Stop Watching the Ocean — Start Living It: Your Yacht, Your Journey

Aurore Bordage
Jun 16
2 min read

When many people picture owning a yacht, they imagine an ultra-exclusive lifestyle reserved for celebrities or billionaires. But here’s something that might surprise you: owning your own boat — and unlocking the freedom to explore the water on your terms — can actually cost less than what you might spend on a single high-end vacation at a luxury hotel or resort.

Let’s break it down.

The True Cost of a Luxury Hotel Vacation

A week-long stay at a top-tier hotel or resort in popular destinations like the Caribbean, the French Riviera, or even Miami can easily exceed $10,000 — and that’s before you add flights, dining, excursions, and other extras. And what do you take home from that vacation? Memories, sure — but you’re back to square one the next year, paying again for the same kind of trip.

Boat Ownership: An Investment in Your Experiences

Now compare that to boat ownership. Thanks to flexible programs offered by Southwest Yacht Sales — including fractional ownership, shared management, and charter income plans — owning a sailboat or catamaran is far more attainable than you might think.

Here’s how it works:

✅ Fractional ownership: Own a share of a boat and enjoy a guaranteed number of weeks on board each year — often for less than the cost of a single resort vacation.

✅ Charter management: Let your boat work for you. Place it in a managed fleet and offset your costs through charter income while still enjoying personal use.

✅ Full ownership with support: Prefer to own outright? Our team helps you navigate financing, insurance, docking, and maintenance — often at a lower total cost than repeated high-end vacations.

Freedom You Can’t Book Through a Travel Agent

Imagine this:

🌅 Waking up at anchor in a peaceful cove, with no crowds in sight.

🏝️ Visiting islands, beaches, and hidden harbors that no hotel guest can reach.

⚓ Creating your own itinerary — no check-in lines, no rigid schedules.

Instead of spending thousands year after year on someone else’s idea of luxury, you can put that same budget (or less!) toward creating your own adventures — every year.

Ready to See the Numbers?

If you’re curious about what it actually costs to own a boat, we invite you to explore your options. You might be amazed at how affordable it can be.

👉 Click here to start your ownership journey today

What Could It Cost to Own a $200,000 Boat?

Here’s a basic example assuming financing — much like how many people buy cars or homes.

Example: $200,000 Boat Purchase

✅ Down payment: 20% = $40,000

✅ Financed amount: $160,000

✅ Typical boat loan term: 15 years

✅ Estimated interest rate (2025 average): ~6.5%

👉 Estimated monthly payment: ~$1,395

💡 What does $1,395/month compare to?

That’s often less than one week at a luxury hotel in a major resort area.
That’s about the same as a family’s annual vacation budget spread across the year — but now you can use your boat whenever you want.