The Real Cost of Living on a Sailboat – What Cruising Actually Costs!
5 June 2025 · 29 min · 98K views · The Bahamas
What this video covers
Cruising costs vary significantly based on boat size, maintenance habits, and lifestyle choices, but core monthly expenses typically include dockage, fuel, food, maintenance, and insurance.1:03 Marinas in the Bahamas range from $2 to $10 per foot per day, though anchoring remains free.2:13 Monthly dockage budgets range from $0 for full-time anchoring to $2,000 for frequent marina stays.3:46 Fuel consumption depends on engine usage and boat type, with monthly costs spanning $50 for minimal motoring to $500 for trawlers or high-frequency travel.4:40 Food and provisioning often represent the largest expense, especially in remote islands where imported goods are expensive; monthly budgets range from $800 to $3,000 depending on dining habits.8:17 Boat maintenance requires budgeting for both routine tasks and major repairs, with annual costs often totalling 1% to 3% of the vessel's value.11:38 Insurance premiums generally track at 2% to 3% of the boat's insured value, though coverage availability decreases for vessels over 25 years old.13:27 Additional expenses include country-specific cruising permits and pet importation fees.16:32
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