Am I Crazy

Caboteur · Jan 8, 2014

Do you have health insurance? That would be the cruncher in the US. For the rest, you need about 800$/month to eat drink and be merry. You can't afford bad luck of any importance!

Tim R. · Jan 8, 2014

Depends if you plan to anchor out or stay in marinas. Big cost difference there.

Can it be done comfortably for $1,800/mo? Absolutely. You are a lot less crazy than folks trying to do it for $500/mo!

31seahorse · Jan 8, 2014

Hello augustmoon,

Thank You for your service to our country!

Just thinking that money might not be the only factor..........
Have you and your wife spent extended periods of time together cruising on your boat? That might be a consideration. We have done some cruising here in Florida and in the Chesapeake Bay during which we have spent 8 days, two different cruises 12 days, and one cruise lasting 18 days. Not overly long by any means, but we were happy to get off the boat at the end of the longest cruise despite spending 3 days in the municipal marina in Old town Alexandria, VA.

Phil

Tim R. · Jan 8, 2014

augustmoon said:
I am blessed in my marriage. My wife and i spend every free moment together. We did weekends on our H28.5 before we sold the boat last April. We are looking now for our liveaboard cruising boat. We did 2 weeks on a friends boat in San Blas and chartered one week with Sunsail in the BVI. Life is sweet with the wifey on a boat. She is in this full speed ahead.

Ditto. Been living aboard going on 4 years and will depart soon to do some extended cruising.

Jimk · Jan 8, 2014

To make your dream a reality on the budget outlined you will have to be an accomplished mechanic and electrician. Paying for parts is bad enough but labor is very expensive.

Tim R. · Jan 8, 2014

Jimk said:
To make your dream a reality on the budget outlined you will have to be an accomplished mechanic and electrician. Paying for parts is bad enough but labor is very expensive.

Good point Jim. Having a boat that has been properly maintained and upgraded will also help.

Jim Seamans · Jan 8, 2014

August I dropped you a private message...

Sailm8 · Jan 8, 2014

I would guess that, like my wife and I you know how to live on a budget. I have friends that never lived on a budget and are finding retirement a real blow to their lifestyle. They never saved for a car or a down payment and are having a real problem living retired on 100000/year. We saved our entire lives and planned for retirement and live on much less. We do without and still ask the old question do we need this or want this before we purchase. You sound the same. Do you have home to worry about or rent out? That could be your worse case scenario or your ace in the hole (Trips over, time to go home). Have you made a plan B if someone gets sick and the trip is over?

That being said, there was a book written years ago by a couple who cruised the ICW asking boaters how much do you spend? The average was $2000/month. Sailors were way cheaper due to fuel and marina fees. I'll try to find the copy in my library and get the name and author.

I say give it a shot but have a plan B.

Rick Webb · Jan 8, 2014

I'd Bet You Could

I bet you could save a lot staying at the marinas at the bases along the way.

Another good way to save money is to join a Yacht Club and take advantage of the reciprocals. I have traveled from here to Key West without paying a cent for overnight slips Most have pumpouts and showers many have laundry facilities and even fuel. The lounge and dinning room are a great reward after living on "boat food" for a few days. Our club in Fort Walton I believe is one of the least expensive ones to belong to. Give me a shout I am in the phone book here in Niceville if you'd like more information.

Tom J · Jan 8, 2014

augustmoon said:
Hey JimK. I agree. Again I was blessed to have graduated from Lincoln Tech as an auto and diesel mechanic. One year later joined the USAF as a mechanic on generators, compressors, hydraulic systems, and electrical. I have always told my students in school that you will be led on the path that is preparing you for the next big thing..if you listen with your heart.

I cannot do it all but I have basic knowledge in a lot of mechanical areas. Not afraid to get my hands dirty...to a point! And I have a wife that is a great cheer leader )

I was an AGE mechanic in the Air Force. Sounds like you have a similar, if not the same, MOS. My training and experience have been invaluable in maintaining our boat.
Like you, I retired with a monthly pension of $1800/month. Shortly after, I sold my house and bought a C310. My wonderful wife insisted we go cruising right away, and within 5 years, we had put 6,000 miles on the boat, cruising the ICW. With experience, we were able to keep costs to a minimum. There are a lot of nice anchorages out there, and even free slips are available. We are members of a yacht club, and that helps a lot, too, as previously mentioned in this thread.
I say, go for it! The only thing you will regret is not taking advantage of this opportunity. "Live the dream, don't dream the life".

capta · Jan 8, 2014

You're going to be one of the rich cruisers, huh?
Practically speaking, I would put a realistic figure at 2 k a month for comfortable cruising on a 40+ foot boat. You should be able to live quite well, be able to put some away for emergencies and have a few luxuries on 2k a month. More than that and the party's on your boat, more often than mine.

Ted · Jan 8, 2014

Suzie Orman says "You are denied"

justsomeguy · Jan 8, 2014

And I say "You're not crazy".

capta · Jan 8, 2014

augustmoon said:
TomJ yes I was AGE. Stationed at RAF Lakenheathe, Dover AFb, and Moody AFB. Did 3 years in OSI and finished in airfield management. I feel my mechanical skills should be useful.

And Capta.......no not rich. We are very conservative in our finances. Car kept 10and 15 years, no cable/satellite TV, cheap phone plans, eat raw healthy, and are simplistic in our on-land life. We have been planning for ten years etc milestones along the way.

Sorry, that was a joke, but I guess it didn't translate well across the pond and all.

Tom J · Jan 8, 2014

I understood what you meant, Capta. Many of our acquaintances assume we are rich because we live on a boat and cruise the New England area in the summer, and spend the rest of the year in Hawaii. Nothing could be further from the truth.