Liveaboard budget

[Tim O]

Ok.....after two years of back burner, option to purchase ideal boat has come up, plus other aspects of life making this a good time tomake the move to living aboard.

Working up some budgets..... I'd be living on a 33 foot ketch with shore power in marina, gas cooker, electric fridge, diesel heater and hot water hearing from engine with immersion heater backup..... using marina facilities where possible for showers etc.

Most weeks I'd anticipate being aboard 4 or 5 nights.....my daughter age 7 with me 2 night's.

Am budgeting following monthly:
Electricity and gas £100
Diesel (for engine power and heating/charging) £50

Plus £1000 annual maintenance....to cover ongoing minor repairs and replacement of running rigging eyc. She would be in freshwater, and would not anticipate huge engine hours or sailing more than say 4 days per month initially.

Standing rigging replaced 2007, engine 2003, serviced regularly.

Am I being wildly optimistic? Or realistic?

 

[Kelpie]

The obvious bit missing is your mooring costs. What is your plan there?

 

[overstag]

Why would you want to live on a boat if you don't plan to sail it?
I believe that £1000 per year is very optimistic for maintenance. Renting would be cheaper and more trouble free, I guess.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Where is there a large area of freshwater to sail around for free?

 

[Tim O]

Some good questions!.....sorry yes I was looking at the specific costs of being on aboat as opposed to living in a house so I've left off costs such as berthing (which would be £250 month where I'm thinking....half the cost of renting my house!!)....i currently paying £90 per month for all cooking heating and lighting in a two bed house.....I'm budgeting £150 for gas electric and diesel to do same on boat plus motor the boat out of the marina.....freshwater marina at Swansea, locking out into tidal waters.....

Everything else is similar costs or savings on what I have to pay living in a house, so trying to get an idea of the boat specific costs.....

I had thought the maintenance might be a bit on the low side.....how long is a piece of string!...

As to why live on a boat??? Challenge, excitement, cutting out all the accumulated crap in life, getting away from people, and some sailing.....and basically to be independent and because I've always wanted to!!!! And I work out it would be cheaper than paying some other guys mortgage off for them!!!

 

[Kelpie]

Your electric cost will depend on whatever deal your marina offers. At visitor rates it can be around £4 a day which would soon add up. In lower priced harbours and marinas it won't be available at all.

I would suggest you view the boat as somewhere to live firstly, calculate those costs, and then treat the travelling around bit as a separate leisure activity.
To maintain the boat as simply somewhere to live, you don't really need to spend any money on sails etc.

 

[dslittle]

Jf

As to why live on a boat??? Challenge, excitement, cutting out all the accumulated crap in life, getting away from people, and some sailing.....and basically to be independent and because I've always wanted to!!!! And I work out it would be cheaper than paying some other guys mortgage off for them!!!

Just do it for all of the reasons above. Living on a boat is no more expensive than bricks and mortar. What you spend to start will influence your future maintenance costs. Boats depreciate more the more money you start off paying as opposed to buying a house but are still better than renting. Nearly everyone that we have met in the sailing environment have been great fun. There is never a dull moment. You will meet world travellers, millionaires and people with incredible life skills - from ALL around the world.

Not my words but from another liveaboard 'welcome to the village...'

 

[Tim O]

Just to update you all.....I've taken the plunge and had an offer accepted on the boat. All being well she's coming out of the water Saturday for the survey, so fingers massively crossed there are no major shocks from that.....then plan is to use the summer to get her ready, downsizemy stuff, and move on board in September......just in time for winter.....yay!!

Exciting, but also scary!

 

[Tim O]

Forgot to say, "she" is a beautiful Colvic Countess 33

 

[Kelpie]

Congatulations! Do keep us updated.

 

[capnsensible]

Congratulations indeed! I always wanted to live on a boat as a kid and now we are in our 18th year afloat.

Hope you enjoy it, not always wine and roses but often rewarding.

:encouragement:

 

[mikenfi]

Been aboard 2 years in april if its your dream its the right choice!!!

Outgoing annually provided nothing goes wrong onboard. Based on this year.

Morning £3000pa
Elec £350 pa
Gas £80pa
Diesel £100pa
Water running £000
Water bottled £130

My London renting cost equated to this in 2.6 months. The train to London is only £33 return I don't have to work as much anymore more time for living.

 

[jakeroyd]

Have you checked out the marinas terms and conditions for living aboard.
Many marinas do not allow permanent liveaboards.

However , many turn a blind eye if you live there discreetly.

If i understand correctly , if you are allocated a numbered berth as a liveaboard you will be liable for Community Charge.
If you are resident at the marina but not allocated a particular berth you will not be liable for CC.

It's very easy for the marina to know you are a liveaboard (lights on at night etc.)

It is a good suggestion to have a discreet word with a few marina bertholders and see if you can find out how your marina deals with true liveaboards.

In some marinas liveaboards are fine but attract a surcharge to cover your use of overheads etc.

 

[cavancullen]

How are you getting on? Have you got your boat yet and living aboard?