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

[Doodles]

As zee say there is no such thing as free healthcare; although I'm sure we all no cases where someone has gotten it at no charge. Obviously someone else paid for it. I don't want to get into a hot political discussion of the topic but it is very relevant to cruising on $500/mo and bears some discussion.

I don't think it should be about who pays for what (government or the individual) but what the "costs" are and where the best prices are. This is a very interesting analysis of costs (Why an MRI costs $1,080 in America and $280 in France - The Washington Post) and where the problem lies in the US. Since a lot of folks here are cruising US waters and would need US services they are kind of stuck but if you can get to some place like Central America, the Caribbean or SE Asis there is a lot of savings and if you are on a $500/mo budget it will make a big difference. I wrote earlier about my recent experience here in Thailand with a private hospital so I know this to be true. Others with similar experiences have chimed in as well. So, don't despair or get hung up on the US situation, which I think will eventually sort itself out into something like the rest of the developed world, but keep an open mind to what's available elsewhere.

[sycpuppy]

Another problem is that Malpractice insurance has gone up from $12,000 in the year 2000 to $54,000 now in 2012 for General Practitioners in the state I'm in and that's if you got a good record. Probably doesn't help that rent has also gone up significantly and Medicare / Medicaid went to where they are paying about the same as back in 2000. I mean I can see where if the Dr. chops off the wrong foot or gives a try at curing you with universal love that people are suing, but when you smoke most your life and you have them take out a cancerous lung so you don't die then you take them to court because you can't breath well and their is a huge scar.

Think I'll wait awhile to post on this thread again since while pertaining too the cost factor I seem to be leading this even more off topic.

[bobconnie]

Things have changed over the last 20 30 yrs for sure used to be a mariner be he cruiser or working seaman could go to marine hospitals around the world and pay little or nothing! broke a shoulder aboard a schooner in the very early 60s before I went to do my duty in VN, went to a marine hospital in Guam, and I remember paying 60 dollars for 3 days in hospital and the operation to fix the shoulder, I thought it was big bill at the time, but then I had never been in one before ! I guess this type of care is no longer available ?? I wonder?

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

Things have changed over the last 20 30 yrs for sure used to be a mariner be he cruiser or working seaman could go to marine hospitals around the world and pay little or nothing! broke a shoulder aboard a schooner in the very early 60s before I went to do my duty in VN, went to a marine hospital in Guam, and I remember paying 60 dollars for 3 days in hospital and the operation to fix the shoulder, I thought it was big bill at the time, but then I had never been in one before ! I guess this type of care is no longer available ?? I wonder?

What's a marine hospital?

[dana-tenacity]

First boat 1979-1987 and 40,000 miles, compass , sextant, leadline, 2 batteries (don't know what size - they worked),kerosene 2 burner stove, no refrigeration,13hp volvo (32 ft 4 ton boat), no vhf, no other radio except an all band receiver,no log, no speedo, no wind instruments,kerosene lamp plus 12v lights, nothing but good memories.

[Ram]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

Things have changed over the last 20 30 yrs for sure used to be a mariner be he cruiser or working seaman could go to marine hospitals around the world and pay little or nothing! broke a shoulder aboard a schooner in the very early 60s before I went to do my duty in VN, went to a marine hospital in Guam, and I remember paying 60 dollars for 3 days in hospital and the operation to fix the shoulder, I thought it was big bill at the time, but then I had never been in one before ! I guess this type of care is no longer available ?? I wonder?

greece has very cheap hospitals- !

[avb3]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

Yep govement INS !! Yea!! now we can stand in line and wait till they have a spot for us LOL and we can go to another country for our life saving operations !! Its gonna be good LOL

Stand in line in Canada if you really need it?

NO! Seven years ago I ended up being in hospital for 3.5 months, most of that time on tubes. I had a specialist see me the day I went in, treated me, did the surgery, and saw me for followup. Knock on wood, but I am healthier now then I have been for decades.

Being self-employed, in the U.S. insurance company would drop me like a hot potato. BTW, U.S. spends about 17.3% of it's GDP on healthcare, Canada 11.7% with better outcomes (we have a longer life expectancy).

So, cheaper, longer life and no one goes bankrupt because they get sick. Seems to me Canada's got it right, and the U.S. , well, doesn't want to get it right.

U.S. joins Turkey and Mexico as countries that don't have universal healthcare.

[sycpuppy]

Of coarse Canadians live longer the cold helps to naturally preserve you.

[Nemo55]

Nahhhh its the stronger beer,,,it acts as a preservative..

[Celestialsailor]

More like less fast foods IMHO

[sycpuppy]

Never could figure out why so many people like fast food. It usually taste terrible. Ramen when I'm just fooling myself into thinking I've eaten the rest of what I make usually take 45 minutes to 6 hours to make. Not as bad as my brother though, He will get up at 2-3am to slow smoke a pork roast for 14-16 hours and somewhere around the middle adds chicken. He can't cook beef to save his soul though. Now if I can just get him into stew making. I can make 3-4 stew and soups and eat for $25-$30 a month, the only draw back is I like to dissolve a bunch of veggies and meat into the initial broth that most people can't eat it with how strong the flavor gets... Could also be the 12+ habanero's with 1/2 lb of serrano's, pablano's with 3-4 cups of chopped cilantro.....

There slightly on-topic again, how to eat like me for a month on $40 or less and groan allot wondering if it's really the end. For some reason I can't fathom people only steal my food once.

[Celestialsailor]

In regards to $500 a month and eating. The number I feel is not out of reach for me as I am vegetarian. Also I don't drink (anymore) and that probably is equal to or more than most peoples food bill. Right now my food bill is under $200 a month and I want for little. When I go voyaging, I don't want to live like a troll but I won't be staying in Marina's or eating out all the time either. If I do splurge, it will probably be a social situation such as a cruiser beach pot luck.

[mrohr]

One mans shoestring is another mans mainsheet.

[sctpc]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Personally I think the sweet spot on size is 30' - plus or minus a couple of feet (also depends on how many aboard - who are also contributing to the budget, by hook or by crook ). Big enough for a well found boat (with a competent Skipper) to cope with most things that the sea can throw at ya, not so big that mooring costs become a PITA and small enough so that work required does not become a never ending (and expensive)project. Of course exceptions apply!


If we can come up with something half coherent (hope springs eternal!) then I will cut and paste (and tidy up?) onto a webpage somewhere as future easy(?) reference point - or simply something to argue over

Ok i would like to know but where you put the dink on a 30' boat? an inflatable is too wide for deck so I must find a place to half deflate, a row boat that fits is unstable in rough seas, I dont like the idea off towing. Ideas please

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by sctpc

Ok i would like to know but where you put the dink on a 30' boat? an inflatable is too wide for deck so I must find a place to half deflate, a row boat that fits is unstable in rough seas, I dont like the idea off towing. Ideas please

On mine (30') the inflatable (9' Avon) gets slung over the aft cabin - pokes out each side though if fully inflated. Won't say it is a perfect solution (it's called an 'effing dinghy for good reason ) and trade off's involved, but does the job.

Some sisterships have davits, I may go that route in the future. Me is (meant to be ) building a nesting dink to sit atop the aftcabin. But if the requirement is for 12' of RIB with 15hp of O/b the answer is.....a bigger boat.