Bora Bora, Fiji etc can a poor man visit them via a sailboat?

[johnnyandjebus]

Hello all

Up front I should say that I have no immediate plans to visit the south pacific, it is a dream at this point, nothing more. With that said can a poor voyager afford to visit the islands of the south pacific? The dream is to leave my middle class life behind and sail to/visit those almost mythical islands that make up Polynesia. Can it be done on a tight budget? A tight budget being < 1500$ a month.

John

[trisstan87]

Hellz yes it can! Anchor instead of using Marinas whenever possible. Barter with locals for foods/goods. Fish for your own meals, collect most of your own drinking water. Use your skills to get some bucks during passings and stays. You can live for almost nothing, and for $1500 you can live quite large.

[SimonV]

YES

[billyruffn]

You can live and probably reasonably maintain the average cruising boat on $18K / yr in Southeast Asia. The west coasts of Malaysia and Thailand are home to many cruisers on a budget. French Polynesia is a expensive relative to other areas (it’s France afterall).

[Omatako]

Our experience in French Polynesia was that other than the bond that has to be paid by anyone who doesn't hold an EU passport (and a good deal of it is lost when recovering it at the end of your stay), the cost of living was relatively inexpensive.

The further west you move (Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu) it gets better until you get to New Cal where it gets a bit more expensive.

[johnnyandjebus]

Thanks for the replies all

A bit of a vague question I suppose, but the answers keep the dream alive

John

[radioguy]

Dude. Just get a credit card with a high limit, or multiple cards. Buy everything you need: two watermakers, 1000 watts of solar, years worth of rations, and then go out there. Screw the bad credit

[casioqv]

Originally Posted by radioguy

Dude. Just get a credit card with a high limit, or multiple cards.

I doubt the debt collectors will find you in Bora Bora!

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by radioguy

Dude. Just get a credit card with a high limit, or multiple cards. Buy everything you need: two watermakers, 1000 watts of solar, years worth of rations, and then go out there. Screw the bad credit

Of course, you can be convicted of fraud at that point...

[radioguy]

Note to self: Stay anchored in non extradition countries!