I'm a Wannabe

[stumblingalong]

Just a question...you've probably heard it a million times...but I could think of no better place to find an answer. Retiring soon on (most likely) a 2009 Hunter 50CC. I live in the Philippines, and intend to stay...exploring the 7107 islands that comprise my adopted country. Not a clue as to how much supporting a boat will cost me. I'll have about USD 4K / month in income. Am I going to make it on that? Thanks for any input...

[Badsanta]

I would go smaller and cheaper.

[stumblingalong]

Well...me and my companion...plus my daughter quite a bit...friends from time to time...the in-laws for some extended periods I suspect...smaller will not get a bit crowded?

[Badsanta]

You did not say. I assumed. If you can afford it then go for it.

[sneuman]

In the PI, that doesn't sound unreasonable. The bottom line is that you'd know better than we would because most of that equation is based on the local economy.

[syoder]

4K a month? Hell, I could live nicely on that in the States. Just depends on how you choose to spend your money but I wouldn't be too worried with that amount of income.

[stumblingalong]

Thanks much for the input...well appreciated. I'm not a high maintenance unit...was just wondering if that amount would support the boat. Apparently "yes" is the answer. Thanks again folks for the replies. Very kind.

[jim_thomsen]

"Yes" is a good answer. But we find our largest expenses are going out to eat and buying things in stores that we have not seen for awhile. Be careful and life will be good.

[JJB]

For my way of thinking, that's plenty, and if I may say that looks like one nice boat.
My only suggestion would be to put open a separate bank account and deposit $100 every week or $400 a month, I've heard a couple of stories about people blowing most of their money on beer and fun, so to speak then copping something like a torn main then can't afford to replace it.

[atoll]

fantastic cruising around the islands we spent 4 months sailing through in 2003,though would really reccomend a shoal draft or catamaran vessel as many areas very shallow.

also bear in mind they have 2 cyclone seasons,so being able to get up into the mangroves a consideration.

sudgest you contact member "notquitelost" who is currently also living there for better info.
money wise you could live well on$ 300 a month if nessacary!

[Drayla]

Depending on where you end up costs are fairly cheap..

Current prices are around 42 Pesos for Diesel and 53 for Gas..
Dock space in Cebu is running at around 4000 pesos per 10days, or neg if you are staying longer (min of 4k).. We have a 40ft Mariner a little ways north and a semi-decent dock/mooring (step-off) was running 3,500 per month with power/water included...

But of course the luxury is that the bays are free.. cheap and plentiful.. Be aware of the monsoon/typhoon seasons and that the fact parts can be extremely hard to get in places (or impossible) unless shipping from overseas, and the packages will get opened and "extra" fees added on..

Hope ya enjoy the islands tho..
Ants

[zeehag]

just save a lot for haulouts and maintenance....

[iciela]

Hi wannabe...
20 years ago,i cruised from western australia thru indonesia and philippines to Hong kong...a year long voyage at a cost of less than 10k (australian).BUT,it was 20 years ago...seldom staying in marinas,on a 35 ft boat, with a 23hp volvo using only 1.2 litre per hour...
with your budget (in US$...!?) you sound like a millionnaire...make sure you spend large,have a full retirement and leave the boat empty for the grand children !...
food for thoughts:
-the bigger the boat,the higher the cost.
-are hunter yachts high maintenance?(i've heard it is the case !?...)
-number 44 is bad luck in chinese,if you're superstitious-like all sailors-go for 42 !!!...
-the size of the boat doesn't count for much with real friends...i've had memorable "cocktails in the cockpit" with at least 12 people on the boat and coastal passages sleeping 7...very cosy
...so go and get it wanabe, and don't worry too much about the cost.life's worth nothing,but nothing is worth life...(badly translate from french...)

[iciela]

Hi again,
i read it wrong !... you're going for 50 ft ,not 44 !!!...man !!!...Noha's arch was smaller than that and he cruised with 2 of each !!!...good luck getting in and out a small anchorage (plenty of them in the philippines...)...especially without anchor winch after the battery is flat or the motor is burnt out...plan for a very active retirement then

[stumblingalong]

iciela...ouch! You're not exacly cheering me up...but thanks very much for taking the time to share your experience with me...all of you. I'm impressed with the kindness...and pleased...even if all the responses are not exactly what I want to hear. Thank you all...