Cruising Expense Report
Here’s a quick breakdown of my expenses for the first month of being underway. Groceries dominate… I’m pretty sure it’s due to these particular cookies I buy, to use in a dessert I make, to bring to social boat gatherings. They cost $5 a box. I buy alot of boxes. Yup, I’m getting fat. In addition, the first month groceries figure includes alot of staples, that will last many months. Fuel is a necessary evil when you do the intracoastal waterway. The trip north next spring will be offshore and my wallet is looking forward to it already. Eating out includes the occasional coffee/treat and two nice dinners: one Thai dinner with my aunt and uncle, and one awesome All You Can Eat Crab Feast with Travis and Joanne. When in Maryland, one MUST go for crabs. Galley gear is non-skid plates and mugs, neither of which I had before leaving. Sailing gear is a logbook… yup, a waste of money. Yanmar is actually lube oil… should that go under fuel? Tools is a deck cap opener.
This cruising expense report doesn’t include my other “grown-up” expenses like: cell phone, data plan, boat payment, boat insurance, car insurance, health insurance etc…
I suspect November’s expenses will be alot less…
Ben, wait till you get to the islands, any islands. Everything will increase by 30-50%. So stock up before you make the leap. Especially the cookies, probably won’t be able to find them.
Fair winds,
Shanti
Way to go fatty!
Your expenses are about 50% of what is considered a basic cruising budget. Eating out is about 15% of your budget although a nice treat once in awhile. You are managing the economics of cruising very well. Fuel is always a big cost. We spent about $75 for fuel on a Rappahannock trip this fall. Although I sailed most of the way down, I motored all back to Baltimore. Keep on going south.
Sweet Pie Chart! Where are these mythical boat cookies? We haven’t seen any.
Your website is interesting and fun to look at, as always! How about an update on your alternator issues, either here or on the forum? Do you have refrigeration? How many hours a day are you charging the batteries? What’s the temp of your belt, pulley and alternator? Did the alternator repair involve more than replacing the bearings? That hand-held remote thermometer is great–I’ve put it on my Christmas list!
What’s the weather like where you’re at? It’s in the low 50′s and high 40′s here in Seattle–not all that great for boat work (or cruising!). Are you still working via your internet connection, as well as cruising?
Dan
Wow your food costs are way high to us. My wife and I have tracked every penny for the last five years and our month in month out grocery bill is only $10 higher than yours! We eat out only once a month or so, costs too damn much, and my wife is a great cook. Also my wife knows the cost of all groceries and only buys on sale and priced well.
Good luck with your voyage.
Ed
It’s hard to compare grocery costs.