Update: By the time we returned to Groton, Connecticut in May, 2021, we had decided to take a break for the following fall/winter cruising season. We rejoined our yacht club, bought a car, rented a 5′ x 5′ storage unit, and spent several months in Southern California. Now we are back to the boat and raring to go, but we’re keeping the car, the storage unit, and the club membership. As a result, I don’t believe our expenses truly reflect what our monthly cruising costs are. I don’t feel like making a monthly judgement call on what should or shouldn’t be left out, so I’ve decided not to keep this page updated. I think the three years below are enough to give people an adequate idea of how much it can cost.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
It can be hard to get real numbers for what people actually spend cruising full-time. Sometimes items are left out like a monthly boat payment or a mortgage on the house. Maybe annual boat maintenance doesn’t get included. Incomplete lists aren’t very helpful when you’re trying to figure out how much it costs to cruise. That’s why, before we cut the dock lines, we decided that we would have a page dedicated to our monthly costs down to the last penny.
Hopefully this will be helpful for any readers who are wondering whether they can afford to go cruising, but obviously you’ll want to make adjustments for your own personal circumstances. In other words, YMMV (your mileage may vary). For example, our costs for eating out are very low and we spend very little money on alcohol. That wouldn’t be the case for most people, but Jeff’s congestive heart failure means that he needs to limit his salt and alcohol intake. Eating out is challenging with a low-sodium diet, so we don’t do it too often.
Now that the caveats have been dispensed with, here we go:
SEPTEMBER, 2018
Groceries: $297.98
Diesel/Gasoline: $14.00
Health Care: $4,726.23 – this amount is a one-time Cobra payment covering October – December. We will sign up for the Health Exchange so the cost will go down dramatically beginning in January.
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, one iPad data plan, iCloud storage, and a
Garmin inReach subscription): $110.99
Last pro-rated internet bill from the apartment: $9.99
Mail Service: $121.75 – this includes a $100 deposit to the UPS Store which they will draw from when we have mail forwarded to us.
Laundry: $26.00
Ice: $13.00
Showers: $9.50
Netflix: $11.10
Boat Insurance: $90 – this is a flat amount to account for the increase in our premium when we added a rider for the Bahamas and increased Pegu Club’s declared value.
Boat stuff: $318.19 – this amount is for 2 handheld VHF radios, supplies for our water catch, a 12v plug inverter to recharge the computer, carabiners and lines to make a dinghy hoist, ten oil diapers, a 5 gallon collapsible water jug, a chain hook, two velcro wraps, electric cable anti-chafe, two fuses, and a 9v battery for the multimeter.
Restaurants/Entertainment: $79.60
Uber/Bus: $30.83
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Marinas: $58.49
Auto Insurance: $51.36 – this is the difference between the refund for cancelling our policy when we sold our car and the premium for our non-owner policy which will keep us out of the high-risk pool should we purchase another car in the future.
Annual subscriptions: $82.79 – This is a one-time annual payment to upgrade our PredictWind app and a one month upgrade for our SailFlow app.
Random: $17.08 – this amount includes dominoes game, a tea kettle to replace the one that broke, and other miscellaneous amounts
Total: $6,089.08
OCTOBER, 2018
Groceries: $415.65
Diesel/Gasoline: $151.79. This includes a can of TruFuel (non-ethanol gas) for the dinghy which is $20 a can. Moving into states that sell non-ethanol gasoline at the pumps will help a lot with this.
Propane/Denatured Alcohol: $24.81. Two propane canisters for heat and the grill, and one gallon of denatured alcohol for the stove.
Health Care: $84.47
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, one iPad data plan, iCloud storage, and a
Garmin inReach subscription): $165.61
Mail Service: $10.60. The UPS Store charges $5.00 to have mail delivered and held.
Laundry: $31.75
Ice: $9.00
Showers: $2.00
Netflix: $11.10
Shenny annual dues: $550. We decided to maintain our membership for another year to keep our options open for returning to our slip in Groton next summer.
