Luckiest guy in the world with a beautiful wife who is also a skilled deckhand, drinking buddy and life partner. So many of us live vicariously in the pleasure of watching your life adventures. Thanks so much.
You are one of the few channels that actually present the yearly cost in a very clear and precise manor. Thanks to you we have now also started to get a separate bank account for the boat and keep track of our cost in categories. Before we just had a total cost for the year and that was it. So we really appreciate your way of reporting. 👍
Great to see you again, I was waiting for the cost of your trip in 2023. You see the glamour of the yachts. but no one tells you the cost of owning one. I love your channel!
Appreciate your transparency. I’m sure it helps people considering purchasing a boat like yours. One would need a nice yearly income to afford those expenses. Especially in 2021.
Fantastic Video. My wife and keep a boat in Mx and have similar experiences. Our aircraft the same, except you add a zero or 2 for maintenance. Thanks again
Fantastic as usual...there are lots of guys out here who use your annual expense videos to show "others" that buying a boat is a better idea that a vacation home. She is almost there....thank you both...again!
Thank you for including opportunity cost in your analysis!!! As a financial advisor that spends summers living on & working from our boat on Lake Michigan, I really appreciate your honest accounting and thorough analysis (almost as if an accountant had prepared it, lol!). I go through opportunity cost with clients every day (buying houses, vacation homes, businesses, etc.) and I find that it is an often neglected aspect of ownership cost. It's nice to see "the real deal" shared on TH-cam. Keep it up!
The yearly cost video is one of my favorite and I look forward to it every year, I appreciate the honest breakdown of what is costs to own and travel on your boat every year. Our retirement goal is to be able to do the same thing as you guys and travel on a boat. It helps to have an inside look at what to expect and need to be able to afford. I have been told that insurance companies won’t insure a boat as old as yours so I’ve been looking at some newer ones, I’d love to know more about who your company is and what kind of coverage they offer if you could tell me. Also I love that scotch, my brother got me a bottle for my birthday one year.
We are insured with BoatUS (Geico) but I hear they may not be taking on older boats now. They just raised our premium and are refusing to insure us in the Bahamas, so we may be switching or going to liability only.
Thanks, yeah I checked with them and there were some cheaper options for the boats I’m currently looking at (early 2000’s 35’ Cabo flybridge). Thanks again for posting all the videos and information that you do, my wife and I love watching them and planning for our retirement and traveling on a boat like you do.
Viewers should understand that these expenses can be much higher - not only in the event of catastrophic failure but also day to day. My expenses on a slightly newer 63' Hatteras are several times higher than yours. Also while the boat may not be depreciating per se there are 100's of components with a mean-time-to-failure of let's say 5 to 20 years. Over time every refrigerator, AC unit, battery, chartplotter, radar, fixture, faucet, exhaust hose, etc will need replacement. If you are on top of that stuff, it gets expensive annually (cheaper if you DIY but as you know this stuff ain't cheap and your time is worth something).
Very true. That is why I do a budget video each year. Sometimes we are lucky, other times not so much. Just like a house, things are going to break. Many items on our boat have already been replaced over the past forty year but there are some that have limited life left. We will probably be slowly replacing our air conditioners over the next couple of years. We have done one so far. I don't worry too much about the value of my time though. I enjoy working on the boat for the most part. I am sure I will tire of it eventually but for now it is much like a hobby.
@@tryingnottosink9107 It is fantastic that you make videos like this. And possibly even more amazing that your read the comments. Everything is a trade off. Do you buy an older, solid boat vs a newer, more efficient and lighter boat (see the Wandering Hillbilly debacle?). Do you buy a faster boat with bigger, heavier engines? Last year I took my Hatteras down to the Bahamas but it cost more than twice as much in fuel as flying down and renting a Moorings boat in the BVIs. Despite being roughly the same size - your (older) Hattaras gets 3x better fuel economy than mine mainly bcz my cruise is around 22 kts... trade offs.
...not to mention yacht owners that intend to go offshore need to be a boat and diesel mechanic and the opportunity costs of all that labor while cruising.
I always love your transparency, because it keeps it real.... if people cannot do any of their own work,, their expenses are going to be much higher. The marina costs is reasonable but the insurance and transient docking is a killer . Wishing you both a great New Year..🥂🍸🍹
I love to watch the budget review every year! Make my dream of doing what you do seem closer than it may be, lol. Anyway, love your videos and hope you continue making them! Fair winds and following seas to you both!
Thanks for reminding me once again why I have not taken the plunge and bought myself a yacht. It's not the initial cost that is the issue, it's the never ending costs of insurance, slips, maintenance, fuel, and mechanical (where I can't fix anything myself). One needs a lot of disposable income to enjoy that lifestyle. Happy that you two can swing it!
What about waxing hull, bottom paint, power at slip, towing insurance, boat and tender registration fees? All in all though, fairly reasonable. Keeping in Florida helps with No heated storage, shrink wrapping, commisioning, decommissiong hauling and countless mechanic hours at $175 per hour. Very impressive that you do so much yourself. Great video.
Thanks. We have been doing our own waxing. We bottom painting two years ago and it did not need it this year. Towing is included in our insurance with BoatUS. The boat is Coast Guard registered and I believe it is every five years now. Even when we were up north we never uncommissioned the boat. We just heated it through the winter.
