How Much Does a Speed Boat Cost?

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Last Updated on March 8, 2025 by Paul Clayton

How Much Does a Speed Boat Cost?

Buying a boat for yourself with all the luxuries and amenities is an exciting prospect. But, if you’re planning to buy a speed boat, the cost is one of the biggest hurdles you will face.

Key Takeaways:

1. 1. Speed Boat Cost Overview:

      • Outboard speed boats are generally more affordable, starting at $60,000.
      • Inboard boats are costlier due to maintenance challenges and limited availability.
      • High-performance speed boats can range from $100,000 to over $1,000,000.

   2. Factors Influencing Cost:

      • Boat Style & Design: Basic models cost around $100,000, while luxurious cruisers can exceed six figures.
      • Boat Size: Smaller boats are cheaper in terms of purchase price and ongoing maintenance costs.
      • Brand & Performance: Well-known brands and high-performance engines raise the price significantly.

   3. Additional Ownership Costs:

      • Docking/Mooring Fees: $100–$500 monthly ($1,000–$10,000 annually).
      • Trailer Expenses: $2,000–$10,000 for towing, depending on boat size.
      • Winterization: Essential for boats stored during cold months.
      • Fuel Costs: Can reach $15,000 per year, depending on use.
      • Insurance & Licensing: Insurance costs $100–$500 annually; a boating license is required.

   4. Popular Speed Boat Models & Prices:

      • Bayliner VR5 Bowrider – $43,000 (good for fishing & cruising).
      • Ranger 212LS – $85,000 (small, efficient, but limited power).
      • Chaparral 210 Suncoast – $50,000 (versatile & stylish).
      • Sea Ray SLX 260 – $100,000+ (luxury inboard with premium features).
      • G3 Boats Bay 20 – $47,000 (budget-friendly fishing boat).

   5. Buying on a Budget:

      • Boat Financing: Loans are available through banks and marine lenders.
      • Buying Used Boats: Second-hand models can save thousands if they are properly inspected.
      • Boat Shows: Great deals and promotions from marine dealers.

However, let’s face it: nothing cruises the water better than a high-end speed boat. While you can call yourself a boat-owner even if you have a small dinghy, you’ll need to stretch your budget for a speed boat.

I hate to break it to you, but the cost of a speedboat does not end with the purchase. If you plan to own a boat in the long term, you must pay for many other factors.

So, how much does a speedboat cost? I’ve compiled all the information you need here, with famous examples to answer your question. Let’s dive in!

How Much Does a Speed Boat Cost? – Inboard Vs. Outboard

Before discussing speed boat prices, you’ll need to know which type of speed boat you want. Speed boats are mainly of two basic types: inboard and outboard. An inboard speedboat has its motor fitted inside its exterior.

On the contrary, an outboard speedboat has its engine or motor placed outside its shell. This engine stays in the water while the boat is moving.

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If you choose an inboard speed boat, you should expect a sudden hike in your price range. That’s because these speed boats are expensive and hard to maintain. Their engine parts are fitted inside the exterior, making it difficult to reach and conduct repairs when needed.

Most importantly, you won’t find many inboard boats in the market because of the lack of demand. Besides, even if you own one, you won’t find inboard boat parts from many manufacturers, which means further expenses.

Moreover, inboard boats don’t have much space inside. So, if you plan to use your boat for family excursions, it’s not the ideal choice.

On the other hand, if you choose an outboard boat, not only will you get a wide range of options to choose from, but you’ll considerably reduce your expenses. These boats are easy to maintain, and you can take them out for parties and family getaways in the water.

As for the price, you can get an outboard speed boat for as low as $20,000. But, in the case of inboard speed boats, a simple model can cost you thousands of dollars.

Factors that Determine the Cost of Your Speed Boat

Now, you probably have a basic idea about how much a speedboat will cost you. But you should know that the price level varies with your chosen brand, model, and size. Here are some factors that might increase or lower your speed boat costs according to your choice.

Speed Boat Style and Design

The price of your speedboat depends significantly on the design and style you choose. As we mentioned, an outboard speedboat without a cabin can cost about $100,000, while larger models may come at a higher price.

A basic speedboat or powerboat is excellent for fishing or cruising around the water. So, if these features are enough for you, you can buy a speedboat at an affordable price.

However, if you go for faster and more efficient models, the price can increase by $10,000-$50,000. Even if you consider buying high-performance models secondhand, you should expect to pay around $50,000 to $100,000 for them.

