How a boat appraisal works
A boat appraisal is an estimate of what a specific boat would sell for today, built from evidence rather than the asking price the owner has in mind. There are three ways to get one, and they answer slightly different questions.
Comparable listings (what this page does)
The same method a broker uses: find boats of the same make, model and model year that are for sale or recently sold, adjust for hours, engine, condition and equipment, and land on a range. Our estimator runs that comparison against the live inventory on this site plus a web search for the same boat elsewhere, so the range moves with the market instead of with a printed guide.
Price guides (J.D. Power, formerly NADA; BUCValu; ABOS)
Lenders and insurers often start from a guide value. Guides are built from dealer-reported sales and lag the market by months, they treat every boat of a model year the same, and they are weak on regional differences such as fresh water versus salt. Useful as a floor and a ceiling; rarely the number a boat actually trades at.
Marine survey and formal appraisal
A surveyor inspects the boat in person — moisture readings on the hull and deck, engine compression or a sea trial, wiring, safety gear — and writes a report with a stated value. A pre-purchase or insurance survey on a mid-size boat usually costs $20 to $30 per foot plus haul-out, and a formal written appraisal is what banks, insurers, courts and the IRS accept. An online estimate is where you start; the survey is what closes a loan or a claim.
What to have ready
Make and model are enough for a first number. Each item below narrows the range, and all of them are what a surveyor or buyer will ask for anyway.
- Hull identification number (HIN)
- The 12-character code on the starboard side of the transom. It confirms the builder, series and model year, which is what every comparable is matched on.
- Engine make, model, horsepower and hours
- The engine is usually the most valuable single component. Hours from the gauge or engine computer, plus whether it has been repowered.
- Where the boat has lived
- Fresh water or salt, trailered, lifted or kept in a wet slip. Two identical boats can differ by a quarter in price on this alone.
- Condition, honestly graded
- Gelcoat, upholstery and canvas, soft spots in the deck, transom flex, blisters. Cosmetic wear costs a little; structural issues cost a lot.
- Trailer, electronics and options
- A roadworthy trailer, a current chartplotter, a T-top, tower or ballast system each move the number when they work and the buyer wanted them.
- Service records
- Oil changes, impellers, outdrive service, bottom paint. A folder of receipts is worth real money to the next owner and to the surveyor.
Where appraisals land by brand, 2026
The live comparables behind the estimator. For each brand with at least five priced boats listed on US Marine Connection right now: how many are for sale, the median asking price, and the spread from the cheapest older example to the newest and best equipped. Refreshed hourly.
| Brand | Listed | Low | Median asking | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | 415 | $3,999 | $15,599 | $186,249 |
| Sea-Doo | 153 | $4,999 | $18,149 | $41,997 |
| Skeeter | 107 | $20,998 | $86,150 | $129,311 |
| Sportsman | 95 | $37,995 | $149,995 | $513,335 |
| Bennington | 68 | $9,999 | $58,900 | $532,790 |
| Robalo | 66 | $29,977 | $116,775 | $592,340 |
| Stingray | 62 | $6,995 | $40,470 | $88,946 |
| Bayliner | 40 | $500 | $32,436 | $119,930 |
| Scout | 35 | $31,000 | $84,900 | $1,373,549 |
| G3 | 34 | $10,999 | $24,997 | $50,628 |
| Harris | 33 | $5,495 | $55,371 | $192,657 |
| Key West | 25 | $34,977 | $74,977 | $338,505 |
Asking prices, not sale prices. A private sale of an ordinary example usually closes below the median; a low-hour freshwater boat with records sits above it. Brand pages on the site break each of these down by model.
When an online estimate is not enough
The range on this page is what you need to price a listing, judge an offer or decide whether to trade in. Four situations call for a written appraisal from a surveyor or accredited marine appraiser.
- Insurance. Agreed-value policies and claims on older or higher-value boats usually require a survey with a stated value; a total-loss payout is capped at that figure.
- Boat loans. Lenders want a survey or a guide value on used boats above a threshold, commonly around $50,000, and on anything over ten years old.
- Donation to a charity. A written appraisal by a qualified appraiser is required for a tax deduction above $5,000, and the boat's fair market value is what you can claim.
- Estates, divorce and disputes. A neutral written value stands up where an online range or a broker's opinion will not.
Frequently asked questions
Is the boat appraisal really free?
Yes. Enter the boat and you get the range on the page, no account and no card. US Marine Connection earns from optional listing boosts and dealer subscriptions, not from appraisals.
How accurate is an online boat appraisal?
For a common production boat with typical hours and honest condition, the range is usually within about ten percent of where the boat sells privately. It is least reliable for rare or custom boats, boats with major repairs, and boats over roughly 25 years old, where a survey matters more than the comparables.
What is the difference between a boat appraisal and a marine survey?
An appraisal answers what the boat is worth; a survey answers what condition it is in, and the surveyor's report usually includes a value. Online appraisals and broker opinions are free and fast; a survey is an in-person inspection you pay for and the only one a bank, insurer or court accepts.
Do dealers and private sellers get the same number?
The estimator returns a private-sale range. Dealers list higher because their price includes prep, a warranty and often a trailer or rigging, and they need a trade-in margin. If you are trading in, expect an offer 15 to 30 percent under the private range.
Does the appraisal include the trailer and engine?
Tell the estimator what is included. A roadworthy trailer adds a few thousand dollars; the engine is part of the comparable match, so a repower or unusually low hours moves the range.
How is this different from a boat blue book value?
There is no official blue book for boats; the guides people mean are J.D. Power (the old NADA guide), BUCValu and ABOS. They are built from dealer-reported sales months old and ignore where a boat lived. This page uses asking prices for the same boat on the market right now, then you can check the guide as a second opinion.
Got your number?
Read how much is my boat worth? for the seven factors that move a value and 2026 figures by brand and type, then our guide to selling your boat — pricing, photos and what buyers look for — or list it free and put it in front of buyers nationwide.