You guys are great as always. Your cost videos are very interesting. I've had 3 large boats only up to 40 ft. All twin diesels in San Francisco Bay and delta. There isn't that much on the west coast as aposed to the east coast as you know. Anyway love you guys, be safe. John
Thank you for this. I really appreciate this info as I am looking to get a motor yacht in the next couple of years. Good to have a point of reference for estimating on going costs.
I'm amazed by your home slip cost! West Coast FL way cost is higher. My insurance stays low if stay within 75 miles of the coast, each company fluctuates for international. Love your channel!
Thanks for that video, defiantly starting with the right boat is a big help. You also have enough wear with all to weather a bit issue if it came up. You would not want to do what your doing g on a shoe string budget! Great info cheers warren
Ed Lynn, when we were living aboard our 57' CC back in the late 90's in Naples, FL, we had live aboard insurance through a broker in Seattle, Washington--- it was 8,500 a year!! I figured we were spending around 25k per year, all in, and we weren't doing much travelling except up in Pine Island sound
My boat is a 1983 26 Monterey Carver on a tri axle trailer I love the older boats in most cases they are easier to work on my motor is getting rebuilt at the end of the month I have done most of the work to the interior so that part is ready I have to replumb the boat and buy new engine fans bilge pumps sump pump for the shower freshwater pump raw water pump and I'm doing a hot water heater replacement she's going to be on the water this year love watching your channel and love seeing the updates on y'all Hatters
Great thorough job on this. Good considering opportunity costs and depreciation. We have a rather similar boat and our costs are MUCHO higher. Of course that also includes a captain and a mate.
wife also says: Our boat is 64ft 1988 Vantare, looks a lot like your Hatteras.
Last year our insurance cost mysteriously went down about the same way yours did. After much digging by the broker, we found out that the company no longer offered wind damage coverage for "named storms", so check the details on the footnotes of the policy!! We got the coverage back with high deductible, and of course paid the higher premium.
We are in Riviera Beach City Marina, about 140 miles south of Titusville, and we pay $2300/month (about 4x your rate) for annual dockage.
Sometimes the problem is finding people to do the work, not just the cost. We've been waiting 5 months for the opportunity to pay $12,000 to replace damaged eisinglass surrounding the upper helm. It is not the age of the boat-- we have watched new boats wait as long as 2 years to replace engines, and last year we waited 10 months for generator replacement (fortunately it was our second gen, but we spent a lot more on marinas that year rather than anchor out and run the working gen 24 hrs/day.)
We appreciated your "Top 10 places" list-- we've been to 8 of them. We are primarily scuba divers, so we are looking for places that make good dive sites accessible. 2 new adventures in the planning stages: Cay Sal (between Bahamas and Cuba) and San Salvador (east of Eleuthera).
Impressed to see you include the money costs. A lot of people forget things like that, then again, those kind of people probably can’t afford to drop 250k on a boat… Funny contrast though, being a fisherman, I always assumed these boats were much more. You can spend that much on a much smaller fishing boat. That just amazes me and has pulled me down this yacht rabbit hole. Not that I can afford either, but definitely enjoying learning about a different type of boating.
I don't know if it conveys the same. But on my old ('99) motorhome, ongoing maintenance has been steadily around 5% of its "new" cost. Because it sat for Covid, the backlog of maintenance is more than it's worth, but far less than the cost of replacing it.
Just getting a bigger boat so we can journey on the ICW. Our home is on the ICW... curious about how and why you chose your hailing port. Thanks - and my wife and I love your videos.
We spend about 5 years with Philly as our main port since it is close to our land house. We moved it to Florida to save the three-week trip down (and back) every year, and a whole lot of fuel. Still, we miss having it in Philly.
So as a basic starting point for budgetary concerns and planning for annual costs. It would be safe to use 15 to 20% of the vessels value. Depending on which crusing/ live aboard situations you might be doing?
It costs a lot but you could not have the same experiences otherwise. Flying between islands and renting hotels is as close as you can get but its a different experience altogether, although in similar places. If your boat was a trailerable cabin cruiser and you stayed in hotels here and there to up the comfort level, would save alot on slip fees, insurance and gas but still not as comfortable experience as a 65' hatteras. Thanks for doing the expense report for us.
Such an interesting video and breakdown and also commentary. I was especially interested in your comments about depreciation. I've never bought a brand new car for the reasons you mentioned... depreciation and that I know work colleagues and friends who have just as many (if not more) issues/troubles with their new car than I've ever had with my used cars over the years!
Thank you for your expense report as a new used Hatteras it was interesting. I think you mentioned an algae cleaner, could you provide the name of the product I have Detroit 6v53s they are running great, like to keep them running great. Thank you
I have just been using whatever they sell at West Marine. I do not remember the name. Although I was wearing one of their T-Shirts in a video last month.
Always nice to see a couple that likes boating and being together. I look forward to a video on the role alcohol plays in your lifestyle. Has boating led to more drinking? Is it a problem? How do you do a video while drinking with a full bar in the background and it apparent that you had a few before filming…. And it not be a problem? What are you giving up have booze in your boating lives? How has booze affected the boating culture? I’m not judging, I’m a drinker, but you’ve got me thinking.
