I'm living in my car trying to save up buy a boat live on it fix it up and set sail

Listen to Tim. Go simple, go now. Do not wait until your in your 80's (like me) and have to (sadly as a widowor) live vicariously through Tim and the other great UTube sailors. I restricted to Bay sailing (and thankfully) on my old Catalina 30. Keep up the great utube work Tim with all your practical tips and advice, I always learn and bookmark many episodes.

For whoever sees this and finds 40K still too steep of a price, I can guarantee you can do it for even cheaper (albeit less comfortably!). This was in Europe, but around 5 years ago I managed to find a nice Fellowship 28 (a Dutch build from 1978) close to Amsterdam for a bit over €5K, refitted her and prepared her for offshore sailing and liveaboard (275W solar with Renogy MPPT and an improvised galvanized tube solar arch / davit system, new standing rigging - which in a 28 short rig boat like this was less than €800 as an upgrade from an old 5mm gauge to 6mm, installed by myself - garmin inreach, liferaft, VHF with AIS, new Delta anchor and 50m galvanized chain, and many other improvements) for about another 5K - and once me and the boat were ready, I sailed her for over a year, from The Netherlands through the North Sea and the south of the UK and then to Portugal and Spain - mostly single-handed (the boat was really easy to sail, great to learn, but still very seaworthy and tough as nails). Crossed the Bay of Biscay in the straight offshore route in exactky 4 days, from Falmouth UK to A Coruña in northern Spain, singlehanded for the first time on a trip this long, and never felt unsafe even though i caught pretty heavy conditions at times (in the Biscay and in Gibraltar). The boat had enough space to live aboard for a liveaboard couple and more than enough for 3 or 4 passengers on a daysail - or 2+2 if overnighting. It was the perfect starter boat: forgiving, simple, encapsulated long but shallow keel, big cockpit, nice head (not one of those you usually find in 28 foot boats, a proper separate head), folding mast if you want to explorer rivers beyond bridges (a common feature in dutch boats, genious). Ended up selling her but I will always miss that boat. It changed my life and its low cost allowed me to discover if cruising is for me or not without breaking the bank. One of the details you pointed out that I really failed and wished i knew earlier: get a good dinghy, definitely. Marinas, these are the devil indeed as well: it can go to up 50% or more of your monthly expenses if you choose your sailing ground wrong with no good anchorages and / or are lazy. De Kloet Fellowship 28 - if you find one, get it: small, inexpensive, and very capable (there is at least one 27 documented to cross the Atlantic singlehanded). And, awesome content on the video, as always!

Id rather buy a $5000 sailboat and completely refit it the way I want instead of a $40k boat and do the exact same. Just my opinion I'm gonna spend the same amount of money on the refit might as well get the start of it cheap.

That's the most realistic budget advice I've ever heard: "You'll spend what ya have." 🙃

Nice video! I purchased my 1982 Catalina 36 ( hull #11) in 2016 and have sailed her to the Bahamas 4 times and down island to DR and Puerto Rico once and can attest to her sea worthiness and liveability!

All good info. We've been cruising full-time on our Pearson 365 ketch for 22 years and you've hit all the high spots. The only thing I'd add is that you can spend years cruising the US and Canada and, of course, the Bahamas. There are so many really cool places to visit close to home. Enjoy!

The best way to save money is to do the work yourself. Bought a small catamaran last year and have been fully upgrading her systems with power, rigging, sails, the head, solar, vhf, and so much more and probably spent over 5k on equipment but saved 20k more on labor. Most importantly, I *know* my systems inside and out. That is invaluable.

We have your sister ship, Hughes built Sparkman & Stephens 35.5 and we only paid $4k. Been sailing her and living aboard 6 years.. We're sailing the Caribbean now, currently in Dominican Republic, and then S. America. We love her! Definitely wouldn't trade her for a Catalina. Different strokes for different folks i guess. I can't even count how many "fancy" boats we've seen have to return to the states for repairs. Anyway, take care brother!❤️💪⛵

Creative, honest and down to earth. Great episode! Looking forward to another.

I’m surprised you never mention my boat. I got a deal on my 2006 Catalina 34 3 years ago while searching for a 36. Couldn’t be happier for my $40K

I totally agree. I crewed for a friend on his Cat 36 in the 90’s and early 2000’s in Southern California in many PHRF and class races. Solid boat, roomy below, and we loved racing it in all weather, and always felt safe. Can’t beat a well cared for Catalina.

I typically don't hit the like button for anybody but you just got one. Thank you!