Boat stuff: $2,445.09. The repairs and a power wash to Pegu Club’s bottom cost $2,188.36. The rest is for a ditch bag, zincs, extra cotter pins, spare bolts for the windlass, a 5 gallon diesel jerry jug, disposable gloves, 2 hanging dehumidifier bags, and some hose to make oil changes easier.
Restaurants/Entertainment: $181.84
Uber/Bus: $16.00
New York Times subscription: $40.40 (gets billed every four weeks)
Marinas: $301. This is for one night on a mooring in Port Washington, two nights at a slip in Delaware City, and four nights on a mooring in Annapolis.
Life Insurance: $220.75.
Random: $153.88 – this amount includes new v-berth sheets (the cotton ones always felt damp), a Kindle book and a real life book, a write on/wipe off board, a collapsible push cart for groceries, two Mega Millions tickets, AAA batteries, anti-skid for the galley cupboard, two DVD’s, and tips for marina staff.
Total: $4,815.74
NOVEMBER, 2018
Groceries: $426.57
Diesel/Gasoline: $133.28. This includes five gallons of ethanol-free gasoline in a jerry can for the dinghy.
Propane/Denatured Alcohol: $37.08. Eight cans of propane which we use for heat and the grill.
Health Care: $140.37
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, one iPad data plan, iCloud storage, and a
Garmin inReach subscription): $164.39
Mail Service: $100. This covers future mailing expenses when we have the UPS Store forward our mail.
Laundry: $6.00. We did laundry on our trip to Connecticut (thanks, Rebecca!) and Belhaven Marina had free laundry which helped keep this monthly expense low.
Ice: $9.00
Showers: $2.00
Netflix: $11.10
Boat stuff: $114.27. This included tea tree oil, antifreeze, a heat diffuser for the stove, a box of latex gloves, replacement short-fingered gloves, and anchor gloves for Jeff.
Restaurants/Entertainment: $303.64
Uber/Bus: $30.32
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Marinas/moorings: $502. This is for two nights in Hampton after we returned from Connecticut (the other five nights are included under Connecticut expenses); five nights in Belhaven where we were delayed by weather; five nights on a mooring in Carolina Beach where we were again delayed by weather; and one night in Georgetown, SC.
Clothing: $263.52
Connecticut-related expenses: $1,096.23
Random: $1,192.09. This amount includes the iPad and case, iPhone, a magnifying glass so I can read the charts more easily, hand and foot warmers, boat cards, and tips for marina staff.
Total: $4,552.06
DECEMBER, 2018
Groceries/Non-food Groceries: $544.07
Diesel/Gasoline: $94.95
Propane/Denatured Alcohol: $44.50. Four cans of propane which we use for heat and the grill, and one gallon of denatured alcohol for the stove.
Health Care: $258.24. This includes paying for our full year’s 2019 premium in advance on the health exchange.
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, one iPad data plan, iCloud storage, and a Garmin inReach subscription): $216.41. This went up as we were experimenting with the right combination of hot spot data and inReach plan. It will decrease quite a bit beginning next month.
Laundry: $12.00.
Ice: $8.00
Netflix: $11.10
Boat stuff: $437.91. The majority of this was for an ATN Mastclimber so I can climb the mast when needed. Hauling me up in the bosun’s chair is beyond Jeff’s stamina given his CHF, so some research turned up the Mastclimber. We also bought an extra snubber hook for the chain, 2 packages of step-down connectors, a gallon of oil, 5 oil diapers, a dinghy light so we would be compliant in Florida, a small amount of chain and line for our dinghy anchor and a bag to hold it all in, some rubber gasket, and a strip of teak to replace the one that broke on our slider.
Restaurants/Entertainment: $226.57
Uber/Bus: $30.53
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Marinas/moorings: $401.78. This is for four nights on a mooring in Beaufort, SC (a storm kept us there for two extra nights), three nights at the Isle of Hope Marina near Savannah so we could visit my aunt and uncle, and seven nights on a mooring in St. Augustine, FL (we were going to stay for five nights but were having fun so decided to stay for two extra nights).
Clothing: $25
Random: $75.67. This includes a haircut for Jeff, hand warmer packets, a Kindle book, a $1.99 game for the iPad (I was going stir crazy with the weather), hangers, a box of cloth rags, AAA batteries, and marina tips.
