fullt time cruisers, average monthly budgets?

[centerline]

based up on a couple that has a capable boat that is in good repair,... and that they were budget minded, yet fixed things properly when there were problems and something broke, what should they expect as an average monthly budget as a full time liveboard cruiser on a 35-40ft sailboat?...... including the normal upkeep and haulout of the boat every couple of years...

I am not as interested in the budget of dockside livaboards as i am in the budget of cruisers...


i want to hear everyones thoughts, but I think this question can only be answered reasonably by full time cruisers who have been cruising for a couple of years or more... Thanks

 

[Tom J]

Our first year cruising, we spent a lot of money taking slips at marinas, usually at well-known ports. By our third year, we had transitioned to mostly anchoring out and taking moorings at marinas. We had discovered that there are sources out there, such as "Skipper Bob's", that point out the best places to anchor, or where to find free dockage. We found that we preferred to anchor in quiet, out of the way places. Our budget by the third year was a third per month of what we spent at the beginning. Obviously, a lot depends on your lifestyle.

 

[gettinthere]

Varies a lot. How often will you eat out vs cheap eats aboard.
I've seen comments of budgets as low as $500/month but I cannot fathom that. Ballpark range would likely run $1000 to $4000 per month.

 

[Ray Bowles]

12 years go we spent 3 years cruising in the Gulf, Fla Keys and Bahamas. Our boat was a 10 year old Island Packet 38 that was in excellent condition. So that covers the largest cost and I will not include any boat costs other that maintenance and insurance. Because the boat was a large investment we kept it insured and well maintained. Based on the systems in the boat such as pumps, electrical items, and motor parts, the more important of these we bought before leaving rather than later where the cost could be 10 times higher based on where you were. There is also the initial cost to stock the boat with all the food stuffs and items required for daily living such as toilet paper etc. This cost will vary wildly based on how you plan to live. Some people are happy with buckets and peanut butter. I wasn't.
So roughlyer Month
Insurance ($3,000 yearly) licences, moorage fees, dingy docks $500 to $600
Boat and dingy maintanence inc. bottom painting etc $150 to $200
Food $300
Fuel $100
Yearly cost of food/ supplies to stock up boat $900/12 months $75
Boat spares $4000/ 3yrs/ 12 months $110
So our low ball expences were around $1235 and there is no entertainment figured in, no cold beer (ice is really expensive), no rum.
In reality we lived for less than $3000 a month but that is without any boat payments. We were very safe and cut no costs in that area. We brought most of our gear with us and did not spend that much to add to the fitting out of the boat. I did all of the work myself.
This is just a place to start. Many do it for less and many for alot more.
Ray

 

[All U Get]

We're in our second year and the monthly is coming down compared to last winter. Our boat is an '85 so we knew items would need replacing and had that planned for the summer months and then cruise during the winter. We're at $2500-3000 per month for just cruising.

All U Get

 

[RichH]

Ditto at $2-3k / month. We're usually out for 6 months, home for 1-2, out for another 2-3, home for 2. ... and start all over again.