Every few years I look online to find new sailor/never sailor advice. I found your channel last week. You easily answer all my questions. Great channel! Me? 11 years until retirement…on a sailboat.

Congrats on your Silver Medal 🥈 they might have a “faster” boat, but you are a better sailor… ⛵️

I would add you need to know how to fix ‘stuff’ - you will save/spend big $$ if you can/can’t master your systems. “The only thing that always works on an old boat is the owner” Cruising is sometimes fixing stuff in exotic locations so get knowledge or keep it simple!

I have a 33’ Ranger, a 9’6” beam, it’s bigger than a 4 man tent; but, just not enough room for all the fix-it stuff and extended supplies !

The catalina 36 is a great boat, also easily sailed solo, but if you are more flexible on your sailboat choices, you can find boats for substantiallly less that are essentially passage ready. Just as a casual looker I saw a Young Sun 35 with lots of recent updates for sale in my local marine website asking $17K. It went fast, and I am sure whoever bought it is having a blast. I could tell it was an excellent deal from watching your other videos that don't focus so much on specific boats, but focus on what you need exactly to get out there and start sailing, like the last half of this one. I have taken some of the steps you suggest, the trailer saliboat and racing. With those experiences I have gotten training on boat handling and regulations by taking free power squadran courses, which actually helped with getting insurance, and with racing I have learned about tuning the rig and setting sails for maximum speed in a variety of conditions. My next step, when family circumstances change will be to buy and learn to sail a passage making boat. Your videos are an inspiration, thanks.

Everything you said is a fact. It's kind of exciting to live the lifestyle in a beautiful boat and review just how you got there. The gentleman in the comments who said that you can do it even cheaper is absolutely correct. If you are patient and study the market and are ready to pounce, there are unbelievable "unicorns" that may be had for peanuts. I have a good friend who bought a beautiful IP 35 for in the $40's that needed absolutely nothing, including chainplates, new tanks and dinghy. It was owned by an old engineer who had health problems. Literally, varnish and launch. These kinds of deals are out there. Also, you are so right...some day people will "Get It" about composting toilets. I have bought four of them for 2 boats and would NEVER go back to the stinky mess that is marine heads. Good on you.

I love your videos. You are a vast source of knowledge. I am a knowledge creator. That is what research people do. I value knowledge and give you a big thumbs up.

Your best video yet Tim! I also agree with you on the Catalina 36 - which is why I own a 1994 MK1.5 (purchased last year $52k) - couldn’t be happier!

Excellent, informative vid as usual.

been taking in all the advice and tips, super helpful! Thanks!

Best, most informative video to date imo. Thanks!

@Lady K Sailing good episode! Keep them coming!

Very good video and lots of cool information. Thanks

Great video. Very helpful

Thank you for everything you do for us. Great episode

I love your channel. Good info.

Fantastic advice as always. Great video.

Love the specifics in this and the way you put it all together so concisely! Well done.

Crisp and clear. Thank you very much Gold mate.

Always good to hear you say the stuff I like to hear; if that makes sense. Thanks for the video mate

Great video my friend!

Really really great - love the checklist and prioritization. Your videos are really helping me see the path forward

Great episode. Thank You.

Awesome tips! Love this :)

Very good video. I think I will make it my guide to carry out the first part of my sailing project. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Excellent advice, keeping the dream alive! Cheers 🍻

Great episode - love that you mentioned a high-volume production boat, go with the masses

Appreciate your content

love the posts... super informative.... we were down on your lake this holiday weekend too. just picnicing on the sandbars in the North East shallows. nice hot days to end summer.

You are so good explain everything! I really appreciate what you do, I follow you ! Is my to do list do this and explain the way you did is so easy. Thanks!

Love it well done

Great video and info. Thank you for everything you do

You give me hope. Thank you.

Great video, telling it like it is. !👍

Its comforting for me that you chose the Catalina 36. With my years of research, it is the same I came up with. That or the 34' . Good vid!

Wow Sailor, thanks for the valuable information

I have dreamt about living on a boat since I was a kid. At 67, I think the dream may be within reach! Don’t wait like me!

Thanks for sharing what’s going on with Lady K. Been wondering since I found you again.

I know you are mostly addressing coastal sailing - BVI, USVI, etc. But you left one thing out that I consider necessary for passages. This is from experience. In a 6 day sail from Costa Rica mainland to Cocos Island, we experienced total cloud cover and frequent squalls. The boat had only solar panels and an alternator. The alternator failed. And we were left with no electric power for chartplotters, autopilot, or lights. I would add a wind generator as a necessary backup. We found Cocos using a cell phone with Navionics that could only be used intermittently to save battery. That convinced me that good electric power is a necessity. Of course if you are just trying to reach Anagoda, that may not be an issue. Or, you could buy a sextant.