Total: $2,406.93
JANUARY, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries: $956.28
Diesel/Gasoline: $64.91
Propane/Denatured Alcohol: $44.00. Two gallons of denatured alcohol for the stove.
Health Care: $176.55.
Life Insurance premium: $220.75
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, one iPad data plan, iCloud storage, and a
Garmin inReach subscription): $142.66.
Mail: $19.57
Laundry: $8.00.
Ice: $8.50
Netflix: $11.10
Amazon Prime: $12.99
Miscellaneous annual subscriptions: $123.47
U.S. Coast Guard Documentation Renewal: $26.00
Boat stuff: $5,465.60. The majority of this – $4,433.40 – was for the furler, its installation, converting the headsail, and related costs. We also bought an SSB receiver, spare engine parts (i.e. filters, belts, zincs), Fluid Film, Loctite, diagonal wire cutters, an oil filter wrench, Far Bahamas Explorer Chart, extra cotter pins, 2 Luci lights for anchorages, a propeller shaft zinc, reflective mast tape, a spotlight, a diesel fuel funnel filter, two squeeze bottles for diesel, an extra 5 gallon diesel jerry jug, and an extra 1 gallon gas jerry jug.
Restaurants/Entertainment: $90.03
Uber/Bus: $29.34
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Marinas/moorings: $312.98. This is for 23 nights at Vero Beach City Marina.
Sarasota/Bradenton trip expenses: $415.66
Random: $316.50. This includes a haircut for Kimberly, fishing gloves and a small mirror for Jeff, navigation lights app, batteries, a cable and lock for the dinghy, two plastic cutting boards, a bag for our hatch boards, water repellant spray, an extra 5 gallon collapsible water jug, and a marina tip.
Total: $8.465.09
FEBRUARY, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries: $327.85
Diesel/Gasoline: $120 (we paid $5/gallon in Hope Town for 15 gallons)
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, iCloud storage, Garmin inReach subscription, $10 in Skype credit, and myislandwifi because the T-Mobile service is so slow in the Bahamas): $247.63. This will go down next month because we had to pay $50 for the myislandwifi router.
Mail: $5.00
Water: $14.10 (approximately .35/gallon in Hope Town for R/O water)
Ice: $4.50
Restaurants/Entertainment: $90.00
Uber/Bus: $40.00
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Clothing: $32.00
DAN Boater Evacuation Insurance: $50
Check-in fee at the Bahamas: $160 (it’s actually $150 but I didn’t have the exact amount and she didn’t have change).
Random: $128.54. This includes a haircut for Jeff, DVD’s, a book on the Abacos, and a swim noodle to replace the one that was lost.
Total: $1,239.82
MARCH, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries: $175.53
Diesel/Gasoline: $64.00 (15 gallons in Rock Sound, Eleuthera)
Medical: $90.00 (prescriptions)
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, iCloud storage, Garmin inReach subscription, and myislandwifi because the T-Mobile service is so slow in the Bahamas): $219.26.
Ice: $9.00
Restaurants/Entertainment: $118.00
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Mooring ball for one night: $25.00
Non-Owners Auto Insurance policy for six months: $74.80
Random: $22.88. Trash disposal in Georgetown, one Kindle book, and plastic scrapers.
