Buying a Boat or Jet Ski in NZ: 8 Things to Know First

Thinking about going fishing with your friends, jet skiing down the river, or taking the kids out to the lakes on a dinghy this summer?

Buying a boat is a big investment, and for many Kiwis, it’s a dream come true. So, you’d want to pick the right boat that suits your needs and, most importantly, your budget. Plus, you’ll also need to consider all the maintenance costs and boat finance options to fit your long-term goal before you become a proud boat owner.

If you’ve dreamed about getting a boat but don’t know where to start, we’ve put together a first-time buyer’s guide to buying a boat in NZ for you!

Buying a Boat or Jet Ski in NZ at a glance

• Budget for more than the price tag. Running costs like insurance, storage, fuel and servicing add up. A common rule of thumb is about 10% of the purchase price each year.

• Buying second-hand? Check NZ Police's stolen boat information and the PPSR before you hand over any money.

• You don't need a licence to drive a recreational boat or jet ski in NZ, but you must follow the rules, including wearing a lifejacket on craft 6 metres and under.

• Jet skis must be registered in Auckland, Northland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

• Thinking of borrowing? Factor the repayments and running costs in together, so you know the real weekly cost.

1. Set your budget

Of course, the first thing you'd consider before buying a boat is the budget.

Think about how much you're willing to spend and stick to your budget plan. Doing a little research on the type of boat and its annual running costs will help you set a realistic budget if you're a first-time boat buyer (more on this below).

Also, don't forget to allocate some of your finances to boat insurance! If you'd like a hand with the purchase, have a look at our boat and jet ski finance options.

2. Decide on the type of boat

With so many boating options to choose from, including jet skis, fishing boats, dinghies and inflatable boats, you'll need to consider a few factors to determine the type of boat to buy:

• Use – Ask yourself, will you be using the boat for fishing and water sports or for recreational purposes to take your family and friends out to sea? Think about how frequently you intend to use the boat. Make sure that your vessel is suitable for your needs in both the short and long term.

• Condition – Both new and used boats have their pros and cons. New boats don't have a repair history to consider, come with a warranty, and can go out on the water immediately, but are obviously much more expensive compared to used boats. Pre-owned boats tend to be cheaper, but they don't always have a warranty and may require more repairs and restoration.

• Size – How many people will be on the boat at once? Do you need space to put your fishing gear? Will you be sailing on the sea, river, or lake? Will you stay overnight on the boat? If you're trailering your boat, the size of your boat will also impact the size of the car needed to tow it.

3. Calculate the annual costs

There's more than just the upfront price you'll need to consider.

There are many other costs you'll need to pay each year. These annual costs could include maintenance and servicing, marina, mooring or storage fees, trailer costs, insurance, safety gear, accessories, and fuel.

What does a boat cost to buy?

It varies hugely. As a rough guide, a small boat or dinghy might cost anywhere from $2,000 to $7,500, while a second-hand speed boat can be $50,000 or more.

What does it cost to own?

A common rule of thumb is to allow about 10% of the boat's purchase price each year for running costs. So a $15,000 boat could cost around $1,500 a year to own, or roughly $29 a week. It's a rough guide only: a small tinny kept at home will usually cost less, and a bigger boat on a marina berth will cost more.

Here's a checklist of the running costs to plan for:

We recommend listing all of these projected costs to help indicate a realistic and suitable budget and price range.

4. Shop around

Now that you've got a good idea of the type and price of the boat you want, it's time to shop around. Start your research online, attend boat shows, and talk to friends and family who are already boat owners and can give you great tips about buying a boat.

5. Inspect your boat, and check its history 

Once you've narrowed down your options, don't forget to have a thorough inspection, especially if you're buying a used boat. First, check the most important aspects of the boat, including the hull, deck, trailer, engine, battery, starter motor, electronics, bellows, cables and hardware.

Sea trials: Take the boat out for a test drive or sea trial to see if it's seaworthy and whether you enjoy the boat. This is very important if you're buying a preowned boat.

Marine surveyor: If you're a first-time boat buyer or aren't confident in your technical knowledge, hire an independent marine surveyor who can give a thorough inspection of the boat and may save you from buying a lemon.

Check it isn't stolen or owing money: There's no compulsory national register for recreational boats in New Zealand, so it's worth doing a few checks before you hand over any money:

• Check it isn't stolen. NZ Police has advice for boat buyers, including how to check if a boat has been reported stolen. If you buy a stolen boat and it's recovered, the boat will be confiscated.

