Becoming A Cruiser, Our List

What is that in our backyard?!  Nirvana has become a stranger that we can't wait to get re-acquainted with.

Recently I posted our haul-out expenses and our pre-cruising expenses.  I wish that our pre-cruising expenses list was complete, but instead it will grow significantly once our house sells.  So, in case you were wondering what we plan on adding to Nirvana in preparation for cruising ... here's a list of what I've come up with so far.  I'm sure this list will also grow, and it will be interesting to see how it compares to reality.

This list is in no particular order, but I separated the projects from the add-ons.  I put a question mark by the items that we'd like to have, but aren't sure about.  We'll go without them if our budget requires it. 

PROJECTS

Inspect and repair/replace plumbing as needed (hoses, valves, etc)

Install fresh and saltwater foot pumps

Inspect and repair/replace electrical as needed

Replace lights with LED lighting

Add cockpit lighting

Inspect and repair/replace rigging as needed

Paint deck with anti-skid product

Replace rotten interior wood, including bulkhead (hope this isn't too difficult)

Clean and oil interior teak

Clean exterior teak ... looking into LOW maintenance product, perhaps Semco

Build small step under v-berth (it's tough being short)

Add storage compartments in aft cabin (guests can sleep in salon)

Install new laminate or decoupage salon table and navigation station (hate that fake wood look!)

Build and install lazy jack system for our new sail pack

Build overhead plate/cup holder in galley

Add extra cabinet in head

Customize shelves for storage

Security bars (removable for safety) for hatches/companionway

Build mount on stern for dinghy motor (starboard)

Build stern seats (starboard)

Replace exterior handrails (perhaps teak alternative)

Create jerry can rack?

Haul-out boat for quick bottom job and inspection

*These projects will keep us busy after our house sells, but Ken can build a house in 3-4 months so once we start on these projects we'll knock them out pretty quickly ... a few months.

ADDITIONS

Caframo Fans, 2-3 more

4-way Windscoop

Solar Shower

Quick-Dry Towels

Oversized Anchor

Anchor Chain

Additional Fenders & Covers

Electric Windlass

Companionway Hatch (starboard)

Cockpit Cupholders (we have none)!

New Sunbrella Bimini

Tarp (for shade)

Autopilot

Davits

Solar Panels

Batteries

Inverter

Honda Generator

Diesel Cans/Funnel

Wind Generator?

Hatch Screens (maybe I can make these)

Locks for Boat & Dinghy

Anti-Corrosion Spray

Bolt Cutters

Wasp Spray (a good weapon)

First Aid Kit

Flares

EPIRB?

Fire Extinguisher

Harness/Tethers/Lifejackets

Handheld GPS

Paper Charts

Manual Bilge Pump

Mast Steps (or Bosun Chair?)

AIS?

SSB Radio?

Watermaker?

Refrigeration?

Ice Maker?

Propane Stove in Place of Alcohol Stove?

Snubbers

Fishing Rod/Net

Spear Gun

Binoculars

Inflatable Swimming Pool Rafts/Chairs

12v Television/DVD

Wireless Internet (perhaps Wirie)

Spare Filters, Parts, Water Pump

Assorted Hand Tools

Clear Umbrella

Storage Bins

Storage Hammocks

Products We Hope Never To Use ... such as hole fillers, plugs, etc.

Lots of  Assorted Tape!

Galley Items (nesting pots, collapsible containers, etc.)

Hanging Shoe Holder(s) for Bathroom Items/Small Things

We already have a ton of music and we'll start working on downloading a collection of movies onto our new external hard drive in the future.  We wouldn't go anywhere without our music, and those movies will be nice on rainy days or lazy nights.  Books, our e-reader (Nook), Scrabble, a deck of cards and a pair of dice will be on board as well.  If we could have whatever we wanted, we'd also love an inflatable kayak or two!  Instead, we'll probably settle for boogie boards.  Luckily, we already have snorkel gear and swim fins.  I was given a wet suit by a friend (thanks Ted) but will Ken need one?  A new hammock for the bow has been patiently waiting for its spot for about a year now ...

  We gotta eat and drink, so there will be lots of canned nuts, canned tuna/chicken, pasta, peanut butter, beer and wine stashed away somewhere.  All that beer and wine (and rough seas) will require a collection of  Ibuprofen and other over-the-counter medications.  Oh, and lots of sunscreen!  

