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Why Are Fishing Boats So Expensive?

Feb. 8 2024 Buying Guide By L&M Marine LLC

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Are you searching for the perfect fishing boat? Wondering why they’re so expensive? Here at Day Break Marine and L&M Marine, we’re here to share our 30+ years of experience (with both boats and fishing) and help you understand what makes fishing boats so expensive so you can make the best, most informed choices. Here’s why fishing boats are so expensive.

Layout + Ride Quality

Fishing boats are designed to maximize space to fight fish or move around while fish are fighting around the boat. With a fishing boat, the goal is to minimize unnecessary obstructions while maximizing casting space, fish fighting space, baiting space, etc.


The difference between fishing boats and pleasure boats is that pleasure boats are designed for exactly that: to maximize pleasure and comfort with lots of seating and entertainment amenities. While both are made up of fiberglass, fishing boats generally require less material to build so they cost less to build. 

 

The term ‘fishing boat’ is a broad term that can be used to describe a variety of different sizes and designs. The ride quality is dependent on the fishing boat. A fishing boat could be a 14’ fly fishing skiff to a 90’ Viking. Both are fishing boats but are very different, one is stable and quiet while the other is the opposite. The two are built for two completely different types of fishing as the fishing skiff is built for calm, shallow water while the Viking is made to tackle rough, offshore waters.

Accessories

Typically there are tons more accessories found in a fishing boat versus a pleasure boat. Some features are built into the boat while others are added on. Features such as livewells, rod lockers, and rod holders are a lot cheaper to install before the boat is fully built. If you add features like these after you purchase your boat, it’s a lot more expensive because the person installing them doesn’t have the same access and is more tedious.


Here are some of the accessories and electronics you could potentially find on a fishing boat:

  • Transducer: most local fishermen are going to want a good transducer that is perfect for bottom fishing for red snapper in the Gulf. ($800-$1,500) 

  • MFD: multi-function display aka GPS/fish finder. ($600-$11,000)

  • Trolling motor: with some form of GPS/spot lock. ($2000-6000)

  • Rod locker: perfect for transporting rods and keeping them organized and out of the way

  • Rod holders: these come in handy no matter whether you’re drifting baits, trolling, or kite fishing.

  • Livewells: it’s important to keep bait fresh and alive and pressurized livewells are better than nonpressurized because they keep bait from splashing around as much due to the free surface effect.

  • Fish boxes: we recommend insulated fish boxes as these are built into the boat and keep your bait fresh and cold.

  • Outriggers and downriggers: these are great for people who like to troll for their fish.

  • Radars: identify birds and weather that could be favorable or unfavorable and birds typically lead you to fish, while birds feast on smaller bait fish it attracts larger fish.

  • Towers and second stations: these maximize visibility and help indicate. fish

  • Electric reel outlets: for anything deeper than 250 feet you’re going to want to use an electric reel and it’s convenient to be able to charge them on board.

  • Underwater lights: underwater lights can help attract bait fish as well as help you see at night. 

  • Power-Pole: these are perfect to anchor in place in shallow water without actually using your anchor.

  • Teaser reel: these reels are perfect for those trying to catch larger billfish.

  • Tuna tubes: the tubes force water through live bait to keep tuna fresh to help you catch other fish such as marlin. 

  • Night vision and thermal cameras: these can help you get back more safely when fishing in the dark.

Engine Size

When it comes to horsepower, tournament fishermen who are on a clock to get to fishing grounds and back would opt for max rating as well as fishermen who love to fish in shallow water and want to get on plane quickly. The choice of whether to go for the max engine rating or not depends on the type of fishing that person likes doing and personal preference

Cost 

The operating cost for manufacturers has become more expensive, everything from materials used, to labor, to insurance and rent has all gone up. Although manufacturers don’t build molds on a regular basis, the cost of fiberglass has gone through the roof. (If you wanted to change to design by making it stepped hull or making it wider a new mold would be required.) During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a shortage of boats due to the high demand and because of supply and demand, the price of boats increased but still remains high despite the demand being lessened. 


The cost is heavily affected by all the accessories added to the boat to maximize your fishing experience such as outriggers, electronics, etc. While you don’t need a high-power transducer on a pleasure boat, it’s necessary on a fishing boat so you really see the fish under the boat all the way to 2,000 feet down. Transducers can cost anywhere from $200 to $20,000. The transducer/any electronics associated with them can range from  $200 to $20,000. Here’s a look at the cost of just a few of the accessories:


  • Transducer: most local fishermen will use these to bottom fish for red snapper and the cost of a good quality transducer is  $800 - $1,500.

  • MFD: The cost of a multi-function display aka GPS/fish finder can be anywhere between $600-$11,000.

  • Trolling motor: The cost of a trolling motor with a GPS and spot lock function is between $2,000 - $6,000. 


These three accessories alone, if you opted for the lower end of the price range, could potentially cost you $3,400. If you opted for the higher end of the price range, they could cost you $18,500.

Availability

More demand makes fishing boats more expensive, especially in the Pensacola and Mobile areas along the Gulf. When you decide to purchase your boat also affects the price and the off season (fall/winter) is the best time to buy. Manufacturers and dealers usually have sales on the previous model year (see our clearance inventory) and when it’s cold, taking your boat out isn’t as top of mind and prices generally come down during this time.  

Summary

If you were to compare a fishing boat to a pleasure boat with a similar hull (except the pleasure boat is a dual console) with windshield and seating and without any added features will be about 10% more expensive. For example, a Cobia 240 CC is less expensive than a Cobia 240 DC and an EdgeWater center console is less expensive than a dual console.

But, in addition to the increased cost for manufacturers for everything from labor to materials, once you add all of the fishing accessories, the center console fishing boat could easily meet or exceed the price of the dual console pleasure boat.  And if you purchased the same boat without the fishing options, of course, it would be slightly cheaper: a Cobia 240 CC with all of the fishing options is more expensive than a Cobia 240 CC without the fishing options.