Typical Cost of Cruising

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

What is the typical cost of cruising for most of you. This is a common question. I'm not looking at the extremes such as $200/night in transient fees nor am i looking at the 'cruise on $5 a day' either. I think its fair to say there is usually a 'typical' everything.$800/night dock fees is not typical, neither is a $300/Month cruising budget. Thats not to say that people dont do that. Its just not typical.As for a typical cruising budget.....i think it would be safe to say that cruising could possibly fit into several categories.There is cruising for an extended vacation. This can be the costlyest( if there is such a word). Like most vacations, there is plenty of money in the budget for rental cars, restaurants and all sorts of entertainment. And then there is cruising for the sake of living in a different area. Not much different than the idea of relocating on land.And finally, There is cruising just for the hell of it. That is to say that there probably wouldnt be too much in the way of entertainment expenses but enough to allow for being a tourist of sorts and marina transient fees from time to time but living mostly on the hook.Each of these categories should have a "typical" budget. I fall into the last category, and so do MOST (NOT ALL)of my friends.We mainly coastal cruise from Tx. to Fl. A typical budget for us is that we allow ourselves $2,000/Mo travel money. Food, restaurants, shows, museums, booze, diesel fuel, misc parts and supplies and the occasional marina fees. I would call it traveling 2nd class, but not hurting for anything. Some months I have done it on $1,000/Mo. but not very often. Most of my friends are like us and average $12-$1500 per month. I would say this is typical of the 3rd category on the Gulf coast. It can be done on 1K per month, but 2K per month is more than sufficient.And it seems that $1,500 seems to be the averaqge.This of course does not count my many anchors such as car ins. boat ins. etc. This is just spending money budget.I also think that it would be VERY wise to have at least $5K in a totally separate account strictly for emergencies when traveling great distances. I have seen and met many 'prisoners of St. Thomas', but thats another story. They are the ones that ran into major problems with not enough money to fix them.

 

[Rick I]

No typical "cost"

Even on a sailboat it boils down to lifestyle and resources. Same as living ashore.

 

[Don]

if you mean average?

I guess there is an answer if you want an average, however, there is no typical sailor. As I said elsewhere, some folks think it's typical to spend $800/night for dock space and do it routinely - that's typical for them.

 

[Rick Belew]

Cruising World

The October issue of Cruising World had an article about cruising with cost comparisons of cheap, average and expensive. I can not remember the cost (left my copy on boat) but it seems like maybe $12000 to $15000 for cheap and $30000 for average and $60000 plus for expensive. The article defined each cruiser's way of life and it would be worth your time to pick up a copy.

 

[Ken]

Cruising World article

There was actually a budget analysis article in one of the last 2-3 issues of Cruising World Magazine. Very informative

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Thanks Rick

Thanks, I'll try to find a copy. I'm at work now and dont get to go shopping very often. According to what you wrote, I fall in the 'Cheap to Average' category. Thats about where i figured I was. Our biggest expense when coastal cruising is usually slip fees and restaurants. Cut those 2 out of the equation and cut your total expenses in half. But, when we travel, we like to feel like we are on somewhat of a vacation and are tourists. I hope Nice and Easy sees this. He is currently on his at least 2nd long trip this year. He just bought a 37 Seidelmann in NJ and is in the process of moving it back to La. It is a combination of vacation and 'get the boat home' trip.

 

[Steve2747]

Cruising World

One of the sailing mags, I think it was Cruising World - did a comparision on three different couples cruising. One was considered high end, staying in marinas, eating out, paying for all the tours they wanted, had their boat fitted out with all the latest in nav gear and gadgets. I don't remember what their annual budget was, but I think it was around $65k, per year. They then had a middle range couple, who stayed in marinas occastionally, but mostly stayed on moorings or at anchor. They didn't eat out nearly as much, but they did eat out occasionally - probably about the same as the average couple living on land. They had a well equipped boat, but not all the latest gadgets. Their annual budget averaged about $25k per year. They then had a minimalist couple, who pretty much naviaged with a sextant, never stayed in marinas, and didn't do any dining out. I don't remember their annual budget for sure, but I think they were doing it for around $10k per year. I remember looking at the mid range couple's budget and what they'd spent their money on and was actually pretty impressed. Again, they weren't extravagent on their spending, but it didn't appear that they were denying themselves anything more than my wife and I deny ourselves living on land. Gave me some hope.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Steve !!!

Our new temporary home is Waterford Harbor Marina in Kemah. Maybe we could get together sometime with the Admirals and also Franklin, who is also in kemah.I'm temporarily working in Aransas Pass, Tx. But will be back to Kemah in a few weeks, I hope.

 

[Franklin]

Money to burn

Sounds like you all got money to burn. If you grew up like I did with holes in your shoes and hand me downs from hand me downs from the salvation army, you'd learn to cruise enjoyable on much much less.It doesn't cost much to fish. It doesn't cost much to trap for lobster. It doesn't cost much to go hiking or riding a bike across the islands. It doesn't cost much to explore the island on a dinghy. It doesn't cost much to invite fellow cruisers over for poker (unless you are just really bad at it).If your the type who has to spend money to be happy and to not be bored, then I guess $2,000 is about average or maybe low. I'm hoping to have a $2,000 budget but that's because I like to plan it safely so I will not be stressed over repairs when I make a mistake. I spend about $400-$500 a month now on food, gas, and going out. I see no reason for that to go up unless I'm paying for two. I know my gas bill will drop because I will not be driving 100 miles a day. I know my lunch bill will go down because I will not be eating out for lunch every day. When I go on dates I usually pay for both but if I'm with somebody when I start cruising then I'm sure that budget will go up because I will do it more.It's the repair bills and maintenance is what I'm not sure of. I think if I make the right decisions, then that shouldn't be any more then they are now...about $300 a month. If I make the wrong decisions, that could easily jump up to $1000 a month.Of course, where you cruise is the biggest factor. Water in the Bahamas cost $.25 a gallon from what I hear. Dinner in a nice resturant in China cost $1. An all day hooker/maid in Vietnam cost $7 (I wonder if they know how to wax the hull ).Summary: I say I hope to only spend $700 a month not including In$urance.

