Commuter Cruising means living on the boat part-time...
1. Cost of living. We chose to keep our house and do what is called commuter cruising, which is living on the boat for 4-6 months a year and then back to land for the remainder of the year. This way we get to experience the best of both worlds and no hurricane seasons on the boat. However, we also have the cost of both worlds, so our cost of living did not necessarily go done as you will see with other full-time cruisers. Our boat is not paid off, so we do have a small mortgage payment due each month. Our bills at home are minimal, just enough to keep the home going while we are cruising. Insurance for both the boat and home. And storage for the boat when it is not being used, we have stored the boat both in the water and on land. It is cheaper to store the boat on land but not always available for size boat. So, what we have found is the cost of living on the boat is not that much cheaper, actually about the same as living at home. Due primarily to the cost of maintaining the boat, repairs and marina's, moorings and provisioning. Food is almost twice as expensive as food at home and with limited availability of gourmet items. No Trader Joe items around here. Fruits and vegetables are limited and not the best crop of the season, Farmer's Markets are the best place to buy your produce.
Marina slip cost anywhere between $1.00 to $2.50 a foot, so for a boat of 41 ft, it can be quite costly, not to mention the cost of water and electricity. When we are on anchor are cost are significantly lower. But in the Bahamas you will find that there will be storms or what they call Northerner's blowing through here every week, at least during the winter months. Our boating bills (slip, electricity, water, gas) and entertainment combined with our home expenses are not that much cheaper than what we spend when living at home full-time, at least at this point of our adventures.
Next season we are planning to get both solar and a water maker and then we may see our expenses go down a bit, but of course we have to pay for those items as well. So unless you are a full-time cruiser with the appropriate equipment, you may not see your cost of living go down much. What does change however, is your perspective on life.
Marina slip cost anywhere between $1.00 to $2.50 a foot, so for a boat of 41 ft, it can be quite costly, not to mention the cost of water and electricity. When we are on anchor are cost are significantly lower. But in the Bahamas you will find that there will be storms or what they call Northerner's blowing through here every week, at least during the winter months. Our boating bills (slip, electricity, water, gas) and entertainment combined with our home expenses are not that much cheaper than what we spend when living at home full-time, at least at this point of our adventures.
Next season we are planning to get both solar and a water maker and then we may see our expenses go down a bit, but of course we have to pay for those items as well. So unless you are a full-time cruiser with the appropriate equipment, you may not see your cost of living go down much. What does change however, is your perspective on life.
2. Life is simpler. Living on a boat your focus is different. Weather is King, we get up in the morning and check the weather before planning anything. If there is a Cruiser's net, we listen to it, in order to get the up-to date local news, happenings and of course weather. We don’t watch much television, occasionally a DVD. We read a lot, we study our charts and navigational information. Our morning routine includes reading our bible or inspirational books and doing 5-10 minutes of meditation and talking to each other. We spend most of our days exploring the islands, or doing chores on the boat. Big decisions made are what to eat for dinner and what activity to do today? Is there wind for kite-boarding? Is there a town on the island to explore? How about a great snorkeling spot? Should we walk or bike to the grocery store with our handy collapsible trailer that attaches to our bikes. This trailer is used for everything from groceries to carrying kite-boarding stuff. It has become one of our most valuable tool on the boat. Our bikes are also collapsible as well, so they have a small footprint on the boat. We cook simple meals. We maintain our boat ourselves, even the bottom cleaning is done by us. We try not to rush from place to place and just enjoy the moment more. Looking at clouds are one of my hobbies. We don’t overextend ourselves, we take naps everyday. The only real timelines or deadlines are related to friends and family visiting, but we try to plan out extra time for weather delays in our journey. That is something we learned last season. Travel in the weather windows not according to your schedule, the most stressful situations on a boat involve going against Mother Nature to get to where you want to go. Like I said before weather is King and you had better understand that or you will suffer the consequences.