Total: $818.64
APRIL, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries: $454.91
Diesel/Gasoline: $98.00 (15 gallons at $6.53/gallon on Great Guana Cay, the Abacos)
Propane/Denatured Alcohol: $4.29
Medical: $8.97 (prescriptions)
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, iCloud storage, Garmin inReach subscription, and myislandwifi because the T-Mobile service is so slow in the Bahamas): $202.63
Water: $20.00
Laundry: $6.00
Ice: $15.72
Boat US Towing annual membership fee: $151.00
Restaurants/Entertainment: $130.00
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Two nights anchored at the Exumas Land & Sea Park: $30.00
Hair cut: $30.00
Life Insurance: $220.75
10 pack of Chris Parker custom weather forecasts: $250.00
Random: $349.22. (Turbo tax plus state tax owed, conch horn, postcards, grocery bagger and fuel dock tips)
Total: $1,991.69
MAY, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries: $464.66
Diesel/Gasoline: $231.40
Propane/Denatured Alcohol: $16.45
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, iCloud storage, Garmin inReach subscription, and myislandwifi because the T-Mobile service is so slow in the Bahamas): $124.12
Mail: $100 (deposit for future costs to forward packages/mail)
Laundry: $13.00
Ice: $9.75
Amazon Prime: $1.99
Restaurants/Entertainment: $376.36
Uber: $9.36
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Marinas: $441.01
Clothing: $64.05
Life Insurance: $767.50 (annual premium)
Plane, train, and bus tickets: $1,084.29
Random: $167.50. (disposable gloves, box of rags, screen material for port in head, DVD’s, dock tips, flyswatter, spatula, ATM withdrawal fee, shower sprayer, funnel, small strainer)
Total: $3,891.64
JUNE, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries: $386.09
Diesel/Gasoline: $65.20
Medical: $116.99
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, iPad, iCloud storage, Garmin inReach subscription): $192.74
Mail: $300 (one time annual payment for our mailbox at the UPS Store)
Amazon Prime: $12.99
Netflix: $13.12 (we have since decided to cancel this again because we aren’t using it enough to justify the cost)
Annual State registration for the boat and dinghy: $135
Boat Items: $2,361.68 (Engel fridge, Pelagic autopilot, club burgee, bottom paint for the boat and the dinghy, boot stripe paint, roller frame, paint brushes, rollers, Waterway guide, epoxy, hardener, epoxy pumps, shaft zinc, two shackles, replacement flag halyards, spare dinghy propeller, replacement Origo gasket, anchor ball)
Restaurants/Entertainment: $111.73
Uber: $30
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Clothing: $276.78
Travel-related expenses to visit friends and family: $853.90
Random: $78.57 (haircuts, galley items)
Monthly Total: $4,954.99
JULY, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries: $621.83
Diesel/Gasoline: $31.10
Medical: $842.40
Rental cars, hotel room, and related expenses for medical appointments: $603.35
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, iPad, iCloud storage, Garmin inReach subscription): $162.50
Laundry: $7.00
Amazon Prime: $12.99
Boat US Towing Membership: $131.77 (West Marine was running a sale, so now we are paid up until April, 2021).
Boat Expenses: $790.91 (haul out and four weeks storage for Pegu Club, gear oil, spark plugs, and zinc for the outboard, food hammocks, windlass parts, new flares to replace expired ones, new vent hose for Nature’s Head, extra flare gun for ditch bag, diesel additives, 2 water jerry jugs, bucket, bungee cords, gloves, paint brushes, tools)
Restaurants/Entertainment: $203.64
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Clothing: $123.32
Life Insurance Premium: $220.75
Subscriptions: $130.30
Random: $776.18 (fishing gear, galley items, Burley trailer, guidebooks, etc.)
Monthly Total: $4,678.24
AUGUST, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $625.84
Diesel/Gasoline: $56.95
Denatured alcohol for the Origo: $18.00
Medical: $113.24
Cell phone and internet (2 phones, iPad, iCloud storage, Garmin inReach subscription): $354.60. This was particularly high as we fiddled with our plans (and bought a hotspot) to bring the future costs down significantly. One more partial T-Mobile month in September, and after that it will be approximately $100/month total, all-in.
Mail: $28.00
Laundry: $11.00
Amazon Prime: $12.99
Boat Insurance: $472.00 – this is the premium for 12 months.
