How Much Money Do You Need to Live Aboard ?

[JanetGroene]

In re monthly costs: get out pencil and paper and list what you spend now for everything. Then cross out expenses that will cease when you move on board. Once you have the boat you can get real quotes on insurance for the boat, the coverage and the places you'll sail her. Check marina rates in places you intend to visit. Call boatyards and ask the cost of hauling, etc. for a boat like yours. Lots of ways you can get figures ahead and also make educated guesses. Seems like a daunting task but it will look manageable once you start getting things down on paper.

[Kapena]

markJ...Cats do not cost double to fuel...The twin motors are generally smaller (total HP) then the single mono-hull engine. The hull shape and weight means more efficiency and better fuel mileage. They do not cost more to scrape...A diver will generally charge the same amount as the wetted surface is the same or less on a cat. They do cost more to haul and berth in a marina, but getting a mono-hull of same equivalent living space means you are paying the same amount.

You can get a decent modern catamaran in today's market on your budget. Gemini's may or may not be the platform you want for cruising, unless coastal, do some research on what makes a good cat and decide what fits your requirements. Try to stick with the modern designs and fabrication. Every cat has some trade offs... Older Lagoons, Fountaine Pajots, Manta's, etc. may be a better platform depending on what your requirements are. You have plenty of income to do this. JMO

[DRSandbo]

Originally Posted by Kapena

markJ...Cats do not cost double to fuel...The twin motors are generally smaller (total HP) then the single mono-hull engine. The hull shape and weight means more efficiency and better fuel mileage. They do not cost more to scrape...A diver will generally charge the same amount as the wetted surface is the same or less on a cat. They do cost more to haul and berth in a marina, but getting a mono-hull of same equivalent living space means you are paying the same amount.

You can get a decent modern catamaran in today's market on your budget. Gemini's may or may not be the platform you want for cruising, unless coastal, do some research on what makes a good cat and decide what fits your requirements. Try to stick with the modern designs and fabrication. Every cat has some trade offs... Older Lagoons, Fountaine Pajots, Manta's, etc. may be a better platform depending on what your requirements are. You have plenty of income to do this. JMO

Agree with this post.

[Ortolan]

Your lifestyle and spending on land is not much different than what you will spend while cruising. East Coast, bahamas, Caribbean, all pricey (relatively) areas. We made a detailed budget and after one year, each month we generally exceed it. If you don't have any type of insurance and you don't drink or want to eat out much perhaps $2K/month will do. Our experience has been that your spending habits don't change all that much when you toss off the lines. That being said; set your goals and make a plan. You can make it work if you are realistic. Good luck!
Lori

[s/v Breakaway]

A coupla' comments. I just came back from BVI, where I bought a Pearson 424 last year REALLY CHEAP and am fixing her up. Even tho' the virgins are an expensive area, I believe you can live there inexpensively if you pay attention to what things cost. (And you can always hangout at less expensive islands, like Dominiocan Republic.) You can eat onboard reasonably if you stick with chicken and pork and stay away from beef steak. Beer is $1/bottle and rum - Pussers or Mount Gay - $10/fifth at the local grocery. Rice and pasta are cheap. Many coves have $25/night mooring balls, but you can anchor for free. Better restaurants aren't cheap, but not worse than lots of US ones - $20 - 28/dinner platter; $10 for hamburger and fries. I haven't stayed at a marina yet. Marine parts are pricey here, but San Juan PR and St Maarten have lower prices. You just have to pay attention.

Last week at Cooper Island I was moored next to a Gemini catamaran. I'm not particularily catamaran-knowledgeable, but I've always thought if I was looking for a modest-sized one, Gemini would be first on my list. JMO

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by s/v Breakaway

A coupla' comments. I just came back from BVI, where I bought a Pearson 424 last year REALLY CHEAP and am fixing her up. Even tho' the virgins are an expensive area, I believe you can live there inexpensively if you pay attention to what things cost. (And you can always hangout at less expensive islands, like Dominiocan Republic.) You can eat onboard reasonably if you stick with chicken and pork and stay away from beef steak. Beer is $1/bottle and rum - Pussers or Mount Gay - $10/fifth at the local grocery. Rice and pasta are cheap. Many coves have $25/night mooring balls, but you can anchor for free. Better restaurants aren't cheap, but not worse than lots of US ones - $20 - 28/dinner platter; $10 for hamburger and fries. I haven't stayed at a marina yet. Marine parts are pricey here, but San Juan PR and St Maarten have lower prices. You just have to pay attention.

Last week at Cooper Island I was moored next to a Gemini catamaran. I'm not particularily catamaran-knowledgeable, but I've always thought if I was looking for a modest-sized one, Gemini would be first on my list. JMO

Thanks fore the update