You’re likely to be a massive fan of Deadliest Catch TV. You’ve probably wondered how these guys operate and the crab boats they use in Alaskan waters. What does it cost to build a crab boat? This is something I’ve always wondered about. This is what I discovered.
The cost of building crab boats can run into the millions. The 150-foot Alaskan Enterprise, built at more than 2 million dollars, is one of the most expensive crab boats ever. The cost of small crab boats on the second market can range from $80,000 to $160,000.
Maintaining and operating a large commercial crab boat can cost thousands each year.
Some crab boats can cost up to $5 million new. Sometimes, the engines can cost as much as $2 million.
Some of the crab boats featured on Deadliest Catch TV are older than others, with some registered as far back as 30 years ago. The costs of the crab boats seen on TV could run from 2 to 3 million dollars, according to my estimates.
This is not all.
Licenses to fish for crab in Alaskan waters can cost as high as $7 million. Crab pots can also be costly.
Add the salaries of the deckhand and captain, and you have a highly profitable but expensive industry.
What is the cost of a crab boat?
This is an example of a high-end commercial crab boat, but what about smaller ones?
I looked at some boat broker websites to find out how much it would cost to purchase a smaller crab boat.
According to my knowledge, the price range for crab boats between 22 and 28 feet in length is $80,000 to $160,000.
Related questions
While researching the cost of a crab boat, I came across many related questions. These questions were also related to my article on the price of a crab boat. I have included them below so you can learn more about this fantastic TV series.
#1: What’s the largest crab boat anywhere in the world?
Although it’s challenging to find the exact information about the largest crab boat in the world, I stumbled upon a New Wave Media press release that mentioned the 150-foot Alaskan Enterprise.
It is said to be the largest and most potent crab boat ever constructed for the Alaskan crab fishing sector.
#2: What is the annual salary of a crab boat owner?
The captain of the crab boat is often the owner. It has been reported that they can make as much as $200,000 annually with additional income from other activities.
#3: What is the average yearly salary of King crab fishermen?
Red king crabs can be as giant as 6 to 10 pounds and are the largest crab species. At the time of writing, the current price per pound is $4.50. The previous year, the cost per kilogram was $3.90.
King crab fishermen can make as much as $27 to $45 per king crab they catch and return to the harbor.
#4: What is the average salary of deckhands for the Deadliest Catch?
Deckhand salaries can be pretty high, but the season for King crab fishing lasts only three months. They can earn as much as $15,000 per month during this period.
Deckhands can work as deckhands in the snow crab fishing industry during the peak season to supplement their income. Others will work only for three months.
This blog post contains more information about their earnings and salary.
#5: How far out are the crab boats from the sea?
Commercial crab fishing boats can set their schedules during Alaskan King crab season. Many of them stay at sea for several days or weeks.
#6: How long can the Deadliest Catch remain at sea?
The Discovery website states that the Deadliest Catch boats can only stay at sea for up to two weeks.
#7: What boat was lost on The Deadliest Catch
Three fishermen were killed when the Mary B II crab fishing vessel capsized in rough seas while crossing the Yaquina Bay Bar in Newport, Oregon, in January 2019.
It needs to be clarified if this boat ever appeared on Deadliest Catch. A spokesperson for the show stated that it did not appear despite the report being published by TMZ.
#8: How do they count crabs on the Deadliest Catch?
The Deadliest Catch requires that the crabs be counted. Only the keepers are allowed to keep the crabs.
The smaller females are returned to the water, and the larger ones are counted and put into tanks. Each crab is assigned a weighted average to determine quotas.
This guide to counting crabs will show you how to measure them step-by-step.
Here are more facts about crab fishing, and the Deadliest Catch TV series
- The Alaskan King crab fishing season can only last four weeks. High-season months are October and January.
- Deadliest Catch is based on crab boats from Alaska’s Dutch Harbor.
- The ships in Deadliest Catch are between 40 and 200 feet in size.
- As many as ten crew can be on board, including one captain and nine deckhands.
- Deadliest Catch’s crab fishermen use 700-pound crab pots reaching 400 feet under the seafloor.
Last word
It took a lot of work to determine the cost of a crab boat. This is because it depends on the size and type. You can find them on TV in the millions.
You can sometimes find a more petite model less than 30 feet long for as low as $100,000.