Month 40 Expenses of Cruising and Living on the Boat

[sailorboy1]

Spending money like I have a job or that the stock market has still been doing great.

Still in Boot Key Marathon FL with my fellow boat scum people. My wife got the medical release and now is back on the boat and we think we will be able to move on to the Bahamas next month.

Did grocery, beer and supply runs boat wise as normal. But there was Christmas dinner and supplies at 2 locations. A fair amount of costs in this general category wasn’t food or drink, but I don’t keep more details to separate.

Boat costs were HIGH. But for those watching for repair and maintenance cost you should note that out of the total a lot went to boat upgrades. Spent about $1000 on a new fancy electric head as it seemed I was spending $200-300 maintaining the bottom of the line manual head. Got a new $2141 9.8HP outboard to replace our old 6HP one as it just took so long to go somewhere with the old.

Fuel was gas for the dinghy and Honda.

Dining was happy hours and dinners with family during Christmas etc..

Entertainment includes going to some movies and shows.

Communication was our cell phone plan plus a shipping charge.

Marina costs were a month’s mooring in Marathon/Boot Key.

Medical were doctor and PT visits and copays for wife’s shoulder and a couple of massages when I hurt my back.

Transportation and travel costs were a rental car/gas for 2 weeks of car rental, only 1 week of the car is in the number as the second hasn’t posted yet (but the tolls and gas have).

Gifts include some Christmas gifts and birthday gifts

Paid 3 years of Coast Guard documentation.

Paid first installment for the years boat insurance.

The total expenses were $ 7,742.51. Cost breakdown as follows for planners and hecklers:

Food, soda, alcohol, clothing, sundries - $ 1271.97
Boat upgrades, repairs, maintenance - $ 3245.00
Fuel (diesel, gas, propane) - $ 40.81
Dining and drinking out - $ 652.13
Entertainment - $ 149.26
Communication, storage, shipping - $ 140.04
Fees – $ -53.30
Marina - $ 348.30
Electric - $ 0
Medical - $ 335.97
Transportation and travel - $ 563.60
Gifts - $ 447.73
Water - $ 5
Registration - $ 78.00
Insurance - $ 518.00

[RickG]

Thanks for reporting. We hit Publix hard before we left for the Bahamas and did a Walmart journey. The next spot South with good prices is the Dominican Republic - cheap!. I wrote a short piece on provisions pricing from Boot Key through Bahamas to the USVI.

https://dinghylife.wordpress.com/201...irgin-islands/

Cheers, RickB

[sailorboy1]

Yes i stock up prior to heading to the Bahamas. But once there i just accept that prices are higher. But food supplies extra cost there doesn't really add up to all that much in the big picture and i buy what i want.

[MV Wanderlust]

Hard-hit month but some good upgrades. Thanks for sharing with us.

[fred4936]

Thanks again for posting! A tough month, but a good dose of real life. Holidays, upgrades, are all inevitable.

[mjgill1]

Originally Posted by RickG

Thanks for reporting. We hit Publix hard before we left for the Bahamas and did a Walmart journey. The next spot South with good prices is the Dominican Republic - cheap!. I wrote a short piece on provisions pricing from Boot Key through Bahamas to the USVI.

https://dinghylife.wordpress.com/201...irgin-islands/

Cheers, RickB

Hi RickB,
Have you considered producing a provisioning list? Lots of folks talk about how much money they spend on provisions in the states before going and while away, but I haven't been able to find anyone who actually has a list of what they bought. Granted, it's a personal preference kind of thing, but just the same, it would be neat to see what kind of stuff folks (especially experienced folks) buy before crossing the Gulf Stream.

Thanks Sailorboy1! I always look forward to your reports.

[redhead]

Originally Posted by mjgill1

Hi RickB,
Have you considered producing a provisioning list? Lots of folks talk about how much money they spend on provisions in the states before going and while away, but I haven't been able to find anyone who actually has a list of what they bought. Granted, it's a personal preference kind of thing, but just the same, it would be neat to see what kind of stuff folks (especially experienced folks) buy before crossing the Gulf Stream.

