Living on a Sailboat For 1,000 Dollars Or Less in 2019
The decision to jump land and hop on ship to make a full-time life aboard a sailboat is becoming a popular choice for retirees and expats around the world. Maybe you are an avid sailor with a boat-load of experience. Or perhaps you are just sick and tired of the monotony of life ashore. Either way, living on a sailboat for cheap (like for 1,000 dollars or less) is very plausible.
I say “sailboat” because we’re already ahead of the game by not having to worry too much about fuel for your vessel. Meaning, yes you will need fuel, but not like you would for a power boat. And, as you may guess, fuel is very expensive!
But, before trading in your shiny loafers for a new pair of Sperry boat shoes, hold your sails for just a second. Some calculations are needed prior to living on a sailboat full-time. Luckily I have the numbers for you.
Below are a few ways you can turn your pipe-dream of living on a sailboat for cheap into a reality. (An awesome, harmonious, and gleeful reality that is).
The Inside Scoop: The Cost
In an article I published back in 2016, Living on a sailboat in 2017: The Cost, I go over a breakdown of expenses of a few places in the Caribbean. In this article I suggest a few places where you can comfortably live as a couple for about $2,000 dollars or less.
In summary, the cost of living on a sailboat depends on your lifestyle, just as it would if you were to live in a house. With that being said, it is easy to live on a Budget of $1,000 dollars a month. Take it from an expert, Lisa Chapin of SailTime San Fransisco, who has been involved with boats since age 7. Chapin now lives on her boat all the time after spending two years in the Caribbean and cruising through the Galapagos. She’s one of the few women who’s both a captain and lives on her 53-foot Hatteras.
Living On A Sailboat: The Cost Breakdown
Deciding where to set sail is important. Chapin says, You can easily live on a boat for less than $1000, and you could easily live on a boat for $4000.
Chapin warns that its important to recognize that 10% of a boats value should be set aside for maintenance. For example, if you have a $100,000 boat, you’re looking at $10,000 a year in maintenance. And, if you have a $40,000 boat, youre looking at $4,000 in maintenance. Get it?
Anchoring-Down
Another major factor that will influence how much you end up saving while living on a sailboat is how much time you spend at the marina in the Caribbean (or anywhere else, for that matter). But, what does that primarily depend on? The size of your boat. If you choose to sail on hook, check out The Art of Finding a Good Anchorage.
As Chapin told us, most people who are out cruising are not out working, so they will probably spend ten nights on the hook, as it’s called – or on anchor. Then they’ll spend two nights at the marina when they need water or laundry, internet, food, etc. The marina is usually the cruisers biggest expense. It costs around 50c to $2 per foot. When it comes to boats, a lot of things are by the foot. Let me put it this way. A small boat will cost less, a big boat will cost more. Simple. Whatever the size of your boat, if you’re planning to camp out at the marina for a while, expect to pay around a $150 charge per month. In the end, choosing a country or a region that is cheap enough to anchor-down for awhile is important. Which leads me to my next point.
Choosing a Country/Island
Choosing a Country or a region of islands to anchor-down for awhile is crucial when calculating an accurate budget to live full-time aboard a boat.
In the Dominican Republic for example, you can find many pensioners living on their $1,500 Social Security money.
Likewise, on a monthly budget of $2,000 a couple can live comfortably in the Dominican Republic.
In Mexico, on Isla Mujeres, a couple can live a very nice life for around $2,500 per month, including rent, according to International Living magazine. Rents range from $900 to $1,500 for a one- or two-bedroom apartment.
With your vessel at anchor, you’re technically living “free”. But, it just depends on comfort threshold. Hot showers, blow drying your hair, laundry, internet, microwaving or toasting foods. These are all factors to take into consideration when living at anchor.
Places like: Anguilla, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe and Martinique, you can definitely live on a $1,000 dollars or less a month. This includes marina fees.
When looking at the islands specifically, I recommend you research the different islands really well before you set sail in that direction. A great resource is the Carribean-on-line, with a list of popular marinas. Here you can check the marina fees before setting sail.
Food and Drink
Food and drink costs can be minimalized by eating freshly-caught fish on board, and maximized by dining out.
But one expat says his weekly food costs living on Big Corn, a four-square mile island with 6,000 inhabitants, average about $30.
Eating at local restaurants, meals and a couple of drinks range between $15 and $20, he says. And he spent $610 on food and drink across a 3-month period!
On Isla Mujeres, groceries for two typically total around $600 per month, according to reports.
To work out what you might roughly spend in the Caribbean for every dollar you would normally spend at home, check out this index.
This is a cost of living indicator. The figure shows how much a bundle of goods and services costing US$1 in the US would cost in other countries- the goal is to spend at least 20% less than you would in the USA. Countries that make the list?
- Grenada
- Antigua
- St Vincent & Grenadines
- St Kitts and Nevis
- Belize
- Jamaica
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Dom. Rep.
- Haiti
Eating your meals on board is not only very easy but costs pennies on the dollar. Moreover, its also a great way to eat organic and fresh like this freshly caught fish and vegetable pasta. This meal is estimated to have cost $2.00 from start to finish.
A rough day at sea is better than any day in the office. – Sailors Code
There are other costs to be calculated when devising a budget to move your life from land to sea. But if you are working to stay under a $1,000 dollars a month, try to stick to the basics: Food and Shelter.
Once you become familiar with your island or region of choice you can start to play with your money a bit and indulge in things like:
A well-stocked liquor cabinet : a sailors gotta relax once in awhile.
Dining out : cause dining out on an exotic island is half the fun.
A fancy coffee machine: cause there is nothing quite like waking up on the open ocean with a strong cup of coffee. I’m an espresso drinker so I really take my machine serious!
Fancy fishing equipment: investing in nice fishing equipment will save you literaly boatloads on food. Besides, freshly-caught fish is always the way to go, and an excellent protein source.
Massages, Spa-days etc: A sailor and his crew and/or significant other need to catch a break once in awhile. Indulging on-shore spa days and massages is a luxury expense, but oh-so-worth it.
Ready to set sail?
Living aboard a sailboat comes with many benefits. It is an adventure of a lifetime where you will get to meet people from all over the world. Even more, breathe in and out the amazing sunrises and sunsets that bestow upon you everyday. And, at the end of the day, have some legendary stories to share with your grand-children (or anyone for that matter).
So what are you waiting for? We already crunched the numbers for you, the winds of a new life are whispering strong. They are waiting for you to jump land and set sail.
Cheers!
Captain Gino
