Value guide
How much is my boat worth?
Six factors decide what a used boat sells for. Here's how each one moves the number — and a free tool that does the math for your exact boat in seconds.
Get my free instant appraisal1. Brand
One of the biggest factors. A Boston Whaler, Grady-White, or Hinckley holds value remarkably well for decades — the 'unsinkable' reputations are priced in. Sea Ray, Bayliner, and other volume builders made fine boats but sell more modestly today because so many were built. Engine brand matters too: a Yamaha or Mercury outboard with records adds real money.
2. Age and engine hours
Boats depreciate fastest in their first five years, then flatten out. Engine hours act like mileage on a car: a 10-year-old outboard with 300 documented hours is worth far more than the same engine with 1,500. A repower — a newer engine on an older hull — resets much of the value equation, which is why 'repowered in 2023' leads so many listings.
3. Type and size
Bigger usually means more: a 28' center console tops a 21' of the same make. But type drives demand — center consoles and pontoons are the hottest segments of the used market and sell fastest, while project sailboats and older cabin cruisers can sit for a season. Trailers, T-tops, and modern electronics all add to the number.
4. Condition
Soft transoms, gelcoat blisters, cracked upholstery, and corroded wiring all subtract fast. A boat that's been flushed after every saltwater run and stored covered or on a lift can be worth double a neglected twin left in a wet slip.
5. Refit and service history
A documented repower, new canvas, fresh bottom paint, and a folder of service receipts are the exception to depreciation — especially for premium hulls, where a well-documented refit commands a large premium. Keep the receipts; they're part of the value.
6. Your local market
Boats are expensive to transport, so local supply matters. The same center console can bring different prices in Florida than in Minnesota — and prices swing with the season, peaking in spring. National marketplaces with transport options (like this one) smooth that out for sellers.
Skip the guesswork
Our free appraisal compares your boat against live asking prices from thousands of boats for sale across the US — including repowered and refitted examples — and gives you a realistic range instantly.
What's my boat worth?Common questions
How much is a used pontoon boat worth?
Typical used pontoons sell for $15,000–$35,000. A well-kept tritoon with a 150hp+ outboard runs $35,000–$60,000. Older 1990s–2000s pontoons in fair shape often bring $5,000–$12,000.
How much is a used center console worth?
Entry-level used center consoles under 22' run $20,000–$50,000; well-equipped 23'–26' boats from Grady-White, Boston Whaler, or Robalo $60,000–$150,000 depending on age and hours; larger offshore center consoles with multiple outboards can reach several hundred thousand.
Are old boats worth anything?
It depends almost entirely on the hull and the engine. A 1980s Boston Whaler is a restoration candidate worth real money even in rough shape. A 1980s volume-built runabout with a tired sterndrive usually has more sentimental than market value — often $500–$3,000, and much of that is the trailer.
How do I find out what my specific boat is worth?
Use our free instant appraisal: enter the make, model, year, and condition (engine hours help) and get a value range in seconds, based on live asking prices from comparable boats for sale across the US.
Does repowering a boat increase its value?
Usually yes — a new outboard on a sound hull recovers most of its cost and makes the boat dramatically easier to sell. Cosmetic refits are less certain: new upholstery and electronics improve saleability but rarely return their full cost.
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