What does it cost to go
cruising?
These are the actual expense for S/V
Freedom and Jim and Deb Faughn
We hope to accurately represent what it costs for us to cruise.
| October 15 - 31, 2006 | Everyone is different. They have different tastes, different boats, different weather and different expectations. We decided to layout everything for you to see. The budget was one of the largest questions we had before we started to cruise. In every article I've ever seen, there are disclaimers and we have a few of our own to start with. The first is that we stocked the boat and outfitted the boat the best we could before we started. Those expenses are not included because they will be different for everyone. We didn't add a water maker, solar panels or some other items that we will do before we head into the Caribbean and hopefully further. You will see those as we do them and I figure we didn't put on about $10,000 worth of equipment we would need to actually have a true cruising boat. However, I would rather do it once and do it right so we decided to do it as we go after learning from other cruisers as to what works. Also, our food costs will be low during this first month because we stocked up our Engle and set it on freeze for the trip down the Tenn-Tom. The reality is it was probably 2 weeks worth of fish before we get to the south. The categories
we chose to report our budget under are: So, here is the first half month. Dockage
- 170.00 |
| November 2006 | We have discovered many cruisers on a budget choose not to insure their boats and many who are cruising either have insurance because of a buyout, retirement or are simply don't purchase it and hope they don't get ill. So, we decided that we would separate our boat and health insurance from the grand total. Overall, we have a budget of $10,000 per year to cover our health insurance, fund our HSA and to cover boat insurance. Right now that looks like it will be a bit higher than we need. On the rest of the budget we are working to do it on 3,000 per month. If you compare this to what is covered in the magazines, you need to compare our 3,000 per month rather than the total because they haven't included insurance in any of the articles we see. Also, final disclaimer, we have a reserve fund for a major boat repair if needed such as engine or outdrive. We expect to cover the remainder of the boat expenses with our monthly budget. So here is our first full month of expenditures. Location and dockage
fee 406.27 - We spent a week in Pensacola to see my father and then
two days to secure for tornado's |
| December 2006 | Ok, I messed up and didn't keep this page up-to-date and lost the detail in our computer disc failure the end of February. In December we spent an extra 600 or so on a new anchor, chain and rode. That put us a bit over our budget for the month. Monthly expense $3,100 for our normal expenses. |
| January 2007 | Same disclaimer on the computer problem. We did remember the totals because we were getting pretty excited about the fact things were working out. Monthly expense $2,650 |
| February 2007 | OK, this is the month we had the computer problem and that meant I went out and bought a new computer only to find out that many of our old programs won't run under the new VISTA operation system. I'm still debating having the new computer changed back to XP but right now I'm still running VISTA. I decided to go ahead and have the old computers disc replaced and that added to our expenses. The total for computer and repairs was right at $1,240 so absent that we did ok but we can't think of it that way because there seems to always be something. Location and dockage
fee - 122 - Includes dinghy dock and now we are on a private mooring We still think that we will have the right budget and once things stop breaking and we quit adding to the boat we will be right in line. With that said, March already has an unexpected expense since I have to replace the motor mounts. Great way to start the month, a half of a boat unit at the very start of the month. |
| March 2007 | This month we were still replacing items on the boat. We replaced the motor mounts, the handheld radio, and we purchased a used solar panel. In addition, on the insurance and taxes side, we also paid to have our taxes completed. Overall we were much closer to our budget going over by less than $100. We expect the next month to be along the same lines as we move and meet close friends in Titusville. Location
and dockage fee - 212 - Includes dinghy dock in Key West and mooring
fees in Ft. Lauderdale. |
| April 2007 | Location
and dockage fee - 480.82 - This includes 12 days on a mooring in Stuart,
FL, a week in Titusville and a week of dinghy dock at St. Augustine |
| May 2007 | Location
and dockage fee - 451.29 - Included days at a dock in Beaufort, SC waiting
for a gail which never came. Hopefully we have fixed the items that need fixing and we are cruising now - knock on wood. (Of course we have to haul out and redo the bottom in July which means more $$$$.) I believe the budget of 3000 per month is a good budget (if you average ours for the last 3 months we made it with a little to spare) and you could cruise for 2,500 a month if you don't "play" as much as we do. Of course you also need a contingency fund when things break. I personally believe the days of cruising for under 20,000 per year are long past because of the expenses involved with dockage, fuel and other expenses you encounter cruising. I'm sure someone could do it but I also know we wouldn't be happy cruising (or should I say sitting) in that manner. Perhaps when we get to Mexico or ???? Also, you have to consider the insurance question which we report but many don't or they have it through a buyout package or some other retirement option. Then again, there are those (many we have met) who go without health or boat insurance. |
| June 2007 | Location
