List of approximate annual costs for Living Aboard

[sueb]

Thanks, I didn't say that I want to skimp on anything, Im just looking for realistic advice on costs so I will add your £3,000 a year as the maintenance costs.

 

so now I have...

 

Mooring, average (£2.500)

Licence 60' is (£676)

Diesel.............. minimal cruising but enough to run a fridge, washer, dryer tv, computer etc... ??

Gas 4 bottles a year at £30 .... (£120)

Logs/Coal.......... £40 a month winter so six months is £240, round up to (£300) for a year

Insurance...... average fully comprehensive, boat and contents ...average (£500)

Maintenance ..........what to save for usual maintenance.....(£3.000)

Batteries 4 batteries every 4 years ...(£84)

Blacking £500 every two years so save (£250) a year

Oh B*****r Fund..what to save each year for emergencies...??

Boat Safety Cert ...£200 every 4 years so save (£50) for that.

Sani Stations costs....cassette system so no pump out but do they charge for water etc...??

Batteries at £21 each is a lot cheaper than we get ours. Try £60 each. We also use a gas bottle every 3-4 weeks, we have a gas fridge

Sue

[Chagall]

I think you might get more "constructive" replies if you adopted a less aggressive tone, frankly.

 

I only chose to seek clarification on an area where I suspected you might have underestimated, (but you did not say who would be doing the blacking, so I couldn't be sure).

 

As you don't (I think) give sufficient information on some points, (such as your minimum requirements of a mooring, and geographical area where it might be), it is simply impossible to say whether your suggested figure is sensible or not.

 

£2,500 for a fully serviced 60' central London mooring would be bargain of the year, elsewhere as a bank-side mooring with no other facilities, it would of course be a total rip off.

 

Even if you got everybody who had an approximately 60 foot boat to send you their number, then took an average, it would still tell you little about the likely cost of your eventual mooring, simply because we don't know what you are after.

 

 

 

My but you make massive assumptions about my tone!.....frankly Im not interested in your personal comments, the mooring fee was not in question, I know that is variable and Ive placed it high for my area, and the area I prefer not to say on an open forum. My choice and I ask for respect in that.

 

Im not asking for exact geographical quotes on blacking or anything else on my list. A ball park figure for an average 60' boat with average use is all I need. Ill build in the variables as I learn them. I needed to know a workable budget for right now, I dont need supercilious and ego centered pontification, nor am I looking for a fan club!

 

I have enough information for now from the recent postings on this topic and from a PM with all the relevant information.

 

Thank you.

[kerching]

nor am I looking for a fan club!

 

Objective achieved i would suggest.

[Chagall]

Objective achieved i would suggest.

 

 

badda boom...kerching!

[alan_fincher]

My but you make massive assumptions about my tone!.....frankly Im not interested in your personal comments, the mooring fee was not in question, I know that is variable and Ive placed it high for my area, and the area I prefer not to say on an open forum. My choice and I ask for respect in that.

 

Im not asking for exact geographical quotes on blacking or anything else on my list. A ball park figure for an average 60' boat with average use is all I need. Ill build in the variables as I learn them. I needed to know a workable budget for right now, I dont need supercilious and ego centered pontification, nor am I looking for a fan club!

I can't see where you say which numbers you were already fully confident with, and those you wanted validating, (or at least to be given other people's numbers).

 

As you learn more about the canals, you will quickly come to realise that you can't state "average" prices for certain things, because for many the suppliers very much get away with what they are able to, depending on demand and competition.

 

Blacking, (which shows huge regional variation), is not the only such example.

 

Diesel costs are another - study the forum to see the differences between (say) fuel sold on the Thames, and from fuel boats on the cut.

 

If you chose not to say where you will be based, then the answers you get will inevitably be less accurate than they might have been.

 

I'm glad you think you have what you need, because if you continue to ask for help, but to then respond the way you are, I think you will find the help you get starts to ramp down.

[WotEver]

Batteries at £21 each is a lot cheaper than we get ours. Try £60 each. We also use a gas bottle every 3-4 weeks, we have a gas fridge

Sue

 

Hi Sue, the actual estimation was "Batteries 4 batteries every 4 years ...(£84)" That's an annual cost, so the battery cost was indeed estimated at £84/battery.

 

T

[Naughty Cal]

nor am I looking for a fan club!

 

Neither was i. You just dont have a choice sometimes

[Chris Pink]

Thanks, I didn't say that I want to skimp on anything, Im just looking for realistic advice on costs so I will add your £3,000 a year as the maintenance costs.

 

£3,000 maintenance, that figure on its own throws everything so pear shaped. £3,000 is half and engine, what is going to go wrong this year that costs that much? Rubbed off gold leaf perhaps?

 

If you include docking as a separate I would budget much nearer £500 a year for routine maintenance.

 

Not everybody has 8 grand paint jobs.

 

 

Your coal at £300 and 4 19kg gas bottles is about the same as me.