There are also larger models with wooden interiors and plush seating arrangements. These speed boats are also known as cruisers, and if you buy them brand new, you can expect to pay six to seven figures. Although these models are also available secondhand, a well-maintained boat in good condition will still cost you six figures.

Speed Boat Size

Apart from the design and model, your speedboat’s size also plays an important price factor. Naturally, if you choose a small boat that accommodates only the driver, you can get it for far less than a cruiser designed for families and groups.

Besides, smaller speed boats will cost less in the long run, especially considering fuel and storage costs.

However, not all small speedboat models will fit your budget. Most high-performance speed boats from well-known brands will cost you a lot, even if they are small. You should consider all these factors while choosing an ideal speed boat.

Additional Speed Boat Costs

You cannot park a speedboat in your garage and forget about it after you purchase it. Like when you buy a road vehicle, there are many other costs and expenses involved when you buy a speedboat.

I’ve listed a few extra factors you must pay after paying for your boat. Check them out to see if you can afford to buy a speedboat.

Mooring or Docking Charges

You’ve bought a boat. Great. But that doesn’t mean you’ll spend all your time in the water. Instead, most personal boats spend 50% of their time parked or stored somewhere safely.

This means you’ll have to pay for storage expenses for your boat when you’re not using it. You can park your boat in your garage or your property if it is small enough.

However, this option is out of the question for larger boats. This is mainly because you won’t be able to find a trailer large enough to tow it when you need it, and it won’t fit in your garage, either.

For such speed boats, you’ll need to purchase harbor space where you can dock your boat. You should check with your local marina before buying a boat to find the rates. This will help you know how much the boat will cost you, even when unused.

Usually, docking spaces cost between $100 and $500 a month, depending on your area and your boat’s size. You can even pay these charges annually, meaning about $1000-$10,000 annually.

Additionally, if you’re considering parking your boat in a mooring range, you should get a boat lift. This keeps your boat from disintegrating in the water when it’s parked for extended intervals.

Trailer Expenses

On the other hand, if your boat is small enough to fit in your garage or any other property, you will have to invest in a trailer. You should consider this option, as buying a trailer is a one-time expense compared to monthly or yearly docking charges.

While docking your boat in the marina can cost you $2000-$10,000 per month, you can get a trailer in the same price range. However, a trailer is not an option if your boat is too large to tow along with another vehicle.

Mind you, towing your speed boat, big or small, every time you need it is also quite a hassle. If you don’t have a truck or car strong enough to tow your boat to the water, you might need to rent a towing vehicle, which might add to your overall costs.

If you want to choose expense over ease, then docking it somewhere else is a great idea. But, if you want a less expensive option, buy a trailer.

Winterization

Unless you live in a warm area with no winter hazards, you won’t be able to store your boat in the water all year. In this case, you must pay to winterize your vessel when the weather gets cold.

The process mainly includes draining all fluids and shrinking and wrapping your boat before storage. You’ll also need to conduct general maintenance before and after storing your vehicle for the winter so that it will be fit for use again.

Average Fuel Costs

This is perhaps the main factor you should consider while buying any vehicle. However, speed boats consume a lot of fuel compared to their road counterparts. So, if you’re thinking the fuel expenses for your boat will be the same as your car, you’re mistaken.

Supposing the fuel per gallon in your area is about $2.5. A typical speedboat would use about 20-30 gallons of fuel every hour, depending on its size and engine efficiency. If you’re in the water for about five hours, you’ll have to spend $300 for fuel.

Now, if you take your boat out once every week, you’ll be spending $1200-$1500 every month and about $15,000 every year. That would be a lot of money if you considered buying a speedboat as a one-time expense.

Insurance Charges

Did you know that personal boats encounter more than 5000 accidents every year? As you can imagine, expenses, including medical attention and repairs after a boating accident, can cost you thousands of dollars.

That’s why the safest option is to get your boat insured before using it for recreational purposes. A typical insurance plan can cost you about $100-$500 every year, depending on the type and size of your speedboat.

Getting a License

You cannot drive a boat without a legitimate boating license. You will have to pay some money to register and receive proper training. Although the licensing costs are relatively insignificant compared to your boat’s price, you should still consider it.

5 Speed Boat Cost Examples

One thing is evident: buying and maintaining a speedboat is not for the faint-hearted. But, if you’re still up for it, knowing all the extra expenses involved, here are a few examples of speed boats so you can see how much popular models cost.

Bayliner VR5 Bowrider

The Bayliner VR5 is a high-power outboard speed boat and is one of the bestselling models from this brand. It is the ideal speed boat for fishing, cruising, or an occasional ride with the kids. Although it measures only 20 feet long, the boat has a full-width bench and flip-up center seat to accommodate a small family.

