This is it- the big question that everyone wants answered! How much does it cost to sail around the world? We try and answer this question as best we can in this week’s video.
Here’s a breakdown of what we believe a realistic cost to be:
- Boat: $30,000 upwards. Most cruisers who are planning circumnavigation or offshore cruising will buy a boat that is considerably more expensive than this. We would recommend that if you’re buying used, it’s best to buy a boat that is already kitted out.
- Monthly budget for 2 people in the Caribbean and Europe: $3000
- Slush fund: as much as you can afford! We would recommend at least $5000 in savings to deal with any unforeseen circumstances. The older the boat, the more you may need in repairs, maintenance & equipment.
- Equipment: we’ve spent about $20,000 on equipment purely designed for offshore and trade wind passage making. Therefore, if you are planning to limit your cruising to a cruising ground such as the Caribbean, you may not need any of these items. They include: Parasailor, SSB radio, hydrovane, Watt and Sea hydrogenerator, wind generator, solar panels, Yellow Brick tracker, laptop for receiving GRIB files at sea (Mac Books are not compatible), flares, and spare parts. This doesn’t include ‘basics’ such as autopilot, AIS, life-raft, EPIRB, sat phone, and code zero sail, fishing rods and lures, BBQ, cool box, etc.
We hope you find this video informative and helpful!
Nick & Terysa
11 comments
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Just a quick question. Did I see your Southerly for sale by S and J yachts in, I think, South Carolina? Are you selling your Southerly and why, if I may inquire?
Thanks,
Dale
I’m off on my first boat cruise in about 3 weeks time and SUPER excited.
Never ever thought of buying a boat and cruising the world (but my other half has, and has been across the Atlantic already), but now i’m intrigued and excited.
Loved the video and will watch a few more.
Happy trails from the bush.. (I live in the South Luangwa National Park)
Hi Terysa, thanks for an informative vlog.
A quick question – the $3000 per month… does this include your medical and boat insurance, as well as the cost of your flights home and the storage of the boat?
Thanks
Hey mate- yes it does. The only thing it doesn’t include is large, one off costs that we’d incur very rarely, such as when we bought our new rib and outboard (we dipped into savings for that).
Question – these seem very reasonable to me as upfront costs, but it seems to me that some of these costs could be recouped by selling the boat and equipment after having used it for a year or two. And if the boat (and some of the equipment) is bought used, then probably the resale value wouldn’t be that much lower than the purchase value. Does that seem accurate?
Alex
Hi Alex- some boats hold their value far better than others. Production boats tend to depreciate far quicker than non-production boats (ie, Southerlys) and likewise some onboard equipment will hold its value better than others. It’s too broad a subject to answer accurately, and the boat market- like any other market- is subject to ups and downs. Hope that very vague answer helps.
Hi guys, really useful stuff. Thank you. One of my concerns has always been that whilst I would consider myself as a strong sailor, the reality is that most of that is racing rather than long offshore stuff. Generally, when people say they have 40 years sailing experience, it is often one year 40 times! I.e. I have raced many times from the UK to the Channel Islands and France, but that is not the same at all as cruising from France to the Bay of Biscay et cetera or crossing the Atlantic. In addition, whilst I am a good bodger, I don’t have great technical knowledge on electrics or anything like that. Your site is very useful and easy to follow in and allaying some of those fears. Thanks
Hi! I know this thread is old but I just found your video. I thought it was great and very informative. Wonder if you guys are still sailing?! That said I have one real simple question for right now and that is, when you guys talk about an estimated $3000 a month cost… Does that include or exclude your monthly payment on the boat assuming you have one like a mortgage? Or did you purchase the boat out right before hand and all that $3000 covers is the actual expenses of travel I eat everything you mentioned plus all the other things one can envision such as gas and necessities etc.Thank you for making this video and thank you for hopefully getting this and reading it! Best wishes!
Peace ~Heather
Hi Terysa!
Thanks for your article, really informative. I found a lot of info I had no idea about! If the current situation gets better, I am waiting to go somewhere as well with https://yachting.com/en-gb.
Hopefully to use some of your tricks and tips!
Have a great day!
V.