Boat Expenses: $64.35 (final bill for our transient slip at the club, plus $3 for fuses for the Nature’s Head)
Restaurants/Entertainment: $139.75
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Clothing: $20.86
Subscriptions: $272.29 (most of this was for another year of Chris Parker)
Random: $142.59 (hair clippers, photocopies, cockpit carpet, water bottle, box o’ rags, games, carpet tape)
Monthly Total: $2,352.66
SEPTEMBER, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $584.06
Diesel/Gasoline: $30.13
Denatured alcohol for the Origo: $16.95
Medical: $121.00
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $87.74
Laundry: $15.50
Showers: $2.00
Amazon Prime: $12.99
Restaurants/Entertainment: $209.36
Uber: $21.84
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Non-owner auto liability insurance: $62.30 (one time payment for six months of coverage)
Marinas: $510 (three weeks in Annapolis, paid in advance)
Boat stuff: $189.29 (Aqua Maps, dinghy nav lights, starboard, tiller extension, dinghy line, stuff sack)
Clothing: $105
Subscriptions: $33.30
Random: $41 (hair cut, marina tips)
** We also bought a new-to-us dinghy for $500, but sold our old dinghy for $600 which covered the $500 plus the rental car and gas to pick up the dinghy. I decided not to include it in the monthly total since it was a wash. If we hadn’t bought and sold in the same month, then I would have included it as an expense in the monthly numbers.
Monthly Total: $2,062.66
OCTOBER, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $530.53
Diesel/Gasoline: $90.21
Propane: $7.59
Medical: $60.43
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $87.74
Amazon Prime: $12.99
Restaurants/Entertainment: $514.66
Uber: $23.76
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Marinas: $113.40
Boat stuff: $743.28 (spare engine parts, paper charts, chain hook, antifreeze, engine oil, halyard/sheets/hardware for drifter, boat hook, boat cleaner, ditty bag, electrical wire for autopilot)
Clothing: $59.36
Life Insurance: $220.75
Subscriptions: $118.53
Random: $708.16 (inflatable standup paddle board, foot warmers, waterproof spray, pocket hose, two wrenches, two boat pillows, dry bag backpacks, marina tips)
Monthly Total: $3,311.59
NOVEMBER, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $612.82
Diesel/Gasoline: $188.69 – we now have a completely full tank and jerry jugs so should only need to purchase a few gallons before leaving for the Bahamas
Propane/denatured alcohol: $23.96
Medical: $20.25
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $87.72
Amazon Prime: $12.99
Laundry: $10.50
Restaurants/Entertainment: $188.90
Uber: $27.01
New York Times subscription: $20.20
Coast Guard Documentation Renewal: $26.00
Marinas: $656.62
Boat stuff: $227.59 (dinghy tow rope, extra line, courtesy flags, stainless tube and parts for water jerry jug storage)
Subscriptions: $49.91
Random: $414.50 (Aquabot, coir, marina tips, 5 gallon gas jerry jug, campachem, Brita filters, ukulele, dinghy eye bolts, coffee travel mugs, box of rags, disposable gloves)
Monthly Total: $2,567.66
DECEMBER, 2019
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $839.16
Diesel/Gasoline: $18.00
Propane/denatured alcohol: $46.31
Medical: $272.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $222.72 (this included the first month of Myislandwifi in preparation for the Bahamas, with the $50 deposit and shipping)
Laundry: $14.00
Restaurants/Entertainment: $131.57
Uber: $8.10
New York Times subscription: $40.66 (this gets billed every four weeks, so twice this month)
Marinas: $278.20 (2 weeks and 2 days at Vero)
Clothing: $98.03
Boat stuff: $2,844.55 (whisker pole and chocks, flotation collar for dinghy, chart plotter chip for Caribbean/Central/South America, two 12 volt fans, two tubes of 5200, step down connectors, heat shrink tubing, carburetor cleaner and fuel stabilizer, primary fuel filters, oil diapers, 12 volt pump/fuel hose/clamps/wiring, cleaners, hull professionally cleaned, magnetic base for dinghy light)
Subscriptions: $53.42
Random: $294.45 (AA and AAA batteries, box of rags, disposable gloves, snorkel lenses, 2 tarps, ukulele book, haircuts, etc.)
