COST OF THE CRUISING LIFE IN THE EASTERN MED

During the last two years we’ve kept detailed records of our cruising costs.
Our blog entries dated 16 April 2011 and 10 June 2011 gave quite some detail on this, including an intended cruising budget for 2011 of NZ$90k (approx. US$71k).
As a general statement actual living costs such as food, beverages, “household” supplies and personal spending are about the same for us when cruising as at home back in New Zealand. Maintenance is dearer due to the higher cost of parts and greater distances traveled. What also bumps up costs is travel to and from your boat, additional fuel for the longer distances cruised, and sightseeing ashore – particularly rental cars and accommodation (occasional travel inland away from the boat is well worth the experience in the many interesting, new areas). Casual marina prices are also high, e.g. for our 14m Nordhavn 46 typically about NZ$130 (US$105) per night plus power and water. You pay considerably less (or sometimes even nothing) in town harbours, particularly in Greek waters, but the best option is to anchor wherever possible, which is always free. With a long term marina contract, e.g. for wintering over, costs reduce considerably and we pay NZ$15 (US$12) per night in Marmaris.
Other factors to consider:
- Some costs are fixed and are for the whole year, such as insurance, winter marina, travel, most regulatory costs, some R&M, while most other costs are variable depending on the time spent aboard and the distance traveled (e.g. living costs and fuel).
- R&M and fuel will vary greatly depending on the size, type (e.g. displacement or planing) and the age of boat as well as the distance cruised.

So our 2011 cruising budget was NZ$90k (approx. US$71k).
During 2011 we cruised 2,218NM, spent 31 weeks living aboard, and our actual costs totaled NZ$86.6k (US$68.4k), with the main costs being:
- R&M: NZ$27.4k (US$21.7k). Big ticket items here were re-galvanizing anchor chain, replacing genset fresh water circulating pump, replacing Lugger alternator, repairing Naiad stabilizers, reconditioning guest head, replacing start batteries, antifouling, oil and fuel filters, replacing aircon sea water pump.
- Living costs: NZ$16.6k (US$13.1k). This includes food, drink, “household” supplies and all ashore costs.
- Insurances, marinas (including winter layover), regulatory: NZ$15.5k (US$12.2k).
- Fuel (diesel, lpg, oil, petrol): NZ$8k (US$6.3k).
- Travel: NZ$7k (US$5.5k) for one trip from New Zealand to Envoy and back.
- Communications (phones and internet): NZ$4k (US$3.2k)
WHAT WE LIKED: We thought our living costs were good, averaging NZ$535 (US$423) per week for a quality life style.
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE: The maintenance cost was higher than we hoped, but includes maintaining Envoy to a high standard and replacing all spare parts used. We estimate this is about 5 to 6% of Envoy’s capital value, and this has been consistent over the last 4 years.