How much does a yacht cost?

When it comes to yachts, most people immediately envision "the standard equipment for the rich" or "a seaside villa", presuming that this is a luxury item that ordinary people dare not even dream of. However, in fact, yacht prices are similar to those of cars, with a wide range from "entry-level models for the common people" to "top-tier luxury models for the wealthy". The cheaper ones are not much more expensive than luxury cars, while the more expensive ones can be equivalent to several luxury homes in first-tier cities. Today, let's explain the price of yachts in plain language and also reveal the "money-consuming bottomless pit" after buying a yacht, ensuring that you understand clearly and stop having inappropriate thoughts or strengthen your determination to save money.

Entry-level model: 500,000 to 2 million, barely enough for "an offshore transportation vehicle"

Let's give you a reassurance first. Yachts don't have to cost tens of millions to buy. The most basic small leisure yacht, with a price around 500,000 to 2 million, is within the budget for a down payment in a first-tier city and can fulfill your "sea trip dream". Most of these yachts are 4 to 8 meters long and look a bit like enlarged luxury motorboats. They focus on being lightweight and practical, without fancy configurations, capable of seating 4 to 6 people, and suitable for taking your family and friends for a short drive and fishing in the nearby sea on weekends.

The entry-level yachts made in China offer the highest value for money.For example，the Haixing Asteria 24， you can get it for around 500，000， with a simple cockpit， a small sofa for rest， and a simple bathroom. The power is sufficient to run in the nearby sea， and the speed is similar to the SUV we drive daily. If you want to choose imported ones， such as Yamaha or Bombardier's small sports yachts， the price will rise to 1 million to 2 million. They are favored by newbies who value quality for their better brand reputation and finer workmanship.

But don't think that this price range is enough for any adventure. The entry-level yachts have a fatal drawback - the space is extremely small. It's almost impossible to lie down and sleep on it. At most， it can be considered an "offshore sightseeing vehicle". Moreover， it can only operate in the nearshore area， and encountering some wind and waves will make it shake severely. The range is short， and it can't travel far. However， its maintenance cost is relatively low. You don't need to hire professional crew members； you can just get a yacht driver's license and drive it yourself. It's suitable for those who want to occasionally experience the pleasure of going out to sea.

Mid-range model： 2 million to 10 million， "sea palace" for family outings

If your budget is sufficient and you want comfort， mid-range yachts are the mainstream choice， with prices ranging from 2 million to 10 million， corresponding to a length of 10 to 15 meters. This is a reliable "family outing device". Most yachts at this price range are from imported brands， such as Bonaudo from France and Anno from Italy. The interior configuration is visibly upgraded， with separate bedrooms， luxurious kitchens， shower rooms， and even a small bar. It's completely fine to stay on board for a few days when going out to sea.

Take the Bonaudo Antares 27 as an example， the price is about 1.8 million， with dual engine configuration， a speed of up to 25 knots， much better stability than the entry-level model， and it won't shake too much even in a little wind. If you increase the price to 5 million， you can buy a yacht with a flybridge， where you can sunbathe and barbecue on the top floor， and there are two bedrooms on the bottom floor， suitable for a family to go on a long-term sea vacation. At this price range， the yacht can support a "face-saving project"， whether for business receptions or friends' gatherings， it's enough to have a good appearance.

However， the "hidden expenses" of mid-range yachts are already kicking in. The mooring fee is 100，000 to 300，000 per year， equivalent to renting a luxury mansion in a small county； the insurance fee is 1% to 2% of the boat price， and for a 5 million yacht， the annual insurance fee is 50，000 to 100，000； plus regular maintenance， fuel costs， and so on， it's at least 500，000 per year， almost the cost of a BMW 3 Series. And for yachts of this size， driving them yourself is a bit difficult. Most of them need to hire a part-time captain， which is an additional expense.

Luxury model： 10 million to several hundred million， "mobile seaside villa" for the rich Once the budget exceeds 10 million, the yacht is no longer just a "transportation tool", but rather a "status symbol" that can cost anywhere from 10 million to several hundred million. The length of these yachts is mostly above 20 meters, and they are often seen as regulars among Italian brands such as Azimut and Sanlorenzo, as well as British brands like Princess. These yachts can be called "sea villas", with luxurious configurations to an extreme degree, including independent suites, private cinemas, infinity pools, bars, gyms, and some even come with helicopter landing pads, mini diving chambers, and car garages.

