The Frugal (AKA poor) Sailor

[thomm225]

This lady got quite a bit out of an old, small, inexpensive sailboat.

Click on the far right arrow up top for what I'm thinking may be her best song.

Sail Twice Around

http://www.donna-lange.com/speakings...alskipper.html


http://www.donnalange.com/#!Sail-Mag...5-96080295A3C1

[Azul]

This thread reminds me of something Jamie Oliver said in a video about making homemade pasta, "the poorest people on the planet eat the best food if they know only one thing... how to cook."

For a special meal, a rich man with limited time often drives to a restaurant, waits on a table, orders from a limited menu and pays $120 for a couple to eat dinner.

A frugal man with lots of time makes a special meal to serve six for $25. Does one enjoy life more than the other? The same principle applies to buying and fixing up sailboats.

Tonight: Ina Garten's Italian wedding soup and homemade tagliatelle with tomato sauce.

[NoShoes]

I was taught 3 things never to skimp/ be frugal on in life. Food, ya gotta eat so eat well, booze, if you are going to drink, may as well drink the best, and last, never go cheap in a repair/replacement of your boat that is tasked to keeping you afloat and alive.

[Azul]

Here is my sub $7000 "girl," before and after some sweat equity (which I considered inexpensive therapy.)

[Crosis]

Originally Posted by weavis

Do not be put off by the sailors here who talk about their boats and destinations and equipment costing more money than your house. That is just the way it is for those that can afford new and wonderful. you/I cannot afford that without selling up everything plus the firstborn. Sometimes in circumstances, we cannot even do that because of mortgages etc.

Frankly I have found over the years that the person with the low dollar boat and the least equipment is BY FAR a better sailor than the rich guy with the giant electronics package and the 100 grand yacht.


Ironically, in recent thread I was told by CF members that I need an expensive boat and then another 100 grand in upgrades to have a seaworthy boat good for living aboard and cruising. These are the people I would be very very nervous going cruising with and losing sight of land. If you need 100 grand in crap to sail a boat the you don't know crap about sailing. Frugal sailing is real sailing.

[zboss]

Learning how to be frugal is a learning curve. If you have money in your pocket, most people tend to be less frugal than if they had no money.

But this thread isn't just about frugality, its also about knowledge. The OP is in an envious position because he has access to and sees a lot of boats that first time buyers do not know exist, and even if they do find them, most first time buyers won't really know what they are looking at. It takes skill to understand the diamond in the rough.

Of course, with experience you can learn to buy better.

[weavis]

Its about making boat ownership accessible to everyone. It need not be the expensive hobby that retailers would love it to be.

Not everyone wants to live on a boat. In England there is a history of trailer sailors and weekending on the vessel. With a careful inexpensive purchase and a willingness to get dirty, the gleam will soon return to a jaded gelcoat. I see lots of beautiful older boats in the area I live and I have to say, the condition of many of them is a credit to their owners.

Azul here proves the point. A beauty to see.

[NoShoes]

This guys gets it, Frugality, and I can relate to this on so many levels. There are many of us out there sailing this way, our way, and to me this is what sailing is is all about......to me, in my heart.

twentyeightfeet

[Gerrycooper56]

I think the key is buying the boat outright if you can. You can then be frugal on the upgrades, take your time and get the best deals. I got a discount on a full electronics suite (which was definitely needed) which if I was paying off the boat loan doubt I could have afforded in one hit.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by weavis

Rule #2.

Be eager to do as much work that is required yourself if you can.

Great thread, Weave

And the wisdom of these lessons apply across the whole range, not just the cheaper end.

Paying cash, no matter how little or how large the purchase price is, and doing your own work, will put you in a much better position than financing and hiring out your work. And not just financially, but morally and psychologically, too

And you're being modest about that Westerly, which will take you across any ocean you please, and more. You've heard about Bob Shepton and his Greenland adventures in a Westerly Discus? Adventure: guide to sailing in storms - Yachting Monthly

It's harder to be comfortable setting off for the cruising life without a couple hundred thousand (subject of another thread) of starting capital, but it can certainly be done on far less, and as you said, you're still in the Bahamas.

[essej4269]

Thank you for this thread and the links to similar threads they are of great help to me going forward. My wife and I are selling our modest house and making the great leap to a liveaboard/cruising life. I'm starting another thread with details of our situation titled "New Live Aboard/Cruisers", if anyone has specific tips, please leave them there!

Thanks again!

[weavis]

Just took a look at the catamaran market for frugallers.
Both available for under $8500 before haggling.

[Kalinka1]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I’ve heard that the Grand Canyon was started by a frugal cruiser who lost a coin in a ditch.

And it was a penny!

[weavis]

So........ if a frugaller wanted to keep his boat in the Med, He could do the the south and East coast of Spain, in a Marina with all facilities. It can be yours for $4k a year or less. Includes Electric, water, toilet block. Showers and swimming pool.

Cheaper if he hauled it out and leave it on the hard if not there.

If a person saved his vacation for a month or more, he could sail across to the Balearic Islands from Spain, and live on the hook for the duration, and then sail back to the hard and leave his boat there. Up to 75% cheaper compared to some places in the U.K. Flights off season are from $40 return.

I will often fly out to mallorca on the spur of the moment for a week..... sometimes for accommodation for 7 days and flight is $280.
Return flights off season to Spain from $50

[weavis]

Sometimes, buying the boat has depleted the coffers. You can buy single or dual operation burners like this whilst saving up for a new stove.
I bought 2 and 12 cans of gas for $20. (I have a new stove but take them on shore with me if I tie up somewhere nice...... easier than rubbing two sticks)