The Costs of Owning a Motorboat – and Why OnDemand Can Pay Off

There is something special about watching boats glide out onto the water on a sunny day. You see them leave the harbor, the waves lapping against the hull, and the freedom that comes with every journey. Imagine being able to do the same yourself—setting out from a home port near where you live, whenever you want, with family or friends. It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

But before the dream becomes a reality, there is something important to consider: if you don’t have time to use the boat as much as you planned, the cost per trip becomes very high. In those cases, an OnDemand boat membership can sometimes be both cheaper and more convenient than owning one yourself.

Purchase Price and Boat Loans

A modern motorboat, such as an Aquador 26 from 2020, often costs around 700,000–900,000 SEK, depending on the engine, equipment, and condition. Let’s use 800,000 SEK as an example.

Many people choose to finance their boat with a loan. If you take out a boat loan of 500,000 SEK at 5% interest over 5 years, the interest cost is approximately 12,500 SEK/year. This is an expense that is easily overlooked when calculating the annual cost.

Mooring and Winter Storage

The boat needs a home all year round:

• Summer: A mooring spot often costs 5,000–15,000 SEK/year.

• Winter: Dry storage or a winter berth can range from 10,000–30,000 SEK/year.

• Total: Approximately 15,000–35,000 SEK/year.

Insurance

A modern motorboat should have both liability and comprehensive insurance. For an Aquador 26, insurance costs can land between 5,000–10,000 SEK/year, depending on location and coverage level.

Maintenance and Service

Engine service, antifouling, impellers, anodes, minor repairs… the list can be long. Expect to pay an average of 10,000–30,000 SEK/year. Some years may cost more if something major breaks.

Summary of Annual Costs

When Ownership Becomes Expensive Per Trip

If you only use the boat for a few weekends a year, the cost per trip quickly becomes very high. Suddenly, it’s not just the purchase price that matters, but all the fixed costs—mooring, insurance, service, and loans—spread across very few occasions.

That’s when an OnDemand membership might be smarter. You only pay for the times you actually want to be out on the water, without having to worry about service, insurance, or winter storage. It’s perfect if you want to enjoy boating life without being tied down by high fixed costs.