Five New Boats for Under $1,000
Yes you can buy a brand new boat for under $1,000 - but we're not just talking about kayaks.
Despite boating’s reputation as a rich man’s sport, most people can afford one boat or another whether it’s one of the best affordable boats under $50,000 or a $5,000 aluminum fishing boat. If those are still too rich for your blood and you need to get out on the water for a thousand bucks or less... well, never fear dear boater, it can be done. Here are five brand-new boats which list for $1,000 or thereabouts.
Ascend H10
The first boat in our roundup is also the least expensive. Sporting a price tag of around $750 the Ascend H10 is a one-person sit-in hybrid kayak with a tunnel hull and stepped keel design to deliver stability, straight tracking, and easy paddling. The one-piece rotomolded hull comes with two flush-mounted rodholders, carry handles, and a threaded and sealed drain plug. LOA is 10', beam is 2'7", and weight is an easy-to-carry 55 pounds. It even carries a maximum horsepower rating one one hp, if you want to add a motor. True, it can handle just one passenger, but this little boat gets you out on the water time and time again for less than most one-day boat charters.
See Ascend boats for sale on boats.com.
Tracker Grizzly 1036 Jon
The Tracker Grizzly 1036 Jon is listed at $95 over our price barrier and was replaced this year by a new model, the Tracker 10 (MSRP: $1,295), but we're going to include it here because there are still "leftover" new Grizzly 1036 boats listed on the site, used boats will go for even less, and if you can't come up with another $95 bucks to get a boat you might want to take up a different hobby. Made of 5052 aluminum this model is as simple as it gets, with a hull and two bench seats. Weight is 115 pounds and beam is 4'4", so this rig will easily slide into the bed of a pickup truck.
See all Tracker boats for sale on boats.com.
Liquidlogic Versa
The Liquidlogic Versa ducks in just under $1,000 with an MSRP of $999, and it accomplishes something no other vessel in our roundup can match: it's really two different kinds of boats all wrapped up in one. Put on the seat and drop down the skeg and it's a sit-on-top kayak. Or just launch the hull, and you have a standup paddleboard. The Versa features traction pads, a "Tag Along" wheel for transport from the vehicle to the launch, and replacable stern skid plates.
See all Liquidlogic boats for sale on boats.com.
Zodiac Cadet 200
Though the published MSRP is a hair over our $1,000 bar we saw the Cadet 200 listed new on boats.com for as low as $833. At a mere 6'7" it may be a tiny boat, but it can hold two people and handle up to three horses on the transom. Its best feature, however, is that once deflated and rolled up it's so small and light (53 pounds) that you could find room to store it in a one-bedroom apartment. Standard equipment includes an aluminum deck, aluminum oars, a manual pump, and a repair kit.
See all Zodiac boats for sale on boats.com.
Perception Kayaks Tribe 13.5
With an LOA of 13'5" the Perception Kayaks Tribe 13.5 is the longest boat coming in under our shockingly low price bar, posting a MSRP of $949 but going for even less in the listings (we saw one at $899). And, unlike most kayaks, this one lets you bring along a friend. It has two adjustable seats, a weight capacity of up to 500 pounds, molded-in foot rests, and stowage areas with bungee tie-downs both fore and aft. If you want to hit the water and paddle with a partner this one will be the top pick.
See Perception Kayaks for sale on boats.com.
No, none of these boats are going to impress the neighbors or take you across an ocean. None are even appropriate for more than a pair of people nor carrying more gear than you can fit in one armload. But we hope we’ve proved our point — you don’t need to spend a million bucks to become a boater. In fact, you don’t even have to spend a thousand. A fine watercraft like one of these is all you need to enjoy a day of fishing, paddling, or waterborne exploration. So go ahead and write out those bills. Pay for the kid’s braces, make a donation to their college funds, and then splurge on a nice dinner out with your spouse. You’ll still have plenty of cash left over for your boating budget if you opt for one of these five boats.
If there's a bit more room in the bank account, also check out:
- Top 10 New Fishing Boats for Under $20,000
- 9 Best Boats Under $25K for 2025
- Best Pontoon Boats Under $50,000
- Best Affordable Boast Under $50,000
- Best Boats Under $100,000
Editor's note: this article was last updated in October of 2025.
