Cruising on $500 per Month . . .

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Wavewacker

BTW, David, my internet cruising is pretty cheap, but in the old days I "enjoyed" some areas that most Americans had never seen, so it's not like I haven't been out of my backyard....

Lol! I never assume anything different .

FWIW, my time in Thailand was spent looking at Temples - and I have at least one photo to prove that . Anything funnier / more interesting never happened and no photos were taken to prove that as well .

[w1651]

Is Phuket good hunti I mean cruising grounds?

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Lol! I never assume anything different .

FWIW, my time in Thailand was spent looking at Temples - and I have at least one photo to prove that . Anything funnier / more interesting never happened and no photos were taken to prove that as well .

Yes...I'm flying over next week "to check out some temple"! I'll probably forget my camera though...

[NorthPacific]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Yes...I'm flying over next week "to check out some temple"! I'll probably forget my camera though...

Say hi to the monks for me!

[w1651]

Alright went to a nautical flee market yesterday. Made a few purchases and got to meet some really well connected people.
Bought a pair of Copitar binoculars for 15 bucks.
A set of large Fenders for 5 bucks each.
A Brass 3/4 nipple for 4 bucks.
And the best buy of the day 2 3/4 Marelon Seacocks for 5 bucks. He originally wanted 3 bucks each and I got him down to 5 bucks for two.

The best thing was the guy was a parts man for Catalina yachts. He was hired to get rid of a lot of their extra parts and supplies. He said he had tons of stuff in boxes back at the warehouse that he had to get rid of. I will definitely be seeing more of him as time goes by. He said they are parts and equipment for a Catalina but if he can they will match things up if they have to. But a block is a block is a block a swage fitting is a swage fitting. All name brands too Lewmar Harkan and Schaefer. Never thought the boat manufacturers woyuld want to get rid of excess parts ans supplies but they (Catalina) do.
I drive by their manufacturing plant twice a day. So making a stop on the way home is now in the cards.

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by w1651

Alright went to a nautical flee market yesterday. Made a few purchases and got to meet some really well connected people.
Bought a pair of Copitar binoculars for 15 bucks.
A set of large Fenders for 5 bucks each.
A Brass 3/4 nipple for 4 bucks.
And the best buy of the day 2 3/4 Marelon Seacocks for 5 bucks. He originally wanted 3 bucks each and I got him down to 5 bucks for two.

The best thing was the guy was a parts man for Catalina yachts. He was hired to get rid of a lot of their extra parts and supplies. He said he had tons of stuff in boxes back at the warehouse that he had to get rid of. I will definitely be seeing more of him as time goes by. He said they are parts and equipment for a Catalina but if he can they will match things up if they have to. But a block is a block is a block a swage fitting is a swage fitting. All name brands too Lewmar Harkan and Schaefer. Never thought the boat manufacturers woyuld want to get rid of excess parts ans supplies but they (Catalina) do.
I drive by their manufacturing plant twice a day. So making a stop on the way home is now in the cards.

Somehow I doubt he wants you to stop by the factory looking for spare parts deals If you do, expect to be meeting in the parking lot and buying out of his trunk

But good for him for relinquishing Catalina of all those overages, and making a few bucks for himself in the process

[Celestialsailor]

Thanks for the tip...I'll give them a call.

[w1651]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

Somehow I doubt he wants you to stop by the factory looking for spare parts deals If you do, expect to be meeting in the parking lot and buying out of his trunk

But good for him for relinquishing Catalina of all those overages, and making a few bucks for himself in the process

Well he gave me his card and had a box of them there to take. He did make it clear that the parts were from the warehouse and that most were no longer going onto production boats.
If I can get a few little things like sea cocks, blocks, and thru hulls at a very reduce cost. I'm going to check it out.

[NorthPacific]

Originally Posted by w1651

Alright went to a nautical flee market yesterday. Made a few purchases and got to meet some really well connected people.
Bought a pair of Copitar binoculars for 15 bucks.
A set of large Fenders for 5 bucks each.
A Brass 3/4 nipple for 4 bucks.
And the best buy of the day 2 3/4 Marelon Seacocks for 5 bucks. He originally wanted 3 bucks each and I got him down to 5 bucks for two.

The best thing was the guy was a parts man for Catalina yachts. He was hired to get rid of a lot of their extra parts and supplies. He said he had tons of stuff in boxes back at the warehouse that he had to get rid of. I will definitely be seeing more of him as time goes by. He said they are parts and equipment for a Catalina but if he can they will match things up if they have to. But a block is a block is a block a swage fitting is a swage fitting. All name brands too Lewmar Harkan and Schaefer. Never thought the boat manufacturers woyuld want to get rid of excess parts ans supplies but they (Catalina) do.
I drive by their manufacturing plant twice a day. So making a stop on the way home is now in the cards.

Life is not fair!!!!!

[w1651]

Originally Posted by NorthPacific

Life is not fair!!!!!

[goprisko]

Now that we are making the transition from world wide cruising back
to a settled working life, dealing with the changes involved, I'm reminded of those necessary to do the reverse.

