. You can buy her pretty cheap and there’s a wealth of information on maintaining this model online, as well as an active owners’ community.

Tayana 37

Price: $20,000-$80,000, used
Type: monohull, bluewater liveaboard

Designed by the legendary Bob Perry, the Tayana 37 is a fantastic bluewater cruiser with a deep draft and lots of beautiful teak above and below decks. These boats have sailed all over the world and have an excellent reputation. You can buy a cutter, ketch and pilot house version.

Island Packet 380

Price: $100,000-$180,000, used
Type: monohull, bluewater liveaboard

The Island Packet 380 is a popular cruising sailboat known for its comfortable interior, spacious storage, and solid construction. Designed with long-distance cruising in mind, it features a full keel, a protected cockpit, and a practical layout. While it won’t win any races, it has earned a loyal following among sailors looking for a safe and comfortable boat for extended cruising.

Hallberg-Rassy 40

Price: $210,000-$300,000, used
Type: monohull, bluewater liveaboard

The Hallberg-Rassy 40 is a highly regarded bluewater cruising yacht known for its quality construction and comfortable interior. Built for long-distance sailing, it combines solid offshore performance with the practical features many liveaboard sailors look for.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS

Price: $120,000-$180,000, used
Type: monohull, coastal liveaboard

The Sun Odyssey 42DS is a popular model designed with a cruiser’s comfort in mind. If you’re looking for a modern boat for coastal sailing that is also affordable, this one fits the bill.

Pearson 424

Price: $28,000-$70,000, used
Type: monohull, bluewater liveaboard

Built in the 1970s and 1980s, the Pearson 424 has a great reputation for offshore capability. It offers an affordable entry point into long-distance cruising and liveaboard life.

Amel 50

Price: $1,100,000, new
Type: monohull, bluewater liveaboard

Amel is a French manufacturer that builds popular bluewater sailboats. The YouTube channel SV Delos has made it famous. Their newest model, the Amel 50, features a bright, luxurious interior and all the latest gadgets.

Ovni 445

Price: $450,000-500,000, used, $600,000, new
Type: monohull, bluewater liveaboard

Ovni sailboats are regarded as serious, go-anywhere bluewater liveaboards. The 445 offers a super spacious interior, along with ample storage space. The long waterline helps make it comfortable in rougher seas.

Lagoon 380

Price: $400,000 new, $130,000-$350,000 used
Type: catamaran, bluewater-capable liveaboard

The Lagoon 380 is one of the most popular catamarans out there, partly because it can be bought used for fairly cheap (for a cat!). While it won’t break any speed records, it’s a comfortable liveaboard boat loved by many.

Lagoon 42 sailboat price

Price: $115,000-$600,000, used, $600,000 new
Type: catamaran, bluewater-capable liveaboard

The Lagoon 42 is a hugely popular cruising catamaran that has become a common sight in marinas and anchorages around the world. Designed with comfort and liveability in mind, it offers a bright, spacious interior, generous outdoor living areas, and plenty of room for extended cruising.

Outremer 45

Price: $757,000 new
Type: catamaran, performance bluewater liveaboard

If you’ve ever watched Sailing La Vagabonde on YouTube, you may have noticed they sail an Outremer 45. This catamaran is a beautiful, fast ocean crosser. The hulls are narrow for speed, and therefore less spacious than those of some other modern catamarans.

Leopard 46 sailboat price

Price: $300,000-$450,000, used
Type: catamaran, bluewater-capable liveaboard

The Leopard 46 is a very popular catamaran that blends performance with comfort. The hulls are wide above the waterline and narrow below it, offering both speed and living space.

Check out these tips on the best things to wear while sailing!

If you’re on a budget, take a look at this video my husband and I created about how to get a dirt cheap sailboat. Our boat is a solid, bluewater cruiser that just needed a little love to get back to her previous glory.

Red Flags To Look Out For When Viewing A Sailboat

Not every issue is a deal breaker, but some can quickly turn a cheap boat into an expensive project.

• Soft decks: May indicate water damage inside the deck core, which can be costly to repair
• Old standing rigging: If it hasn’t been replaced in many years, a costly replacement may be due soon
• Water ingress: Look for stains, mould, damp lockers, and signs of leaks around hatches and windows
• Engine neglect: Ask for service records and look for signs that routine maintenance has been ignored
• DIY electrical systems: Untidy or poorly installed wiring can be difficult and expensive to put right
• Lack of paperwork: Always ask for proof of ownership and records of maintenance and major upgrades

Final Thoughts on Buying Your Dream Sailboat

Sailboat prices vary massively, based on the size, age, condition and type. There’s a boat for every budget – you just need to figure out the kind you need and what models fit your requirements to answer the question ‘how much does a sailboat cost’ for you.