BOAT vs VTI
SonicShares Global Shipping ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BOAT or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. BOAT led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BOAT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $98M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.35% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 57 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +68.02%Best | +11.65% |
| 1Y Return | +69.14%Best | +17.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +34.52%Best | +20.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.76%Best | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.1% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,034Best | $17,404 |
| Fund Family | Lucania Investments LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 3, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 4, 2021 to Sep 10, 2026 (5.1 years).
BOAT vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.1 years both funds cover.
BOAT vs VTI Performance
SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT) is an ETF from Lucania Investments LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BOAT returned +69.14% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, BOAT is up 68.02% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, BOAT compounded at +34.52% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +23.76% and +11.72% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BOAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.1% compared with 16.0% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.9% for BOAT and -25.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.38. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BOAT charges 0.69% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $3 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BOAT currently yields 6.35% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 52 holdings in BOAT and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 100.0% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, BOAT as of Aug 18, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in BOAT and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 57 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BOAT and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BOAT or VTI?
BOAT has an expense ratio of 0.69% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BOAT or VTI?
Over the past year BOAT returned +69.14% vs +17.34% for VTI, so BOAT leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BOAT or VTI?
BOAT has been the more volatile fund at 27.1% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BOAT -33.9% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both BOAT and VTI?
BOAT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.38, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BOAT or VTI?
BOAT yields 6.35% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BOAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BOAT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. BOAT led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.