Crab boats are affordable if you are looking for a suitable fishing boat. They are specifically designed for those fishermen who target crabs, as well as they are available in numerous sizes and styles to fit your needs.
Crab boats are designed to travel through rough water. They can stay at sea for months with their crew, everything that the crew needs to survive as well as all those crabs that the crew catches. So, if you are looking to buy a new fishing boat that can stay with you in a harsh environment, you must consider crab boats. Wondering how much the crab boats cost?
On average, crabbing boats can cost anywhere more than $30,000. However, the price can go higher depending upon several factors such as crab boat size, features, and age. Many of the larger size crabbing boats have also been selling for a few million dollars.
One of the largest crab boats ever built was the 150-foot Alaskan Enterprise, which cost 2 million dollars to build. Some of the brand new crab boats manufactured also cost about 5 million dollars.
If you find it out of range to buy a brand new crab boat, you can also purchase second-hand crab boats as the used crab boats can be bought at lower rates.
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Factors to consider while buying a crab boat
There are several types of crabbing boats available in the market with their own specific kind of features. So, while choosing a boat for yourself, you must consider your budget and needs.
However, below are listed some of the important things you should keep in mind while buying a crabbing boat for yourself.
Size of the boat
Crab boats are available in different sizes and can range anywhere between 16 feet to 200 feet. So, you should buy a boat that fits your budget and needs.
Type of the boat
Crabbing boats are found in different types; each type has its own specific features. However, the one with the more innovative feature will cost high, so you should be clear about your needs and select a boat that fits your requirements and your budget.
Features of the boat
Crabbing boats are available in various features; for example, some boats come equipped with cooking, refrigeration, canning features, and deep water capability. However, a boat with more equipped features will definitely cost more, so choose a boat according to your needs and budget.
The price
Crabbing boats have been sailing for different prices. Some of their models are available for millions of dollars, while some of them are also available for $30,000. So the choice is all yours!
The crew
Crabbing boats can be available with a crew capacity of 2 to 20 people. You can choose the size of the crew according to your needs and budget.
The length of the time
The length of the time simply means how long you want your boat to stay in the water. Crabbing boats can be available for both long and short trips, so you should consider your needs while choosing a boat.
Safety equipment
Mostly crabbing boats come with certain safety equipment on board, such as flares and life jackets. The crab boat with more safety equipment will cost high, so it depends on your needs, so be careful when choosing safety equipment in your boat as they will add up to the actual boat cost.
Your destination
Crabbing boats can be taken to a variety of locations such as deep water, shallow water, or even in the Arctic; however, the destination you choose should be according to your needs and budget.
Above all, the main factors that you should keep in your mind when you go to buy a crab boat.
Some crab boats with their price tag
Below are listed some of the crab boats with their price tag that fishermen most commonly use. The list can also help you decide which boat fits your budget.
1. The Waef Crab boat
The Waef is a small crabbing boat that costs approximately $128,000. This aluminum-built boat comes with a length of 22’9″ and a width of 10’5″.
The waef crab boat is generally smaller in size and doesn’t have any crew quarters on it, so you can hardly spend a day or two on it before heading back to land.
The one good thing about this boat is that you don’t need to spend any additional expenses on the docking and mooring of the boat as it is of smaller size, so it can be trailered easily.
2. The Katherine
The Katherine crabbing boat is a popular boat that has been selling for $535,000. This may seem very expensive to you, but this boat’s features are just amazing. The crew can easily spend weeks on this boat as the boat has a stove, a refrigerator, fridge, and sink.
The Katherine boat’s hull is made up of steel. It has two fuel tanks that can store more than 9,000 gallons of fuel.
3. The Hooyah
The Hooyah, Hoo – Yah, is a 37′ fiberglass crab boat with a width of 13′. The boat has a small outboard motor on it. It is specifically designed to travel in shallow water.
The Hooyah boat has a 120 HP diesel engine, which uses 1.5 gallons of fuel per hour. It has two fuel tanks that can store up to 400 gallons of fuel.
The boat has a cruising speed of 8 knots and a full speed of 10 knots. The selling price of a brand new Hooyah crab boat is around $30,000; however, if this price seems high, you can also get a used Hooyah boat at a less price.
4. The MAGGY J
The MAGGY J is an expensive type of crab boat selling for about $180,000. It is specially designed to use in deep water.
This boat’s length is 24 feet, and it has a large outboard motor on it. Its fuel tank can store about 550 gallons of fuel in it.
The MAGGY J boat has a place for four people to sleep on it; however, its small water tank and fuel tank make it unable to stay for more than one day in the water,
5. The Buccaneer
The Buccaneer was first built in 1974. The boat’s hull is made from steel, and it is specifically built to use in shallow water.
It is 65’6″ long and 22’6″ wide with a 360 HP Detroit engine. The boat has 9 fuel tanks that can store about 10,750 gallons of fuel.
The selling price of this crab boat is $825,000. The price might be very high, but the boat is so large and equipped that it can be used to travel for months at a time before coming to shore.
As you see, there is a wide range of crabbing boats; each type is different from another one. However, the price of each boat can vary hugely depending on the size, type, age, and features of the boat. Second-hand boats can be bought at a lower price. So while deciding on a boat for yourself, you should be aware of your needs and budget as well.
You might be interested to know: The cost of a tuna boat
Frequently asked questions:
1. How long can crab boats stay out in the water?
A crab boat can stay in the water for about three to four weeks at a time; however, it can be much longer depending on the capacity of the boat and the length of time it takes to capture the crabs.
2. How much does the crab boat owner make?
The crab boat’s captain is the boat owner, who can earn about $200,000 per year. Crewmen can also earn about $50,000 during a three-month working period.
3. How much does the captain get paid on the deadliest catch?
On average, the deadliest catch captain can earn about $150,000 in a single working season on any of the boats. The deadliest catch is a strenuous and very dangerous job, and being its captain is one of the hardest jobs.
4. Who is the richest on Deadliest Catch?
Sig Hansen is the richest captain on Deadliest Catch and has a net worth of about $4M in 2020. According to some news, currently, he is training his daughter to become a new captain.
