If you are not in the water this summer, there is no better place to be than on it. Boating is big where we live and so is the price tag to participate.

With the help of Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at Circana, you won’t drift too far from your budget or the rules.

“New York State requires, if you're going to operate a boat, you must be licensed. So, you have to take an actual boat safety course, get certified,” said Cohen. “For $39.95, you can do that online or in an in-person class, and they will give you a certificate that you need to carry.”

Once the captain is cleared, they are paying to make the vessel seaworthy and to keep it that way. Cohen says opening a boat for the season can run you around $500 and docking, based on size, can cost more than $250 a day.

If you are taking frequent trips with your boat, that also means frequent trips to fill up.

“If you use a marina gas station and you fill up there, it's running at around $4.”

Passenger protection is also essential, and money well spent. Approved life jackets for kids can start around $27 and run up to $65.

Reeling in the price is about as easy as reeling in a big catch.

“The average fishing rod for a beginner runs at about $60. For the more elaborate ones, you can certainly spend up to 2, 3 and even $400,” said Cohen.

Still, don’t look at it as sinking your wallet if the experience is one that truly floats your boat.