• Check there's no money owing on it. Search the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR)https://ppsr.companiesoffice.govt.nz/ to see if a lender has a security interest in the boat, its motor or its trailer.

• Buying a jet ski? In Auckland, Northland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, jet skis must be registered, so make sure the registration is transferred to you.

• Get a written receipt with the seller's details, the price, and the boat, motor and trailer serial numbers. Some owners also add their boat to the free, voluntary NZ Boat Register, though it isn't proof of legal ownership.

If you find any problems with your inspection, you can try negotiating with the seller or look at another boat.

Remember, you're buying a boat for your enjoyment and not something that will cause stress and leave you unsatisfied.

6. Review your boat financing options

Now that you've got a shortlist of boats you like, make sure you review your boat financing options.

Work out what the repayments would be alongside your running costs, so you know the real weekly cost of owning the boat.

If you need a little help with boat finance, have a look at our boat and jet ski finance page, and use our loan calculator to see how your boat fits into your budget.

7. Get boat insurance

A boat can be an expensive investment, so you'd want to fully insure your boat against any potential damages or unexpected situations.

Your annual premium depends on various factors, including your boat type, length, speed, and usage. Talk to a couple of independent insurance companies to compare the rates and what's covered in the insurance plans.

Don't forget to calculate the insurance fees in your annual costs!

8. Know the rules and take a boating course

Ready to get your feet wet and take your new boat out for a spin?

While you don't need a licence to drive a recreational boat in New Zealand, you must still follow New Zealand's maritime rules.

A few key ones from Maritime NZ:

• Wear a lifejacket. Everyone on board a recreational craft 6 metres and under must now wear a lifejacket when it's underway. That includes jet skis, dinghies and small motorboats.

• Keep to 5 knots near people and the shore. That's a fast walking pace, within 200m of the shore, within 50m of another boat, and within 50m of anyone swimming.

• Be 15 or over to drive anything fast. You must be over 15 to operate a vessel that can go faster than 10 knots, unless you're closely supervised by someone older.

Local rules can vary by region, so check your regional council's navigation bylaw too.

Before heading out to sea, it's worth taking some boating courses to be familiar with all the boating basics, the skipper's responsibilities and the rules of sharing the water with others.

You don't want to be stuck in the middle of the sea and calling for help when you're on holiday!

Boat or jet ski: which suits you?

	Small boat or dinghy	Trailer boat	Jet ski
Rough Price	$2,000 - $7,000	From ~$15,000 to $50,000+	New from ~ $13,000
Good for	Fishing close to shore, lakes, kids learning	Fishing, family days out, water sports	Fun, speed, towing a biscuit
People on board	1-3	4-6	1-3
Trailer & tow vehicle	Light trailer, most cars can tow	Bigger trailer and a capable tow vehicle	Light trailer, most cars can tow
Registration	None	None required (trailer needs WOF and rego)	Required in Auckland, Northland, Waikato & BOP
Running costs	Lower	Higher (Fuel, servicing, storage)	Moderate

Prices are rough guides only and vary with age, size and condition.

 

Buying a jet ski

Jet skis (also called personal watercraft) are one of the most popular ways to get out on the water.

Here's what to budget for and the rules to know.

What a jet ski costs 

New entry-level jet skis start at around $13,000. For example, Yamaha's entry-level JetBlaster is listed at $13,299 in NZ in 2026. Bigger, more powerful models cost considerably more, and second-hand prices vary with age, engine hours and condition.

Running costs

On top of the purchase price, budget for:

• Insurance

• A trailer to get it to and from the water (if it doesn't come with one)

• Storage, at home or in a storage facility

• Fuel

• Servicing, usually once a year or after a set number of engine hours

• Registration, a one-off fee in the regions that require it

• Safety gear, including a lifejacket for every rider

The rules for jet skis

• Registration: if you use a jet ski in Auckland, Northland, Waikato (including Lake Taupō) or the Bay of Plenty, it must be registered through Auckland Transport. Registration is a one-off fee, valid for the life of the jet ski, and covers all four regions. If you buy one second-hand, the registration needs to be transferred to you.

• Lifejackets: everyone on a jet ski must wear a lifejacket when it's moving.

• Speed: the 5 knot rule applies to jet skis just like boats, and some areas have designated zones for jet skis, while others don't allow them.