Actually, we never drink before filming. Even during filming we usually have just one. While captaining the boat, I never drink. Not even a beer. Too many people count on me to keep them safe. However, boating has led to more drinking in general. Nothing to do with the boat, it is just that we take 3 month long vacations now, and that leads to going out for dinner much more often, and partying with friends almost every day.
We were next to you guys last year at Spanish Wells. Sorry we didnt get to meet up with you both. 100 agree with your calculations. See you on the water again. Crew of Sunset
I'm seeing a huge disparity in boat prices between boats that are 2000-2005 (for example) and boats 1990 and older. HUGE disparity. In your experience, are you finding lots of age-related items that need fixed, such as wiring issues? Obviously, you'd upgrade the systems/navionics etc., and those upgrades would last for several years. I'm on the fence with the attractive prices of the older vessels vs. some 2000-vintage boats. Love the channel!
The most expensive thing that has ever broken on our boat is the windlass, which cost us about $3k since I did the work myself. We have never had any wiring issues. Usually, you will find that previous owners have already done much of the updating on an old boat. For example, much of our boat was changed over to 12 volts for modern electronics, the kitchen was updated. Most things are really not very expensive. The way I see it, I could repower each engine and generator, replace all the air conditioners, paint the entire boat, etc. for $300k and it would still be a third the price of a 2000's era Hatteras.
As always super content, we were wondering when we can get a video of your musical talents. If your musical talent is as good as your adaptability to operating and maintaining your “HAT” there are a lot of us missing out. If there is one already out there let us know because we missed it. Thanks for all you do for those of us learning the ropes.
I have probably played live on three or four videos. I don't remember which ones. I have also done the background music on a couple. I am no longer a good musician. Years ago I was. I am way out of practice now.
When you begin planning your 2024 cruising season, if you do indeed decide to go up the West Coast of Florida, make your starting point the Dry Tortugas at Fort Jefferson. You will not be disappointed. Thanks for the video.
Work! 😄 Actually, we own an accounting firm and I only work during tax season. However, it is really not that expensive when compared to buying a vacation home. We did a video on that last year.
I’m shocked at the low cost of your boat. My 28ft with twin out boards costs me more for storage and repairs. Of course it burns less fuel etc but I’m amazed how reliable that old Hat is. I’ll keep an eye out for you in the Keys.
My wife and I are looking for nearly the same boat as yours. Roughly the same year and everything. We are having a hard time finding insurance due to the age of the boat. Any thoughts or recommendations?
Your home slip costs are so low compared to what I pay in San Diego. Does your home marina offer services such as pool, laundry, showers, restrooms, mail, etc?
second question: I see that you're a guitar player--have you found any local places (seems like there's always a guitar player somewhere!) that you can either sit-in, or just go start playing and put out a tip jar? Curious if I should bring a bass along on my journey.
Ed and Lynn, If you didn't have the boat, would you have spent as much on travel or a second home someplace? I know living on the boat and travelling around is way better than a fixed location, but what would you have done or did do(did do??) before you bought it? Happy new season, Rik Spector
We have no interest in a second home. Too boring for us. If we were not boating we would be traveling, mostly Europe, or maybe on cruise ships. We would probably be chartering the islands as well. Before we bought the boat I was working much more, and we were taking the family on 10 day cruises every year. We did that for about 10 years. Prior to that, the kids were younger and we would do Disney and Universal each year. Before the kids, Lyn and I traveled through much of the United States by car.
Thanks so much. Love your videos. Two quick questions... 1. Didn't you take a captains class of some kind, and could that have helped your insurance costs? 2. Do you carry $300K or $500K liability, or do you go back and forth depending on the marina? Thanks! Dennis Hill
They deducted $500 off my insurance for being a licensed Captain. I believe our liability is $350k. Definitely not $500k. Although fuel spill is set at $1million liability.
It would be very interesting to see a comparison with European/UK costs for similar size boat. My gut feeling is that the USA is way below European costs. A marina berth alone around the Mediterranean alone would probably be more than your total annual cost.
Thank you for this information, my wife and I use your videos to help with our planning. Is it possible for you to share your engine(s) and generator run times? For instance year to year comparison and reduced engine hours by positioning the boat in FL vs running up to PA. Also have you been able to record or have you noticed a reduction in generator time. Because of the solar panels? And what savings might accrue if you say double the amount of solar up top? Our home port will likely be Corpus Christi, TX - there is alot of sun.
Most years we travel around 3000 miles. This year was only about 1100 since we started in Florida. We travel at 10 knots, so we put about 110 hours on the engines this year. Since we installed the solar panels, lithiums, etc. We rarely use the generator during the day while at anchor. We used to run it around 5 hours per day, whenever we needed 110 or 220 volts, or to keep the refrigerators cold. Now we only run it at night, when we want air conditioning. I did a video on the cost advantages several years ago but forgot the title. I estimate mate it saves us about 5 gallons per day. Perhaps $25 per day x 90 day trips, so $2250 per year. But the real advantage is always having electricty when we want it and always having cold refrigerators and ice.
Thank you for your reply. My wife and I have not caught up to the present videos (at the beginning of Season 3) so I am sure I will find the cost comparison video soon.@@tryingnottosink9107
Ed- Do you find being at anchorage less appealing then having transient slips? I know when you have repairs you most likely will go in, outside of the restaurants are their any other reasons why you wouldn’t stay at anchorage more to lessen the transient fees?
