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Old 02-04-2012, 09:06   #166
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

For me, living on land would be lots more expensive. I've no utility bills, No electric, water, trash, gas, phone, cable or internet bills. No rent or mortgage., No auto costs. In california, Most peoples utility Bills are higher then my total monthly outlay.

You do need to factor in the costs of the boat and initial refit. I was lucky to find a neglected but basically sounds sailboat, with a low hours repowered diesel. Good hull, engine and rigging are the important items. Everything else is small stuff.

Depending on location I could more then triple my monthy costs just by staying at an expensive marina, Or choosing a a larger, newer boat.

While a powerboat can make a lovely liveaboard, Just tons of room on board. If you ever need to move it, engine work and fuel will hurt. I know lots of powerboat liveaboards who can't afford to fill their fuel tanks. Having the freedom to move around and travel to me is part of the appeal of the boating lifestyle.
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Old 02-04-2012, 09:23   #167
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

What about this one guys:
Catalina 27 with trailor- 6000.
Sailed it for 3 years on worn out sails and old equipment
Trailor sold for 2000
Lead from keel 4000
Sails for 500
Misc blocks and other stuff about 300
Cost to get rid of hull about 25.00
I lived aboard for a while it was fun.
Can you get cheaper rent than that?
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Old 02-04-2012, 11:57   #168
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

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Sorry DOJ I know you weren't advocating staying in one place forever. I should have been quoting jim21 reply which to me seemed to be saying live on the hook and don't move around much. That's what I didn't see the point in.
No worries, I like jibber jabbering on the internet (folks may have noticed ).

I guess it comes down to how folk define "much" - back in the day I never used to drink much. Just enough to put down an elephant .

But FWIW even if swinging on a hook (or tied to a dock ) with only very occassional forays elsewhere then, in my book (not that it matters one jot ). it's still "Cruising" - after all, who is to say that next week or next year that person won't be heading off further / longer?

I do come from a long line of folks who don't like to be defined or restricted by others (and some us have even managed to keep out of jail along the way. some of us ) - took me a long while to truly understand that there are many folks around who simply don't realise that they can do pretty much WTF they want in this life - without the permission or approval of others (and I include in that folks who will never be met on an internet forum defining "cruising" for "you")......I guess that is the angle from which most of my musings / rambles on CF come from - I think the modern phrase is "Empowering People" .
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Old 02-04-2012, 14:47   #169
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

While it seems like most people spend about the same living aboard as those living on land, I think part of that is a choice. I see living aboard as potentially being far less expensive, especially on the hook. Huge savings on expenses such as cars and rent/mortgage/moorage.

Why is that appealing? More vacations, retire early, write that book I always wanted to instead of working, you name it. Maybe be able to work at a job that pays less but you like more. It could also make the difference between owning your home ($30k boat owned outright vs $30k downpayment on a house) which could mean substantially more money in the pocket (no property tax, mortgage insurance, loan interest, etc). I know plenty of people who worked into their 60's saving and saving and now have too ill health to do anything or even dead. What if living on a boat meant retiring at 50 or even earlier? What if that makes it so the carpal tunnel never gets to the point of being nearly disabling or you don't have to replace that knee?

Some people could blow $5k going gambling in Vegas for a week in smoke-filled casinos. I'd much rather spend $5k spending 5+ months gunkholing. It's a personal choice.

I don't really see what the point is in constantly moving around. Spend a week or two or three in one anchorage, relax, enjoy life. Move on to another one (stopping to refill food stores between) and repeat. Just stay in the same general cruising area (for example, puget sound, san juans, gulf islands) for the most part. Maybe switch every few years if you're bored. What's so wrong with that? That's what I would like to do if I was on a vacation. Just meandering around and relaxing taking a break from work, reading, doing hobbies you enjoy. I don't need much glitz or glamor. For me vacations are more for relaxing and not working rather than to see new locations.

For me personally, I think I could make $1k or so per month over the internet. Maybe a bit less. It would be something I enjoyed doing, would take fewer hours per week, I could do almost anywhere, and would be far less stressful. Not a chance in hell I could finance life on land with that type of income. Savings would run out fast. Now let's say I took those savings to buy a boat and I'm living on a shoestring budget on the hook...then $1,000 starts to seem doable. Would I rather be anchored out in the san juans, sitting out in the cockpit answering e-mails and working 20 hours per week....or on land with no vacation in over a year working at a stressful job to pay the mortgage, car insurance, car payment, fuel for commuting, etc., etc.? Not much of a question to me.

I could see living on land in a developing country being slightly cheaper but not a lot cheaper. We've considered that as an option as well but for personal reasons it makes more sense to be in the US or AUS.
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Old 02-04-2012, 15:00   #170
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

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Originally Posted by sailorchic34 View Post
For me, living on land would be lots more expensive. I've no utility bills, No electric, water, trash, gas, phone, cable or internet bills. No rent or mortgage., No auto costs. In california, Most peoples utility Bills are higher then my total monthly outlay.

You do need to factor in the costs of the boat and initial refit. I was lucky to find a neglected but basically sounds sailboat, with a low hours repowered diesel. Good hull, engine and rigging are the important items. Everything else is small stuff.