16:31 Hello! Great video! Cheers from Yukon John!

Fabulous break down on cost of the cruising life. Keeping live simple and living frugally keeps the cost down for sure. Jim Rodgers

Thanks Tim, a fine timely reminder to "do it now or you'll be another year older when you do" (Warren Miller)

You got some sun! Thanks another good one!

Thank you for your videos. As still a wannabe (just passed my ASA101), this is giving me many good ideas.

Another great video

I am thankful for showing sharing your experiences its like reading a book of life lived and getting inspired by the moment of inspired interest and the reward is understanding priceless thank you 😊

Great episode! Suggestion for another episode: “Double down or trade up?”….I say that because as the owner of a 1982 O’Day 34 (7 years of ownership), I have completely re-fit the boat except for re-powering. I know every inch of her and trust her (having been through gales on the Chesapeake). My questions to you: If I plan to cruise from Maine to the Carribean, should I trade up or further invest in my current platform. Thanks for considering!

It’s like you read my mind. Me, my wife, and son are planning to cruise the Caribbean in 2025 for a year on our Baba 30. It’s going to be a little cramped on a 30 footer but overall not bad and I’ll be into it slightly less than your estimate with the repower, new main sail, new electronics, new bottom paint, etc

Nice job Tim that's a very nice smallish boat.

Great video! Covered a lot in 15 minutes that hit the mark for ordinary people wondering if they can do this. Hope you do a review on Cal boats sometime. I'm new owner to an '88 Cal 33-2 that hit a lot of those marks you mentioned here including an aft berth. I'm very happy with the boat so far but for my needs would have sacrificed some of the big salon area to make for a bigger cockpit, and bigger head, yet keep the nice-sized v-berth intact. (For the record this is a ~$25k boat.)

I was looking at a 30k entry, and air have options around me here in Australia. After spending around two weeks thinking about options I've decided to up the price and footage to around 60k. So I'm putting things off for a bit but landing on the larger option.

Very good commentary

I like your line "Up here in the Great Lakes where we filter the salt out of the water." Good overview, good advice.

Great channel 😊

Thank you for the video! As always it's very informative. I can sail 3-4 months a year, and wondering where to keep the boat the rest of the time and not get my pocket broken.

The Cal 39 is another good option. Fast and points well.

OK, your message is solid, I just joined up, see you on Patreon!

Well said!

Always love your videos and advice, thank you as always for sharing! I know that you do consulting. May I ask how much for pre-consulting? So for example, if I hope to retire and hit the water @ 55 yrs young (~8.5 yrs from now). Can I consult as to boat interested in, type of sailing, type of locations, provisions, expenses, etc? Just trying to help early-ish on planning on better understanding on exactly when and what to expect. Thank you so very much and please keep on helping those of us plan for our dreams!

Dividing expenses into two categories might be appropriate hitting anything resembling ye olde wilderness. Cyclic expenses and non-cyclic expenses: Medical expenses and checkups are good examples of non-cyclic expenses. For seasoned people that might be important. Temporary costs associated with going home, having a break or hugging grandchildren a while, belong to this category as well. Cyclic expenses was covered quite well in my opinion. Personal cyclic expenses can be really low if you got the skill grind away every day at anchor. As soon as you hit a marina costs will climb no matter what. Rest is just a matter of how long and with what redundancy you stay out there. Things will break sometime no matter what. Cheers.

Very inspirational.

Nice Video!

Love the Lady K pic... just off Big Game marina in Bimini....Awesome spot.

Best advice ever

Dude, you do quality work. Thank you for that. I thought I would have gone my entire life without even considering becoming a Patreon, and I likely will not still be, but you made me think about it, and I thought that was impossible. Cheers!

Nice one Tim! Looking forward to (hopefully) seeing you next month down here in MD. Crabs and iced teas (or Cokes) on me

I found a Catalina 36 Mk. I for a friend in California, and I have many great memories of sailing it up and down the coast between Ensenada and San Francisco. Excellent boat.

Thanks !

Tim, an idea for a future video. I would interested in your advice to make sailing more comfortable and manageable for an older sailor (60+) or couple. Would you recommend a certain size or type of boat? Gear suggestions? Etc.

Livin' the dream.