We do like anchoring, and do mostly that in the islands. We prefer it, at least when we know there is a good place to take the dinghy. We planned to anchor more this year but had generator problems.
This doesn’t sound much different from our high end RV and expenses. It is definitely not a way of life that can be financially justifiable. Lol. It’s about quality of life and enjoyment.
Hi there, follwing you since 2 years now and loving your videos! Here in europe it costs EUR 15k to have a 62 foot boat in the marina. Do you guys know why there is such a huge difference? Cheers from Austria (boat planed to be in croatia)
It varies greatly in the USA as well. We pay approximately $750 per month but a hundred miles south in Ft. Lauderdale area it would be $3000 per month. It all depends upon how popular the area. Most paces are around $1000 per month for our boat.
I’m in this position now. Not sure if I can afford it as I’m not familiar with maintenance on it. I’ve got planes, boats 22-27’ and off road toys. But yacht 50-65 foot will be new for me.
We usually provision at a regular grocery store in Florida before the big trip. We try to get enough for the whole trip. Then we pick up perishables in Nassau and Georgetown, where it is definitely more expensive. Lots of canned food and fresh fish on our trips!
That is certainly very enlightening information but I was hoping for your opinion on the surprising affordable part because what is affordable for different people is subjective. Of course, I’m not considering someone who would purchase a similar boat but who wouldn’t have the financial means to maintain it, or use it as much as you do. But how would one compare the cost to taking land vacations or cruises or some other form of travel and vacations.
We did a video comparing it to a vacation home last year. I consider it affordable because $20k a year in costs and a $15k per year mortgage to buy the boat is less than the cost of owning and maintaining an average middle-class land house in most areas of the United States.
Luckiest guy in the world with a beautiful wife who is also a skilled deckhand, drinking buddy and life partner. So many of us live vicariously in the pleasure of watching your life adventures. Thanks so much.
Thanks for joining us on the adventure!
You are one of the few channels that actually present the yearly cost in a very clear and precise manor. Thanks to you we have now also started to get a separate bank account for the boat and keep track of our cost in categories. Before we just had a total cost for the year and that was it. So we really appreciate your way of reporting. 👍
Glad to help
Ed boating rule number 1. Never add it up! You made me realize how much we spend. Still worth it. Looking forward to this years adventure!
Sorry about that! 😄
Great to see you again, I was waiting for the cost of your trip in 2023. You see the glamour of the yachts. but no one tells you the cost of owning one. I love your channel!
Glad you like them!
To see the breakdown of costs is very informative. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Appreciate your transparency. I’m sure it helps people considering purchasing a boat like yours.
One would need a nice yearly income to afford those expenses. Especially in 2021.
Very true!
Fantastic Video. My wife and keep a boat in Mx and have similar experiences. Our aircraft the same, except you add a zero or 2 for maintenance. Thanks again
Thanks for sharing!
Good video Ed and Lynn.......marinas are biggest expense for sure.
Thanks!
Fantastic as usual...there are lots of guys out here who use your annual expense videos to show "others" that buying a boat is a better idea that a vacation home. She is almost there....thank you both...again!
Be sure to watch the video we did last year comparing to vacation homes.
This is one of my favorites every year, because it helps me to plan and budget to eventually do the same. Really appreciated!
Glad it was helpful!
I appreciate your break-down of costs for having your yacht. It gives me a guideline for when I buy a yacht.
Cool.
I am watching all the videos. You guys teach me so much
Thank you for including opportunity cost in your analysis!!! As a financial advisor that spends summers living on & working from our boat on Lake Michigan, I really appreciate your honest accounting and thorough analysis (almost as if an accountant had prepared it, lol!). I go through opportunity cost with clients every day (buying houses, vacation homes, businesses, etc.) and I find that it is an often neglected aspect of ownership cost. It's nice to see "the real deal" shared on TH-cam. Keep it up!
Thanks. I agree, most people do not factor those costs into their analysis. Cheers!
The yearly cost video is one of my favorite and I look forward to it every year, I appreciate the honest breakdown of what is costs to own and travel on your boat every year. Our retirement goal is to be able to do the same thing as you guys and travel on a boat. It helps to have an inside look at what to expect and need to be able to afford. I have been told that insurance companies won’t insure a boat as old as yours so I’ve been looking at some newer ones, I’d love to know more about who your company is and what kind of coverage they offer if you could tell me. Also I love that scotch, my brother got me a bottle for my birthday one year.
We are insured with BoatUS (Geico) but I hear they may not be taking on older boats now. They just raised our premium and are refusing to insure us in the Bahamas, so we may be switching or going to liability only.
Thanks, yeah I checked with them and there were some cheaper options for the boats I’m currently looking at (early 2000’s 35’ Cabo flybridge). Thanks again for posting all the videos and information that you do, my wife and I love watching them and planning for our retirement and traveling on a boat like you do.
My husband and I are considering buying a yacht for our retirement. Thanks for such an informative video!
Love that Scotch. It's my favorite. Great video too. Thank you.
Our pleasure!
Good choice on the Balvenie 14 - one of my favorite go-to single malts.
It is a good choice!
Love y'all, great video's, I look forward to seeing all your adventures. I was hooked when I saw you guys buying the boat. Cheers!!
Thanks for joining us on the adventure!