and dockage fee - $196 - We spent a week on a mooring ball in Annapolis. It is easy to see that even though we continue to fix and up-grade things on the boat that you could easily do this for between $2,200 and $2,500 and still have a great time. Splitting lunches when going out has been one of our best way to both save money and loose weight. (Lost a total of 35 pounds between us.) Also, if you just went out 2-3 times per week, you could get by in that price range easily. We happen to go out to lunch every day when we are in a port and spend about $12-14 for the meal and tip so the budget could be cut back by going in less. Fortunately, we are on our budget and cut back when we have a "major" expense. Currently, we are looking forward at the expenses for the boat hauling and are "saving" some for those expenses. August will be a big month when we pay for the boat hauling, bottom job and storage. |
| July 2007 | Location
and dockage fee - $152.8 - This is the fee we paid in Cape Charles at
a marina to escape from the heat. Overall, the marina charge was too
high but it is what we paid. |
| August 2007 | July entry - We will definitely be over budget for this month. The hauling and painting of our bottom will take us over by quite a bit. We didn't plan on painting this year but you've probably already read about our problems with the Interlux paint. However, thanks to Interlux for stepping up and providing the paint to do it again. Still, it will cost us about 900 bucks extra to do it this year over what we planned on spending on hauling and storage alone. Of course we shouldn't have to paint next year as a result of the work. August Actual's |
| September 2007 | Location and dockage
fee - $275 - This includes the dinghy dock fees for the Capital Yacht Club Fuel-pump-outs,gas, diesel - 145.52 Clothes & laundry - $18 Groceries - $938.79 Entertainment - $906.34 (We are in the home town of every U.S. Citizen after all.) Misc. Phone, Internet - $179.85 Boat Parts - $658.82 Note: This includes a bill for 380 dollars worth of 60 feet, 1/4 inch high test chain and fittings to reduce my lower back stress while keeping the strength of a good chain. Sub Total - $3122.42 Insurance and taxes - $724.46 Grand Total - $3846.88 |
| October 2007 | Talk about a killer month. Of course a new transmission doesn't help! Location and dockage
fee - 252 - This included a months fee to stay at a marina for our transmission
replacement. That was cheaper than the daily rate. |
| November 2007 | Another month of being over budget. This time it is again stuff getting ready to go to the Bahamas. We have to get out of here! Location and dockage
fee - 314.95 - We stayed on a mooring in Vero Beach (the only option)
and also for a few days in Stuart. We will probably have a slightly over budget month next month as we stock up everything for our trip over. I still have to buy the new anchor I ordered - $500 plus need $200 worth of charts and one more guidebook. We are also shipping our bikes and other things we won't need in the Bahamas to my friends Steve and Linda. This will provide needed space and weight loss for the things we are going to take aboard. Here's hoping we don't sink the boat! Pictures as we stock up the boat. |
| December 2007 | We are starting to provision the canned goods & paper products. In addition, we upgraded some more of the boat to get ready. Location and dockage
fee - 268.75 - This is the mooring fee at Marathon. April 2008 update - I decided to do an analysis of the categories just for fun. I was sick so I did a little formula work on our spreadsheet where we keep all of this data. Here is how it all worked out. Location and dockage
fee - 5.8% - We have really cut down staying at marinas so I hope
this percentage stays about the same. Moorings, where you must take them,
are going up. |
| January 2008 | We finished the provisioning which included turning our Engel into a freezer again and filling it with meats. We also took care of the bird and were off for the adventure. I did a quick analysis of how much we spent after we left the states and it was $1,200. Hopefully everything keeps working and we can make up from the last few months of fixing and adding to the boat. Location and dockage
fee - 43.9 - mooring at Marathon |
| February 2008 | First and foremost, you can easily tell that we haven't been out buying groceries this month! We have tons of stuff still on the boat and will have leftovers when we get back to the states at the end of March or first of April. The list was probably correct for being gone for 4 -4.5 months but really gives us a bunch of stores since we will only be gone 3 months. Second, the expenses for fuel show we had to motor/motorsail a bunch and of course the cost of laundry down here is 3 times what it is in the states. We also had to purchase new virus software in addition to our communication expenses in our Misc category and finally, we had to buy a fuel water separator for the dinghy because of fuel problems which cost double what it would in the states. Otherwise, a good month. It made up for our month of December in 2007. Location and dockage
fee - 0 |
| March 2008 | I really don't know if anyone reads this but here is what happened this month. We bought a new Mercury 8 hp engine for 1550 including a spare impeller in Nassau. On top of that, we paid about 500 bucks for the Jimmy Buffett/bird boarding in Key West plus the car to go get him. We also had to get our fishing licenses renewed so that was another $166 for a 5 year license. So the bottom line is about $2,200 of nonrecurring expenses. Location and dockage
fee - 230.55 - Mooring ball in Marathon and dinghy dock in Key West |
| April 2008 | We are having a blast in Key West and had two big expenses with regards to our web hosting and our broken chair and lens. In addition, I've got some more expenses with regards to a new storage place I'm building after finding some unused space. It is interesting that the boat is still our biggest category expense in cruising. I don't have a problem with that because I want EVERYTHING working and maintained. Location and dockage
fee - 72 - dinghy dock fee in Key West |
| May 2008 | Overall, a good month even though we replaced the water heater and picked up an swr meter so I could test my radio system and others along the way. Location and dockage
fee - 160.13 - dinghy dock fees and moorings in Marathon and Ft.
