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Old 04-06-2014, 09:31 AM   #7
BandB
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City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Following Kevin's outline:

Moorage-You just compare rates for dock space at home. Typically to reduce it you either have to move further away, especially if you're in a prime area, or to somewhere with fewer amenities. When cruising, the obvious way to reduce is anchoring more. Now as to dockage, do check on the various discounts available. Also, when transient, multiple day discounts. What many do is anchor out and then break it up by a week at a dock, getting a weekly rate rather than daily. Or pay two and get one free. I take it you're one who enjoys looking for deals so explore the marina's site plus places like Cruisers Net and Waterway Guide and Active Captain.

Cash also can be a factor in moorage and fuel. Now I don't like to carry that kind of cash but sometimes there's an ATM near. On the other hand, using a rewards card can have it's benefits.

Insurance-Be careful and don't be penny wise, dollar foolish. Make sure of the coverage. But do check around. Sometimes even among the reputable marine insurers there will be large variations. Just be sure what you're getting.

Utilities-one thing that can help is Solar. But then that's a cost too. Making sure you take advantage of free water. Also free pumpout of your tanks.

Maintenance-As said, whatever you can do yourself saves. On the other hand, for major work, be very careful taking the low price. It can end up being a very expensive decision. The person who drastically cuts compared to others has to cut corners somewhere. Pricing parts and labor separately and purchasing some of the parts yourself can help.

Telecommunications and electronics-There is one group, largely sailors, who take the attitude less is better in all regards. They want to escape all of the land life. But then there are others of us who want all the comforts of home. Just know prices do change and look at competitive rates. Just like choosing cable or phone providers at home. A large variation is dependent on how much of the time you're in cell phone range, how much of the time you have wifi at night. If you cruise the coast and use marinas you have communications handy. As you go further from shore it becomes more difficult. How long can you go out of range? We'll admit, we can't stand being unable to communicate even for hours, much less days. But others don't care if they're a day or two between phone and email communications.

Preventive maintenance-Do everything by the manuals, do preventive maintenance religiously. Or it will cost you. Take care of things when they arise.

Tow coverage-do have an annual plan. You will run aground or have engine problems sometime and need it and better to pay an annual rate than per tow.

Boat selection-single vs. twins will be less expensive. Trawler displacement vs. semi will be less expensive to operate. 8 knots cost less than 20 knots.

Meals-Just like at home, eating on the boat is cheaper than restaurants. But to many restaurants are part of the joy. Still there are affordable restaurants available in most areas.

Warning-Be careful. Do it yourself is great but not if you and your family then can't ever actually get out and enjoy the boat. Savings on communication is good but not if one of your family hates going out because of it. Saving on dock space is nice but not if your drive is lengthened and so you go less or if you miss out on being at the marina where you could really enjoy yourself. Know yourself and your family. For instance, we spend more on fuel because we just don't like going 8 knots or even 12 knots all the time. So we go 20 knots and that costs. But many people love going slow and never feel like they're sacrificing by doing so.

One more-Boating can in some cases be a shifting of expenditure. Marina versus country club with golf. Communications on the boat and fewer tv channels at home. Vacations on the boat versus flying and spending two weeks at an expensive resort. Forego an expensive restaurant or concert for a weekend cruise. We spend a lot on boating. But we don't fly anywhere to vacation. We'd rather spend two weeks cruising than two weeks in Paris. At some point you may even find with your second home on your boat that downsizing your primary makes sense. We put more miles on the water last year than on land so we save on auto costs.
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