Viewers should understand that these expenses can be much higher - not only in the event of catastrophic failure but also day to day. My expenses on a slightly newer 63' Hatteras are several times higher than yours. Also while the boat may not be depreciating per se there are 100's of components with a mean-time-to-failure of let's say 5 to 20 years. Over time every refrigerator, AC unit, battery, chartplotter, radar, fixture, faucet, exhaust hose, etc will need replacement. If you are on top of that stuff, it gets expensive annually (cheaper if you DIY but as you know this stuff ain't cheap and your time is worth something).
Very true. That is why I do a budget video each year. Sometimes we are lucky, other times not so much. Just like a house, things are going to break. Many items on our boat have already been replaced over the past forty year but there are some that have limited life left. We will probably be slowly replacing our air conditioners over the next couple of years. We have done one so far. I don't worry too much about the value of my time though. I enjoy working on the boat for the most part. I am sure I will tire of it eventually but for now it is much like a hobby.
@@tryingnottosink9107 It is fantastic that you make videos like this. And possibly even more amazing that your read the comments. Everything is a trade off. Do you buy an older, solid boat vs a newer, more efficient and lighter boat (see the Wandering Hillbilly debacle?). Do you buy a faster boat with bigger, heavier engines? Last year I took my Hatteras down to the Bahamas but it cost more than twice as much in fuel as flying down and renting a Moorings boat in the BVIs. Despite being roughly the same size - your (older) Hattaras gets 3x better fuel economy than mine mainly bcz my cruise is around 22 kts... trade offs.
...not to mention yacht owners that intend to go offshore need to be a boat and diesel mechanic and the opportunity costs of all that labor while cruising.
Great Video!! Thanks so much! Enjoying the fruits of your labor!!
Our pleasure!
I always love your transparency, because it keeps it real.... if people cannot do any of their own work,, their expenses are going to be much higher. The marina costs is reasonable but the insurance and transient docking is a killer . Wishing you both a great New Year..🥂🍸🍹
We know. If we had to pay someone every time something broke we probably could not afford to do what we do.
I love to watch the budget review every year! Make my dream of doing what you do seem closer than it may be, lol. Anyway, love your videos and hope you continue making them! Fair winds and following seas to you both!
Thanks! Hope to see you on the water some day!
Thanks for reminding me once again why I have not taken the plunge and bought myself a yacht. It's not the initial cost that is the issue, it's the never ending costs of insurance, slips, maintenance, fuel, and mechanical (where I can't fix anything myself). One needs a lot of disposable income to enjoy that lifestyle. Happy that you two can swing it!
That is true. However, it is possible to do it a lot cheaper than us: smaller boat, less travel, anchoring out more, etc.
@@tryingnottosink9107 I’m in LA. Almost everything is more expensive out here.
Thanks for the video. Really enjoying the channel. The cost break down was really useful.
Glad to be of help.
You guys look great! Lots of good info especially the money costs and depreciation.
Thanks! Glad you liked the videoi!
Looking good you two!
Information was great again this year! Thx!
Thanks! Hopefully, this season will have fewer repairs on the water! At least they did not cost much, with all the slave labor I had aboard!
Thank you for these videos. I am sure you’re helping many who have questions just as I do. Thanks, Tj
Glad to help
What about waxing hull, bottom paint, power at slip, towing insurance, boat and tender registration fees? All in all though, fairly reasonable. Keeping in Florida helps with No heated storage, shrink wrapping, commisioning, decommissiong hauling and countless mechanic hours at $175 per hour. Very impressive that you do so much yourself. Great video.
Thanks. We have been doing our own waxing. We bottom painting two years ago and it did not need it this year. Towing is included in our insurance with BoatUS. The boat is Coast Guard registered and I believe it is every five years now. Even when we were up north we never uncommissioned the boat. We just heated it through the winter.
Great review - Thanks!
Our pleasure!
You guys are great as always. Your cost videos are very interesting. I've had 3 large boats only up to 40 ft. All twin diesels in San Francisco Bay and delta. There isn't that much on the west coast as aposed to the east coast as you know. Anyway love you guys, be safe. John
Thanks. We are glad you found the video interesting.
Thank you for this. I really appreciate this info as I am looking to get a motor yacht in the next couple of years. Good to have a point of reference for estimating on going costs.
you have inspired me! thank you for the great analysis!
You are welcome!
I've always enjoyed the ownership cost and yearly cost. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
I'm amazed by your home slip cost! West Coast FL way cost is higher. My insurance stays low if stay within 75 miles of the coast, each company fluctuates for international. Love your channel!
Most marinas on the east coast are much more expensive as well. The Space Coast is the only inexpensive area.
Enjoy you videos always love to see the end of the year one !!!!
Thanks 👍
Thanks for that video, defiantly starting with the right boat is a big help. You also have enough wear with all to weather a bit issue if it came up. You would not want to do what your doing g on a shoe string budget!
Great info cheers warren
Very true!
Your best video of the year..Every year.
Thanks!
Very informative. You're a lucky man, Ed, but you earned it.😅
Thank you very much!
Thank you so much for this video. I always wondered. I hope I can do something similar! May god keep you safe in your travels!
Glad it was helpful!
Ed Lynn, when we were living aboard our 57' CC back in the late 90's in Naples, FL, we had live aboard insurance through a broker in Seattle, Washington--- it was 8,500 a year!! I figured we were spending around 25k per year, all in, and we weren't doing much travelling except up in Pine Island sound
Wow, that was a lot for back then!
