Is there a Nada guide for boats?

Yes, NADA (now part of J.D. Power) publishes boat valuation guides, but they are only a starting point and not a substitute for a credentialed appraisal when real money or legal stakes are involved.

The NADA Marine Appraisal Guide estimates values using year, make, model, engine specs, and options, similar to its approach for cars and RVs. It's useful for a rough sense of what a boat might be worth, but it pulls from generalized data rather than an in-person evaluation of your specific vessel's condition, upgrades, maintenance history, and local market demand. Two boats of the same model year can carry very different values depending on hull condition, engine hours, electronics, and how well they've been maintained, details a guide can't capture.

For anything requiring a defensible number, such as insurance coverage, an estate settlement, a charitable donation deduction, or a divorce settlement, guide values typically won't hold up on their own. Insurers, the IRS, and courts generally expect a documented, USPAP-compliant appraisal prepared by a qualified appraiser, not a printout from an online guide.

When you need more than a guide value

A professional boat appraisal accounts for the vessel's actual condition, systems, and market comparables, and produces a signed report suited to its intended use. This matters most for:

• Insurance coverage and claims, where an accurate valuation protects you from being under- or over-insured
• Estate settlement, gift, or estate tax filings that require a defensible fair market value
• Charitable donation deductions requiring an IRS Form 8283 qualified appraisal
• Divorce and equitable distribution, where a neutral, credentialed value is expected

Our appraisers hold credentials with organizations such as the ASA, CAGA, and NAMS, and every report is prepared in accordance with USPAP. If you're past the "ballpark estimate" stage, you can request an appraisal and we'll confirm scope and fixed-fee pricing before any work begins.