billskip
Well-known member
Always give them a choice....Internet... or fridge....
Sailing around the world on a budget
- Thread starter Halcyon Yachts
- Start date
capnsensible
Well-known member
I don't there is anything noble about being comfortable with less than others would be. Pers9nal choice.
But as the thread is after all, about budget cruising, those who have done it don't appear to have complaints.
But as the thread is after all, about budget cruising, those who have done it don't appear to have complaints.
Sea Change
Well-known member
By the way, going 'a couple of weeks at a time without reprovisioning' sounds extremely limiting. Especially as it's going to take more than two weeks to cross an ocean.
We bought six months worth of food in Martinique to avoid the higher prices in the Grenadines and Grenada. The majority of that was dry and bulk goods like UHT, pasta etc, but we also crammed the freezer full of things like chorizo which we use a lot, and it's very hard to find in some of the islands.
That one stock-up probably paid for the freezer.
We bought six months worth of food in Martinique to avoid the higher prices in the Grenadines and Grenada. The majority of that was dry and bulk goods like UHT, pasta etc, but we also crammed the freezer full of things like chorizo which we use a lot, and it's very hard to find in some of the islands.
That one stock-up probably paid for the freezer.
capnsensible
Well-known member
Chorizo doesn't need to be kept in a freezer. You could have had more room for ice to go in your rum and ting. 
Sea Change
Well-known member
Probably depends on the chorizo. The budget stuff certainly won't last long outside if the freezer, in the tropics anyway. Just speaking from personal experience.Chorizo doesn't need to be kept in a freezer. You could have had more room for ice to go in your rum and ting.
doug748
Well-known member
Sometimes the Forum gives the impression that comfort is more important than the sailing. Camping is great, it's even more comfortable in a caravan, but you eventually might conclude you have left the essence behind.
However I do have an extremely comfortable boat so I can't talk much, though I have never had a fridge. With a 10 watt panel plus engine charging we can now effectively, totally forget about electrical consumption, which is a greater comfort to me than the fridge.
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However I do have an extremely comfortable boat so I can't talk much, though I have never had a fridge. With a 10 watt panel plus engine charging we can now effectively, totally forget about electrical consumption, which is a greater comfort to me than the fridge.
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lustyd
Well-known member
The essence to me is the sailing and travel, I don’t need to get scurvy to enjoy that and since many of the comforts discussed here are incrementally almost nothing on the budget then I don’t see why I’d choose not to have them. If a fridge was £20k then absolutely I’d put the effort in, but it’s not. I’d imagine a good deal more people have quit their dream due to going without.
Sea Change
Well-known member
I'd be interested to see how many of the people posting on this thread are actively out there cruising right now. As opposed to dreaming about it or reminiscing about a trip they did thirty years ago.
And then ask how many of those currently active cruisers have a fridge, etc.
And then ask how many of those currently active cruisers have a fridge, etc.
billskip
Well-known member
There's a few no doubt, me for one, sold up due to health, so for me it's not a "hasbeen" or "wannabe" however if I get another boat it would have to be motor as being a rag man again I think will not be possible, but never say never.
There are more doom and gloom posters on other threads taking the edge off the dreams with all their scaremongering about lots of other things.
Stemar
Well-known member
Full disclosure - I'm sitting in a warm room at home. My idea of a daring blue water cruise is leaving the Solent for Weymouth.
I dreamt of crossing oceans, but knew full well those dreams were about as likely to happen as my dreams of winning the lottery. Even less likely now, because I do occasionally buy a ticket
Yes, we do have a fridge. We didn't, but I weakened, and would now be is serious trouble if I even suggested being without. The Admiral would not be amused.
lustyd
Well-known member
Full disclosure I’m on a warm boat (the butter has melted but we’re certainly not ready to turn right, as that would take us to Southampton) and just cooked two fresh loaves of bread to eat with the blue Brie and vintage cheddar we have in the fridge, probably with a cold glass of rosé. We’re leaving end of March once we get the house on the market after finishing a few boat jobs which needed a house (new sprayhood 
)
)
John_Silver
Well-known member
Stargazer (31') cruises full time, April-October. I winter ashore, in a nice cosy house. Both have a fridge. Our cruising is along the Atlantic coasts of the UK, Ireland, France and Spain. Mainly day hops, with the odd 24-36 hour crossing thrown in. Neither freezer nor watermaker therefore required. 180 watts of (deployable at anchor) solar keeps us self sufficient for power - so long as the sun shines. Electric pilot (EV100) only . No Starlink (mobile signal almost universal in French and Spanish anchorages. Less so in those of the UK and Ireland).
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bergie
Active member
Surprisingly apt comparison. On our boat the fridge, Starlink, and watermaker all use about the same amount of power. So in case of longer overcast periods, you'll be deciding between cold beer, internet, and fresh water.
veshengro
Well-known member
Happy ashore now since 2018 after 23 years live aboard and 17 years continuous voyages to Med and Caribbean. Now own a small 20 foot lift keeler to play coastal rock dodging with and no desire to go South of the Lizard ever again. Never did have a 'fridge.
IanCC
Active member
We live in different worlds.
ridgy
Well-known member
Not world girdling but I have a share in a boat in Greece that doesn't have a fridge. Well it does but it only works when the engine is running which is much the same thing.
Two of the syndicate member have been so for 20 years and they don't seem to mind but honestly it's ridiculous. Absurd. Bonkers.
Anyway, following a robust conversation at the AGM a 150w solar panel is incoming. Even just being able to use it during daylight will be a tremendous improvement.
Two of the syndicate member have been so for 20 years and they don't seem to mind but honestly it's ridiculous. Absurd. Bonkers.
Anyway, following a robust conversation at the AGM a 150w solar panel is incoming. Even just being able to use it during daylight will be a tremendous improvement.
John_Silver
Well-known member
No expert....but our 180w of solar, in northern european summer, has the batteries charged by lunchtime, on a sunny day. Tea time, if overcast (nada, if it’s raining or about to)……So, in full Greek summer conditions, 150w and a MPPT controller (ours is Victron) should give you 24x7 fridge running. And more besides.
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newtothis
Well-known member
All this talk of fridges suggests none of you are doing proper hairshirt sailing. There's a picture of Skip Novak's yacht with a sheep carcass hung on the solar arch because the outside air temperature was colder than the fridge.
Wansworth
Well-known member
A old beer moored off Itchenor a few summers ago would have been nice
billskip
Well-known member
The beer wins.....