Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

[fish53]

I've got a decent little rowing skiff, a nice pull everyday is good for the back and arms. I've got a 90 watt panel I'm trying to figure out how to mount.

[Barefootnavigat]

Originally Posted by lolarose

Shoestring Sailors

what is shoestring sailor. one that would eat **** if he/she can get it for free. or take own food on boat for thre months cruising, becouse not to spend only single penny.
and then you are suprised why in foreign (even in your ovn) countries no one like to see you, let alone to do "business" with you.

if i ever come in situation to be "shoestring sailor" i would burn my bot and never set my foot on the beach again let alone in the boat.

Whats wrong with being a shoestring sailor? We sailed the inside passage this year on a $100 a week, two people and our dog. We lived very well within our budget and had no complaints. Attitude is the differecne between ordeal and adventure. We could have gone on forever but a sick doggie prompted a return to the states.


I should note that when I set off again the budget will be $125 a week. We met all sorts of frugal sailors all having a wonderful ecperince on small budgets.

[SV Sailfish]

Originally Posted by Barefootnavigat

Whats wrong with being a shoestring sailor? We sailed the inside passage this year on a $100 a week, two people and our dog.

I should note that when I set off again the budget will be $125 a week

So... why the budget bump up to $125? Hindsight info please.

[Barefootnavigat]

We found fresh food to be very expensive, $7.00 for a head of cabbage $30.00 bucks for a 15 pack of warm beer. $35.00 for a pouch of horrible tobacco. I could easily go again on $100.00 per week but we like to entertain other sailors and always serve up fresh salads, snacks and in our case warm beers because we don't have an ice box.

[seandepagnier]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

It seems to me that one of the key factors in living inexpensively comes back to the old adage: Location, location, location...

I agree.

For example, in wellington new zealand it cost me nothing to live because there was plenty of food freely available. The same was true in san francisco. But when I travel to a different port, I either didn't find the source, or it wasn't possible to get this.

In remote regions I can catch fish and hunt wild animals. At sea I can catch far more than I can eat so it's possible to have extra food for when I am anchored somewhere.

In countries like vanuatu, I needed no money because there, I could also hunt and fish with the locals, but also barter with them, and bring them from one island to the next which they often paid me with food from their gardens.

In philippines I found I needed money, but there I could eat a meal with meat, vegetables, soup, fruit and rice for less than $1, and it was enough food for the whole day.

Here in mauritius, it can cost me $1 also for food for one day when I am not cooking, but cooking food doesn't save a lot because cooking for one person is not so economical anyway. It can be a little cheaper but doesn't taste as good and it's a lot of effort.

I've read that the Andaman Sea/Gulf of Thailand is an inviting place for cruisers. It is (apparently) an inexpensive place to live, but it is open and inviting to sailors. Is this your experience boat_alexandra? Please do tell us more.

I think thailand is relatively cheap, but also consider it's asia so it's very polluted lots of trash everywhere, with too many people etc etc. Another problem with these places of +- 15 latitude is they are incredibly hot in the day especially in the rainy season making it almost impossible to do anything or to even think straight between 10am and 4pm.

[frank_f]

Originally Posted by Barefootnavigat

We found fresh food to be very expensive, $7.00 for a head of cabbage $30.00 bucks for a 15 pack of warm beer. $35.00 for a pouch of horrible tobacco. I could easily go again on $100.00 per week but we like to entertain other sailors and always serve up fresh salads, snacks and in our case warm beers because we don't have an ice box.

Wow. Where were you when you were running into these costs?

[Barefootnavigat]

We were sailing from San Juan Island to Alaska up the inside passage.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by fish53

plus it's paid for.

The benefits of that never to be underestimated - no matter the budget.



Sent from my NEXUS 5 whilst sitting in my armchair tied to the dock.

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by frank_f

Wow. Where were you when you were running into these costs?

Those costs sound like the Bahamas.....

[fish53]

Gosh, I hope I'm not being judged by the amount of money I spend. I like to think I'm a nice person. Really.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

I agree.

For example, in wellington new zealand it cost me nothing to live because there was plenty of food freely available. The same was true in san francisco. But when I travel to a different port, I either didn't find the source, or it wasn't possible to get this............

What were you eating? Cats??

[Ballenxj]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

What were you eating? Cats??

My money is on squirrels.

[exkma367]

We sailed for two years on a $300 ebay boat. Now knee deep in restoration of a free boat.

A trick I picked up on this rebuild concerns getting bits like shelves or cabinets to fit the contour of the hull. I have been making templates out of thin plywood (luan, door skins, ect). I cut two inch wide strips of the plywood in various lengths. I use a hot glue gun to piece together the perimeter of the shape using smaller plywood pieces around curves. I then take that ugly glued up template and transfer the shape onto plywood. It is a pretty quick and painless way to make a template. That is unless you get some of that hot glue on you then it in not quite painless.

We have also had a lot of luck scrounging at automotive junk yards. Usually hidden in the back is a pile of motor boats, ski boats and the like. Lots of stainless and a treasure trove of teak bits. I have repurposed a few teak swim decks and teak bilge access boards from these wrecked stink pots.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

What were you eating? Cats??

Dumpster diving behind supermarkets and restaurants!

[Saleen411]

For example, in wellington new zealand it cost me nothing to live because there was plenty of food freely available. The same was true in san francisco.

San Francisco????? Wow....would like to hear how you do that.