Depending on location I could more then triple my monthy costs just by staying at an expensive marina, Or choosing a a larger, newer boat.

While a powerboat can make a lovely liveaboard, Just tons of room on board. If you ever need to move it, engine work and fuel will hurt. I know lots of powerboat liveaboards who can't afford to fill their fuel tanks. Having the freedom to move around and travel to me is part of the appeal of the boating lifestyle.
I'm just curious how you do internet. Is it offered free at your Marina?
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Old 02-04-2012, 15:32   #171
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

I use an Alfa AWUS036H wifi thingy, (about $24 ish). It has about a mile or more range (even mounted inside) Lots O places where Wifi is easy to get. BTW the 036H, works far better then the newer more expensive 036NH. The parts count, shielding and power transmitter are far more robust on the 036H. (I peeked under the hood of both, and have used both...
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Old 02-04-2012, 15:57   #172
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

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I use an Alfa AWUS036H wifi thingy, (about $24 ish). It has about a mile or more range (even mounted inside) Lots O places where Wifi is easy to get. BTW the 036H, works far better then the newer more expensive 036NH. The parts count, shielding and power transmitter are far more robust on the 036H. (I peeked under the hood of both, and have used both...
From your background and experience, I'll take your word on that and get what you recommend. Internet is kinda important to me. I just hope there is some wi-fi coming out of Muluge that anchored out in Santispac you can sniff out the signal. If it is in Muluge but can't get it at my fav anchorage, time for a yagi. Mount the RF unit at the yagi, then up the mast it goes. How far can you run USB cable? I sure wouldn't run the RF coax at that frequency very far.
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Old 02-04-2012, 16:10   #173
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

The Alfa uses the same chip set as many of the other Boat wifi units out there. But the price point is less. The 036H works better indoors with the 9db antenna then the newer 036NH did with an outdoor 12db antenna. There is no way the 036NH is 2 watt either, probably market hype. The board for the 036H is 3 times the size of the 36NH and is 2-3 times more sensitive. Not even close in comparison.

I got the version with a holder and suction cup and have it mounted upside down on my middle hatch glass. I also use a 10' non-ampified usb cable, ($3ish on amazon) and it works great in most of the bay area anchorages...
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Old 02-04-2012, 16:12   #174
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

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From your background and experience, I'll take your word on that and get what you recommend. Internet is kinda important to me. I just hope there is some wi-fi coming out of Muluge that anchored out in Santispac you can sniff out the signal. If it is in Muluge but can't get it at my fav anchorage, time for a yagi. Mount the RF unit at the yagi, then up the mast it goes. How far can you run USB cable? I sure wouldn't run the RF coax at that frequency very far.
This is basically the same unit (not exactly sure which alfa chip) already in a waterproof case with the directional antenna (instead of a yagi). The usb cord is 15 foot. I've been using for over 6 months now and have no problems except I don't particularly like the need for a usb connection. I've kept it outside, bungee'd to the mast in every condition short of a hurricane.
I think it's a good value, no need for extra hardware and antenna's.

(edit) it's also not 2watt as sailorchic says. I think it's more like 1w.
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Old 02-04-2012, 16:16   #175
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

Oh you can get amplified usb cable in 18' and I think 36' lengths, They have a powered repeater box inline with the cable every 15 feet or so. For 10' and under a normal cable works fine.

Your right about the RF cable, Losses would kill the db gain real soon.

I have gotten 1 mile connections at 50% strength (over water / marsh) with the 6' omni antenna
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Old 02-04-2012, 16:24   #176
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

CMC...Right the waterproof version uses the 036NH realtek chipset. The problem I had was that the usb connector would corrode after a while. I've gone to an indoor version to keep the saltwater spray off when heading to windward.
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Old 02-04-2012, 16:27   #177
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

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CMC...Right the waterproof version uses the 036NH realtek chipset. The problem I had was that the usb connector would corrode after a while. I've gone to an indoor version to keep the saltwater spray off when heading to windward.
Well that makes sense, although I haven't noticed any water ingress so far. I don't keep mine connected while underway, just bungee it up in-port, so I don't forsee any issues anytime soon. I guess it depends on what kind of usage you're looking for...
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Old 02-04-2012, 16:30   #178
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

It is a bit mountainous in that region of Baja, but I think Muluge to Santispac is doable if the signal is coming from a high spot and my antenna is 65' high off the water.

Update, I just crunched the lats, and the distance is 7.5 miles. I don't know anyone sniffing out wi-fi at that distance. O-well.
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Old 02-04-2012, 16:33   #179
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

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what you recommend. Internet is kinda important to me.
.
There is a thread called long distance wifi that will give more (way more) than you want to know.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ice-19383.html


See you in about a week or so........
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Old 02-04-2012, 16:41   #180
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Re: Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

I had my first one mounted on the aft rail with the usb connection sealed and taped or so I thought. Needless to say it started dropping after about 4-6 months. But I had lots O bashing then too.

BTW if the mini USB gets corroded, there are test pads on the back of the 036NH circuit board that you can hard solder new wires too. Left is ground, two middle are signal (may need to swap pair to get it working), and right is +5V....
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