In the settled life:

1. House or Apt expenses ( mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, taxes )
2. Vehicle expenses ( licensing, fuel, repairs, taxes, insurance )
3. Entertainment ( meals out, shows, movies, satTV, cellular, drinks out )
4. Food ( groceries, meats, detergents, soap, etc )
5. Outfitting ( spares, repairs )
6. Dockage ( mooring, YC, slip )
7. Health ( insurance, drugs, Dr. )
8. Job ( clothes, commuting, supplies )

While cruising on a micro-budget:
1. Boat maintenance performed by self using local materials or inventory
2. Food purchased locally, with very little meat and lots of legumes
3. Boat anchored virtually all the time at no charge
4. Medical covered via use of free public health systems
5. Entertainment exclusively aboard, via potlucks, or in public places such as the beach using cheap ingredients including cheap liquor
6. Job - no job related expenses
7. Vehicle - bicycle costing $90, maintained by self
8. No Outfitting expenses

The following remarks pertain to US citizens only:

If you are on Food Stamps, you qualify to get groceries from food pantries. Our neighbors put us on to this. I now visit several pantries during the month, where quite good bread and yeast rolls are readily available, meat is provided ( last visit I was given 10 Kg of chicken Thighs, 1 Kg of ground sirloin ) tinned vegetables and fruit are readily available, nuts, fruits, salad greens, eggs, pasta, and rice too. There is no charge.

You also qualify in Florida for a free cellular phone
You also qualify for Medicaid sufficient to cover your Medicare Part B premium.
You also qualify for a Medicare Supplemental Plan which covers Dr. Visits $10, Hospital admission $30, prescription drugs $2.60, 3 dental checkups & cleanings annually $0

If you are a Vietnam Vet, look into the non-disability pension beginning at age 65. It guarantees a couple a minimum income of $1300/ month.

This specifically means:

1. If you are a US citizen, living on less than $18,000 / yr you qualify for food stamps, free groceries, free cell phone.
2. If you have less than the above income and are over 65 you qualify for free medical & dental care

Since the vast majority of those visiting this thread will likely never cruise beyond the coastal waters of their home country, and are also US citizens, other economies apply.

1. Nautical charts downloaded from NOAA for free
2. Coast Pilots downloaded from NOAA for free
3. Celestial navigation equipment can be dispensed with and navigation equipment can be reduced to pencils, weems plotter, hand bearing compass
4. Vhf weather receiver will suffice

Should a shallow draft vessel be chosen, free anchorages are to be found everywhere.

For more info regarding the specifics of budgeting and boat selection visit pp 28-36

I'm taking Pegasus from Cocoa, FL to Brooklyn, NY. I've room for 1-2
crew. Minimum requirements are resistance to mal de mer, and the month of May available for the trip. You must get yourself to Cocoa, Fl, and provide your own way home from Brooklyn.

Should anyone along the way care to provide us with anchorage/dockage for the night please contact me too.

My email is: goprisko@publicresearchinstitute.org

INDY

[s/v Breakaway]

I'm sorry to see you give up the cruising life; may I ask what is the cause of that?
Also, I believe that there is an upper limit for assets to qualify for Medicaid that the value of a boat easily exceeds. And I hear that many doctors will not accept Medicaid patients because the payment schedule is so low. In fact, some doctots no longer accept Medicare patients for that reason.

[Ironhorse74]

Originally Posted by goprisko

The following remarks pertain to US citizens only:

If you are on Food Stamps, you qualify to get groceries from food pantries. Our neighbors put us on to this. I now visit several pantries during the month, where quite good bread and yeast rolls are readily available, meat is provided ( last visit I was given 10 Kg of chicken Thighs, 1 Kg of ground sirloin ) tinned vegetables and fruit are readily available, nuts, fruits, salad greens, eggs, pasta, and rice too. There is no charge.

You also qualify in Florida for a free cellular phone
You also qualify for Medicaid sufficient to cover your Medicare Part B premium.
You also qualify for a Medicare Supplemental Plan which covers Dr. Visits $10, Hospital admission $30, prescription drugs $2.60, 3 dental checkups & cleanings annually $0

INDY

If you are cruising on 500 a month that is great. If you are cruising on 500 a month and taking food stamps, medicare, and free cell phones, what you are doing is having the American tax payers supplement your lifestyle. It is time to go get a JOB!!!

Those things are provided as a safety net not a damn hammock. It is a large part of what is wrong with this country today.

Brad

[zeehag]

medi care isnt one of the "entitlements"--is earned by being old or broken. isnt from taxpayers gen fund-is from social security....paid for by fica tax deductions over time employed.
medicaid is for supplemental coverage not covered by medicare in SOME not all states.

[Ironhorse74]

Originally Posted by zeehag

medi care isnt one of the "entitlements"--is earned by being old or broken. isnt from taxpayers gen fund-is from social security....paid for by fica tax deductions over time employed.

Actually he said "You also qualify for Medicaid sufficient to cover your Medicare Part B premium" Medicaid is an entitlement. Don't get me started on medicare. Bernie Madoff went to prison for the exact same thing.

My point being is that anyone who is cruising on 500 a month and taking all those subsidies from the government is not cruising on 500 a month.

Brad