T&T: $1000 month Boat Budget

[Kevin Kearney]

Hey I am cheap--that Scot blood thing-that and the nasty 4 letter word that
starts with a W and ends in K, Work. Then the wife in this new economy is
dragging the brakes on my plans to do the big cruise that approached voyaging
(starting in one place and not returning to the same place).

I am so cheap that I used the "left over" bottom paints that accumulate in the
travel lift shed for my bottom-saving the yard from disposal problems an me
Hundreds of bucks in coatings-I built up my Marine Deere engine from parts,
bought my transmission on ebay and negotiated for 3 years before purchasing my
Phasor generator.

The problem/solution needs solving in that boat sitting/playing near
Washington DC seems to end up costing nearly as much as full time moving
about. $3000 plus for a slip, $2000 for winter storage I have cut out my hull,
insurance and carry only liability ($2000 annual saving) or toddle off to the
Bahamas

This year I am wintering in Baltimore and intend to get moving in May and not
"return for 2 years" I'll be traveling with my yellow lab Annie and do
portions of the time with my Wife who likes working as a consultant on Green
Buildings-So complexity with the dog, really is unless you do car rentals from
the US of aircrate her back and forth.

My major expense while traveling is eating out when I am alone- I enjoy the
company of others after a day alone with the dog and enjoy getting the
feeling/texture of the community
I suppose I can give that up-My fuel use is at about 50 miles per traveling
day about 10 gallons and I avoid marinas unless they have a good month rate.

I suppose I have a goal of reaching Trinadad via the Bahamas and down the
line.and eventually bearthing the boat (45Ft)  in the San Franciso Bay area to
use as a second home.

There has been discussions about the perfect passage maker-size, materials,
hull shape-I guess that my $1000 per month/$12,000 yearly is to become my goal
for Voyaging-otherwise I'll end up sitting at some dock doing short trips-or
getting discusted and sell the dream/boat off. Get a job and yuck out.

I know I share these types of dreams with many others out there-I have been
preparing for it my whole life--and life is short-so I will beging voyaging
this spring--so long as I don't go in circles It shold work out.

Kevin Kearney/JOLIE