For example, the Italian yacht Liva 122 Mythos costs as much as 120 million. The hull material alone uses top-quality carbon fiber and aluminum. The interior is all custom leather and wood. It can accommodate 10 guests and 8 crew members. The speed can reach 30 knots, and the cruising range is sufficient for cross-sea voyages. Even more astonishing is a Dutch custom-made super yacht. The 80-meter-long model costs approximately 800 million. It not only has an exclusive team of butlers but even the tableware on the yacht is made of pure gold. It truly embodies "luxury" to the core.

When purchasing yachts of this level, the owners generally do not consider "cost-effectiveness", but rather prefer customization and privacy. However, the subsequent expenses are enough to make ordinary people hesitate - the annual maintenance cost is approximately 5% to 10% of the boat price. For a 100 million yacht, the annual maintenance alone can cost 5 million to 10 million. The crew team requires at least 5 to 10 people, and the captain's annual salary is 500,000, while the salaries of chefs and service staff add up to over a million per year. The parking fee is also astronomical, with annual parking fees at core ports in major cities reaching tens of thousands or even millions of yuan, which is more expensive than buying a sports car.

Those "invisible expenses" that you can't imagine are the real big spenders.

There is a heart-wrenching joke circulating in the yacht community: The joy of owning a yacht lasts only two days - the day of purchase and the day of selling. This statement is not exaggerated at all. Because the subsequent "maintenance costs" can drive people crazy. Many people can afford to buy but cannot afford to maintain, and eventually they have to sell at a low price.

The first is the parking fee, which is the most fixed expense. The parking fee at domestic yacht docks is charged based on length. Yachts of around 10 meters cost 20,000 to 200,000 yuan per year. In a good location, the monthly parking fee for a 13-meter yacht can reach 14,000 yuan. It only provides a floating bridge, ropes, wires, and water pipes, and is considered the "most profitable rental service in history". For super yachts, they can only be parked at exclusive luxury docks, with an annual fee starting at 1 million.

The next is maintenance and fuel costs. Yachts are constantly submerged in water, and the hull will be covered with sea creatures such as mussels and oysters, which not only affect speed but also corrode the hull. Cleaning twice a year is necessary, and hiring people to remove these "sea creatures" costs a lot of money. Engine maintenance is even more costly, equivalent to the cost of a top-level major maintenance for a car. The fuel cost is also painful. At 20 yuan per liter for special fuel, a 13-meter yacht needs to refuel for 50,000 yuan, which is equivalent to several months' salary for an ordinary person. There are also insurance, taxes, and handling costs. The annual insurance cost for a yacht is 1.5% to 3% of the boat price. For a 10-meter yacht, the annual premium is 10,000 to 20,000 yuan. The premium for a super yacht can buy a luxury car. Imported yachts also need to pay a 40% tariff, which directly raises the price. Additionally, to operate a yacht, one needs an exclusive driving license, and this license has regional restrictions. Crossing a district requires re-applying, which is more troublesome than obtaining an entry permit for Beijing. Transporting the yacht on the road requires police checks that are stricter than those for drunk driving.

Second-hand yachts and leasing: The compromise choice for ordinary people

If you want to experience yachts at a lower cost, second-hand yachts and leasing are good options. Second-hand yachts have extremely high性价比. Yachts with a 3 to 5-year age are usually priced at 50% to 70% of new boats. For a 300 million yacht， it might only cost 180 million after 3 years. However, when buying a second-hand yacht, you must be very cautious. It is best to have it inspected by a professional surveyor. Pay special attention to whether there are any collision marks on the hull and whether the engine has undergone major repairs. Avoid purchasing "problem boats".

Leasing is more suitable for those who want to have an occasional experience. The rental prices for yachts in coastal cities across the country range from a few thousand to several tens of thousands. A small yacht costs several thousand yuan for half a day, a mid-range yacht costs several tens of thousands yuan per day, and a luxury yacht costs several hundred thousand yuan per day. Although it is not cheap, you don't have to bear the subsequent maintenance costs. You can just leave when you're done and go. It is suitable for gatherings or taking photos for posting.

Overall, the price range of yachts is extremely wide. You can start with 500,000 yuan, and you can also spend several hundred million yuan. But it is definitely not a toy that "anyone with money can buy". The real barriers are the subsequent maintenance, docking, and labor costs. If you are not a wealthy person with assets over 100 million yuan and free time, it is not recommended to buy it easily. Renting it for an experience is enough. After all, saving the money for maintaining the yacht can allow you to live in a seaside house with a sea view for a lifetime. Wouldn't that be more wonderful?