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Ouch $$$

5K views 45 replies 25 participants last post by  WanderingStar 
#1 ·
I know, we all suffer the same thing: sailing is expensive. I'm the proud new owner of a 39' ketch, planning to sail her home from Florida in May. That's the good part. But to take care of my crew, I bought an epirb ($), a liferaft ($$$), assorted other equipment ($$), charts, gps($) and so on.
Today I called the boatyard. Of course I need a bigger mooring, with heavier chain, and a larger ball ($$$). I think that all of this is going to end up costing at least 15% of what I paid for the boat. I knew it was more expensive to upsize, I guess I'm just in sticker shock.
Maybe I should just be content to sail my dory. I could even cruise it, But Jane won't stay aboard that one.
Thanks for listening.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Yeah, it hurts.

But all through Sailnet you will find folks recommending potential sailboat buyers to reserve 10-20% of the purchase price for refitting/equipment/etc. So maybe that will make you feel a bit better, i.e. that your expenses are pretty typical.

The good news is most of these are one-time costs.
 
#6 ·
welcome to the wonderful responsibilities of being a boat owner....now you know why we all joke about a boat being a hole in the water into which we throw money....we're joking, because it is so true.
 
#12 ·
Perhaps this is old hat, but I remember my father telling me when I was a young lad, "Son, if you want to know what sailing is all about, just get in the shower with your clothes on, turn on the cold water, and eat a soggy peanut butter sandwich. While you're doing all this, drop a $20 down the drain every 2 minutes."

For some reason, I'm still here with my soggy sandwich shovin' 20's down the drain. :cool:
 
#7 ·
I've owned boats for twenty years, but they were all smaller! Even so, I think my twenty foot sloop cost about 50 bucks every time I used her. That was with frequent use and do it myself maintenance. I can hardly wait to see how much she costs to haul and paint.
Don't tell my grlfriend, she's already jealous of the boat.
 
#13 ·
Next meeting in Port Jeff, I'll buy a round. :)
I'm not sorry I bought her, it's a lifelong dream. Maybe in a few years I'll have to downsize, but at least I got here.
Thanks all for helping make light of it. Especially for the link that reminded me of insurance costs. I needed that. :)
Sail til you die !
 
#14 ·
LBDavis,
I have heard that old analogy of sailing to taking a cold shower but when I heard it they were supposed to be $100 bills (the damp peanut butter sandwich is an apt but new twist to me). I think that inflation has caused the proverbial 'boat buck' to rise to the point of $1K at this point. If something costs you less then $1K then you are lucky.

As for WanderingStar's list of things to get for his delivery: sorry guy, it just can't be helped! For the trip from FL to NY you are going to want to have:
-that chart plotter
-a reliable autopilot (not one of the cheap ones)
-life raft/ditch out bag
-epirb
-SAT phone (minimum) or SSB (maximum boat bucks)
-harnesses & tethers for all crew on deck at night in bad weather
-Jack lines and clip on points in the cockpit for said tethers
-a Radar system would be nice too
-storm sails (actually not so bad $$$$ wise)
-drogue or spare tire to use as such with plenty of line
-dinghy that is stowable (preferably)

That is the expensive stuff (if you don't already have it) that was on a First 51' Beneteau I took a ride on from Tortola to Turks & Caicos. The boat had already crossed the Atlantic in the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) so was outfitted to the hilt. Even though it was just me and the owner for 400 nm of ocean I was pretty glad to know we were well prepared (he was a veterinarian to boot so surgical skills were on board). I would have liked to help him get the boat all the way up to CT but both of our schedules got in the way.
I hear you thinking that people did this trip with far less over the years. Of course this is true. It could be done with far less. I have an idea that you want to do this trip pretty safely and be prepared for it though.
The cheap stuff for this trip may be:
-a Rocna type anchor and rode for emergencies
-the extra Jerry 20 gallon gerry cans for diesel fuel (about 5 of them, or however many you can stow safely)
-handheld GPS for backup to the chartplotter/GPS system
-handheld VHF radio backup(s) for the ships VHF system
-several extra fuel filters for your diesel fuel (you do have a diesel right?)
-a backup bilge pump that can be installed if needed (it is a wooden boat right?)
-tools for all the things you are not going to need to replace
etc. etc. etc.

I am sorry I did not get to speak with you more at Catenary Ales in Huntington. I can understand that you want to make the trip from FL in one hop rather then a few hops up the coast because of many constraints: free time, money and a desire to just get her home. I will only assert that life and weather happens while you are making other plans therefore keeping a tight schedule can create other problems. It would be wise to consider that you might even do this trip with a stopover somewhere like Beaufort, NC or Norfolk or wherever (a Plan B). If you stopped you might be able to exchange some crew as well.
I know that your original post was more about the cost of all of this rather then asking for others to re-think the logistics and I can only say that it is an expensive hobby if you plan to cover big distances.
It still sounds like fun.
 
#16 ·
WS,

As someone who'd love to join you up, but has other time commitments, don't forget to bring some dry peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and maybe a steak or two!

Did I hear you say you are sailing to Montauk? Let me know the details and I'll buy you a beer. I know some great spots there.

Regards
 
#17 ·
Gotta agree with you all. There is also the fact that the larger the boat, the more costly the parts and "one-time" expenses, in general.

Remember, the only thing that ever consistently works on an old boat is the owner!!!

Good luck, mate.
 
#18 · (Edited)
No chartplotter (that's me), no autopilot (that's the crew), no dinghy, no radar, etcetera. It would be great to have every peice of up to date gear aboard, but it won't happen now, nor probably ever. I'm sure some will disaprove, but keep in mind that twenty years ago no cruiser would have any of this stuff, and people cruised fine before most of it was invented. We're going up the east coast of the US, we'll be fine.
While I don't plan any stops, our schedule is flexible for weather or mechanical problems, or for crew needs.
Thanks for the suggestions. You can well imagine that I've been planning this trip every day since Halloween, and kept my crew involved in the plans.
Bene, we plan on landfall at Montauk, but not stopping there. Going to Port Jeff, close to home, good transport center for the crew.
 
#19 ·
After owning my boat by myself for 20 years, I took on 2 partners. Now everything is 1/3. Best move I ever made. Unless you're going to live on it, you can't use it enough to justify solo ownership. Of course, I have known these 2 guys for a while and that would make a big difference.

Moe
Crishelle, Apache 37
 
#25 ·
Oh Ok I have seen you. You sailed that wooden dory with red sails right up to and passed my Morgan 323 when I was on it with my gf this past summer - we even waived to eachother. Your boat is pretty unique where is mine looks very similar to everyone elses but my Morgan is kept just North of that little island with a beach with the BBQ pit on it in the middle of the harbor. I keep it on a mooring right there with Ralph's and it has a tan dodger and is the only boat with a green main sail cover.

Are you going to be keeping the new Ketch on a mooring at the dock? Congrats on your purchase and I wish you goodluck on the trip up from FL. What's the boats name? I will keep an eye out for you in May and will be sure to say hello.
 
#33 ·
Let me know when you get to NY and I'll tell you a story about spending large amounts of money post purchase. It will make you think you havn't spent anything. I don't wanna jinx your trip though. :)
 
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