Cost of Ownership in SOCAL in 2024?

I'm further north so can't help with local costs, but in the LA area, bottom cleaning on my 43 Mikelson was around $70/month (probably more now since that was 2020). My 62 Offshore costs $130 to clean the bottom, not including the occasionally higher amount for zincs and thrusters. I'd say figure on at least $3 per foot per month all in for that. Also if you're having the boat washed twice a month (what I do), that's probably another $200 or so per month. Also figure on waxing at least once a year, maybe more. That's probably another $1500 or so annual. Keep in mind these are all approximations. I could be way off. Also, my sense is bottom cleaning is cheap enough that, even if you could do it, you'd probably not want to do it.

Property taxes will be around 1.25% of the purchase price (ballpark) annually. Don't forget about use tax if you're not buying an entity that owns the boat. That could be around 8% of the purchase price (San Diego has a lower tax rate than LA), one time. Annual Coast Guard fee (assuming this is a documented boat) is minimal.

Your big variables will be maintenance and repairs/improvements. You're going to want to change fluids and filters once a year (that's what I did), maybe more. Zincs 1-2x per year. Repairs depends on what breaks. I'd probably budget ~$30k-$50k per year for everything. Stuff always comes up. Canvas/see-through plastic wears out, batteries go bad, pumps fail, etc. That $30k-$50k is nothing but a guess. Could be more (a lot more), could be less. Doing the work yourself would save a ton and would drive that number way down.

Also if the boat has certain Cat power, you may need to budget in changing aftercoolers every 6 years, depending on when last changed and whether you want to comply with Cat advice. That gets expensive. I'm doing mine now.

Best of luck!

Not sure what repairs you're referring to. I didn't provide a number for repairs only. My number was for repairs and improvements.

It's a budget. If he doesn't spend it, great, but that's a number that I think is reasonable for repairs and improvements a 45-50 ft MY or convertible that is 15-30 years old. Depends on a lot of factors, including how **** the person is about keeping their boat in good shape. From what I've seen there are people who spend a lot more and some who hardly spend anything. Bottom paint/prop speed (if desired), zincs, electronics, dock lines, fenders, stabilizer rebuilds/upgrades if applicable (and other hydraulics), isinglass, canvas, cushions, headliners, water maker maintenance, water filters, shaft seals, impellers, generator(s) maintenance, steering systems and more in addition to engine fluids and various hoses. Not to mention the possible rebuild/replacement of turbos, exhaust and cooling systems. This is all stuff tends to require attention at some point. At least I'd budget something for it. Again, if not used great.

Also, if a 45-50 ft motor yacht is $200k my guess is it will need more, not less, work than a more expensive version of the same boat.

Curious, what do you think a reasonable budget would be?