Since we’re in the process of refitting our boat and preparing to live on it full-time, I’ve spent a lot of time researching the costs of cruising. The truth is, it’s tough to get a reliable estimate because there are so many factors to consider. The biggest influences on overall costs are likely the cruising grounds, the size and equipment of the vessel, and countless small lifestyle choices—like marina visits, dining out, and expenses related to travel and sightseeing.
What I’ve found most valuable are the detailed reports and statistics shared by other cruisers, especially those who publish monthly breakdowns with specifics about their cruising grounds and boat models.
For your convenience (and mine!), I’ve put together an overview of relevant articles and blogs that share these kinds of reports.
Cruisers Blogs
| Blog Name | Title | Boat | Budget | Year/Timespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailing Soulianis | Monthly Cruising Reports | Tartan 37 | $$ | 2018 - 2019 |
| MJ Sailing | Monthly Cost Reports | Sabre 34 (1989) | $ | 2012 - 2015 |
| Pat and Frankie | The Real Cost of Living on a Sailing Boat | Grand Soleil 46 (2010) | $$$ | 2024 |
| The Home that Roams | The True Cost of Living on a Sailboat | Lagoon 380 Cat (2005) | $$ | 2024 |
| Money for Mangos | Realistic Sailing Expenses | Hunter 450 Passage (1989) | $$$ | 2023 |
| Sailing Briticain | Cost of Living on a Sailboat | Oyster 56 (2003) | $$$ | 2023 |
| SY Ahora | Costs of Cruising | Laurin 32 (1965) | $ | 2020 |
| Two get Lost | How Much Does It Really Cost To Live On Board A Sailboat? | Moody 376 (1994) | $ | 2023 |
| SY Florence | The REAL costs of sailing around the world | Oyster Heritage 37 (1985) | $ | 2017-2019 |
| Gone with the Wynns | Cost of Boat Life | Leopard 43 Cat (2005) | $$ | 2017-2019 |
| Things we did today | Year Three Reflections On The Cost-Of-Cruising | Catalina Morgan 45 (1995) | $$$ | 2016 |
| Sailing Milou | The big post about money | Beneteau First 38 (1983) | $$ | 2017-2018 |
| SV BeBe | Costs | Amel Super Maramu (2003) | $$$ | 2007-2016 |
| Out Chasing Stars | Yearly Catamaran Cruising Costs | Helia 44 (2017) | $$$ | 2015-2020 |
| Scream | Cruising Budget 2011-2012 | Custom Stan Huntingford 45 | $$ | 2008-2012 |
| SY Bumfuzzle | What Does it Cost to Cruise? | Wildcat 350 Cat (2001) | $$$ | 2003-2007 |
| SV Ocelot | Cruising Expenses | Kronos 45 Cat | $$ | 2002-2009 |
| SV Perry | When you add it all up | Jeantot Privilege 48 Cat (1992) | $$ | 2013-2018 |
| SY Sophia | Cruising Expenses | Davidson 35 (1981) | $ | 2014 |
Published Articles
| Site | Title | Published/Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Sailing Soulianis | Monthly Cruising Reports | Tartan 37 |
| MJ Sailing | Monthly Cost Reports | Sabre 34 (1989) |
| Pat and Frankie | The Real Cost of Living on a Sailing Boat | Grand Soleil 46 (2010) |
| The Home that Roams | The True Cost of Living on a Sailboat | Lagoon 380 Cat (2005) |
| Money for Mangos | Realistic Sailing Expenses | Hunter 450 Passage (1989) |
| Sailing Briticain | Cost of Living on a Sailboat | Oyster 56 (2003) |
| SY Ahora | Costs of Cruising | Laurin 32 (1965) |
| Two get Lost | How Much Does It Really Cost To Live On Board A Sailboat? | Moody 376 (1994) |
| SY Florence | The REAL costs of sailing around the world | Oyster Heritage 37 (1985) |
| Gone with the Wynns | Cost of Boat Life | Leopard 43 Cat (2005) |
| Things we did today | Year Three Reflections On The Cost-Of-Cruising | Catalina Morgan 45 (1995) |
| Sailing Milou | The big post about money | Beneteau First 38 (1983) |
| SV BeBe | Costs | Amel Super Maramu (2003) |
| Out Chasing Stars | Yearly Catamaran Cruising Costs | Helia 44 (2017) |
| Scream | Cruising Budget 2011-2012 | Custom Stan Huntingford 45 |
| SY Bumfuzzle | What Does it Cost to Cruise? | Wildcat 350 Cat (2001) |
| SV Ocelot | Cruising Expenses | Kronos 45 Cat |
| SV Perry | When you add it all up | Jeantot Privilege 48 Cat (1992) |
| SY Sophia | Cruising Expenses | Davidson 35 (1981) |