3. Minimalism. Because our boat is small by anyone’s standards, we are forced to have less ‘stuff’. If something comes on the boat, something must go off to make room for it. While this was challenging at first, you adjust to bringing things on the boat that add value. Important items for me are my art supplies. Acrylic paints are better for the boat then oils due to the clean up factor. I create and then give away my art along the road as people show kindness to us, we in turn give them something memorable. The stuff you really need on the boat are minimal. Clothes for both summer and winter. Water-sport items such as the stand-up paddle boards and kite-boarding equipment and wet suites. Having your own diving equipment is great as well, it allows you to first of all, clean the bottom of the boat as well as go diving with people you meet along the way. And of course books, Kindle unlimited is a great way to get a lot of books that don't sit on your shelves. But we still love borrowing books from the Marina's Cruiser lounges. You too might find you live a fuller life, with less stuff. Prioritizing what is really important to you.
4. More self-reliant. When you live on a boat YOU are the electrician, the plumber, the carpenter, the mechanic and the handyman (or woman). While these individuals are available in certain ports – if something happens at sea (and it will!) – you’d better be prepared to get right down to it and figure it out or learn to deal without. We recently put in our new charging system and anchor, hard work, yes but, there is a tremendous amount of satisfaction in knowing you can do it yourself.
5. Envirionmentally - conscious. Keeping track of how much resources we use, like water, electricity, fuel, paper…etc, is part of your daily rountine! When you are at sea, you have only what you have on your boat. We don't want to run out of water and not be able to cook or take showers, so we must conserve. Electricity is not a given, we depend on our batteries while cruising. Battery management is key to maintain a good lifestyle on the boat. Fuel, if you don't have it , you don't go anywhere. There is not a Gas Station at every corner. Of course we are a sailboat so we can always sail if the wind is at the right direction. Until we get our solar panels, we are unable to recharge them unless we are motoring and using our engine aka fuel or generator. Things like the microwave can only be used if at a marina and hooked up to shorepower or if the generator is on, so you have to be organized as well.
6. Sunrises and sunsets never get old – there is nothing like it, everyday is a new show to watch and try to capture on camera. We started this boat adventure with one of the goals being "In search of the most beautiful sunset and found too many to count".
5. Envirionmentally - conscious. Keeping track of how much resources we use, like water, electricity, fuel, paper…etc, is part of your daily rountine! When you are at sea, you have only what you have on your boat. We don't want to run out of water and not be able to cook or take showers, so we must conserve. Electricity is not a given, we depend on our batteries while cruising. Battery management is key to maintain a good lifestyle on the boat. Fuel, if you don't have it , you don't go anywhere. There is not a Gas Station at every corner. Of course we are a sailboat so we can always sail if the wind is at the right direction. Until we get our solar panels, we are unable to recharge them unless we are motoring and using our engine aka fuel or generator. Things like the microwave can only be used if at a marina and hooked up to shorepower or if the generator is on, so you have to be organized as well.
6. Sunrises and sunsets never get old – there is nothing like it, everyday is a new show to watch and try to capture on camera. We started this boat adventure with one of the goals being "In search of the most beautiful sunset and found too many to count".
7. Wildlife. Tropical birds like herons, iguanas, nurse sharks, manatees, manta rays, tropical fish and (of course) dolphins can be daily sights to the cruising sailor.
8. Adventures are everywhere. Whether it be a hike to the beautiful beaches or church service at the local churches be it Anglican or Baptist, even a trip to the market can be an adventure– there is sure to be at least one adventure a day! You don't even have to leave the boat for some adventures like storms on the horizon. Some adventures are good, some are not so good – but they almost always leave you with a good story.
9. Freedom. Knowing we control our own destiny every day is amazing and scary at the same time. Where we go and what we do are our decisions so hopefully we make good ones!
10. Travelling and taking your home with you. This is definitely the best aspect of living on your boat. We can travel with all our belongings around us. Visiting new places and learning about different cultures is one of the best things about living on your boat. We just infuse ourselves within our new neighborhood, meeting new people and sharing our blessings with them. Immersion therapy is what the boating life gives you. The ability to be part of a world that is different and foreign to you.
We have met some beautiful people and had some great adventures during our life on Sail La Vie. Looking forward to many more experiences in our seasons to come. Fair winds and following seas to our friends and cruisers alike.
We have met some beautiful people and had some great adventures during our life on Sail La Vie. Looking forward to many more experiences in our seasons to come. Fair winds and following seas to our friends and cruisers alike.
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