NORTH FORT MYERS, FLA – Do you budget enough to maintain your vessel so that it sells at top dollar?

Most boat owners do not budget nearly enough, according to Barb Hansen who, for almost 18 years, has overseen the maintenance of dozens of yachts, power and sail, for the charter fleet of Southwest Florida Yachts of North Fort Myers.

How much should you spend?

"The owner should budget 10 to 15 percent of the value of the vessel for maintenance," said Hansen. "This is the real world – mechanical, brightwork, cosmetics, hardware, electronics. If you don't spend the money this year; then carry it over to next year," Hansen said. "As a boat gets older, say more than 10 years old, the maintenance percentage needs to be notched up a few points."

Hansen uses the 15 percent figure to demonstrate to yacht owners why they should put their vessels into charter. The revenue from boat charters will help pay for those maintenance costs, she said. She points out, also, that the regular use and attention that a vessel receives while it's in charter is often better for it than the alternative – a vessel that is used infrequently or seasonally.

Boaters considering a new vessel, she said, should buy the best quality boat possible. "It costs you less in the long term to buy quality," said Hansen. "The equipment will perform better and, with better stainless steel, good gelcoat and other top of the line components, it will continue to look and operate better. "