Month 10 Expenses of Cruising and Living on the Boat

[sailorboy1]

We continue our evil cruising ways. This past month we traveled from St Augustine FL to Brunswick GA. We went further than that as we went North and came back down. Weren’t in any hurry and just wandered around traveling on the ICW and outside

We spent our stopped time on moorings when at a town and on anchor if not.

The raw water strainer for the generator clogged up and that took out the impeller and exhaust hose. Since it is so hot we needed that generator for air conditioning and next day shipped the parts.

We did a lot of cheap to free sightseeing, which probably involved a meal out during it. We also got a car and went sightseeing some staying in motels etc. Since I know everyone reads these with the “I can do it for less” I have put all the car traveling/motel type sightseeing into a separate category.

Entertainment expenses were for some Kindle books, movies, mini golf and whatever if it didn’t involve a rental car to go to (if it was a local bus ride to get to it, it is in entertainment).


The total was $ 3,525.35, which breaks down as follows:

Food, soda, alcohol, clothing, sundries - $ 879.87
Boat upgrades, repairs, maintenance - $ 213.61
Fuel (diesel, gas, propane) - $ 229.35 (got to feed that generator)
Dining out - $ 743.57
Entertainment - $ 103.43
Sightseeing - $ 760.49
Communication, storage, shipping - $ 233.78
Bank Fees – ($ 42.04)
Marina - $ 329.70
Medical - $ 22.27
Transportation - $ 51.32

[drakes]

Thank you

[model 10]

It's good to see a reasonable expence account instead of the "I do it for $1500 a month" thing. A little lux for the long haul though. A third world country might be in order. You could probably save $1K a month.

[Delancey]

One thing that surprised me about living in Georgia is the amount of bottom growth and how quickly you can pick up a full beard. Unlike growth I have seen anywhere else. Something about the water temperature and the amount of nutrients in the marsh water. Soft growth and barnacles.

We found that we had to have a diver do the bottom once a month for about a hundred bucks for a forty footer. If you let it go any longer they would want more $$$.

Learned the hard way when we first got there and let the boat sit for a couple months. Went to go use it and couldn't make better than about 2-1/2 knots under power at rpms that would normally get me 6 knots.

[a64pilot]

Where I am now in Stuart is horrible, AC strainers clog in a week from growth, my water discharge has a green stripe on the hull under it.
I know the hull is bad, just can't see 6' in this water. I normally dive the boat, but will get a diver estimate here.

[SV Bacchus]

Another good post SB, loving reality!

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Guy

It's good to see a reasonable expence account instead of the "I do it for $1500 a month" thing. A little lux for the long haul though. A third world country might be in order. You could probably save $1K a month.

We spent $800 last month. Full time cruising down the St. Lawrence (Canada -- not exactly a third world country) right now. Not trying to get into a spat. Just sayin'...

[jeepbluetj]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

We spent $800 last month.....

Different strokes for different folks. It's not a problem. Somefolks will always be less, somefolks will always be more. Not much different than being on land.

I'm thankful that Sailorboy1 and others like Mike tell us what's real for them. It helps us wannabes think about the budget max/min we can think about. Sure, there's the under $500 folks. They're likely having a great time. But that $3500 that Sailorboy1 is trending to (in the U.S) looks like not much penny pinching - i.e. they're living it up pretty well for not a whole lot of $$. (Living in SoCal, $3500 is not a whole lot of $$$)

[chris mac]

Much appreciated sailor boy, 👍

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Guy

It's good to see a reasonable expence account instead of the "I do it for $1500 a month" thing. A little lux for the long haul though. A third world country might be in order. You could probably save $1K a month.

"I do it for [under] $1500 a month." First World.

Things must be cheaper over here, and staying in anchorages certainly makes a difference. But nothing wrong or out of line with sailorboy's budget or expenses. Probably typical for where he's currently based. IMO Someone who spends the least amount, isn't necessarily the contest winner.

[xslim]

sailorboy1, could be nice to split Food & Alcohol

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by xslim

sailorboy1, could be nice to split Food & Alcohol

Too much trouble for me as I would have to go through receipts and write everything down.

[MarkJ]

10 months!
Wow. It seems like just yesterday you started.

Congrats!

You are still doing it all wrong and should sell the boat and buy a 12 foot schooner - square rigged, of course. And a horse for land travel. And a cart to tow the wife.



Mark

[mogulskibum]

I know I really appreciate these threads with fairly detailed expenses, it really does make the dream a more concrete goal that can be planned and executed.

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

IMO Someone who spends the least amount, isn't necessarily the contest winner.

Agreed!

The real winners are the ones that do it the way they want, spend as little or as much as they want and don't starve or deprive themselves to stay on a self made budget.

Sure, some (myself included) need to track expenses as money isn't infinite. But to say I'm not visiting this or that landmark, or not have a drink tonight because I will go over my budget kinda defeats the purpose doesn't it?