Monthly Total: $5,161.51
JANUARY, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $271.63
Diesel/Gasoline: $130.00 (25 gallons at Staniel Cay, Exumas)
Propane/denatured alcohol: $44.80 (2 gallons of denatured alcohol)
Water: $27.85 (51 gallons at Staniel Cay, Exumas)
Medical: $14.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $77.72
Laundry: $7.50
Restaurants/Entertainment: $122.73
Uber/Bus/Bimini Shuttle: $68.60
Subscriptions: $54.33
Marinas: $167.00 (one week in Bimini, Bahamas)
Life Insurance: $220.75 (quarterly payment)
Boat stuff: $213.72 (Explorer charts for iPad, spare carburetor and gasket for outboard, spare rebuild kit for galley foot pump)
Random: $407.12 (Bahamas entry fees, Turbo Tax, bank fee, marina tips)
Monthly Total: $1,828.09
FEBRUARY, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $300.01
Medical: $14.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $102.49
Mail service: $100.00
Laundry: $7.00
Restaurants/Entertainment: $31.00
Boat stuff: $32.00 (replacement exhaust hose, foam tape to use as replacement gasket for Nature’s Head)
Random and subscriptions: $754.33 (subscriptions, DAN Boaters evacuation insurance, trash disposal, Federal and CT taxes)
Total: $1,341.17
MARCH, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $323.29
Gasoline/Diesel: $63.71
Medical: $14.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $256.43. This was much higher because we paid for a new SIM card and a new month of service when we returned to the U.S., plus we paid for a month of data on the iPad so we could check back in to the U.S. using the ROAM app.
Marina: $434.10 (Vero Beach mooring for four weeks)
Restaurants/Entertainment: $42.00
Non-owners auto insurance premium for six months: $62.30
Boat stuff: $1,069.16 (AIS transponder and NMEA 2000 cables, Spartite, Rescue Tape, 303 protectant)
Random and subscriptions: $39.68 (subscriptions, marina tip, trash disposal, postage to return MyIslandWifi)
Monthly Total: $2,305.01
APRIL, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $622.12
Denatured alcohol: $7.06 (we had some West Marine rewards certificates that offset the cost this time)
Medical: $14.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $68.98. This was lower because we received our $50 deposit back from MyIslandWifi when we we returned the hotspot upon arriving in Florida.
Marina: $434.10 (Vero Beach mooring for four weeks)
Laundry: $7.50
Restaurants/Entertainment: $28.53
Annual state registration for boat and dinghy: $145.00
Quarterly life insurance payment: $220.75
Subscriptions: $49.12 (Netflix, Prime, New York Times)
Miscellaneous boat stuff: $98.46 (replacement USB charger, replacement portable inverter for laptop, Nature’s Head supplies)
Rainman Watermaker, spare filters, and shipping: $6,364.87
Monthly Total: $8,060.83
MAY, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $631.67
Gasoline/Diesel: $70.97
Medical: $14.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $112.34
Marina: $416.63 (July and August paid in advance)
Laundry: $7.00
Restaurants/Entertainment: $0 (this is a first, and only because of Covid)
Annual life insurance payment: $767.50
Miscellaneous boat stuff: $71.39 (diesel oil, bottom cleaner)
Subscriptions and Random: $123.66 (Netflix, Prime, New York Times, tips, etc.)
Monthly Total: $2,215.50
JUNE, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $586.82
Gasoline/Diesel: $120.50
Denatured Alcohol: $79.28 (This was a mistake. We accidentally bought two extra gallons, not realizing we were fully stocked. We won’t need to buy any again for quite some time.)
Medical: $14.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $112.34
Mail Service: $100 (placed on account at UPS Store for future shipping)
Marina: $457.77 (7 nights in Beaufort, SC, 4 nights in Southport, NC)
Laundry: $6.50
Restaurants/Entertainment: $167.83
Professional Boat maintenance: $413.55
Subscriptions and Random Items: $352.10 (Netflix, Amazon Prime, New York Times, marina tips, gloves, citrus rags, box o’ rags, replacement signal horn, Waterway Guide, etc.).
Monthly Total: $2,411.03
JULY, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $537.28
Gasoline/Diesel: $35.87
Medical: $20.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $112.34
Quarterly life insurance payment: $220.75
Laundry: $4.75
Restaurants/Entertainment: $0.00 (Covid-19 is really putting a crimp in our style)
Maintenance: $21.51 (painters tape, tack rags, tins for varnish)
Subscriptions and Random Items: $384.58 (Netflix, Amazon Prime, New York Times, annual WordPress payment, marina tips, donations, pillows, flyswatters, dinghy parking, box fans, cargo net, spatula, DVD, water bottles, Bees Wrap, etc.).
