Poll: Boat Maintenance on 'Round-the-World Trips

[Armada01]

I'm doing some research on the ideal travel format for round the world cruising.

My question to former round the world cruisers is:

On your world trip (it doesn't have to be full circle, but at least 1 year of extensive cruising in a single trip), how much did you spend on maintenance and repairs relative to what was originally budgetted? (guestimates are allowed off course)

Thanks!

[donradcliffe]

Didn't have a budget, but spent about half what I expected on a 45 ft boat.

Sails (dacron UK main and North genoa) lasted 12 years and 50,000 miles, did own repairs, for a cost of $20.

Canvas lasted 12 years, with restitching every 4 years and one set of new windows. Did own repairs for cost of $200

Engine (perkins 4108) only had to rebuild the injection pump twice , water pump twice, and transmission (Hurth) once for a total maintenance cost of $1800

Rigging--replaced babystay and some halyards--cost $600

Batteries--replaced Gel cells twice, cost $2500

Teak decks--replaced in Thailand, better than new, cost $4500

Refrigeration (Adler Barbour) no problems, cost $0

Annual haul out and bottom job, varied a lot, but average $700 for haul and paint (self applied).

Blister job (Turkey) 5,000 euro to peel and refair

Headliner (Thailand) complete replacement for $1500

Cushions (Thailand) new leather for $1500

Painted topsides and deck with Awlgrip (Thailand) cost $4,000

Autopilot (Simrad) replaced AP100 with AP11 ($4,000), replaced rudder feedback unit ($400 with shipping/customs)

Solar panels still working well, maintenance cost $0

Wind generator (Ferris) new blades, bearings, brushes cost $500

Water heater (Raritan) cost $600

Electronics upgrades-- new GPS ($300), vhf ($150), Pactor ($600)

Inverter (Xantrex), radar (Furuno), SSB (Icom)--no problems

Roller Furling (Harken)--no problems

miscellaneous--$500/yr

Total cost was about $45,000 or 4% of boat's value per year. However, when we got back to the US, we did a major refit (engine, sails, rigging, radar, AIS, stove, etc.) and spent an additional $40,000 to get the boat back in A-1 condition.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Didn't have a budget, but spent about half what I expected on a 45 ft boat ...
... Total cost was about $45,000 or 4% of boat's value per year. However, when we got back to the US, we did a major refit (engine, sails, rigging, radar, AIS, stove, etc.) and spent an additional $40,000 to get the boat back in A-1 condition.

Well done - both on the circumnavigation and the cogent presentation.

I think you may have underestimated your estimating capabilities.

If you add the major refit costs to those expended underway, you come up with about 95% of your “expectation”.
I’d think that the refit might represent deferred maintenance, and should be included in the amortized costs.

[Armada01]

Thanks for your contribution, Donradcliffe!

Very extensive cost breakdown! Handy for anyone as a benchmark!

Happy cruising!

[BlueSovereign]

Originally Posted by Armada01

I'm doing some research on the ideal travel format for round the world cruising.
My question to former round the world cruisers is:
On your world trip (it doesn't have to be full circle, but at least 1 year of extensive cruising in a single trip), how much did you spend on maintenance and repairs relative to what was originally budgetted? (guestimates are allowed off course)
Thanks!

A:

I think this is an excellent poll you've created, and I sincerely hope more members take the time to provide a response.

Your poll raises another interesting poll I thought of this wekend: How many of the members actually have already have, are, or have a definite date to Blue Water Cruise, versus the "Dreamers", and the simply the local/coastal "Wanna Be's"???

[Sunfish]

we sail full time for 7 years and have no fixed budget. Bottom line for us: boat related expenses (excl marinas) are about half of our total spending. We do all repairs ourselves. I do the mechanical repairs and my lovely galley slave operates the sewing machine and handles the paintbrushes...