The Pros and Cons of Living on a Sailboat in the Caribbean
Living on a sailboat in the Caribbean seems like a dream. That is until it’s not. What I mean to say is that before considering sailing the seven seas and settling in the your sailboat in the Caribbean, I would love to tell you about the pros and the cons of living amidst this tropical sea.
Yes, holding a margarita in one hand while cruising around untouched and idyllic islands with the other seems like paradise. And really it is! You can’t deny that. if you choose to live on a sailboat in the Caribbean, on the other hand, bathing in fresh water, and proper refrigeration may become a thing of the past.
Interested in living full time on your sailboat in the Caribbean? Then take a cruise with me to warmer climates and read on to discover pros and cons of living on a sailboat in the Caribbean.
Living on a Sailboat in the Caribbean is Cheap : Yes Even With Lots of Beer
If you follow my blog then you read my last article. How Much it Costs To Live On Your Sailboat in The Caribbean. So how much does it cost really to live on a sailboat in the Caribbean? As mentioned before it depends on your lifestyle and your craving for juicy steak dinners and fine wine. Spoiling yourself well living on a sailboat is totally OK once in awhile. But if you get to use to a lavish lifestyle while living abroad you will spend your money fast.
My advice? Live like a local. Find out what the average cost-of-living is. You can do this by calculating the average middle class working wage is. If it’s $200 a month for food, then tailor your budget accordingly, adding a few extra bucks here and there to treat yourself.
Want some first hand advice? Lisa Chapin of SailTime San Fransisco here at captaingino.com lives on her boat all the time. After spending two years in the Caribbean she spent another year cruising from these beautiful islands to the Galapagos. According to Lisa, ““You can easily live on a boat for less than $1000, and you could easily live on a boat for $4000.” Things to keep in mind? What I mentioned before. Sticking to a local’s budget will allow you to stay within a $1,000 a month average cost of living. The best part about a local budget? You wont have to skip the local beer.
Inexpensive amenities, tasty local food, and cheap beer are by far on of the biggest pros of living on your sailboat in the Caribbean.
PRO: The Living is Easy And The Siestas Are Long
There is no denying that one of the biggest pros of living on your sailboat in the Caribbean is the laid-back lifestyle. I mean where else in the world is it pretty much mandatory to take a two hour nap in the middle of the day? If you are anything like me, I am all about adult naps. Especially when I am on my sailboat. Okay, so literally everything closes at midday in the Caribbean including banks, doctor’s offices and grocery stores, but who cares? I would take a big meal followed by a two hour siesta any day!
If you are looking for an easy breezy lifestyle, on if the top Pros of living on your sailboat in the Caribbean will, without a doubt be your ability to relax. And there is nothing quite like taking a nap amidst the soft sway of the waves. How divine.
CON: Let Their Be Hurricanes
Living in the Caribbean wouldn’t be complete without tropical storms.But when you gave up your life on land for a life on sea you didn’t really expect it to be all blue skies all of the time did you? No, of course not. If you are on for adventure, you better believe that bearing down for a tropical storm on your sailboat will definitely turn out to be more than adventure. It’s a wild ride, but it can be dangerous. Especially if you don’t have a crew. Either way, tropical storms will definitely be part of your life while living on a sailboat in the Caribbean.
While tropical storms can be annoying, and cause great damage to your sailboat if you are not careful, they certainly are not something to dread. My advice? Use common sense and don’t go out looking for a storm. Stay docked at the marina or seek calmer waters. After all, riding out the storm is all part of the fun, just be smart about it!
Con: You Can’t And Won’t Always Get What You Want
Enjoy your morning pit stops at Starbucks before heading to work? Or how about a fancy cocktail or a microbrew at your happy hour spot? Well, if you have decided to change your shirt and tie for an easier breezier lifestyle on board in the Caribbean, you may have to say goodbye to these little luxuries. That is at least for a while. You see, along with things being a bit simpler (remember those two hour siestas?) there are also commodities like brand coffee and micro-brews you definitely won’t be able to find on a tiny little island in the Caribbean. There will be many times you crave a strong cup of coffee only to be served weak instant coffee. Or, if you are a beer connoisseur, keep in mind that most islands in the Caribbean serve one or two types of beer: light pilsner and pilsner. Microbrews are hard to come by. It’s just how it is.
At the end of the day, you can choose how simple you want your life to be. Perhaps working in a few day trips to a nice hotel for a dip in the pool and a hot shower will scratch that itch for a little comfort and luxury. Either way, remember that trading in your work shoes for flippers and enjoying a simpler life is most likely you were going for in the first place. Sacrificing a few little luxuries of a lifetime of sailing and open seas, is well worth it.
Cons: You May Be Overcharged
Middle aged couple looking at city map
This is a big one. Being overcharged is an aspect of living on a sailboat in the Caribbean that just comes with the territory. If you sail on a big sailboat to any island in the Caribbean, most locals will assume you have money. For this reason, don’t be surprised if you are charged the “Gringo Price” for everything. This means when you go to the island’s market you may be charged double for a pineapple compared with what a local pays. It can be frustrating at times especially if you are on a tight budget.
My advice? Get to know the sellers at the market. Go to the same one every time especially if you are staying longer than a week. From my experience, the seller will get to know you and perhaps realize you are not just on a one time vacation. If you form a relationship with them, don’t be surprised if they start offering you the “local price” or even adding a few extra apples for no price at all.
Pro: Life Is Awesome in The Caribbean
Okay so, wicked cliché right? But it’s true, life really is awesome in the Caribbean. Sure there are plenty of other places in the world to live on your sailboat full time, but nothing quite beats the simple, laid-back lifestyle of the Caribbean. The food is authentic, the culture lively, and the beer (although simple) is cheap. Oh, and there is that whole two-hour nap thing in the middle of the day. I don’t know about you, but living on a sailboat in the Caribbean sounds like a freaking dream to me!
Are you living on your sailboat full-time somewhere in the world right now? Let’s hear about it
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