My boat is a 1983 26 Monterey Carver on a tri axle trailer I love the older boats in most cases they are easier to work on my motor is getting rebuilt at the end of the month I have done most of the work to the interior so that part is ready I have to replumb the boat and buy new engine fans bilge pumps sump pump for the shower freshwater pump raw water pump and I'm doing a hot water heater replacement she's going to be on the water this year love watching your channel and love seeing the updates on y'all Hatters
Thanks. It saves us a fortune doing most of the work ourselves. And we know things are done right.
Great thorough job on this. Good considering opportunity costs and depreciation. We have a rather similar boat and our costs are MUCHO higher. Of course that also includes a captain and a mate.
Glad you liked it. Thanks!
wife also says: Our boat is 64ft 1988 Vantare, looks a lot like your Hatteras.
Last year our insurance cost mysteriously went down about the same way yours did. After much digging by the broker, we found out that the company no longer offered wind damage coverage for "named storms", so check the details on the footnotes of the policy!! We got the coverage back with high deductible, and of course paid the higher premium.
We are in Riviera Beach City Marina, about 140 miles south of Titusville, and we pay $2300/month (about 4x your rate) for annual dockage.
Sometimes the problem is finding people to do the work, not just the cost. We've been waiting 5 months for the opportunity to pay $12,000 to replace damaged eisinglass surrounding the upper helm. It is not the age of the boat-- we have watched new boats wait as long as 2 years to replace engines, and last year we waited 10 months for generator replacement (fortunately it was our second gen, but we spent a lot more on marinas that year rather than anchor out and run the working gen 24 hrs/day.)
We appreciated your "Top 10 places" list-- we've been to 8 of them. We are primarily scuba divers, so we are looking for places that make good dive sites accessible. 2 new adventures in the planning stages: Cay Sal (between Bahamas and Cuba) and San Salvador (east of Eleuthera).
Impressed to see you include the money costs. A lot of people forget things like that, then again, those kind of people probably can’t afford to drop 250k on a boat…
Funny contrast though, being a fisherman, I always assumed these boats were much more. You can spend that much on a much smaller fishing boat. That just amazes me and has pulled me down this yacht rabbit hole. Not that I can afford either, but definitely enjoying learning about a different type of boating.
I guess you can tell I am an accountant. 😁
The Balvenie 14 Year is my favorite single barrel go-to Scotch.
A great choice!
Thank you for your accounting of expenses. You forgot to mention your alcohol totals! 😂🥂
Wishing you many more years of happiness and safe travels!
I am not counting that - I am ignoring those costs! 😁😎
@@tryingnottosink9107 cheers to that!
Caver 506 is a super nice boat in that 50 to 65ft range. These cummins diesels run forever!
We agree.
Thank you for this new update on boat ownership…
You are welcome!
I don't know if it conveys the same. But on my old ('99) motorhome, ongoing maintenance has been steadily around 5% of its "new" cost. Because it sat for Covid, the backlog of maintenance is more than it's worth, but far less than the cost of replacing it.
A new 60 foot Hatteras costs $3Million, so 5% of that would be $150k per year. Glad it is not that much!
Great video. Do you know how many days you were on the boat in 23
About 120 altogether
Awesome information and thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Great video loved your explanation of costs
Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Just getting a bigger boat so we can journey on the ICW. Our home is on the ICW... curious about how and why you chose your hailing port. Thanks - and my wife and I love your videos.
We spend about 5 years with Philly as our main port since it is close to our land house. We moved it to Florida to save the three-week trip down (and back) every year, and a whole lot of fuel. Still, we miss having it in Philly.
missouri on deck just showed up on my channel
So as a basic starting point for budgetary concerns and planning for annual costs. It would be safe to use 15 to 20% of the vessels value. Depending on which crusing/ live aboard situations you might be doing?
I suppose that is how it works out for us. The boat is worth $250k and we spend about $50k per year.
It costs a lot but you could not have the same experiences otherwise. Flying between islands and renting hotels is as close as you can get but its a different experience altogether, although in similar places. If your boat was a trailerable cabin cruiser and you stayed in hotels here and there to up the comfort level, would save alot on slip fees, insurance and gas but still not as comfortable experience as a 65' hatteras. Thanks for doing the expense report for us.
That is true. Experiencing the Bahamas in this manner is a whole different experience.
Love you guys!
Thanks!
Such an interesting video and breakdown and also commentary. I was especially interested in your comments about depreciation. I've never bought a brand new car for the reasons you mentioned... depreciation and that I know work colleagues and friends who have just as many (if not more) issues/troubles with their new car than I've ever had with my used cars over the years!
We are glad you liked the video!
capt flint from missouri loves the show === cheers mates
Thanks for watching. Cheers!
Love it, great info. I love single malt as well.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for your expense report as a new used Hatteras it was interesting. I think you mentioned an algae cleaner, could you provide the name of the product I have Detroit 6v53s they are running great, like to keep them running great. Thank you
I have just been using whatever they sell at West Marine. I do not remember the name. Although I was wearing one of their T-Shirts in a video last month.
Thanks for bring Honest on the costs. Maybe next time add all the other costs like Food, Bars :)
We are afraid to add all that up!
