Minimum Cruising Budget

[Springbok]

IF one has a reasonably equipped yacht for cruising what would be the minimum monthly budget you would cruise on, being on anchor in most destinations ie Bahamas and Caribbean?
$300-500, much more? Lets get the answers.
Thanks,
Clyde

[Hampus]

That depends and is so very personal. The one cost you don't want to compromise on is boat maintenance and ofcaurse the cost for that varies greatly depending on what kind of boat you have. I'd say that $300 is the monthly expense for food for two people if you eat lots of rice and pasta.

Our budget for two will be $1300 going through europe, to the caribbean and back. That includes insurance for the boat and health insurance for us though. I suspect that it'll be har stretched and tough to keep though, especially while in Europe where there are few anchorages and lots of marinas.

/Hampus

[Hud3]

This question has been discussed often here. Try some keyword searching using the link in my signature.

As I recall, the answer is...

1. it depends
2. as much as you've got, or
3. $300 to $3,000 per month (or more, if you have expensive tastes)

We did it (the Lesser Antilles) for about $1,200 a month (a guess, since we didn't keep detailed records).

[exranger]

Usually, the one biggest "wild card" is boat repairs. You can decide to eat cheaply, always anchor out, etc., and live very cheaply (I know several people doing it for about $500 a month). But repairs can be the monkey wrench, no pun intended.

Now, if you are handy, or at least willing to try, you can indeed do almost everything on your boat. So when you see these figures of 10% of your boats value every year, or $5,000 a year, etc., that varies depending on what YOU can/will do.

[wolfenzee]

As I have about $1000/mo passive income and 50-60% of that is "land ties", cost which will be eliminated once I leave (not including things such as medical insurance, food which I have been stocking up on slowly over time) and 20% is my refit cost. I can cruise comfortably on under $1000....eating out and such more of a special treat.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Springbok

IF one has a reasonably equipped yacht for cruising what would be the minimum monthly budget you would cruise on, being on anchor in most destinations ie Bahamas and Caribbean?
$300-500, much more? Lets get the answers.
Thanks,
Clyde

$1200

I'm budgeting for more, but you never know.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by Hud3

This question has been discussed often here. Try some keyword searching using the link in my signature.

As I recall, the answer is...

1. it depends
2. as much as you've got, or
3. $300 to $3,000 per month (or more, if you have expensive tastes)

We did it (the Lesser Antilles) for about $1,200 a month (a guess, since we didn't keep detailed records).

Thanks Hud! I thought for a moment I was in that Groundhog Day movie. This has been discussed ad nauseam (pardon my Latin), and the OP has been involved. Wonder what's the real point of the question? With so many variables, how could there be a more definitive answer than the three listed above. I'm getting seasick.

[zeehag]

if one is sailing a YACHT one must include cost of running helo on deck.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by zeehag

if one is sailing a YACHT one must include cost of running helo on deck.

Exactly my point. And I only employ hot youngish women as crew and insist they wear nothing but a hat (to save on uniform costs). Know what I'm saying?

Enuff already.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by tgzzzz

Exactly my point. And I only employ hot youngish women as crew and insist they wear nothing but a hat (to save on uniform costs). Know what I'm saying?

Enuff already.

Can't beat 'Icing the Eye Candy..'

[sailorboy1]

We all know this comes up all the time and the "it depends on ..." starts up. But the OP I think was asking for "you" answers and hardly anyone gave an answer saying how much THEY would budget.

[wolfenzee]

As I live on board anyway....my cost of cruising = costs which are present no matter what - land ties + costs unique to cruising. Without cutting land ties and cruising awhile I can not realistically say what my overall expenses will be. I can say what my budget will be based on my income.
Even though it may be un-American I refuse to spend more than my income, even with what little I have I will find away to live comfortably.

[boatman61]

I'd be trying to keep it to about $80 - $100 a week... but then being a smoker I'm not a big eater...
Figure that whichever way you choose...

[wolfenzee]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I'd be trying to keep it to about $80 - $100 a week... but then being a smoker I'm not a big eater...
Figure that whichever way you choose...

But with the price of cigarettes these days it more than makes up the savings in food and will take a big chunk out of your budget. I don't smoke, but I like to eat well and with about $900/month to work with...my refit this winter included a major rebuild of the galley (completely gutted actually) restaurants will be a special treat

[jyoung]

i say it all depends on whether or not you like "cup o soups".. i love them and could eat easily on $ 30 dollars a month.. though i do need a lot more endorsement for the spirits