Thank you

I’m taking notes about getting the boat going. My sailboat has been on the hard for 3 years now. I need to install a water maker which otherwise came with the boat. I’d rather sit at a mooring or anchor than in the boatyard.

Retired , from Canada. Beneteau 38.1. 48G in Grenada already that’s a savings in itself. I’m investing more for maintenance and refits but had already figured I would need those. I’m not looking to make money selling , just be safe and enjoy for well under 100G Kitesurfing is my passion and h ion island is my next stop

I really like the Catalina. Not a bad boat company.

Im lucky that Im already retired and my wife is an insurance agent. We are going to be comfortable and get a newish cat that we will be able to start chartering next year.

Insurance and a home marina, especially the later are concerns. I expect to have fairly a lot to fix, so a marina that lets you do DIY.

Hi Tim. Great shows! A little off topic, but what would be the latest you would enter the Erie Canal to get down to Florida and beyond?

Can you maybe make a video about the sailing channels quitting the lifestyle and going to land and farming or doing other things. Could be that everyone story is different some have kids some don’t. Maybe some insight on maybe why there leaving.

I'm 75 and still see your videos - among others - thinking of buying an affordable sailboat (more of less when the purchase price is very close to the foreseeable sale price). Well, only sailboats with built in humidor for the Cohibas. After divorcing.

To be honest you didn't mention insurance on the old boat. Sure just buying the $40k sailboat is doable, but no one should consider jumping into this without insurance for the "worst case scenario" -- you might find yourself up a creek without a paddle (or maybe even a boat)!!! No one should go out and just buy a boat to try this out without having a professional surveyor inspect the boat before purchase -- this will cost another $1K or so. Then you need a place to keep the boat while outfitting it for the passage as well as a place to keep it upon return. Down in the NYC area where i live even the most affordable slip at a marina will run between $60/ft and $75/ft -- so the Catalina 36 will cost between $2160 and $2700 per season (with additional costs for electric usage if running A/C). Then there is the travel lift costs for both launch and retrieval, as well as winter storage (most people can't get off every year to run off to the Caribbean). Winter storage runs around $25/foot so about another $900/year when not in the Caribbean. So ... when you add all of that to the other incidentals that you already listed (electronics for navigation, sails, solar, batteries, engine parts and maintenance, ground tackle, head, water storage, refrigerator) ... I think that the price for all you mentioned as well as i mentioned is about another $15k -- wouldn't it be easier to buy a $55K boat that doesn't need all of the extras added? I didn't even add in the cost of the Rib ... what do you think?

I am in Michigan on a Catalina 30, 600 watts of solar, pull drinking water from lake with filtration system, backup 1000 watt Hinda genset, 100 amp alternator and never go to marinas unless there is no other option to anchor. I have 4 trojans with 200 ah usable and 150 ah lithium to run the freezer. It all keeps up about how you describe. My largest expense is fuel and beer. I can end the fuel consumption if I was a liveaboard but having a job forces me to run the engine. I think this is a accurate video. My question is since the Catalina 36 is less than 20k lbs, how much of a difference does that make?

Just got a 28' for $15g I replaced some windows spent around $10g for solar of course I got things to enjoy the experience but around 30k I made it happen setting sail next week!! I'm 42 and I'm not waiting anymore

The dream is almost within reach. 😊 Just add 25% down here for most costs. ⚓🇦🇺

This is an awesome channel. Your insight and ability to educate in a simplified manner is awesome. You make it sound fun and not as intimidating. But also is balanced with realism and facts. Just a great channel. No one else on KZfaq does what you do. Love this channel so much. And I’ve learned alot and expect to learn a lot more. I’ll sign up this week to support your work as a Patreon. Hope you never stop posting. 🙏🛥️🛥️🛥️

Thanks Tim, I am getting pretty serious, so my question that was not yet answered is where to best go to buy a boat. I live in WA state but yes I like to cruise the blue waters on the other side and I am wondering if you were to assist me where you are at. I just saw my first episode here so forgive me if that should be obvious. Catalina 36 sounds doable, and I like to solar set-up. I really am most afraid of the engine trouble and need some education on that once I know what I am getting... also I would love a water maker. Anyway, which resource should I use to find viable sailboats for sale in the right area, I guess is my first step. Thanks!! Sophie

Cheers.

I just bought a 1984 S2 9.2C (with a bed in the back) for $16k. Hearing this about the Catalina has me feeling pretty good about my purchase right now 🎉 Though i do only "sort of fit" in the head