Boat Owner Money Saving Tips

We’re all looking for methods to cup a few corners from our budgets these days without having to sacrifice our standard of living and certainly not the enjoyment of our boats! Why not review your own situation therefore to see where you can tighten your belt a little to ease any financial burdens…

• Shop around for fuel. The cost of fuel at many boat marinas is typically higher than more conventional fuel resellers, this is because marinas have lower fuel turnover therefore the maintenance cost per gallon of fuel they sell is always higher. Whilst we should be somewhat understanding of this, it’s your money, so as long as you are able to safely transport and pour the fuel you can likely buy cheaper elsewhere.
• Buy spares over the internet. The internet is perfect for buying all those specialist items that are so often difficult to find by conventional means and so often highly marked-up in dedicated specialist shops around marinas and harbours. Shrewd buyers may also consider internet auctions, these are particularly useful for commodity or precise named-model items but make sure you know what the quality is of what you are bidding for and know the standard going price so you can set yourself a strict limit financial before bidding!
• Trailer instead of mooring. Marinas and harbours, particularly those in popular locations, always seem to get an ever more expensive place to moor! But it goes without saying if you have a towable vessel then it is nearly always going to be more cost effective to tow your boat home after use so you should consider the time Vs cost implications (depending on just how far from the sea/ regularity of use).
• Tow your boat low! You’ve probably heard this tip for bicycles but it’s just as true for trailers. Buy a trailer that carries your boat low to avoid unnecessary drag and make sure it’s tyres are properly pressured.
• Clean your hull! Too simple to be true? What’s true of trailers is true of hulls, a dirty boat null increases drag. This slows you down / forces the engine to work harder burning up more fuel. When you take your boat from the water always take the opportunity to do a quick spot check and remove anything you didn’t pay for when you purchased the boat!
• Consider a little extra weekend job. Everyone loves the water, let others share in your pleasure by considering offering weekend trips on the water (make sure you have adequate boat insurance first however).
• Consider donations or hiring out your boat. Perhaps you’ve got a few additional friends now you’re a boat owner or perhaps friends of friends have made enquiries about joining you or borrowing your boat. Why not get them to contribute in some way, even if not money then let them supply the supplies for trips or help you with some maintenance, most will enjoy this as it’s not a regular chore to them! (Again though, make sure you have adequate boat insurance if planning to hire your vessel).
• Finally, get great value boat insurance! We’re a specialist boat insurance company so it goes without saying we must mention getting the best value boat insurance for your vessel. This is what we’re here for, why not get a quote today?

This information is brought to you with best intentions/ endeavours only, we hope it is useful to you. If you have any more feel free to send them to use via our contact us page and we'll get them included… happy boating!

Reviewed: 05/02/2012

Back to boat insurance articles