Really not too bad when you consider everything. Btw that floor looks awesome
Thanks. We agree!
Always nice to see a couple that likes boating and being together. I look forward to a video on the role alcohol plays in your lifestyle. Has boating led to more drinking? Is it a problem? How do you do a video while drinking with a full bar in the background and it apparent that you had a few before filming…. And it not be a problem? What are you giving up have booze in your boating lives? How has booze affected the boating culture? I’m not judging, I’m a drinker, but you’ve got me thinking.
Actually, we never drink before filming. Even during filming we usually have just one. While captaining the boat, I never drink. Not even a beer. Too many people count on me to keep them safe. However, boating has led to more drinking in general. Nothing to do with the boat, it is just that we take 3 month long vacations now, and that leads to going out for dinner much more often, and partying with friends almost every day.
Might want to look at adding a fuel polishing system....unless you have one already.
We have one but it doesn't help much when the growth is in the tank.
@@tryingnottosink9107 I was curious if that was the case....thank you 👍
We were next to you guys last year at Spanish Wells. Sorry we didnt get to meet up with you both. 100 agree with your calculations. See you on the water again. Crew of Sunset
Cool. Hope to see you on the water this year!
By any chance were you guys in Cocoa FL last week?
If so I missed you😔
No, we were in Philly.
This is a good video. Do you have any revenue estimates from if you put your yacht on charter?
I'm seeing a huge disparity in boat prices between boats that are 2000-2005 (for example) and boats 1990 and older. HUGE disparity. In your experience, are you finding lots of age-related items that need fixed, such as wiring issues? Obviously, you'd upgrade the systems/navionics etc., and those upgrades would last for several years. I'm on the fence with the attractive prices of the older vessels vs. some 2000-vintage boats. Love the channel!
The most expensive thing that has ever broken on our boat is the windlass, which cost us about $3k since I did the work myself. We have never had any wiring issues. Usually, you will find that previous owners have already done much of the updating on an old boat. For example, much of our boat was changed over to 12 volts for modern electronics, the kitchen was updated. Most things are really not very expensive. The way I see it, I could repower each engine and generator, replace all the air conditioners, paint the entire boat, etc. for $300k and it would still be a third the price of a 2000's era Hatteras.
As always super content, we were wondering when we can get a video of your musical talents. If your musical talent is as good as your adaptability to operating and maintaining your “HAT” there are a lot of us missing out. If there is one already out there let us know because we missed it. Thanks for all you do for those of us learning the ropes.
I have probably played live on three or four videos. I don't remember which ones. I have also done the background music on a couple. I am no longer a good musician. Years ago I was. I am way out of practice now.
When you begin planning your 2024 cruising season, if you do indeed decide to go up the West Coast of Florida, make your starting point the Dry Tortugas at Fort Jefferson. You will not be disappointed. Thanks for the video.
We have been thinking of going there. Perhaps this year.
So much for "boastng" about the bottom cleaning guys. Time to speak with others in that marina.
Thanks for the update. I'm still dreaming of owning one
Go for it!
Love your videos. I understand the expenses, but how do you pay for it all?
Work! 😄 Actually, we own an accounting firm and I only work during tax season. However, it is really not that expensive when compared to buying a vacation home. We did a video on that last year.
I’m shocked at the low cost of your boat. My 28ft with twin out boards costs me more for storage and repairs. Of course it burns less fuel etc but I’m amazed how reliable that old Hat is. I’ll keep an eye out for you in the Keys.
Hope to see you there!
My wife and I are looking for nearly the same boat as yours. Roughly the same year and everything. We are having a hard time finding insurance due to the age of the boat. Any thoughts or recommendations?
We use Boat US but it is expensive and I hear they are not taking more clients.
Wow you two had a great year as far as expenses this year! 😁🛫 How is that windless controller holding up? 🤪
It is working perfectly. No issues at all. We were a bit concerned because the anchor is so heavy (103lbs).
Your home slip costs are so low compared to what I pay in San Diego. Does your home marina offer services such as pool, laundry, showers, restrooms, mail, etc?
No pool, but everything else.
@@tryingnottosink9107 Good for you!
Not too expensive for the fine time you had, it's worth it.
We agree!
second question: I see that you're a guitar player--have you found any local places (seems like there's always a guitar player somewhere!) that you can either sit-in, or just go start playing and put out a tip jar? Curious if I should bring a bass along on my journey.
Not yet! I have played a few times at a local open-mic night in the Philly area last year but that is it.
It’s amazingly affordable if you cut corners on maintenance and equipment!
'Cutting Corners' is not at all what they did,
but I think I get what you were trying to convey.
Ed and Lynn,
If you didn't have the boat, would you have spent as much on travel or a second home someplace?
I know living on the boat and travelling around is way better than a fixed location, but
what would you have done or did do(did do??) before you bought it?
Happy new season,
Rik Spector
We have no interest in a second home. Too boring for us. If we were not boating we would be traveling, mostly Europe, or maybe on cruise ships. We would probably be chartering the islands as well. Before we bought the boat I was working much more, and we were taking the family on 10 day cruises every year. We did that for about 10 years. Prior to that, the kids were younger and we would do Disney and Universal each year. Before the kids, Lyn and I traveled through much of the United States by car.
@@tryingnottosink9107 You made a good choice with this"mobile home" not as complicated but beautiful with a touch of the unexpected 🌟😒
Thanks so much. Love your videos. Two quick questions...
