Cruising on a Military Pension

[armyblues83]

I have scoured the site and see nothing fairly new about Cruisers living the dream on a Military Pension...

Anyone out there?

For me: I figure that worse case scenario, my wife, daughter and I will have $25,000 a year from my Military Pension (probably a bit more). I'm confident with that, savings and investments, we will be able to live the life for infinity (or I die, which ever comes first ).

My hope is to find other Military that are planning this or are currently doing this.

[Geoduck]

RA all the way! Got my degree at the university of South Vietnam 68 -69.

[sailorboy1]

I feel you can cruise/live on a boat for $25k/year IF: the boat is paid for, equipped to so, and is in good general condition.

[SURV69]

Well, I'm "sorta" eligible for a kind of V.A. pension(a supplement), that will go far as soon as I reach 65 and at about $1000 a month, I hope to be living "high on the hog", comparatively.

Don't forget to add the worth of the medical care too.

[Greggegner]

You can also get a deal at some nice marinas. My friends stayed near Norfolk for quite a while cheap.

[LiveLife76]

ArmyBlues83- Active Duty AF here. 5 years from retirement eligibility. Been saving for about 5 years. Depending on how much I've gotten socked away for the boat by then, I may stay till 22. I'll be E-8 by the time I hit 20. I think with currrent figures, it works out to about $24K/yr. I figure the old "You spend what you make" adage holds true here.

[Bucky205]

Hi,
I have been doing it for almost 5 years now. There are a lot of great military marinas. All the marinas allow transients some allow liveaboards. Shopping at the PX and commisary when we are in the US saves a bunch. We spent 2 months cruising the Bahamas this year and we are looking at Mexico next year. I find it much more affordable than living on the dirt if you are capable of doing your own maint. If you love the ocean I don't think you can find a much better retirement plan.

[zeehag]

an individual is able to cruise on less than 20k per year. folks i know are cruising on less than 15k per year--but they do their own work. they spend less than 300 dollars per month on foods and eat very very well. (as long as they are out of usa waters, wherein all is so pricey is unreal and very unfortunate)
inside usa, there are marinas that cater to miltitary--vets as wellas active duty. there are also boats for sale in these marinas. you may wish to check them out. good luck and have fun!

[JerseyMermaid]

My husband is 13 yrs AD USCG and we're currently discussing ditching dry land for living aboard. Will take a fair amount of planning, but I love hearing that there's stuff out there for military folks.

Happy to discuss further, if you like. I'm really green to this, but he's been a plankowner for most of his career and only on land for two tours. Salt is in our souls!

Fair winds, following seas...

~Danielle

[islandplanet]

We have friends out cruising with their kids on less than $25K/year. We spent under $1K/month with just the wife and I.

[maxingout]

As long as we don't break things, eat in fancy restaurants, and take expensive tours, we can live on $500 to $1000 per month when cruising and anchoring out.

[JerseyMermaid]

My husband will like those numbers. Tho I know it will fluctuate greatly given the size of the boat, living style, mooring/marina costs and where we are located. Currently in Cape May, I think mooring is no terrible headache but with his next transfer things could be tricky depending on the location. All depends upon his next promotion, which will either be Warrant or Master Chief. Yayyyyyy the wait.

[WannaBeWanderer]

To all who posted that served: Thank You.

JerseyMermaid, Thank you for your service as well, it takes a special kind of woman to stick with a Military man for the long haul.

I am determined to live aboard/circumnavigate on a modest disabled Vet. pension, and hope to supplement that with occassional work as a helicopter mechanic.

I just need to get a boat first, and sailing lessons/experience, and a tons of other stuff that I had no idea about until I found this forum.

Good Luck!!

William the would-be-wanderer

[bobconnie]

Welcome !! lots of folks cruise like Connie and I for less than you will have to go on !!We spend from 800 to 1200 dollars a month depending on whether or not we go to marina ! At 800 bucks we don't do much dineing out LOL but we still eat better then a lot of shore folks, what with there fast food and such !! We spend most of our time at anchor, and eat a lot of fish and Local veggies, and when in Mexico we eat and freeze a lot of beef !!How much cruiseing costs depends on your lifestyle !! It can be close to the bone like us with our Older Mono Hull at anchor or more expensive in a way newer boat ! but either way ya need to do almost ALL of the work aboard your self in order to cruise for less money !! just our 2 cents