Some banned words, defrauding charities, and in the “One can hope” department…
What with the Felon’s tariffs about to ruin just about everyone’s budget, I thought some frugality advice to save money would not go amiss.
- Self-steering gear. In my opinion everybody cruising needs a windvane self-steering gear but they’re far too expensive. The obvious fix to that situation is to build one yourself. The downside being that you have to build it with the upside of having a wind-vane for $200 or so..
- Watermaker. Not everyone may need a watermaker but being able to make your own drinking water will go a long way to improving your life as well as saving money in the long run. Building a watermaker is just simple plumbing and nowhere near rocket science. Building your own will cost about 20% of what a commercial watermaker will cost.
- Instruments. Since most marine electronics come from China, you really should buy what you need now rather than later as higher prices soon come. That said, buy only what you really need and buy used, if possible.
- Dinghy. You can build yourself a dinghy for $200 or less. The upside is no will steal it and building it will teach you how to fix your VolksCruiser as well. Personally, I recommend the Bolger Tortoise.
- Dinghy outboard. You really don’t need one. Oars work, they’re cheap, good exercise, and you’ll never have to rebuild your carb because you got bad gas. If you really think an engine is required get an old two-stroke of 4HP or less.
- Solar. Yes. Don’t buy marine panels but buy them from someone like Renogy. A good 100-watt panel should cost you about $100. Since all solar is from China, get them now before the tariffs kick in.
- Fishing gear. You could spend a fortune on fishing gear but a simple hand line and a handful of lures is all you need. Throw in a handline for your dinghy and a polespear then you’re good to go. A needful mantra to remember is “if you don’t fish you won’t catch fish”.
- All the stuff you don’t need. Yeah, I know, the pressure to conform to the consumerist dogma is relentless but the simple act of not buying stuff you don’t need is the biggest money saving advice I can give.
- Trade goods and marketable skills. We live in difficult times and it looks like they’ll get a whole lot more difficult before they improve. Try and have a couple of possible income streams to get you by once the excrement hits those rotating blades. If you have tools in your skill-set that others need, all the better. A locker set aside for possible trade goods could very well be worth its weight in gold in some situations so it’s something to think about.
- Nomadics 101. Don’t frequent places you can’t afford. Obvious as sin but you’d be surprised how folks don’t factor in budget when they’re making plans. Research destinations, do the math, and save money.
Obviously just a cheat list if you will. There will be a lot more with more details and examples but more about that soonish…
“”Don’t frequent places you can’t afford””
That has to come with the caveat that more often than not, more money can be made if you have a certain skill set when surrounded by yachties with money to burn, than a secluded free anchorage. I checked into a marina once i knew i had a few sail repair jobs lined up, and ended up staying a month due to word getting out about “cheap” repairs. That allowed me to stock up on essentials for a few months, outside of fresh bread.
These days i would rather avoid all people and all work.
Way back when we found Las Palmas just before the ARC was a great place to earn money as the ARC folks were clueless and just threw money at boat work. We made enough money in a few weeks to cruise for a year or so.
I’m with you in liking places these days that are sparsely populated, not a yacht in sight, and affordable.