We are detailing every penny of every purchase we make while cruising.  So after you’ve checked out the other cost page and have seen how much it cost to purchase and outfit our boat for cruising, now you can also find out how much it cost to maintain a cruising lifestyle.

Our cost is broken down into eight sections.  Dockage/marina covers any time we stay at a marina, have to pay for a dock or tie up to a mooring ball, or pay to use a marina’s facilities.  Diesel is any fuel we take on our boat, in the tank or in the jerrycans we strap on deck.  Boat Maintenance includes anything related to the boat.  Spare parts we order, cleaning products, hardware, electronics, basically anything that is related to the boat itself.  Boat insurance & Payment is our monthly boat payment and also what we pay each month for full coverage on the boat, should anything happen to us.  Groceries/general covers anything we’d purchase at a grocery store.  Food, toiletries, bed sheets, anything you could pick up at a Walmart or Target.  Eating out/Entertainment is for any food or drinks not purchased at the grocery store (we love our fast food) and whatever we spend money on to entertain ourselves.  Could be movie tickets, museum tours, or whatever floats our boat. (Ok, maybe that would fall into boat maintenance)  Cell phone is for our monthly pre-paid plan on our cell phone which includes 100 minutes and unlimited text and data.  Other is anything else we can’t fit into the categories above.  From laundry or clothing purchases to subway passes or the five bucks you hand to the homeless guy on the street, should you ever feel that generous.

August 2012

These are as of our departure date of 8/12/12, but also include our original provisioning done a week before we left.

Marina/Dockage:  $112.00

Diesel:  $132.55

Boat Maintenance:  $1,152.70  ($729.84 is for new standing rigging and $317.54 is for having the mast stepped)

Boat Insurance:  $122.90

Groceries/General:  $873.96  ($674.76 is for the original provisioning at Sam’s Club & Meijer)

Eating Out/Entertainment:  $81.48

Cell Phone:  $28.26

Total:  $2,501.46

September 2012

Marina/Dockage:  $334.68

Diesel:  $149.85

Boat Maintenance:  $714.84  ($408.57 just to have the mast put back up (and the other issues relating to it))

Boat Insurance:  $122.90

Groceries/General:  $240.66  

Eating Out/Entertainment:  $332.01

Cell Phone:  $126.54  (the last payment for our land based phone/internet)

Other:  $37.00

Total:  $2,158.48

 

New York City Special – A list of what was specifically spent in NYC (numbers are also included in figures above)

Marina: $150.00  (5 nights)

Groceries/General:  $85.14

Eating Out/Entertainment:  $239.04

Other:  $20.00

Total:  $494.18

October 2012

Marina/Dockage:  $118.72

Diesel:  $217.09

Boat Maintenance:  $665.22  ($215.79 was spent at the boat show on parts we’d been holding off on.)

Boat Insurance:  $122.90

Groceries/General:  $278.98  

Eating Out/Entertainment:  $220.57

Cell Phone:  $31.80

Other: $74.80

Total:  $2,140.08

November 2012

Marina/Dockage:  $42.40

Diesel:  $142.50

Boat Maintenance:  $643.90

Boat Insurance:  $122.90

Groceries/General:  $509.85 ($225.50 was spent provisioning at Sam’s Club) 

Eating Out/Entertainment:  $179.86

Cell Phone:  $42.40

Other: $100.35  

Total:  $1,374.16

December 2012

Marina/Dockage:  $42.40

Diesel:  $0.00

Boat Maintenance:  $540.14  ($220.00 for the survey)

Boat Insurance:  $122.90

Groceries/General:  $395.32 

Eating Out/Entertainment:  $243.48

Cell Phone:  $28.73

Other: $74.15  

Total:  $1,447.12

Overall 2012     

(August 12 – December 31)

Marina/Dockage:  $650.20

Diesel:  $641.49

Boat Maintenance:  $3,716.80

Boat Insurance:  $614.50

Groceries/General:  $2,298.77

Eating Out/Entertainment:  $1057.40

Cell Phone:  $257.73

Other: $286.30  

Total:  $9,523.19

22 Responses

  2. Ron

    Holy crap…I hope this don’t raise are week of vacation rates…note to self skip New York on are trip.

