Ocean Cruising on a Budget

Part 1 What is a budget?: keeping your feet on the ground - different budgets and different priorities, the budget philosophy, capital outlay, running costs, the budget cruise, limiting duration and distance, what am I doing and why am I doing it?; what will it cost? - some typical cruising budgets; the time/money equation - why this year is better than next, and next year better than the one after (the ten-year trap), building from scratch; crewing for others. Part 2 A boat for the ocean - choosing for safety, sanity and economy: where do I start? - construction material, mono/multi, size, seaworthiness and design, the rig, the engine, the yacht as a packhorse, interior features - requirements for sanity, buying through a broker, the survey, what's on the market (that I might conceivably afford)?; protecting your investment - conservation of boat and gear, ongoing maintenance. Part 3 Equipment - necessary/luxury: deciding on priorities; equipment for the unforeseen - economy/emergency - emergency or safety? emergency and safety equipment - checklist and prices, equipment for abandoning ship; equipment for survival and subsistence - economy/safety - ground tackle, self-steering and autopilots, sails and downwind rig, running rigging, getting up the mast, decks and cockpits, harnesses, oilskins and footwear, pumps, plumbing and loos, the electrical system, tenders and outboards, spares and tools checklist; equipment for sanity - economy/comfort - interior lighting, music, stowage; paying for it all - evaluation the inventory, equipment sources - new, equpiment sources - used and reconditioned. Part 4 The confidence factor: ocean navigation - equipment as a substitute for experience, the building blocks, the planning stage, sextants (and satnavs), landfalls; watchkeeping - equipment as a substitute (or aid) for eyes - watch systems and sharing the workload, radar, radar detectors and radar reflectors. Part 5 Money, its care and handling: financial planning - realistic running expenses, exchange rates, the emergency reserve, insurance; paper/plastic - carrying cash on board, transferring funds as you need them; security on board and ashore - taking your sails out of their wind, firearms. Part 6 The people problem: the crew dilemma - the less experienced couple, love me, love my boat, children aboard; life on a budget - and in a small space - acclimatization - living aboard before leaving, budget limitations and the occasional splurge, clothes - choice and care; in sickness and in health - seasickness, health care and medical services aboard, happiness in a hot climate; casual crew; social contacts - making friends, beads and mirrors - presents for local people. (Part Contents)