Boating doesn’t have to break the bank. With smart planning and the right tools you can enjoy your time on the water without overspending. When I was a college student, one of my friends had a family boat that we would take out on weekends. Being college students, we didn’t have a ton of money to spend. We worked out a few ways that we could save a few bucks on our trips and I’m excited to share those with you today. With these tips, I hope that finances won’t need to keep you from having a great time on the water.
This isn’t a blog post about buying a smaller or used boat. We’ll assume you’ve already chosen your home port, bought or rented a boat and are taking care of routine maintenance (are you?). If you’re interested in tips for buying a boat affordably, I’ll link some posts at the bottom.
Here are eight easy ways to cut costs and make every trip more efficient, safe, and enjoyable:
1. Plan Your Route Efficiently to Save on Fuel
Fuel is one of the biggest boating expenses, but it’s also one of the easiest to manage. Before setting out, take a few minutes to plan your route in the Argo app.
Argo’s autoroute calculates the most direct and safe path. You can choose whether to stay in the channels or just take the most direct path based on your boat’s draft. This will prevent you from unnecessary detours and getting lost while underway, a huge fuel suck.
You can see your estimated distance, time and fuel usage, so you’ll know what to expect before leaving the dock. That way you can fuel up at your cheap local fuel dock, versus discovering you need more while in the middle of an unknown area. However, if that does happen, Argo can help you locate fuel nearby (potentially even showing fuel prices to help you find the cheapest option).
You can also preview your route to see if there’s no wake zones and whether you can route around them.
I also recommend checking the marine weather forecast before you leave. Wind, currents and wave height/period can cause greater fuel usage than expected. Forgetting to plan your trip according to the tides could throw a wrench in your plans. You can use Argo to check the marine forecasts in the area you plan to boat while you’re planning.
Learn how to check the marine weather forecast in any area.
A few gallons saved each trip adds up to big savings over the season.
2. Run Your Boat at its Optimal Cruising Speed
Every boat has a “sweet spot” where it gets the highest MPG. This is usually around two-thirds of full throttle. Operating at this speed reduces fuel consumption, puts less strain on your engine, and gets you to your destination comfortably. For sailboats, taking advantage of favorable winds can make your fuel costs nearly zero.
Part of learning to operate a boat at its optimal speed is knowing what it means to trim a boat and how to trim it properly to improve performance. Trim is the running angle of the boat as it makes way in the water. By extension, adjusting the trim means raising or lowering the bow (the front of the boat).
Knowing your boat’s optimal speed and trim can take a little trial and error, or you can monitor fuel efficiency on your engine display. Once you identify the most-efficient cruising speed, operate your boat at that specific speed whenever appropriate.
I recommend Discover Boating’s guide for help learning how to trim a boat.
3. Boating Doesn’t Have to Mean Cruising Non-Stop
This is the last of the fuel saving tips, but it’s an important one. The easiest way to save fuel is to simply turn your engine off. Boating doesn’t have to mean non-stop cruising. Sometimes the best part of a trip is simply relaxing on the water. Spending a few hours anchored at a beautiful beach, quiet cove, or scenic spot can be just as fun, and much less costly, than cruising from one destination to the next.
Bring along blow-up floaties, snacks, and drinks to turn your anchorage into a mini floating getaway. Swim, paddle, picnic, or just soak up the sun without paying for marina fees or fuel. Anchoring also helps save fuel by reducing time spent running the engine at cruising speed.
Use Argo to scout recommended anchorages along your route, check depth, and ensure you’re in a safe, legal spot. Planning ahead means you can maximize your downtime on the water while keeping your trip budget-friendly.
Learn how to find anchorages with Argo.
4. Avoid Costly Mistakes
A damaged prop or an unexpected grounding can wipe out your boating budget fast, especially if you don’t have insurance.
There’s several things you can do to avoid costly mistakes:
A. Education
The more knowledgeable you are about boating, the less likely you are to make costly mistakes on the water. In some cases, completing a boating course can even help you qualify for insurance discounts. A lot of boating courses are free, so it’s a no-brainer.
As an Argo user, you get access to two free online navigation courses on NauticEd, a respected international boating school. Sign up here.
Note: The link says it’s a sailing course, but there’ll be an option to choose the powerboat version after you sign up.