Whew ... we've got to sell our house soon.  All of these things really add up!  At least we'll be accruing a ton of credit card travel miles when the time comes.  You know, there's registries for weddings ... how about a registry for bon voyage parties?  That's something I may think about.

So, what have I missed that you wouldn't leave without?  I didn't try to list every little thing, but we'd love to hear your suggestions.  

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

The Costs of Preparing to Cruise!

When I had been writing my "NKOTB ... New Kids on the Boat" series, one of the topics that I wrote about was something that many of us future cruisers ask ... "How much will cruising cost"?  In my post I mentioned what we think cruising will cost us ... we shall see!

In the meantime, there are cruising costs that occur before one even leaves the dock.  I think this topic isn't questioned as much, but for those that have yet to buy their boat those costs may be helpful to share.  With that in mind, I recently posted about our 10-week haul-out costs.  Since our haul-out almost 3 years ago we've had quite a few other purchases and boat projects.   We've also got a lot more things to buy and a lot more boat projects waiting for us.  So, I've added a new page to our site ..."Pre-Cruising Expenses".

This page starts from the purchase of our boat through today.  As we continue working towards cruising, this page will continue to grow.  I just hope it doesn't add up to too much!  We're happy that our boat is considered small these days ... a 30 footer.  The bigger the boat, the bigger the expense!  Check out our new page and feel free to share your thoughts and/or expenses.

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

*BTW, the numbers on the page aren't lined up pretty that way I'd like ... sorry but I couldn't get it right.

Haul-Out Costs

Nirvana just before her renaming ceremony!

Since our haul-out of Nirvana back in April-July 2010, we've had several inquiries as to how much it all cost.    I had an idea, but had never gotten around to adding the numbers together.  Almost 3 years later, I've finally got the figures ... better late than never!  

Ken and I had figured we'd spent around $3500 on the project.  We were pretty close, and actually spent a little less.  It's very possible we lost a couple of receipts on the small stuff, but this breakdown should be really close.  Surely we must have forgotten a few sheets of sandpaper ... I was constantly buying that stuff!  

Here's a review of our costs, including 8.75% Louisiana sales tax and/or shipping where applicable.  Some of these items are highlighted with a link, which will bring you to our post that we wrote about that topic and/or product link.

Sorry the figures aren't in a pretty line!  I thought they were ... until I was no longer in draft.  Will have to clean it up when I have time.

HAUL-OUT - Did ourselves over 10 weeks & saved a lot of money (click here for all posts about this)
                        Some of the highlights below:

• Boatyard Haul-Out & Placement                                                                                          $300.00
• Boatyard Pressure Wash                                                                                                        $60.00
• Boatyard Rent for 10 weeks                                                                                                 $466.50
• Anodes (Zincs)   2 @ $13.23 Each                                                                                        $26.46
• Bottom Sanding Labor (Ken did a LOT of this, but needed some relief)                 $334.00
• Sandpaper                                                                                                                           $135.37
• Blister Repairs ... about 81 blisters!
•              Fiberglass Sheets                                                                                                      $26.32
•              Paint Brushes                                                                                                            $28.00
•              Epoxy                                                                                                                       $65.23
• Bottom Painting
•              Petit Protect Barrier Paint (3 gallons from Defender)                    $230.52
•              Petit Trinidad 75 Anti-Fouling Copper Paint (2 gallons at Cost/$200 Off)    $304.50*
• Boot Stripe Paint, Mar-Pro (1 quart @ 1/2 Off )                                                                  $13.05*
• Hull Painting ... First Attempt
•               Wax Remover/Cleaner, one gallon                                                                          $27.00
•               Interlux Perfection - Oyster White, 5 quarts                                                          $307.75
• Hull Painting ... Final!
• Thru-Hulls (4)                                                                                                                       $65.25
• Transducers (Speed & Depth) @ $100 Each                                                        $217.50
• Strut Tightened .. Not as easy as it sounds!
• Prop Shaft castle nut with key                                                                                               $19.15
• 3-Blade Prop - Catalina Direct ($383 - $250 for sale of 2-blade prop)            $133.00*
• Cutlass Bearing Replaced                                                                                                    $40.24
• Fuel Tank ... new bottom welded on                                                                                  $125.00
• Catalina decals (2) - Catalina Direct                                                                                     $21.40
• Vinyl Decal for new name and port                                                                                       $27.34
• Filler - Formula 27                                                                                                               $44.97
• Misc Supplies                                                                                                                    $256.12

      Haul Out Total:                                                                                                                 $3274.67

* Some of these items were purchased at a discount, such as the boat paint which was purchased at a pretty good discount from a local hardware store that was going out of business.  The 3-blade prop was paid at full price, but the sale of the 2-blade prop was applied to its purchase.