Edited July 20, 2009 by Chris Pink

[WotEver]

£3,000 maintenance, that figure on its own throws everything so pear shaped. £3,000 is half and engine, what is going to go wrong this year that costs that much?

 

Alnwick suggested the £3k maintenance in post #20

 

T.

[Naughty Cal]

Its always better to budget for more than you expect to pay for things though. If you budget £3k for maintenance and it onlys costs £500 all is well and good. If you budget £500 and it actually costs £3k thats a lot of extra to find.

[Lady Muck]

£3,000 maintenance, that figure on its own throws everything so pear shaped. £3,000 is half and engine, what is going to go wrong this year that costs that much? Rubbed off gold leaf perhaps?

 

If you include docking as a separate I would budget much nearer £500 a year for routine maintenance.

 

Not everybody has 8 grand paint jobs.

 

 

Your coal at £300 and 4 19kg gas bottles is about the same as me.

 

Yes the coal and gas is the same for me.

 

Good point about the eight grand paint job. Are you planning to have a shiny boat or not?

 

Agreed that 3 grand is a hell of alot. Even including having an alternator controller fitted this year and a battery charger a couple of years ago, I've never spent more than about £600 a year on the engineer.

[Naughty Cal]

Thats a bit like the how long is a peice of string question!!!!

 

Summed it up in post 2

[NB Alnwick]

£3,000 maintenance, that figure on its own throws everything so pear shaped. £3,000 is half and engine, what is going to go wrong this year that costs that much? Rubbed off gold leaf perhaps?

 

If you include docking as a separate I would budget much nearer £500 a year for routine maintenance.

 

Not everybody has 8 grand paint jobs.

 

That is what we managed to get through in our first year - we covered 1200 miles or so and about 900 locks - so some of it was wear and tear. The biggest single item was replacing the fuel injection pump but there were several other expensive items and I think we have debated this all before.

 

My take on maintenance is that you need to spend enough to maintain the boat in the same or similar condition as it was when you bought it - otherwise having spent anything between £60,000 and £150,000 on a new boat (and many people do), after ten years you end up with something that you would struggle to sell for £30,000 because it has deteriorated into a mess. And that doesn't make sense.

 

There are members on this forum who are boat painters and get plenty of customers willing to pay £8,000 or thereabouts for a paint job - we spent less than that because we did it (and are still doing it) ourselves but we did have to buy all the materials and we probably should have booked a proper paint dock rather than relying on dry weather and the A14 bridge for shelter.

 

Other things also need regular attention, for instance we will need to replace the wood lining on all the five sets of external hatches within the next few years and the best quote we have had from a professional is £450 for each pair of doors fitted and painted - that is over £2,000 for what looks like a relatively small job. We also need to repair or replace the Epping stove in the boatman's cabin and fit a replacement for the plywood dog box that is slowly de-laminating - these jobs don't come cheap and cannot be ignored forever.

 

In my opinion the real cost of ongoing and effective maintenance is something that most boaters underestimate.

Edited July 20, 2009 by NB Alnwick

[carlt]

we will need to replace the wood lining on all the five sets of external hatches within the next few years and the best quote we have had from a proffesional is £450 for each pair of doors fitted and painted - that over £2,000 for what looks like a relatively small job.

That is a truly outrageous sum of money and I really need to get back to work.

[Lady Muck]

Other things also need regular attention, for instance we will need to replace the wood lining on all the five sets of external hatches within the next few years and the best quote we have had from a proffesional is £450 for each pair of doors fitted and painted - that over £2,000 for what looks like a relatively small job. We also need to repair or replace the Epping stove in the boatman's cabin and fit a replacement for the plywood dog box that is slowly de-laminating - these jobs don't come cheap and cannot be ignored forever.

 

This is a good point - I guess for maintenance I was thinking only about the engine, but now you mention it - I think I'm gonna need a new stove (£500?) and I would like to get a cratch and cover made, a new cover for the back and also the back cabin totally refitted. So a few thousand pounds in all. I guess it also depends on how handy you are - some of my marina neighbours are competent enough to build a boat from scratch (as in welding), others struggle with a paint brush.

[RLWP]

Yes the coal and gas is the same for me.

 

Good point about the eight grand paint job. Are you planning to have a shiny boat or not?

 

Agreed that 3 grand is a hell of alot. Even including having an alternator controller fitted this year and a battery charger a couple of years ago, I've never spent more than about £600 a year on the engineer.

 

Well, most years have been OK, but our first year included a £1700 engine bill. Last year we had a £2500 hull welding bill. So it just depends I suppose...

 

Richard

[Chris Pink]

Well, most years have been OK, but our first year included a £1700 engine bill. Last year we had a £2500 hull welding bill. So it just depends I suppose...

 

Richard

 

But these things have to be averaged out, I have lived aboard 20 odd years and I know I haven't spent £60,000 on maintenance. I could have bought a couple of boats for that. I would be surprised if it was much more than £10,000 which is...umm £500 per year.

