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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Mon Jul 07 2003 - 10:00:33 EDT
Leo-
It seems it is your lifestyle that you will need to change.
I posted this to the list a few years ago and just found it again the other day while searching the archieves. So I will repost it, since I feel it fits this situ.
I have found that the cost of living is dependant on the
"standard" of living you want to achieve, or better yet what you feel you need to have. I have lived aboard and cruised on $100 a month for a three month period and was quite happy sailing the Chesapeake and NC Sounds. Then again I have spent $100 in one evening on other cruises to the same places, and left a lot fatter from a meal ashore and with a throbbing head the next
morning.
Bottom line, once you eliminate boat expenses (I actually mean minimize) you can sail on almost any budget. The more gadgets you have the more your long term cost will be. I say Stay Simple. (could be that boat name I have been looking for, eh). I sailed for a four days once with a gallon or two of water, five pounds of potatoes, a can of beans, and only six gallons of gas.
So those days only cost me about $10.00. It was a great time.
Some tips to eliminate some costs are:
Stay simple. Some ruffles are good and nice, but choose them wisely.
Don't be in a rush.
Sail when there is wind. Anchor and do boatwork, relax, sleep when in the calm.
Try to eliminate dockside time. Use your mandatory gas stops for your service needs/layovers.
Take a dinghy and some oars. Leave the o/b stowed (for emergencies only) or onshore.
Eliminate the unnecessary, consume less, enjoy/appreciate more.
I am sure there are about a thousand others that I can list, but I think you get the idea.
I wish you well on your endeavor, and perhaps I will see you out there on the water. OBTW I will be the one that some pass, look at and say "look at the sorry and poor soul", but I will be the one with a suitcase of cash stowed below, a sail full of wind when they sleep, and will be able to continue my journey or go back when I wish.
A little bit of rambling, but all in light of the cost of living...
Best regards-
Brian Conrad
Newport 30
on the hook
St. Mary's River, MD
-------
After crusing the East Coast of the US, the Bahamas, and down to the Leeward and Windwards to Trinidad I still believe in my former words of years ago. Actually I may have been a bit smarter about it all then, compared to now..haha. In any event, unless you have deep pockets or a telecommute type job lined up, the best thing to do is to minimize expenses, buy smartly, and to learn to enjoy the simple things. I have found that most liveaboard cruisers end up somewhere eventually...usually where their wallet leaves them or they find some sort of happiness. So get the boat, move onboard, go cruise, and while your cruising find a few nice ports that fit you,your lifestyle, and offer something above the McJob...then when your pockets are near empty go drop your anchor for a few months or a year...fill your pockets and then head out and go at it again.
Brian
-------Original Message-------
From: Leo Hill <>
Sent: 07/07/03 12:25 PM
To: Aboard Live <>
Subject: lv-ab: Alternative Income Sources
>
> Folks,
I've been running a personal Excel spreadsheet trying
to figure out exactly how we can afford to
live-aboard.
All the different "what-if" scenarios I've tried just
will not work unless we are able to provide some extra
cash income while we are away from shore-side
employment.
Lots of folks have written books and articles for
publication, but as my personal experience has shown,
this is a doubtful source of steady income. So let's
rule that out!
Several of the sources I've consulted suggested the
following - in no particular order of preference.
Part-time chartering - with all the paperwork and
hassles.
Become proficient in diesel and outboard repairs.
Become proficient in marine refrigeration repairs.
Become proficient in marine electronic repairs.
Become proficient in sail repairs and canvas
fabrication.
Have a large enough boat to include a small metal
lathe and be equipped for small machining and metal
fabrication including welding.
These opportunities go beyond the "normal" maintenance
that a cruising boat requires. We're speaking of
in-depth training and working in the field for a time
before embarking on the "self-employed cruiser"
program.
Aside from the principle of helping fellow cruisers in
a time of need, and assuming we have some affinity for
these sorts of "careers", do any of these options
appear to be viable - in your experience and opinion.
Are there other options that I haven't thought of?
Thanks for your thoughts and input.
Regards,
Leo
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