Taking the Plunge

[Lubber4now]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

We're near Jax on the St. John's River now. Although we venture much further, this section of Florida's East Coast is "home" to us. There's a great variety in expense that depends upon your need for frequent marina stays. There are some places where it is simple to remain at anchor and have dinghy access for needs ashore,- groceries, laundry, etc. and other places where there are mooring fields with reasonable prices that include some shore amenities. Daily rates are so much higher than longer term rates at marinas, so we usually remain anchored or moored for as long as three months or so and then take a month or weekly rate at a marina. For our 41' boat, we are able to find some weekly rates at $200 to $300/week and monthy rates ca. $500/mo. while daily rates are usually from $60 to $110. Keep in mind that costs are always changing. When we first moved aboard we were paying 5 to 10 cents/ft for a daily transient rate and 30 cents/ft at the "resort" marinas. $50 to $80/months was common.

So, these figures probably mean that your maina/ mooring/ shore access costs would likely be equivalent to those same costs in maintaining a house with the associated utility bills, tax, & insurance. Just as with the sudden "new roof" need for the house, there will be the sudden refit need with the boat. I've never had a house, but from what I hear, the expenses are about the same. In either case the safe income is more than you spend, ..... I know,- obvious, but vague. People seem to vary in what they consider to be necessary expenses!

"Senior citizen cruising"? We've always considered ourselves "cockpit potatoes", poking about with little reason to be someplace rather than where we are. This was true in our twenties as it is now as senior citizens. You can find comfort aboard and slow comes easy!

Yikes this is spooky!

I am in fact eyeing the SJR for my base point and will probably buy from one of the yards near Jax. I know about GCS and am looking at Monroe Harbour as well.

Unlike these wild young rascals I too understand the Sublime of the Slow.

My first attempt at liveaboard in the 1970s taught me a hard lesson about plans vs enthusiasm.

I am figuring on $100 a day max and an emergency fund - any advice on how to calculate that fund?

Indeed a month minimum in the backwater marinas, while I save for brief raids of a few days ($$$) on the marinas of the SEF Golden Main.

Any advice massively appreciated-

[Hudson Force]

Lubber4now, We are presently at Fleming Island Marina in Orange Park and remaining here for the hot thunderstorm season, only to briefly escape if a hurricane threatens. Respond to my PM if your near enough to share some boat shopping forays. My son and I are on the hunt too for a liveaboard cruiser for him. Just a month ago I returned from St. Petersburg with a Gulfstar for my daughter's family.

As for the SE Florida marina costs, there are some big differences in prices there too. Off the ICW can lower the costs quite a bit.

[wmcruiser]

Hi,we have had a plan since last year and now becoming reality.
Brought 32 ft fair line and have refitted ready for the off.
House sale goes through next week and then we are live aboard.
Off to med from UK next January 15 open ended adventure for us both.




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[frgeorgeh]

[QUOTE=wmcruiser;1611685]Hi,we have had a plan since last year and now becoming reality.
Brought 32 ft fair line and have refitted ready for the off.
House sale goes through next week and then we are live aboard.
Off to med from UK next January 15 open ended adventure for us both.

All the very best to you! We are waiting for our home to sell so we can move to FL and begin our liveaboard dream. Sitting here now in an empty house just waiting and praying.

Hope to see you on the water someday soon!

George

[Greenhand]

We are moving aboard this week. The only reason I am sitting still is because I have to meet the landlord for a pre-departure inspection in about 20 minutes.

[frgeorgeh]

Originally Posted by Greenhand

We are moving aboard this week. The only reason I am sitting still is because I have to meet the landlord for a pre-departure inspection in about 20 minutes.

WOW! Congrats my friends. So jealous but we will be there soon!

George

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by frgeorgeh

WOW! Congrats my friends. So jealous but we will be there soon!