Monthly Total: $1,337.42
AUGUST, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $503.86
Gasoline/Diesel: $35.13
Medical: $14.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $112.68
Mail: $300 (one year paid in advance for UPS Store box rental
Laundry: $4.50
Restaurants/Entertainment: $30.02
Boat Insurance: $313 (annual premium)
Maintenance: $552.52 (replacement windlass chain guide and spare, replacement cowl vents, replacement snubber hook and spare, bottom cleaning, replacement deck brush, spare fuses, brushes for varnish, deck cleaner, rust and stain remover, replacement USB charger and spare, replacement telltales, replacement shaft zinc and outboard zinc, replacement outboard spark plug and spare, smoke/CO2 detector, replacement gas can, replacement galley sink assembly/plumbers putty, replacement dinghy line floats, Camp-a-chem, endoscope, shipping costs)
Subscriptions: $281.94 (one year of Chris Parker, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.)
Random Items: $167.62 (gloves, yarn, Bees Wrap, replacement Luci lights, marina tips, etc.)
Monthly Total: $2,315.61
SEPTEMBER, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $361.21
Gasoline/Diesel: $33.59
Propane for heat: $22.20
Medical: $52.26
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $190.37 (this was higher because our internet provider had to suspend service due to a legal dispute with AT&T, causing us to sign up for a different plan)
Laundry: $2.25
Restaurants/Entertainment: $57.54
Non-owners auto insurance: $52.95 (semi-annual premium)
Subscriptions: $125.67 (annual VPN subscription, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.)
Maintenance: $1,654.05 (haul out fees, bottom paint, quart of barrier coat, bootstripe paint, diesel oil, oil cloths, replacement zinc, tape, buffing cloths, coveralls, anchor gloves, paint rollers and brushes, paint tray and liners, box of rags, bucket, Starbrite rust remover, spring line (remnant), epoxy syringes
Connecticut-related expenses: $803.50 (storage for boat, rental car, gas, tolls, parking, Uber to and from Enterprise, etc.)
Random Items: $82.75 (coir, ukulele strings, etc.)
Monthly Total: $3,438.34
OCTOBER, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $784.09
Gasoline/Diesel: $77.42
Denatured alcohol: $55.00 (3 gallons)
Medical: $14.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $170.54
Mail: $5.35 (hold package charge by Beaufort, SC UPS Store)
Laundry: $4.00
Restaurants/Entertainment: $25.42
Life Insurance Premium: $220.75 (quarterly payment)
Subscriptions: $117.25 (newspapers, streaming services, annual YNAB payment, etc.)
Maintenance: $47.58 (anchor gloves, disposable gloves)
Marina: $40.00 (one night near Southport – the $280 New Bern Marina cost is in the Connecticut-related expenses)
Connecticut-related expenses: $825.24 (storage for boat, rental car, gas, tolls, parking, Uber to and from Enterprise, etc.)
Random Items: $107.78 (yarn and knitting tools, lighters, overnight shipping to return our ballots, citrus rags, etc.)
Monthly Total: $2,494.76
NOVEMBER, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $947.30
Gasoline/Diesel: $56.73
Denatured alcohol: $17.75 (2 gallons – used West Marine coupon for savings)
Medical: $252.34
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $258.22 (this included paying for a BTC Sim card and pre-paying for month of internet access in the Bahamas once we arrive)
Mail: $100.00 (pre-payment for future shipments from our UPS Store mailbox)
Laundry: $11.00
Uber: $24.79
Restaurants/Entertainment: $0.00 (damn Covid)
Annual USCG boat documentation fee: $26.00
Marinas: $498.88
Subscriptions: $135.79 (newspapers, streaming services, Good Old Boat and Aqua Maps renewal, etc.)
Maintenance: $320.47 (2 replacement blocks – one is the wrong size and is being returned; replacement hatch arm; replacement Bahamas courtesy flag)
Random Items: $154.07 (new skillet, CampaChem, coir, Bristol burgee, donated supplies to Bahamian preschool, batteries, marina tips)
Monthly Total: $2,803.34
DECEMBER, 2020
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $328.30
Gasoline/Diesel: $144.66
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $336.13 (This was high. We are keeping our AT&T account in the U.S. active while we are away, plus we topped off our BTC SIM card, switched to an Aliv SIM card, and added a Skype number.)