  3. Lorraine Dolsen

    Looks like you got a great price for the marina in NYC. Where did you stay? We are planning on leaving June 2013 for another trip south.

    Lorraine
    S/V Changes
    34′ C&C

  4. JessicaAuthor

    Lorraine, when we were in NYC we stayed on a mooring ball at the 79th St Basin for $30 a night. It was on the Upper West Side, only a mile from Central Park and so close to everything. A really great place to stay, and if you plan on going there next year just make sure to snag one of yellow balls, those are for transients. Fair winds on your next trip south.

  5. Yvonne

    Ok. All I can say is GREAT job on controlling the expenses. I know there are some surprises but you guys have managed it well. I have so much respect for you both! You have a beautiful vessel, can find the best of times everywhere you stop and are a complete joy to follow and to know! Thanks for sharing all that you share!

  6. Jennifer

    Thank you for posting your monthly cost and repair figures. So many people are afraid of sharing costs/finances with readers but it really helps to confirm my estimates for budgeting. We are looking for a boat now and your insight and info will be very helpful.

  7. Uncle Tom

    now that I’m seriously committed to retiring, I wonder how Gerrie would do as a First Mate. She’s game for just about anything.

  9. Vince

    Good on you guys. Your storey is inspirational and one day my significant other and I plan to join the world cruising live Aboards like you.
    If ever interested in earning some cash again get in touch, I’m always looking for experienced skippers and crew!

    Vincent Donnelly
    Global sailing Manager
    G adventures
    Twitter: skipper_vince

  10. JessicaAuthor

    Vince, I hope you and your significant other do get out and become cruisers/liveaboards soon, it is SUCH a wonderful lifestyle! About the earning cash again..thanks for the offer! When our bank account begins to dwindle we might be getting in contact with you about that. 🙂

  11. Trish Lodo

    Sitting here at my compfy desk contemplating the purschae of a boat and the sale of our belongings! You give me hope that its as amazing as I think it is in my head….however…..do you ever get bored? We would sail as a transition year (or 18months) after we retire and before we move to the frozen tundra that is Massachusttes in the winter to be by our son and his family…..I cant wait but unknown repairs give me pause, any thoughts? thanks

  14. Nadia

    Thank you so much for posting your costs so openly. It is good to have hard numbers, and not just wishes and hopes. I am having trouble finding the initial outfitting cost page, referenced in the intro to the yearly cost pages. I suppose I am just missing an obvious link, but could you direct me to that page? Thanks!

  15. JessicaAuthor

    Nadia, you’re not missing anything, I had taken it down for a little while and have been meaning to publish it again but kept forgetting. Try back again and see if it’s there!

  16. JessicaAuthor

    Frederick, when we’re at sea we always have one person on watch and will make a shift switch every 4 hours. Normally we keep ourselves busy by reading or watching movies on our tablets. I (Jessica) suffer from seasickness occasionally but use a scopolamine patch the first few days at sea.

  17. Cathy

    Matt & Jessica
    I hail from Chatham Ontario Canada & I read your story & it’s truly amazing!! I Love traveling myself,but since I am wheelchair bound traveling is out of the question..I also read that you adopted a cat & named her Georgie.. I was wondering how she is doing this year.She seems like an excellent little traveler…I wish you all a wonderful life out in the wide open world..Please give Georgie a hug from me & my cats, Smokers, Kaleigh & Goldie..

  18. JessicaAuthor

    Cathy, Georgie is doing great although we can tell she misses the water while we’re stuck on land fixing up our new boat. We’ll make sure to giver her a big hug for you!

  20. Niccolea

    This is GREAT! I am sailing around the world with my friend and his cat and have a budget of about $1000/mo as well so your site is a great reference to see how someone else manages. Looking forward to seeing more! 🙂

  22. Treasure Tom

    Hi Matt and Jessica I’m from East Lansing and I’ve retired to a life of adventures and treasure hunting! Your beautiful films and wonderful music are an inspiration to me as I pursue my new career! I feel your old friends everytime I sit and watch a new adventure..Stay safe and enjoy!!!

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