Yachting World — November 2017

November 2017 83

and the USA. It has been our experience that
where you might make some savings in one
respect, another cost will end up escalating.
In Europe, for example, provisioning was a
joy not only because of the ready availability of
fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood and meat, but
also because the cost was so reasonable. As
such we ate a varied and healthy diet, washed
down with local wines and beers. Our monthly
costs for provisioning were low, but due to
the lack of plentiful anchorages, we spent
almost all our time in marinas. Conversely, in
the Caribbean and the Bahamas we rarely had
to enter a marina and anchoring was almost
always free (and far more pleasant). However,
provisions were costly. Almost everything
is imported and eating out was rare due to
the extremely high prices (it was often more
expensive than going out for a meal in London).
We’re planning to head to the South Pacific
next year and have been warned about the high
costs associated with sailing in that area. Our

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Allow approximately 20 per cent of the cost of your boat

for running repairs. Ruby Rose’s regular costs include

annual haul out, inspection and antifoul at $1,000, and

battery replacement every five years at $1,000

Keeping costs down

A budget of £1,500-£2,500 per month

is realistic for most bluewater sailors,

but there are many cruisers living far

more modestly. Holly and Simon are

sailing around the Caribbean with their

one-year-old daughter and dog. They get

by perfectly well on a budget of £570

per month, which includes everything

apart from major repairs. To stick to

this budget, they are very careful with

their provisioning, spend all their time at

anchor, limit their fresh water use, and do

all servicing and repairs themselves.

“We very rarely eat in restaurants and

when we do it’s a disappointment anyway,”

says Holly. “You can find amazingly cheap,

local food from little shacks around the

Caribbean for a fraction of the price.”

Staying put also keeps their costs down.

Moving from one island or country to

another always incurs fees and charges,

especially when travelling with a pet.

Holly says one sacrifice is not

entertaining guests. “Cruising is often

about meeting like-minded people, and

inviting them over for sundowners and

dinner. I’d love to be able to put on a

decent spread, especially when someone

has done that for us.”

Holly acknowledges that her lifestyle

and budgetary constraints are not for

everyone. “You have to be very organised,

track your outgoings and plan your

spending. Sometimes when you have to

make sacrifices or unforeseen costs crop

up it can really get you down; but on the

other hand it feels very rewarding being

self-sufficient and not wasteful.”

friend Behan Gifford (www.sailingtotem.com)

shared her advice. She, her husband, Jamie,

and their three children have sailed across the

Pacific, spent time in Australia and Asia before

transiting the Indian Ocean and cruising along

parts of the African coast. They then crossed

the Atlantic before continuing their journey

towards the Caribbean and the USA. They

offer a consultation service for clients who are

interested in living aboard and Behan says that

budget is one of the most important facets that

she advises on.

She breaks costs into three sectors: the

bigger, fixed annual costs (such as boat

insurance and health insurance), variable

monthly costs (such as groceries, marina/

mooring fees, cruising permits, and fuel)

and discretionary spending (dining out,

entertainment and excursions).

Fixed costs tend to be similar for each

cruiser, although, depending on your

boat’s size and value, costs such as

Above: provisioning
and marina costs can
vary hugely around
the world
Right: invest in a
sturdy tender that will
allow you to explore

You may have to pay for a fishing permit if

you want to catch your own

Terysa Vanderloo

Tor Johnson

Sailing Totem

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