 

[Steve2747]

sailortonyb !

Hey, I just noticed you were from the area. Our boat is at Seabrook marina - been there since May, moving down from Pickwick Lake in north Mississippi. Good idea, maybe we can get together when you get back!

 

[tom]

Typical Cost of Living

Or maybe a typical cost of a bottle of wine. I can get a gallon of Burgandy from Wal-mart for under $12. It's pretty good for just drinking with a meal. At my favorite restaurant the cheapest wine is about $17.50 (no where near a gallon). We like yellow-tail for about $13.00/1.5 liter. You can buy a glass of wine for almost any price. Same with houses,cars and boats. We hope to cruise on about $20,000/year with an emergency fund of 15-20K. Our experience so far indicates that this is possible unless you have a lot of boat repairs.  It would be a lot nicer to have $50,000/year!!! But the essentials of sailing and cruising are fairly inexpensive. But new mylar sails, desalinators the latest electronics can quickly make it too expensive for most people. We plan to take the Thoreau approach. Maybe not live in a box in the woods but in a simple comfortable inexpensive boat.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Franklin, It could be done for $910/Mo.

Since you are still a young man, I added in the $7/day hooker everyday.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Older Boats

I have normally bought/owned 20 to 30 year old boats and my average repair/maintenance bill is about $100 to $150 per month when traveling. The usual stuff.....new halyard, a door hinge or 2 but nothing major, lost anchor, whatever. My emergency repair fund is in the event I blow my engine or rip my sails to shreds or something similar. One time just a few years back, while sailing solo, my Auto-pilot and GPS went out in the same week. I had to kiss over $2K goodbye. New electronics say $1000 or so would come out of my emergency repair fund and not my sailing budget.

 

[Ross]

The cost of cruising can be divided into

two catagories: The time spent aboard either under sail or at anchor and the time spent ashore either by dink or transient dock. While on board the cost is very small, mostly just food and drink. Once you go ashore then the costs become the same whether you are traveling by boat or by car. There is free parking in many places. Transient slip fees are comparable to motel costs. Eating in a resturant for two people will cost as much as a week's worth of groceries. Whether you daysail for a month or cruise for a month the repair bills will be about the same. Much entertainment can be had for free in water front towns and parks.So whether you are a cruiser or a tourist you can control the cost.

 

[sailaway78]

Interesting

Some very interesting responses here. Tony was probably bored when he thought this up. I think it all boils down to one thing. However much you have, you spend. I would gladly be in the high end category, if I had 60K a year to blow. But since I am retired, and limited, I just spend all I got, then fake it from then on.

 

[Terry Cox]

During the past two seasons we were out...

for two months each time cruising the PNW waters. We sailed about 80 percent and anchored maybe 90 percent of the time. Altogether we consumed about 100 hours of engine time each two month cruise, which equates to about $300 in fuel costs. Provisions (beverages, food, etc.) preparing for the trip cost about $500. Marina life was minimal, but we did eat out once in awhile and purchased fresh produce enroute. The total tab I estimate at around $1,500 for the two month cruise. There were no mishaps or breakdowns that could have added to the cost. The experience was one of a lifetime. Hopefully, we get to repeat again for the fourth time this coming season.Terry

 

[KayakDan]

More info

Here's a website that I found very interesting. Even though our plan is 1-3months in the Bahamas,much of the info still applies. The daily log makes for interesting reading,but Bill just doesn't sound like he's having a good time out there by himself!

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

NICE and EASY!!!

Yes , Phillip.....I was very bored at work. Living on the rig in a shipyard in Aransas Pass. Anyway, I would be curious how much this trip cost you when its all said and done. Sommetimes these trips cost a lot more than expected. I dont think, at least from my own personal experience, that daysailing for 30 days has the same repair/maintenance bill as cruising for a month. When cruising, sometimes you hit weather that you would not be out in if you planned on daysailing and subsequently, more things give out.

 

[Larry14223]

Feeding the goose that lays the Golden Egg

We have found that $1500 to $2000 per month is a comfortable range for coastal and island cruising. In the more expensive areas we almost always anchor out, which is the first line of defense against a budgetary "hemhorrage."But instead of paying for cruising expenses out of our own pockets, we are able to write (most of) them against the Purchase-> Management-> Resale cycle for each boat; thereby letting the business of boat ownership itself pay for a significant amount of cruising. There are numerous tax benefits as well, for those who structure each boat as a business (or part of a business).The more boats we 'flip,' the more cruising we do... and all of this without the constraints of a 9-5 job. This unique approach has so far given us over 30 years and 50,000 miles of cruising throughout the US, Caribbean & Europe. We are also contributing authors of a home-study course on the subject, and have posted a link below for those who might be interested -

 

[Franklin]

for the price of a cup of coffee....

I'll send you .....If you aren't anchoring, you aren't cruising