B. Maintenance
Stay on top of simple tasks like cleaning, engine maintenance, and winterizing to save money and prevent bigger problems down the line. Expensive breakdowns and repairs are one of any boating trip’s worst nightmares.
Considering DIY’ing small tasks and repairs to further save money.
C. Check Current Local Advice
Before you head out, check Argo’s crowdsourced reports to see if other boaters have marked hazards, chart changes, or obstructions along your route.
Real-time insights from fellow boaters help you stay aware, plan ahead, and prevent expensive surprises.
Learn about Argo’s crowdsourced reports.
D. Insurance
Make sure your boat insurance and on-water assistance coverage is current. A single tow or mishap can easily undo months of careful budgeting and savvy boating.
5. Plan Stops Ahead of Time
Last-minute decisions on the water often come with a hefty price tag. Fueling at the nearest marina, paying for a slip with limited amenities, or stopping at a convenience store for overpriced snacks are not the best idea for your wallet. Planning ahead can save you both money and stress.
With the Argo Web App, you can map out your entire trip from home ahead of time, including stops, anchorages, and fuel docks. You can filter for places that have the amenities you need, like restrooms, picnic areas, or restaurants, so you’re not scrambling once you’re on the water. Once your trip is saved, it automatically syncs to your mobile app to use on the water.
Note: Be extra sure to compare pricing beforehand so you’re not caught by surprise.
Learn how to plan trips using Argo’s web app.
If you have a trailered boat, consider filling up on land before you launch. Gas stations on shore are often cheaper than marina fuel, and topping off before you leave can prevent an emergency fuel stop later.
6. Anchor Out When You Can During Overnight Trips
Marina stays can be pricey, especially during peak weekends. If conditions allow, try anchoring out for a night or two.
Use Argo to discover nearby anchorages that other boaters have rated and reviewed. You’ll often find hidden gems just a short distance from the main marina, with the same great views and none of the dock fees.
You can also look for free docks or book a personal dock or mooring ball. These will typically be much cheaper than a standard marina, but they rarely have amenities.
Learn how to find free and paid personal docks.
7. Pack Snacks and Drinks
Boating is way more fun when your beach hangout isn’t cut short by hunger or dehydration. Packing your own snacks and drinks ensures everyone stays fueled and happy on a budget until you’re ready to head to a restaurant or dock bar.
Buying food at marinas or convenience stores adds up fast. Plus, then you get to spend more time out relaxing on the water as opposed to on land. Planning your own snacks means your trip doesn’t have to end early for a lunch break. Unless you’ve intentionally scheduled a stop at a favorite marina or waterfront restaurant.
Think portable, easy-to-eat options like sandwiches, fruit, trail mix, or granola bars. Don’t forget plenty of water and refreshing drinks to stay hydrated under the sun. Especially if you’re bringing alcohol.
8. Share Costs with Friends
Boating is more fun with friends and sharing costs is a smart way to make trips more affordable. If you’re bringing others along, consider splitting fuel costs or asking friends to bring snacks and drinks.
Beyond sharing expenses, bringing friends along makes your outings more enjoyable and memorable. Use Argo to share your planned route in advance so everyone knows the stops, anchorages, and destinations. Not only does this help friends plan their schedules and give input, but it also builds excitement for the trip ahead.
Learn how to share your plans with friends and family.
Pooling resources is a simple way to stretch your boating budget. It definitely helped me get out on the water more back when I was on a stricter budget back in college.
What’s Next?
Boating is meant to be relaxing, so don’t let worrying about costs get in the way. With a little planning and the help of tools like Argo, you can make getting out on the water a more affordable activity.
If you’re thinking about getting your own boat, there are also plenty of ways to do it on a budget. Check out guides for help buying a boat on a budget, explore fractional ownership options, or find pre-owned boats to get started without overspending.
Here’s some of our favorite guides:
- Cruise America’s Great Loop on a budget by Scho and Jo
- Budget Boat Buying Guide by Discover Boating
- Fractional Boat Ownership Pros and Cons, written by our friend Lenny Rudow
Ready to start planning your next boating trip? Open up Argo to plan your route, find anchorages, and share your trips with friends. Use it on your computer, phone or tablet.