George

Well, we won't be cruising for several years, yet. At least not full time. We pretty much spent the wad purchasing and refitting the vessel. And we still have to sell the pocket cruiser.

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by Lubber4now

Your last sentence says it for me.

My question is how much is safe to have income wise.

It appears most here are sail types and I plan on MV'ing it. Adventure is great but I want the comfy forward cabin with the comfy aft bedroom, old softy that I am - so any cruiser types help me out.

I've lived a quiet life in the country since retiring with lots of room for my dogs to run, but they're old now. I plan to move on once they do.

Call it the Senior Citizen Cruise - built for comfort not speed. No bluewater, split time between anchor out and marina tie up. Rent storage for my vehicle and travel trailer. Cruise mainly on the ICW between Biscayne Bay and Jax.

Any advice on what a safe daily income would be or am I heading for a van by the river?

Thanks-

I think a little self-deprecating humor is a good thing just to keep things in perspective. I have never regretted living aboard. It's a unique lifestyle and I love it. I have waterfront property that I couldn't otherwise afford and I know all my neighbors in a way landlubbers rarely experience. But, eventually, I know I will dwell on dirt again.

[biker6977]

frgeorgeh - any bites on the house? I have an in face interview Sept. 12- if I get the job I will be using my relocation check to purchase a small live aboard and head to FL! My plan was 7 years out but I've had weeks of yard sales, sold my motorcycle, fixing my Z3 up to sell and looks like I'll be on my way soon. Won't sell the house has hubby is there and daughter moved back to go to college. If hubby doesn't find work soon he'll probably join me, if not I'll see him on weekends :-)

[frgeorgeh]

Originally Posted by biker6977

frgeorgeh - any bites on the house? :-)

Not really. We had promise of an offer couple wks ago but it did not pan out. Actually dried up over last two weeks with no showings at all. We panicked and called realtor. She reminded us everyone was getting kids back in school and this was just the calm due to that.

So, Working from home but, if I confess, spending most time looking at used boats in FL area. I have reduced the size of prospect boats from 42' down to about 35, 36' I think that will be much easier for my wife and I to handle alone. Also, with our limited funds we can get a much newer/nicer boat in these lengths.

Keep us in your prayers!

George+

[biker6977]

Keep us posted. The realtor is correct so don't panic. It will happen when it's supposed to. In the mean time look at boat porn, make lists etc. Don't forget there's a sailboat only show in Feb in Miami. Hubs and I will be attending and taking some seminars.

[frgeorgeh]

Still no offers this week on the house. Yes, reading, studying, looking at lots of boat porn while we wait!

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[frgeorgeh]

Two showings on the house today but still no offers. Considering lowering the price but every dollar we cut is less we have for the boat. Wife and I are so ready to go. Getting frustrated trying to find my undies in the tubbys we keep our clothes in now that most everything is sold.

On a positive note I am still reading and studying about fiberglass repair, marine toilets, navigation, and so on. We even went at looked at some boats here near Dallas this last weekend just to see what kind of conditions we might be looking at for boats in our price range.

Also read Cap'n Fatty Goodlander's book Chasing the Horizon. I thought it was very good. Had me laughing out loud in some parts. Of course, always following the posts here on the forum.

More updates to come.

God Bless,

George+


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[BudGates]

Originally Posted by mhward1337

Best of luck to you! We are a couple of years behind you (waiting for the pension to kick in - 28 months, but who is counting?!?!?), but basically the same plan.

Any ideas where you will head after getting a boat?

32 months to go here but no, I'm not counting... We'll likely start looking seriously for our boat around July of 2016. Until then we'll keep sailing pocket cruiser.

[frgeorgeh]

Short update: Still no bites on the house, the leaves are starting to fall off the trees, and my ass hurts from sitting in camping chairs in the otherwise empty house! I guess it's true; I am a **** magnet!

We are praying though and hope it won't be long before we are headed south!

God bless all of you as you start your journeys!

Fr. George and Betty Jo