Restaurants/Entertainment: $154.56 (Golf cart rental in Green Turtle, and we feel much more comfortable eating outside at restaurants in the Bahamas.)
Marinas/moorings: $310.76
Subscriptions: $28.76 (New York Times, Microsoft)
Check in fee for the Bahamas: $150.00
Covid test and health visa: $481.60
Rental car to get to Covid test: $86.87
Boat Maintenance: $256.93 (carburetor and parts for the water maker, spare carburetor for the dinghy outboard in an abundance of caution)
Random Items: $268.20 (marina tips, gifts, Kindle book, snorkel mask for Jeff, 1 gallon gas jerry jug, printing fees, spotlight, bucket, spare washers)
Monthly Total: $2,546.77
JANUARY, 2021
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $279.94
Gasoline/Diesel: $63.03 (filled our jerry jugs in Staniel Cay – won’t need to do it again until we get ready to leave)
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $251.76 (This is high. We are keeping our AT&T account in the U.S. active while we are away, plus we are paying for a Skype number and a plan with Aliv.)
Restaurants/Entertainment: $11.70
Medical: $16.12
Laundry: $9.00
Subscriptions: $213.26 (New York Times, Microsoft, etc.)
Quarterly Life Insurance Payment: $220.75
Random Items: $61.15 (trash disposal, etc.)
Monthly Total: $1,126.71
FEBRUARY, 2021
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $401.05
Gasoline/Diesel: $0.00
Medical: $66.12
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $245.75 (This is high. We are keeping our AT&T account in the U.S. active while we are away, plus we are paying for a Skype number and a plan with Aliv.)
Restaurants/Entertainment: $38.00
Subscriptions: $155.07
Random Items: $178.20 (Makers Air charge for watermaker parts, DAN evacuation insurance, trash)
Monthly Total: $1,084.19
MARCH, 2021
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $315.16
Gasoline/Diesel: $60.00
Medical: $16.12
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $255.55 (This is high. We are keeping our AT&T account in the U.S. active while we are away, plus we are paying for a Skype number and a plan with Aliv.)
Laundry: $6.00
Mooring: $100.00 (4 nights at Spanish Wells)
Restaurants/Entertainment: $276.76
Cruising permit renewal: $500.00
Non-owners auto insurance policy: $56.30 (semi-annual premium)
Random Items: $238.12 (Makers Air and broker charges for mail delivery from Connecticut, ATM fees, foreign transaction fees, TurboTax, disposable gloves, subscriptions)
Monthly Total: $1,824.01
APRIL, 2021
Groceries/Non-food Groceries/Alcohol: $877.77 (This was high. We restocked food and (particularly) booze that we had run low on in the Bahamas.)
Gasoline/Diesel: $241.80 (This is much higher than last year, reflecting the increased cost of diesel over the past twelve months)
Denatured alcohol: $17.99
Medical: $16.12
Cell data, iCloud storage, and Garmin inReach subscription: $211.03
Laundry: $6.00
Mooring/slip fees: $502.63 (4 nights in Green Turtle, 2 nights in Vero, 2 nights in Daytona Beach, 2 nights in St. Augustine, 3 nights at Osprey Marina, 1 night at St. James, and 3 nights at Carolina Beach. This is EXTREMELY high for us, and primarily due to strong weather in areas without decent anchorages).
Restaurants/Entertainment: $22.90
Quarterly Life Insurance Premium: $220.75
Annual TowBoat US policy: $154.00
Random Items: $234.97 (driver’s license renewal, citrus rags, box o rags, anchor gloves, foot warmers, hand sanitizer, diesel additive, subscriptions, Kindle book, marina tips, etc.)
Total: $2,505.96
2021 Monthly average: $1,635.21
2020 Monthly average: $2,758.15
2019 monthly average: $3,457.97
2018 monthly average (September – December): $4,465.95
Monthly average since starting to cruise: $3,093.69
Adventures on the Club 