Thanks Sailorboy1! I always look forward to your reports.

Check out Carolyn Shearlock of "The Boat Galley". I think she provides a download of her provisioning lists as well as other stuff (First Aid, etc). Everyone's tastes are so individual I can't imagine using someone else's, but I do find it really helpful to know how much of each thing they use over a week, or a month.

Overall, I've found that I can find whatever I want, wherever I am. But if I have a favorite brand I definitely should stock up because once I leave the states I'm not going to see it again. Also dog food should be bought as much as possible before you sail. The quality of dog food is all over the map and my dog throws up everytime I change brands. Just easier.

But then, I'm in the Pacific and you're in the Atlantic. Try The Boat Galley, she lives in the Keys and sails mainly to the Bahamas. Good luck.

[tekdiver]

Originally Posted by RickG

Thanks for reporting. We hit Publix hard before we left for the Bahamas and did a Walmart journey. The next spot South with good prices is the Dominican Republic - cheap!. I wrote a short piece on provisions pricing from Boot Key through Bahamas to the USVI.

https://dinghylife.wordpress.com/201...irgin-islands/

Cheers, RickB

Man I could of saved many thousands of dollars had I bought a boat and sailed around compared to living on ST Croix. Wife had enough after 8 months and we moved back to Seattle area. That was depressing. Just now gearing up for local crusing in a MV named "B" Happy. Being a fractional owner of a boat in the Islands might work Not a sail boat person though

[Cthoops]

Nice upgrades! Those definitely are one-offs. Ever consider not counting them?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Cthoops

Nice upgrades! Those definitely are one-offs. Ever consider not counting them?

I try to list things in a way so the “not counting” people can spin my money spent into a number that works for them.

But I have been considering adding some new line items, like:
- fun you don't need to have
- things with no purpose but to make life better
- things i fixed that i could live without, but it would suck
- things that don't count as cruising costs, those are refit stuff

But I do admit sometimes the amount spent in a month amazes me as I don't feel I am living the high life. Cruising just hasn’t been cheap when adding ALL money spent end of each month.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I try to list things in a way so the “not counting” people can spin my money spent into a number that works for them.

But I have been considering adding some new line items, like:
- fun you don't need to have
- things with no purpose but to make life better
- things i fixed that i could live without, but it would suck
- things that don't count as cruising costs, those are refit stuff

But I do admit sometimes the amount spent in a month amazes me as I don't feel I am living the high life. Cruising just hasn’t been cheap when adding ALL money spent end of each month.

I like your lists and hope you don't delete anything. Many people would be shocked to know how much they spend on things even when living in a home and working at a regular job. All those packs of gum, cups of coffee, snacks, and the hundreds of "incidentals" can really add up!

[sailorboy1]

I wouldn't be deleting line items. In a way doing these threads is useful for me as i can look at my spreadsheet and go “what the heck happened that month” and look up the story here. You would think i could just remember, but that would be anti-CRAFT

[Rubicon King]

Thanks for the continuance of the post of expenses. We find it balances our thought of living FT on the boat with what "actual life" may look like.

We just spent a week in Marathon, although tied to a dock at Skipjacks. Next time we will catch a ball and rely on solar.... Keep the updates coming.

[jhulmer]

Thanks again for sharing SB!

I hope that these posts find there way to local Governments along our cruising shores. They might wake-up and smell the money. I would consider you an average sailboat cruiser in terms of consumption. One can only hope! (sorry - been reading this mess in Georgia and Florida)

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by jhulmer

Thanks again for sharing SB!

I hope that these posts find there way to local Governments along our cruising shores. They might wake-up and smell the money. I would consider you an average sailboat cruiser in terms of consumption. One can only hope! (sorry - been reading this mess in Georgia and Florida)

Actually i would say i am on the poorer side of the cruiser scale overall and probably spend less than many if you apply the “not counting” of big ticket items.