Charloma boats
Charloma is a small boat manufacturer with 124 registered hulls in the US fleet, producing primarily compact vessels with a median length of 8.9 feet. The brand offers nearly equal numbers of electric and gasoline powered models, with most registered boats dating from 2005 to 2016. These compact boats suit buyers looking for dinghies, tenders, or light recreational craft where portability and fuel flexibility are priorities.
Are Charloma boats reliable?
Charloma has a clean safety record with zero USCG recalls on file across the 124 registered hulls, which suggests consistent build quality for this size class. Operating costs depend heavily on fuel type: the 58 electric models require battery replacement every 3 to 5 years ($200 to $800 depending on capacity), while the 57 gasoline models face typical small engine maintenance (carburetor cleaning, fuel system upkeep). At this compact size, the biggest ownership cost is often storage and trailer upkeep rather than the boat itself.
Common problems to inspect on a used Charloma
- Battery condition and charging system function on electric models
- Fuel system corrosion and carburetor condition on gasoline models
- Gel coat stress cracks and UV damage from outdoor storage
- Transom and hull flex from trailer tie down points
Registry footprint
Sample = US state open-data vessel registries (currently Texas + New York, ~875k vessels). Treat as a representative slice of recreational US inventory.
Recalls (0)
No USCG recalls on file for Charloma.
USCG MIC entries (2)
Frequently asked questions
Are Charloma boats reliable?
Charloma has zero USCG recalls across 124 registered US hulls, indicating solid construction for the compact boat segment. Reliability depends more on fuel type and owner maintenance than the hull itself.
What is the resale value of a Charloma boat?
Resale value for compact boats under 10 feet depends heavily on condition and fuel type, with electric models holding value if batteries are newer. Expect depreciation similar to other tender and dinghy brands in the $1,500 to $4,000 range for used models from the common 2005 to 2016 production years.
What size are most Charloma boats?
The median registered Charloma is 8.9 feet, placing most models in the dinghy and tender category. This compact size makes them suitable for yacht tenders, car topping, or light recreational use in protected waters.
Should I buy an electric or gasoline Charloma?
The fleet splits nearly evenly between electric (58 hulls) and gasoline (57 hulls), so both are proven. Choose electric for quiet operation and short range use where charging is available, or gasoline for longer range and faster speeds without battery weight.
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