 

Though if you include 'upgrades' like solar panels, a new generator etc then you could double it in a well managed budget. Upgrades is something not included in the OP's budget list and we all like the occasional upgrade.

 

I don't pay many specialists which would bump the bill up, though £450 each for hatch linings sounds well over the top to me. Suggest cutting down on the gold leaf.

 

To look at it a different way, a good way to budget would be to have a £3,000 contingency and then top it back up each year but we're in the realms of spare money there.

Edited July 20, 2009 by Chris Pink

[Naughty Cal]

Trouble is when buying a new (to you) boat you always find something you want to change or needs to be replaced/changed. This soon adds up. It will do no harm to have a budget that looks over the top. Better to be sure you have the funds should they be needed and if not its all more for the beer fund

[Chagall]

Thank you for your considered answers so far, and the also helpful PM's I've taken down the maintenance costs to £2.000 and added a repainting fund of £800 a year

 

so now I have an updated list to reflect everybody's suggestions.....as so

 

Mooring, average (£2.500)

Licence 60' is (£676)

Diesel.............. minimal cruising but enough to run a fridge, washer, dryer tv, computer etc...(£187.20)

Gas 4 bottles a year at £30 .... (£120)

Logs/Coal.......... £40 a month winter so six months is £240, round up to (£300) for a year

Insurance...... average fully comprehensive, boat and contents ...average (£500)

Maintenance ..........what to save for usual maintenance.....(£2.000)

Repainting ......every 7 years or so save (£800) a year

Batteries 4 batteries every 4 years ...(£84)

Blacking £500 every two years so save (£250) a year

Oh B*****r Fund..what to save each year for emergencies...(£300)

Boat Safety Cert ...£200 every 4 years so save (£50) for that.

Sani Stations costs....cassette system so no pump out.....

 

is it shaping up to be reasonable?... bearing in mind these are very average costings to reflect the regional price differences....but at least it hopefully gives a workable budget and losses and gains would perhaps even out......

 

anything else I need to add to the list?..... (apart from personal items like food, clubs, internet and phones...which I realise are an even more impossible cost factor to guesstimate)

[NB Alnwick]

That is a truly outrageous sum of money and I really need to get back to work.

 

There are some painters/artists that charge £350 a pair just to paint the doors!

 

Well my 'Plan B' is to have a go at doing it myself using a decent 12mm marine ply as the base and hardwood overlays for decoration - its still in the planning stage.

 

If I had realised what was happening, I would have got few coats of varnish on a few years back but now that the bottoms are going black and de-laminating, it is probably too late.

[Chris Pink]

Thank you for your considered answers so far, and the also helpful PM's I've taken down the maintenance costs to £2.000 and added a repainting fund of £800 a year

 

so now I have an updated list to reflect everybody's suggestions.....as so

 

Mooring, average (£2.500)

Licence 60' is (£676)

Diesel.............. minimal cruising but enough to run a fridge, washer, dryer tv, computer etc...(£187.20)

Gas 4 bottles a year at £30 .... (£120)

Logs/Coal.......... £40 a month winter so six months is £240, round up to (£300) for a year

Insurance...... average fully comprehensive, boat and contents ...average (£500)

Maintenance ..........what to save for usual maintenance.....(£2.000)

Repainting ......every 7 years or so save (£800) a year

Batteries 4 batteries every 4 years ...(£84)

Blacking £500 every two years so save (£250) a year

Oh B*****r Fund..what to save each year for emergencies...(£300)

Boat Safety Cert ...£200 every 4 years so save (£50) for that.

Sani Stations costs....cassette system so no pump out.....

 

is it shaping up to be reasonable?... bearing in mind these are very average costings to reflect the regional price differences....but at least it hopefully gives a workable budget and losses and gains would perhaps even out......

 

anything else I need to add to the list?..... (apart from personal items like food, clubs, internet and phones...which I realise are an even more impossible cost factor to guesstimate)

 

 

What does that come to total?

[Naughty Cal]

Tanis, your oh bugger fund isnt very big. £300 wont go very far if you have a big item that breaks/fails.

[NB Alnwick]

Tanis, your oh bugger fund isnt very big. £300 wont go very far if you have a big item that breaks/fails.

 

I think that is when you take a sharp intake of breath and go down the pub having realised that a boat always finds a way of draining your bank balance one way or another . . .

[Chris Pink]

£187.20 (where did that 20p come from!) fuel cost is too low for that lot even if no cruising is done. I would put £20 per month just to run the heavy duty stuff.

Edited July 20, 2009 by Chris Pink

[Naughty Cal]

I think that is when you take a sharp intake of breath and go down the pub having realised that a boat always finds a way of draining your bank balance one way or another . . .

 

That happens every weekend..................................or is that just the lure of the pub and the pub grub