GL: Great Loop East Coast Cost

[M S]

$50/night average is pretty reasonable for a 27' boat. Yes in some places it
will be more but if you are selective most places will be lower. Pick up the
Skipper Bob Anchorage and Marina books. That will allow you to select more
reasonably priced stops (including some free stops). Another trick if you
aren't in a rush is to check with the marinas for a weekly rate.
 
Are the two of you used to anchoring out a lot? Some people love it. If you
anchor out once or twice a year now, I would set up a secondary marina fund in
case she doesn't like anchoring out on a regular basis as much. You don't say
what your or her experience is boating. This is a leasurely siteseeing trip
not man against the ocean. If she doesn't like going out in 3 foot seas, don't
do it. Yes, you may get caught out in something, but don't intentially do it.
Check with her regularly to see how she's liking it and what could be done to
make it better. Maybe you don't make it to florida. Darn, you still get a 6
week cruise that takes you down to the carolinas.
 
I would bump up the fuel costs a bit to be on the safe side. It's anyones
guess, but given the economy I would be comfortale with $4/gallon.
 
I like that you've added a boat maintenance cost, but $500 is a drop in the
bucket for boat maintenance. Also you may find that what works great for
weekending is not acceptable for for longer term (do you need to add AC, a
winch, new matres, etc...)
 
Other costs:
-  Groceries (unless you only eat 3 meals a week. In some places you will want
a taxi to haul them back to the boat. Often you wind up at expensive grocery
stores)
- Insurance (your current insurance may or may not cover the trip)
- Oil changes (If you don't do it yourself that could be over $100/engine/oil
change)
- Car rentals (It's nice to get off the boat and see some of the interesting
sites near by)
- Admissions (museums, attractions, etc..)
- Soviners
 
One final thought: If 6 weeks is all the time you have, go and go now. If you
can squeeze more time out you can slow down and really enjoy it more. At 300
miles a week you are just going to get a taste of what each area has to
offer. When traveling we cover 100-150 miles per week and sometimes we feel
like we are traveling too quickly.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Mike & Tammy
Valhalla II
Gemini 3400