Month 57 Expenses of Cruising and Living on the Boat

[sailorboy1]

Spent the whole month in a marina in Jacksonville FL trying to work through a family issue.

General living – Did a little restocking, plus we have spent time with family that we always end up buying groceries and dining out.

Boat – just the normal stuff like some water filters and consumables. Around $100 got spent on rope rode and stuff to deal with a rusted anchor chain.

Dining and drinking out- I thought the month was going to be higher as in my mind we spend more considering we took along daughter and mother-in-law a lot of times. But guess over all we were fugal in choices.

Entertainment – I think it was all spent at putt putt golf.

Communication, shipping, and storage – month of cell phones, changed cell service and got 1 new phone (is never “free” like the commercials say)

Fees - were credit card cash back. Adds up to a free brewpub trip 😊

Marina cost was 2 months of marina because of the days they processed the charge.

Medical/dental was monthly ACA plan payment.

Transportation was gas we spend coming back from vacation last month and for when we borrow cars to get around.

Grifts – wife 60th birthday plus some stuff got others

The total expenses were $ 3,721.10. Cost breakdown as follows for planners and hecklers and spreadsheet attached:

General Living - Food, soda, alcohol, clothing, sundries, other - $ 1,231.77
Boat costs - upgrades, repairs, maintenance - $ 214.36
Fuel (diesel, gas, propane) - $ 0
Dining and drinking out - $ 850.21
Entertainment - $ 52.98
Communication, storage, shipping - $ 199.85
Fees – $ -62.03
Marina - $ 617.00
Electric - $ 43.00
Medical - $ 46.99
Transportation - $ 146.27
Gifts – $ 421.70

[sailorboy1]

These threads appear to have lost their reading interest. The first ones would have 10,000+ views and now they barely maybe break 1,000.

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

These threads appear to have lost their reading interest. The first ones would have 10,000+ views and now they barely maybe break 1,000.

So quick question
How do you budget for things like sails and haul outs?
Do you set aside money or just pay from a previous fund?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

So quick question
How do you budget for things like sails and haul outs?
Do you set aside money or just pay from a previous fund?

Other than trying to be aware of what I spend I don't really budget for anything. I started out with a "target" monthly spend of $3000/mo. I have since raised that to $3500/mo. Boat costs are the big wild card and if you look at the spreadsheet you can see that. The next big wild card is medical. You can
"budget" for things like sails some, but really all the other unexpected boat costs that are always happening it is hard to do, Of course you can not budget for medical at all. All you can do is have enough funds saved or in reserve to cover.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

So quick question
How do you budget for things like sails and haul outs?
Do you set aside money or just pay from a previous fund?

As for us, we anticipate those "annual" or "special' expenses and try to set aside funds for them. If not, we charge them and pay them off.

Our budget has a monthly component and annual components, for both income and expenses. We try to make the total annual budget balance.

Of course there are always surprises, sometimes large.

It helps when we are away from marinas for a few months, we spend much less.

BTW we have records for 420 months of cruising and living aboard, most of it detailed and summarized annually. I'm OCD.

[Joli]

Originally Posted by wingssail

It helps when we are away from marinas for a few months, we spend much less.

Isn't that the truth!

We also find sailing more miles adds considerably to the wear and tear on the boat. We're currently doing a small refit in Maine and after sailing a little over 5,000 nautical miles over the past 6 months the bottom was ready for another coat of ablative antifouling. Actually two coats since we were down to the red guide coat in many places.

[LifeUnderway]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

These threads appear to have lost their reading interest. The first ones would have 10,000+ views and now they barely maybe break 1,000.

I would like to chime in with the others who appreciate these posts and hope you continue. If it's too much effort to do every month, even quarterly would be useful. Thank you!

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

These threads appear to have lost their reading interest. The first ones would have 10,000+ views and now they barely maybe break 1,000.

These threads are gold mines. What’s even better is that you’ve continued them over time. There is an enormous value added for anyone looking to kick off the lines for good.

Thank you for getting out, exposing your personal budget, and spending the time to build these.

[procellous]

I so appreciate people taking time to share their experiences. So many variables (boat size, marina or hook, lifestyle) but I imagine most are like me - is this even a reality for me? I know I am way past camping out in a 22 footer. But I am also not expecting to have a stewardess serve me sundowners either!

[dfelsent]

1000 isn’t bad!!!

[jleonar]

I find it useful as my wife and I plan for liveaboard lifestyle. Getting as many data points is extremely useful

[TravelinLight]

I enjoy them and have a question if I may. The medical charge? If it is ok to ask for this detail. Is that expenses on top of insurance? That is the one expense I am trying to determine if I want to cast off early. (Prior to being medicare eligible)

[Narfi]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

These threads appear to have lost their reading interest. The first ones would have 10,000+ views and now they barely maybe break 1,000.

I have been reading them since I joined, appreciate the time you put into it and really helps me paint a picture for what we will need to plan w/ our own variables inserted. Thanks!

Originally Posted by TravelinLight

I enjoy them and have a question if I may. The medical charge? If it is ok to ask for this detail. Is that expenses on top of insurance? That is the one expense I am trying to determine if I want to cast off early. (Prior to being medicare eligible)

Looks like its just the monthly ACA plan payment.

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Medical/dental was monthly ACA plan payment.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by TravelinLight

I enjoy them and have a question if I may. The medical charge? If it is ok to ask for this detail. Is that expenses on top of insurance? That is the one expense I am trying to determine if I want to cast off early. (Prior to being medicare eligible)

that is our monthly cost ON TOP OF the full Federal ACA subsidy that gets paid directly to our insurance provider

[TravelinLight]

Originally Posted by TravelinLight

I enjoy them and have a question if I may. The medical charge? If it is ok to ask for this detail. Is that expenses on top of insurance? That is the one expense I am trying to determine if I want to cast off early. (Prior to being medicare eligible)

The answer was pointed out which I missed. Thanks