My wife and I have been discussing doing the great loop when we retire.
The big unknown is the cost to do this adventure.  We realize that fuel
cost is based on the boat.  Outside of the cost of fuel what has been your
experinces for cost of docks, anchorages misc other times.

We are the type that enjoy anchoring out and occasionally hitting a dock in
really bad weather.  We typically cook on board so access to resturants is
not a priority.

Your experinces and opinions in this area would be most helpful

Kindest regards

Not specific to the Great Loop, but we have tracked and posted out costs
over the past few years.  Detail:  this last year we took a break and moved
to Minnesota to help my wife folks out (back on the boat now).  But that
creates some data to compare.

http://mvvikingstar.blogspot.com/search/label/Costs

Some background:  We are full time cruisers (last year excluded) and spend
8mo or so away from the docks - coming in for winter (Nov..Feb or so).  Rest
of the time we prefer to anchor out.

-al-

Viking Star
45' Monk Sr. / McQueen
mvVikingStar.blogspot.com

Everyone asks this question. Its more similar to asking "What does it cost
you and your wife to live?"
How would you answer that question to someone else? Too many variables in
each person's life to give an answer that applies to someone else. I know a
couple that NEVER goes to marinas. I know other couples that ALWAYS go to
marinas.
I can send you my Loop spread sheet that tracked our costs if you like then
you can look it over and see if there is anything you would
eliminate...transient dock fees, groceries, dinners out, car rental, bakery,
etc.
Comes to $15k.
A primary statistic will be fuel consumption. I can tell you what we used
for our single engine Defever 41 but if you run a big twin engine go-fast
boat that sucks up 40/gall per hour then my number is useless to you.
Here is our blog page with our statistics. We used 1771 gall of diesel for a
single Lehman 120 that consumes < 2 gall/hr.
http://2loopersandaportie.blogspot.com/
Now that fuel prices are relatively low again your total fuel costs might be
lower.
R,

-----Original Message-----
From: Great-Loop [mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com] On Behalf
Of jeffrey eischen
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2015 11:00 AM
To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Subject: GL: Cost of doing the great loop

My wife and I have been discussing doing the great loop when we retire.
The big unknown is the cost to do this adventure.  We realize that fuel cost
is based on the boat.  Outside of the cost of fuel what has been your
experinces for cost of docks, anchorages misc other times.

We are the type that enjoy anchoring out and occasionally hitting a dock in
really bad weather.  We typically cook on board so access to resturants is
not a priority.

Your experinces and opinions in this area would be most helpful

Kindest regards

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One thing that I found interesting that effected our cost of doing THE LOOP
was that when we got to the river system, the cost of marinas was relatively
cheap compared to what we knew prior to that. This influenced my decision
making and I opted for marina's at $1/foot more often than at $2.25/ft along
the East Coast. When the weather conditions were questionable (perhaps hot
humid) I would be more apt to decide not to deal with the heat and humidity
for a mere $42 including electric. Heck we had one or two places that were
only $25-$30 per night.
It really boils down to your own value decision and affordability. We love
to anchor out but not in the hot and humid.
R.