So there ya have it!  Hope this helps give an idea of what this stuff costs.  Gathering all the receipts has got me working on the costs of everything we've spent since Nirvana's purchase.  I posted a new page called, "Pre-Cruising Expenses" if you wanna see what all of this has cost us so far.

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

NOTB - How Much Will Cruising Cost?

NKOTB (New Kids On The Boat) ... A Weekly Series Sharing Our Thoughts and Questions as Beginner Sailors and Future Cruisers.  NKOTB or Experienced Cruiser ... Tell Us Your Thoughts!

A question almost all future cruisers have is how much will cruising cost?  When trying to find the answer to this question, I often found it to be "it depends".  Cruising, like anything else, greatly depends on the person.  It makes sense that if someone spends a lot of money on land, they'll probably spend a lot of money living on a boat. I did come across a few sites that documented their cruising expenses, and while some of them made me feel confident we could cruise on our small budget ... others blew me away.  Some of these cruisers are spending way more than we currently do on land!

Ken and I have always been frugal on land, so it shouldn't be too hard to be frugal on the water.  We don't care to spend much money on tourist "traps", souvenirs or the latest fad.  We figure that when we're not doing boat chores during the day swimming, snorkeling, hiking or just exploring a new place will be pretty inexpensive.  In the evening good music with a beer or glass of wine while sitting in our cockpit should make us happy.  Although we'd love to hang out with the locals every night at the bar listening to music and making friends, our landlubber budget doesn't allow it and neither will our cruising budget.  Hopefully we'll be able to take part in those "pot-luck" dinners we keep hearing about ... and we'll "bring our own"!

A large sailboat and many nights at a marina can drain a cruising budget pretty fast.  We don't plan on staying at marinas very often, and our sailboat is considered small these days ... a 30 footer.  A smaller boat is less expensive when staying at a marina, and it's supposed to mean less maintenance costs ... we hope so!  However, just like with a house, we know that some maintenance costs are the same no matter what the size.  Luckily Ken is a contractor and really handy with fixing things.

The more "stuff" you have on a boat, the more maintenance costs and energy consumption.  We won't have a/c, and we're not sure about refrigeration and a watermaker just yet.  We'd love a watermaker, but they're not cheap!  We may trying catching our water as a supplement to buying water and see how it goes.   Ken really likes the idea of refrigeration, but it's also not cheap and consumes a good bit of energy.  I never use ice and can live off just about anything, so refrigeration isn't that important to me.  We will have solar and wind power to help maintain our energy consumption and reduce the costs. 

A really big factor in cruising costs is whether or not boat insurance and/or medical insurance are included.  These can really put a big dent in a cruising budget, and we haven't committed to one way or the other just yet.  However, we currently carry both types of insurance (with a high deductible on the medical) and it really isn't too bad.  We just haven't taken the time to look into what happens once we're in the Bahamas or Mexico.  We'll have to wait and see.

We anticipate that our biggest expense will be groceries, fuel, boat maintenance, communication, a rare trip home, and those extras like beer and wine. We saw a post from Distant Shores about the cruising budget, and they estimate that a "comfortable" cruiser can live off of $1500-$2500 a month.  We hope they're correct, and if so we aim to be on the low end of "comfortable".  Even with this figure we'll need to find a way to supplement our cruising kitty.  Ken knows construction and a good bit about boat maintenance, so his knowledge should help us make a few bucks every now and then.  We may have to bartend, babysit, etc., whatever it takes! 

We're also counting on you guys to click on our Google Ads and/or make your purchases from Amazon and our other product links from our site (on the right).  So, if you want to make an Amazon purchase,  learn a new language, make your own beer or record your own music ... purchasing them from our site will cost you the same and we'll make a few cents.  Every little bit helps!  Oh, and dare I mention it ... there's that donation button too!  =)

Until we start cruising we'll never have the answer to this question, but we know we'll make it work and the experience will be priceless!  We know this topic can be a little personal, but feel free to share!  Then we won't have to ask!  =) 

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!

Note:  Here are the previous posts from this series.  Check them out and feel free to give us your advice.  We've really enjoyed reading your comments!

• NKOTB - Bad Weather!
• NKOTB- The Anchor!
• NKOTB - Sailing Experience Required?!
• NKOTB - The Right Boat!