How to Stay Afloat

[VirtualVagabond]

Welcome aboard Snkr.

About a year ago I was asking the same questions, or at least researching the same subject.
From what I've gleaned, $500 per month is doable and members here like Zeehag and Boatman have developed it to an art form. They do it with some talent and flair too, and with dignity and some rather warped humour...

Most would not have the skill or temperament to get out there and do it like that.
Many more are doing it on $1,000/month, and the ones with budgets of $2,000/month are considered to be doing it in some style with trips home occassionally and the ability to do more touristy stuff as they go.

It will make a significant difference if you are cruising the east or west Caribbean, east or west Med. or Pacific islands etc.

All the above assumes you have a sound boat and tackle most maintenance yourself.

[TheCruisinKitty]

The Shards have a good post on monthly costs over at their blog.
Budget for Cruising | None | Distant Shores

Here's another. Looks like this family bought a cat too:
The Cruising Life: What Does It Actually Cost? | Xwaters.com

[TheCruisinKitty]

You'd probably enjoy reading these classics:

Cost Conscious Cruiser, Lin Pardey
and
Voyaging on a Small Income, Annie Hill

[boatman61]

[QUOTE=VirtualVagabond;777435]Welcome aboard Snkr.

About a year ago I was asking the same questions, or at least researching the same subject.
From what I've gleaned, $500 per month is doable and members here like Zeehag and Boatman have developed it to an art form. They do it with some talent and flair too, and with dignity and some rather warped humour...
QUOTE]

Yup.... we dress up to stand outside restaurant windows to watch the $2K folks eat.... without drooling...
Class will out...

[Snkr]

Lol this all reminds me of the good old days you guys are great

[Snkr]

Ok so I have an idea bout expenditures,
Let's talk boats I'm think 38 - 40' monohaul I'm pretty confident I can build my own water maker for a fraction of the cost, as for engines well Ian a heavy-duty mechanic so no worries there what are your opinions on straight props compared to folding? And aboat the boats themselves?

[nwdiver]

I went offshore 10 years ago on a planned $600 a month on a three year South Pacific Circle, I spent $1200-1500 a month most on boat repair, new engine, new standing rigging, etc. I am planning to head out in another year or two with an income of $2300 a month rising to $3500 month at 65, 10 years down the road. The boat though 30 years old will be in near new shape, made the mistake of “buy and go” once won’t do that again.
I believe the first several years will cast about $1000 a month to live well mostly on the hook, then boat work will add $500 a month to that. Health and basic boat insurance will cost $4000 a year. I get really sick I’m back to Canada, eh

[TheCruisinKitty]

Originally Posted by TheCruisinKitty

You'd probably enjoy reading these classics:

Cost Conscious Cruiser, Lin Pardey
and
Voyaging on a Small Income, Annie Hill

I just posted a book report on the Cost Conscious Cruiser over at 'The Library' Forum. Hope it's helpful.

[w1651]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Yup.... we dress up to stand outside restaurant windows to watch the $2K folks eat.... without drooling...
Class will out...

I do the same but I dress in rags and keep saying please sir may I have another? Or even better I'll look in and say Dad where you been? That was one long trip for a loaf of bread and a pack of smokes!

Needless to say entertainment is cheep while cruising.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Yup.... we dress up to stand outside restaurant windows to watch the $2K folks eat.... without drooling...
Class will out...

i cook better than those places do anyway so i win......
no sense of humor--no life!!!!

reading a book about how to live like i do??? why????

i would have had a larger budget but ............

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Ohhh i thought you meant 'keep the BOAT afloat!'

I was going to say, "Keep the water out ..."

I was going to say, "Buy a multihull."