WE have been asked many times to
share how we are able to live this
cruising lifestyle over the longer term.
There have been lots of articles
written about costs of cruising and
what people do in order to get cruising.
Some cruise for a short term, then go
back to work; some long term. Some
save and wait until they are retired.
Some work as they go.
I guess for us that journey over the
years has been similar. Working, cruising
for a bit, then repeating the process. So,
yes, our basic formula has been to work
hard, live frugally and save our pennies.But I want to cover off on a slightly
different tack and talk to you about how
we have set up our yacht to be self-
sufficient, plus some of the things we do
to keep our costs down. This, to me, is a
vital key to managing to live this life for
the longer term.
When I first started living aboard
and cruising, apart from the engine,
there was no power to run any systems,
food was kept in an ice-box, I cooked
on a gas stove and had oil lanterns for
light. Navigation was by paper chart,
communication via VHF radio. Darren
put solar onto his first yacht, whichenabled him to add lights, a fridge and
an inverter to charge his phone.
That was it.
My how things have changed!
We have laptops, e-books, tablets,
GPS, chartplotters, AIS, radar, HF, VHF,
mobile phones, satellite internet, Wifi,
power tools, juicers, two fridges, a freezer,
electric toilet, lighting, a washing machine
and a watermaker. We charge multiple
cameras, filming gear, torches and I spend
literally days on the laptop editing.
It is all mostly run purely from the
energy we get from solar and wind.
Amazing really.
So we have everything that we need.
If you want to live self sufficiently, here
is how we would suggest you do it:- buy a boat you can afford to run
- learn to do your own maintenance
and upkeep - set up your boat to be self sufficient
- hardstand out on the ocean as much
as possible - avoid marinas
- do your washing on board
- use less gas in cooking
- air conditioning: do you really need it
- ponder your galley appliances
Dollar stretchers
TAKE YOUR CRUISING BACK TO BASICS WITH
THESE TIPS AND IDEAS ON ECONOMIC LIVING.
Budget sailing
60
Cruising Helmsman July 2018PRACTICAL
MAINTENANCE
MEG WATSON