• Age: riders need to be over 15, unless closely supervised.

Towing your boat: what your licence allows

Most trailer boats and jet skis are towed on a normal car licence, but there are limits:

• Full car licence (class 1): the combined weight of your vehicle, trailer, boat and everything in them can be up to 6,000kg.

• Learner or restricted car licence: the combined weight can be up to 4,500kg.

• Light trailers are those with a gross laden weight (the trailer plus its load) of 3,500kg or less. A boat and trailer heavier than that needs a certificate of fitness rather than a WOF.

• Unbraked trailers: as a guide, NZTA recommends the laden weight of an unbraked trailer shouldn't be more than three-quarters of the towing vehicle's unladen weight.

• Speed: when you're towing, the maximum speed is 90km/h, even where the posted limit is higher.

Check your vehicle's owner's manual for its maximum towing capacity too, and weigh your rig if you're not sure.

Find out more in NZTA's what you can drive guide.

Free printable used-boat checklist

Heading off to look at a boat?

Download our free used-boat checklist and take it with you.

It covers the hull and deck, engine, trailer, safety gear and paperwork, plus the stolen-boat and PPSR checks, so nothing gets missed.

Boat finance in NZ: what to check before you borrow

If you're thinking about a loan for a boat or jet ski, here's what to look at:

• The total cost, not just the repayment. Add up the interest and fees over the whole loan, and remember the running costs come on top.

• Whether the repayments fit your budget alongside everything else, including the months the boat stays in the shed.

• The loan term. A longer term means smaller repayments, but you'll usually pay more interest overall. Check the terms available on our boat and jet ski finance page.

• Whether to offer security. Offering security, like the boat itself or your car, can strengthen your application.

Our five questions to ask before you borrow can help you work out what's comfortable.

A worked example: a $15,000 boat

Say you're buying a $15,000 trailer boat with a loan over five years at 19.95% p.a.:

• Loan repayments: $95.66 a week ($406.02 a month), or $24,871.60 in total, including interest and fees.

• Running costs (using the 10% rule of thumb): about $1,500 a year, or roughly $29 a week.

• All up: around $125 a week to own and pay off the boat.

Interest rates range from 9.95% to 29.95% p.a., depending on your circumstances. Try your own numbers in our loan calculator.

Boat and jet ski FAQs

Do you need a licence for a boat or jet ski in NZ?

No, you don't need a licence to drive a recreational boat or jet ski in New Zealand, but you must follow the rules. Everyone on board a craft 6 metres and under must wear a lifejacket while it's underway, you must keep to 5 knots near the shore, other boats and swimmers, and you need to be over 15 to drive anything that can go faster than 10 knots, unless closely supervised.

How do I change the ownership of a boat or jet ski in NZ?

There's no compulsory national register for recreational boats, so the key is a written receipt with the seller's details, the price and the serial numbers. Before you buy, check the boat isn't reported stolen and search the PPSR to make sure no money is owed on it. For jet skis in Auckland, Northland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, the registration must be transferred to the new owner through Auckland Transport.

How much does a jet ski cost in NZ?

New entry-level jet skis start at around $13,000, and bigger models cost considerably more. Second-hand prices vary with age, engine hours and condition. On top of the price, budget for insurance, a trailer, storage, fuel, servicing and, in some regions, a one-off registration fee.

How much does a boat cost in NZ?

It varies hugely. As a rough guide, a small boat or dinghy might cost $2,000 to $7,500, while a second-hand speed boat can be $50,000 or more. Whatever you buy, remember the running costs. A common rule of thumb is about 10% of the purchase price each year for things like insurance, storage, fuel and servicing.

Can I tow a boat on a car licence?

Yes. On a full car licence, the combined weight of your vehicle, trailer, boat and load can be up to 6,000kg, or 4,500kg on a learner or restricted licence. Check your vehicle's maximum towing capacity too, and remember the speed limit when towing is 90km/h.

Is a boat a good investment?

Most boats lose value over time, a bit like cars, so it's best to think of a boat as a lifestyle purchase rather than a financial investment. If it fits comfortably in your budget, including the running costs, and you'll get out on the water, that's what makes it worth it.

Can I get a loan for a used boat or jet ski?

Yes, you can apply for a loan from Instant Finance for a new or used boat or jet ski. Interest rates range from 9.95% to 29.95% p.a., depending on your circumstances. We'll go through your budget with you to make sure the repayments fit.