Besides that, this speed boat comes with high-tech stereo speakers and a luxurious interior design, which is great for a sunny day in the water. Additionally, if you’re out fishing, the center flip-up seat can double as a cooler for live catch and drinks, so you can keep your catch fresh while you spend your hours in the water.

This boat costs $43,000, which is a great price considering its durable construction and attractive features.

The boat comes with a Mercury 200 horsepower MerCruiser® ECT 4.5L MPI Sterndrive (Alpha 1 Outdrive) and I/O, but you can upgrade the engine to a maximum 250 horsepower outboard by paying some extra charges. You’ll need the larger engine to conduct water sports using your speedboat.

Ranger 212LS

This 21-foot outboard speedboat is ideal for fishing and cruising across the water. It’s a relatively small boat that allows you to complete all your boating tasks while reducing operating costs because of its size.

The boat has dedicated rod lockers and a small seating bench to store your fishing gear. Similarly, it has hidden hatches to keep valuable equipment safe during your trip. It comes with a 250 XL Pro XS FourStroke Mercury®, enough to take your boat to considerable speeds.

However, this engine power is insufficient for water sports like skiing or parasailing.

This boat is priced at $75000 and will cost a little more if you get an engine upgrade.

Chaparral Boats

The 210 Suncoast by Chaparral is one of the market’s most popular and reliable boats. This 20-foot speedboat is ideal for water sports, fishing, and other recreational activities.

Due to its sleek and stylish design, the boat has spacious permanent seating benches and a large cockpit. Similarly, it has multiple storage spaces and hatches to safely keep your gear inside.

Its high-power engine has 150-200 horsepower, which is excellent for water sports such as skiing and parasailing. The engine can also take the boat up to high speeds, so you can enjoy cruising along the water with your family or friends.

The 20-foot 210 Suncoast costs $40,000, but two larger variations are available for a higher price.

Sea Ray SLX 260

The SLX 250 by Sea Ray is a luxurious speed boat with all the amenities for people who crave the water. With its elegant interior and stylish exterior, the speed boat provides the boating experience of a lifetime and is worth its $100,000+ price tag.

Its Grip 6 hull, paired with a Mercruiser engine, enables it to travel at unimaginable speeds. The seating area is embellished with diamond-stitched upholstery, allowing you to relax and enjoy the ride to the fullest.

Furthermore, this inboard boat is built with noise reduction technology, so you won’t hear the engine howling in the background while enjoying time with your family. The 24-foot boat has an impeccable audio system to enjoy your favorite music through Bluetooth or Apple AirPlay.

G3 Boats Bay 20

This 20-foot Bay 20 DLX is a luxury outboard boat for people who want to invest in a moderately priced boat. Its basic price is $27,000, and a towable trailer is included to help you save on storage expenses.

Moreover, this speedboat is ideal for fishing as it has multiple storage hatches for your gear, a comfortable seating area, and dedicated tackle trays. This way, you can easily access your fishing tackle and convert the area into a cushioned seat when it’s not in use.

Additionally, this fishing boat has a special fishing seat with a comfortable high back so you can spend long hours in the water. The powerful engine can get your boat cruising reasonably, but can’t facilitate water sports.

How Can You Buy a Boat on a Budget?

That concludes my list of examples of how much a speedboat costs. Now, if you’re inclined toward the more expensive ones and they exceed your budget, you can try the following ways to buy a speedboat on a budget.

Get Boat Financing

You can get financing for your boat from a bank, a marine dealer, or special marine lenders in your area. Like financing a car, you can get boat financing based on your credit history.

Buy Second Hand

Sometimes, a second-hand boat is just as good as a new one if you choose it correctly. You can save considerably on the purchase price by buying a 2 to 10-year-old boat. Review all the essential parts of the boat to ensure its condition before diving in.

Attend Boat Shows

Consider boat shows similar to supermarkets. All popular marine dealers present their best deals and offers at these shows. Attending these shows lets you quickly get an affordable boat that fits your budget.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping this discussion up, let’s sum up the final answer to the question, how much does a speed boat cost? If you buy a small, basic speed boat, your purchase price would be around $60,000-$100,000. In addition, you’ll need to pay about $15000 a year for fuel, $500 for insurance, and $1500 for winterization and storage.

Similarly, if you add on repairs and maintenance, your boat can cost you around $3000 monthly or $3500 yearly. If that’s too expensive, you can cut some costs by conducting maintenance yourself or storing your boat in your personal space.

In the end, if you get the boating experience you need, it’ll be worth it.

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