Myers Beach |
| June 2008 | I thought this was going to be a worse month but given the lavish expenditures - guitar amp, strings and dockage, we did ok. Location and dockage
fee - 289.57 - This is higher for us however, it will get worse for
the next few months as we stay at a dock for the second half of July and
all of August and September. |
| July 2008 | We were back for most of this month and it shows that we are starting to really refit the boat. Location and dockage
fee - 457.52 - You will note this is up because of the marina fees.
However, that also includes the Yacht Club and since we are in a dry county,
that's good. It also includes a transient vehicle if we need one. |
| August 2008 | Yep, boat expenses are really racking up again. Location and dockage
fee - 463.51 - dockage and electric |
| September 2008 | Hopefully, this is the last month of big expenditures. All projects are looking good. Location and dockage
fee - 496.62 |
| October 2008 | It is always interesting as we get moving again because the expenses change in the categories. You can see the dockage and fuel expenses are up plus the expenses for stocking the boat for the trip down in groceries. The good news is that the boat expenses have stayed down. Location and dockage
fee - 447.71 Green Turtle Bay and others along the Tenn-Tom We are watching the market go down, down, and down. Deb and I keep thinking that we will be spending less but keep playing too much. The market has us both worried but we will be fine in the end. I've made moves that has limited our losses to half of what has happened out there even though the financial advisors said stay in, I didn't. We have decided to keep on moving south and are truly hoping that the wind will help us out. Unfortunately, so far the wind hasn't helped too much at this point. We keep going into it because the prevailing winds seem to be on our bow. |
| November 2008 | We are having another fairly good month. The savings are really a result of three things. FIrst, the boat is working and I don't have anything to upgrade. Second, we are moving slowly and having a number of good days on the boat or just taking walks. However, since it is so cold, we are spending more money on gas for the generator (heat) and also 1 pound propane bottles for the small propane heater. Third, we are really making a conscious effort to cut back. The economy stinks and if we spend 100 bucks right now it is really like spending between 150 and 200 bucks. We are hoping the economy comes back soon but overall, are still having fun! Location and dockage
fee - 396.61 |
| December 2008 |
Location and dockage
fee - 391.12 - This included a pretty big dockage fee at St.
Petersburg. Our last horrah at a dock for the winter. Last year, I analyzed the total expenses in each category and I have done that again this year. Below are our percentages for 2008 in each category and compared in parenthesis to the 2007 year. Location and dockage
fee - 8.9% (2007 - 5.8% ) - We stayed at a dock for the summer
in Kentucky Lake which is why this one is up. Overall, we spent about 8,500 less in our daily expenditures this year however, you have to remember we provisioned for the Bahamas mostly in December of 2007 and our groceries were way up that month. So we didn't have as big of a food expense this year as we would have. You can just say we had prepaid expenses which carried over to this fiscal year. The cutbacks we hoped to see in fuel didn't materialize because we went to Kentucky and that is a motor trip of 26 days round trip just on the Tenn-Tom waterway. In addition, we did save money on the boat expenses and are hoping to have a lower expense this next year which may just turn out to be a "pipe dream." If you use a boat, things break. One of the best things we did was to change insurance companies in 2007. Even though we had to pay for a new survey last year, we retain the annual insurance savings as long as we have the boat. So, what does that mean for next year? I'm hoping everything keeps working and we are able to keep the budget at about the place it is today. With what will be another increase in health and boat insurance along with the groceries we will have to buy over the next few months, it will mean we will have to save about two - three thousand dollars to make up for those increases. We don't want to give ourselves a raise until the economy improves so we will continue to cut back until the market gives back what it has taken from us. |
| January 2009 | Overall, we had
a good month. As you will see we still play too much and we the bigest expense
was the new bed for the boat. Hopefully February will be a good month too.
I've ordered a new, for me, sail and that expense will show up partially
in February. I've also made a bit of money to offset the actual expense
so that is why I'm spurging on the used asymetrical.
Location
and dockage fee - 80 - Dinghy Dock fee for Key West |
| February 2009 | A number of our friends
are on their way or are already in the Bahamas. We decided not to go this
year because of the economy and that reason is primarily Jimmy Buffett.
When we board him it costs us about 1,000 bucks by the time everything is
done with paying for the boarding, car rental to pick him up, dock expense
while we drive to pick him up, and hotel room. We will see what next year
brings as to the Bahamas or ???? since everyone know our plans are made
in Jello..
Location and dockage
fee - $80 - Dinghy Dock |
Location and dockage fee - Fuel-pump-outs,gas, diesel - Clothes & laundry - Groceries - Entertainment - Misc. Phone, Internet - Boat Parts - Sub Total - Insurance and taxes - Grand Total - |
Web Page by Jim Faughn