Cost Review of Year 4 Cruising and Living on the Boat

[akopac]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

That OP is just a credit card cruisier spending his trust fund. Is what he does even really "cruising". I bet I can do it for $20,000/yr less than him this year living just as well. I will post progress and even breakdown the numbers to prove it and not just use words!

Everybody cruises different places, different ways. When we cruised in Central and South America 2002 on, we spent between $8K-$10K a year on food, fuel, and maintenance. That was me my wife, and 2 year old son. Every time we went through Panama somebody put me to work. At one point somebody turned me on to a job at a cruisers pizza party doing IT for the construction of the new US Embassy in Panama... anchored out , 28 cent bus ride to job site, 55 hours a week, no taxes for a year and a half. The finances flipped upside down that year. Opportunity knocks.

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Just finished 4 years of cruising and living on the boat and am reviewing the costs and major events.

Congratulations with the anniversary!
Did you notice effects of inflation over this time?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizons

Congratulations with the anniversary!
Did you notice effects of inflation over this time?

No. Has there really been any of note the last 4 years?

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

No. Has there really been any of note the last 4 years?

I can only tell by how much my rent goes up every year (between 5% and 10%). Marina slip lease went up by about 3% this year.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizons

Congratulations with the anniversary!
Did you notice effects of inflation over this time?

My $600/year slip hasn't gone up in 10 years. Includes water and electric.

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Thats great, thanks.

You know, from a cost accounting standpoint, it's not as bad as it may feel right now. That mainsail will probably last you ten years along with the water maker aside from a new membrane once every blue moon and a few filters. Yeah, I know other stuff will pop up next year, especially stuff like that engine part that cracked. I'd figured a couple on a completely refitted boat (whatever that means) could comfortably cruise on $4,000 a month for about ten years until the next wave of refitting hits so you're not that far off.

[alansmith]

You have been very good about reporting and especially honest in what you are spending. Good job and helps out a lot of people’s dreams into perspective.

[RTChafey]

Can you remind us what year and boat your on

[Dave9111]

How do you handle health insurance?

You broke your shoulder and you only paid about $2400 for health costs between yourself and your wife?

Every time I see the doctor I have a $3-400 bill.

I had a minor eye treatment, and the bill was about $2500. Our deductibles are near $4000 before anything really pays out. Nothing really bad has happened to myself and my wife and we will be close to $5000 this year for health costs and that does not include the cost of our health insurance!

Also, how do you guys do health insurance and still move around?
If I am out of state and have health care needs, everything gets crazy with my insurance. Coverage's change, etc.

Thanks for the info...

Dave

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Dave9111

How do you handle health insurance? we have an ACA Silver plan



Also, how do you guys do health insurance and still move around?if away from jacksonville we go to Urgent care if needed. Otherwise we do regular visits while in Jacksonson for holidays etc.

I have written lots of times about how we do our health insurance. Do a search on my threads.

[Flagfish]

That OP is just a credit card cruisier spending his trust fund. Is what he does even really "cruising". I bet I can do it for $20,000/yr less than him this year living just as well. I will post progress and even breakdown the numbers to prove it and not just use words!

------------

Uh huh. I too am great at cheap cruising in Imaginationland.

[sailorboy1]

do you understand who posted that quote and who they were talking about :-)

[edlepera]

I been doing research on cost of cruising for a couple of years. What I discover the more elaborate the SV the more the cost are. A fellow with a 30 footer no engine posted under 20K for a year round cruising. A couple with a 32 footer posted an average 26K over 3 years of cruising. My retirement pay is approximately 30K a year. Not Counting investment income. So I am looking to shoot for that 20 to 25K a year. Especially since I don’t want a deep draft boat over 35 foot

[MV Wanderlust]

Great information, SB. Thanks, as always, for your generosity in sharing. It certainly helps many of us.

[makoman]

OP, thanks to even have the courage to look at how much it costs you!


When I had a boat, I was able to legitimately write off most of the expenses for tax purposes. Even so, my tax return was filed at the last possible minute because I just couldnt stand to look at how much that XXX$$ boat was costing me every year!