1. Didn't you take a captains class of some kind, and could that have helped your insurance costs?
2. Do you carry $300K or $500K liability, or do you go back and forth depending on the marina?
Thanks!
Dennis Hill
They deducted $500 off my insurance for being a licensed Captain. I believe our liability is $350k. Definitely not $500k. Although fuel spill is set at $1million liability.
It would be very interesting to see a comparison with European/UK costs for similar size boat. My gut feeling is that the USA is way below European costs. A marina berth alone around the Mediterranean alone would probably be more than your total annual cost.
I think you are right.
Ed & Lyn --- just a budgeting tip here for you..... Remember that Roger-Outs are FREE! Just saying!
Roger that!
Thank you for this information, my wife and I use your videos to help with our planning.
Is it possible for you to share your engine(s) and generator run times? For instance year to year comparison and reduced engine hours by positioning the boat in FL vs running up to PA.
Also have you been able to record or have you noticed a reduction in generator time. Because of the solar panels? And what savings might accrue if you say double the amount of solar up top? Our home port will likely be Corpus Christi, TX - there is alot of sun.
Most years we travel around 3000 miles. This year was only about 1100 since we started in Florida. We travel at 10 knots, so we put about 110 hours on the engines this year. Since we installed the solar panels, lithiums, etc. We rarely use the generator during the day while at anchor. We used to run it around 5 hours per day, whenever we needed 110 or 220 volts, or to keep the refrigerators cold. Now we only run it at night, when we want air conditioning. I did a video on the cost advantages several years ago but forgot the title. I estimate mate it saves us about 5 gallons per day. Perhaps $25 per day x 90 day trips, so $2250 per year. But the real advantage is always having electricty when we want it and always having cold refrigerators and ice.
Thank you for your reply. My wife and I have not caught up to the present videos (at the beginning of Season 3) so I am sure I will find the cost comparison video soon.@@tryingnottosink9107
How much do you spend on alcohol
Not enough!😎
@@tryingnottosink9107 👍😂
Why is your insurance so expensive? I have a 50ft dual diesels and it’s 1/5th the price.
Would you mind sharing who your carrier is? I understand that a big factor is the latitude of where the boat lives.
I would love to find cheaper insurance.
@@tryingnottosink9107 A friend with a 46 Grand Banks is with Geico...very reasonable.
Ed- Do you find being at anchorage less appealing then having transient slips? I know when you have repairs you most likely will go in, outside of the restaurants are their any other reasons why you wouldn’t stay at anchorage more to lessen the transient fees?
We do like anchoring, and do mostly that in the islands. We prefer it, at least when we know there is a good place to take the dinghy. We planned to anchor more this year but had generator problems.
This doesn’t sound much different from our high end RV and expenses. It is definitely not a way of life that can be financially justifiable. Lol. It’s about quality of life and enjoyment.
That is true!
Hey guys, great video, but how many months is actually included in the yearly cost? how many cruising months?
The boat is in the water for all 12 months. We usually take one big trip each year, that lasts 3 to 3 1/2 months.
Hi there, follwing you since 2 years now and loving your videos! Here in europe it costs EUR 15k to have a 62 foot boat in the marina. Do you guys know why there is such a huge difference? Cheers from Austria (boat planed to be in croatia)
It varies greatly in the USA as well. We pay approximately $750 per month but a hundred miles south in Ft. Lauderdale area it would be $3000 per month. It all depends upon how popular the area. Most paces are around $1000 per month for our boat.
Interested in your bar expense as ours will be same 😂. But seriously, what is the weight of your new stainless anchor? We have 42 LRC, 38,000 lbs.
It is a 103lb Mantus 2.
I’m in this position now. Not sure if I can afford it as I’m not familiar with maintenance on it. I’ve got planes, boats 22-27’ and off road toys. But yacht 50-65 foot will be new for me.
It was new to us as well!
@@tryingnottosink9107 any suggestions on what to get?
Provisions? Comparable to home but groceries close to marinas cost more, I'm sure. Restaurants too.
We usually provision at a regular grocery store in Florida before the big trip. We try to get enough for the whole trip. Then we pick up perishables in Nassau and Georgetown, where it is definitely more expensive. Lots of canned food and fresh fish on our trips!
Y’all and @intoodeep have me wanting to start looking for our boat
I can't find a slip for a 50 footer for less than 2k a month
Ouch!! What part of the US?
It really varies by location. In Ft. Lauderdale it would be $3k per month.
That is certainly very enlightening information but I was hoping for your opinion on the surprising affordable part because what is affordable for different people is subjective. Of course, I’m not considering someone who would purchase a similar boat but who wouldn’t have the financial means to maintain it, or use it as much as you do. But how would one compare the cost to taking land vacations or cruises or some other form of travel and vacations.
We did a video comparing it to a vacation home last year. I consider it affordable because $20k a year in costs and a $15k per year mortgage to buy the boat is less than the cost of owning and maintaining an average middle-class land house in most areas of the United States.
New boats give hell during the first year! It's about all of the handmade details that will spring up... quite normal
Interesting, very interesting
Glad you think so!
In order to make this lifestyle work for me in retirement, I need to live your life at half scale. Does Hatteras make a 29’ MY ?
Maybe they make one with an 8" beam! 😁