Saving Money

[Auzzee]

A recent post reminded me of the money I have saved as a result of heeding the advice of the many experienced members who regularly post on Cruiser Log. I have saved literally thousands of dollars by asking for advice on communications, lighting, refrigeration, steering, diesel engine maintenance, sleeping comfort, painting systems, sealing and bonding issues, electronics for navigation, etc. etc. etc.

No matter how much we know, or think we know, there is never a substitute for the collective brainpower and depth of experience on offer through this forum.

On two items alone, I have avoided unnecessary expense totalling $2600....that's over 2000 cans of good beer and several cartons of quality potato chips!!!

I urge all the closet readers to become actively involved by contributing answers...and by posing their own questions on our forums. No matter what you have to say, someone will benefit.

.....2000 cans of beer....that's 5 years of booze for me. Yay!!

David

[imagine2frolic]

I guess that proves the old saying is true! TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE, and what if you have hundreds, or thousands of heads?......LOLOLOLOLOL We could all be a genious collectively.......

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

We could all be a genious collectively.......

Yep.

Sorta how we got to the moon.........and have the internet.

It is nice to be here but then sometimes I talk too much.

[sirlespat]

In my trade (which is repairing medical imaging machines, CT scanners and the like) I truly believe that the real definition of expert is "He who persisted with a difficult and unfamiliar problem until it was resolved." Training and experience alone will not achieve as much as application and persistance.

It really is great to watch the correspondence back and forth as a competent and self reliant sailor applies himself to an unfamilair situation and eventually achieves a resolution. Meantime 50 other people gain the same experience because it is shared. I await with interest for Del to repair his VHF. The thing that sets this forum apart from lots of the others (especially power boats) is the understanding of the desire to do it yourself and the positive nature of the advice offered. Thanks for sharing!

best regards

Sirlespat

[Trim50]

David,

What did you end-up doing with the paint job?

[Auzzee]

Ken,

I have resolved to do a little cosmetic work here in Darwin before I set off. I have completed the repaint of the cabin top and dodger using international Brightside (Thanks Bedouin), but I will definitely strip her back and do a full bottom job and topsides repaint in Subic Bay in the Philippines. Richard (MMNETSEA) has sourced some good contacts for me there.

The cost saving in the labour component alone is equal to about 6 months cruising and I believe the standard of workmanship is equally as high as it is here. I don't particularly relish the thought of sailing into foreign ports with scars on the boat....but if that will lead to more time on the water and away from the office desk, then so be it.

I still need to determine the colour scheme, but it will be predominently white-ish. I am looking at oyster grey....maybe.

Cheers

David

[Trim50]

Have you found yourself equating everything to a month of cruising?

Right now I equate $1000 to one month of cruising. Not sure what number others use, but it is a nice round number, boat unit if you will, that I'm sure we could make last a month.

[Auzzee]

Exactly! I call every month $1000 (not including land based costs such as storage shed, insurance etc). Not being one to spend every non sailing moment in a marina, I think on board living expenses of $1k is fair, especially for the SE Asian portion of the voyage.

I officially end my land based tenure, and commence boat life full time, on October 24th.

Debt free....

No boss......

Small investment income....

Large fridge...

Cold beer...

B-I-G smile.

David.

[markje4]

Off topic I know but...I hope you've got your electoral information organised. The most interesting, if not important, election facing the nation in many years!

[Gallivanters]

After sailing 16,000 nm from Guam to the Caribbean (via the Red Sea) on a 37 ft boat - I reckoned my wife and Aye spent no more than $750 USD per month during the 24 months we were "out there". We enjoyed cold beers the entire time and suffered no major failures.

That was during 2000 - 2001.

We're gearing-up to head for Panama before the end of the year with an added son and a bigger boat... but I don't think it's gonna cost us much more than our last great adventure... so long as we don't need provisions or repairs in French Polynesia.

David - on your way to Subic Bay... please drop in at Port Bonbonon (09 deg 03' N x 123 deg 07 E) and say G'day to Nicky & Arlene for us. We enjoyed six delightful weeks there. Upon entering, it'll appear as a small local fishing port but if you continue up around the bend you'll find a few yachts to anchor among. Mark your chart. It's totally protected and I promise, you will be glad you made the effort and stopped there.

To Life!

Kirk

[Auzzee]

Thanks Kirk, it's in the diary....Will do!

David

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by Auzzee

Thanks Kirk, it's in the diary....Will do!

David

Also to Kieth and Marianne on Tenacity II VK4 FLE. Also to Nicky and Arlene the owners of Niarne Restaurant which provides a bakery, sari-sari store, laundry, dinghy dock,one-room hotel, book exchange, and Nicky's Yacht Services. They also collect yachties' garbage for disposal, schedule habal-habal rides, and provide a place to dry out a boat for maintenance and bottom-painting.

Bonbonon Anchorage :-

[SeaVenture]

I'm thanking you both also--I put the info in my cruising guide for when we finally get over there!

N.

[Viking]

I officially end my land based tenure, and commence boat life full time, on October 24th.

Debt free....

No boss......

Small investment income....

Large fridge...

Cold beer...

B-I-G smile.

David, thanks for inspiring me!

Best of luck,

Marcus