Cruising on a Shoestring: Realistic Ways to Cut Costs Without Cutting Adventure

The Myth of Expensive Cruising

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: we didn’t win the lottery and we aren’t trust-fund babies. We don’t have an endless pot of money funding our cruising lifestyle. We didn’t wait until we were retired with a solid nest egg either. Instead, we work, we tackle projects on our boat ourselves, and we’re always looking for ways to save money.

Cruising can be expensive, but if you’re cruising on a budget, it’s absolutely doable. You just need to get creative.

Here, we break down the ways we keep cruising affordable for us.

Fix It Yourself: Embracing DIY Boat Work

You’ve got to embrace DIY if you’re sailing. And sometimes, that means getting really creative with solutions.

We were lucky when we bought Raicilla. She came with new major systems. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have boat work. In fact, we have a never-ending list of things that need attention: engine servicing, wood refinishing, sail sewing, and most recently, repairing electronics. If we outsourced these issues each time they came up, we’d be stuck at a dock and broke from paying professionals.

It’s not just enough to do it yourself—you need a strategy. We’ve hauled out twice recently: once in Canada for a month and once in Mexico for four. The Mexican haul-out, four times as long, was still cheaper for yard fees. And labor? A fraction of

the cost. We knew this and planned for the major refit to be done where we could get better value for our money. This meant holding off on some niceties, but it was worth it in the end.

We’d be lying if we said we did 100% of it ourselves. We’ve hired riggers (and watched and learned from them) when we knew we would be in over our heads. We’ve also paid for bottom cleaning and splurged on a boat wax.

But in the years we’ve lived aboard, we’ve learned to become mechanics, plumbers, canvas sewers, and passable woodworkers. Is it fun? Not always—but it’s rewarding, and it keeps money in the cruising fund.

When we don’t know how to do something, we ask around. Cruisers are a resourceful group. We go to forums like Cruisers Forum, search Facebook groups, and sometimes go to YouTube.

Embracing the DIY

Anchor More, Pay Less

One of the major ways we save money while cruising is by avoiding marinas. Sure, the amenities are lovely—long hot showers, maybe a pool, and the ease of just stepping ashore. But they come at a price—more than just money, too.

Marinas are expensive, and they haven’t really gotten cheaper the further from Canada we’ve gone. We’ve paid as much as $100 a night and as little as $40. But those costs add up quickly. On top of the prices, there’s little privacy. Your neighbor is just feet away. They can hear everything, and the portlights are at eye level with anyone walking by. And our dog can’t be left to his own devices on deck either. He quickly jumps off the boat and goes for an unsupervised wander.

So, we prioritize anchoring. We have a strong ground tackle with a Rocna anchor and a full chain rode. We monitor the weather and pick protected anchorages whenever we can. This brings us closer to nature. Anchoring out typically means more space, privacy, breezes, and often a dolphin or two visiting the “backyard.”

Right now, though, we’re on a mooring ball. Yes, it’s more expensive than anchoring, but being anchored in a river with strong currents that change four times a day is stressful. The anchor would be flipping and resetting constantly, and when wind and current oppose, the chain rubs along the hull. We did it in Newport, Oregon, for a week and agreed the minimal cost of the mooring was worth it. We also leave the boat regularly and feel better knowing it’s secure.

You don’t get these views in a marina.

Galley on a Budget: Cooking Aboard

Thankfully, we’ve got a big galley. Because we spend a lot of time cooking aboard. It’s a sure-fire way to save on costs… with some exceptions.

Depending on where we’re cruising, some of our favourite foods are just too expensive—or not available at all. So, to keep costs down, we eat what the locals eat.

We shop at local markets, buy what’s in season, and make meals around that. When we’re in a bigger city, we stock up on pantry items to carry us through to the next port. And when we’re heading to a place known to be pricey (looking at you, Costa Rica), we stock up on as much as we can while still somewhere cheap.

Cooking aboard doesn’t mean boring food. Some of our favourite budget meals include simple rice bowls, tacos, and one-pot curries. We also rely on our pressure cooker, which saves energy and makes hearty meals with minimal effort.

Eating this way has saved us thousands while also giving us a richer cruising experience. Connecting with locals at markets and learning to cook with new ingredients.

When you can’t buy it, bake it.

Living Simply Without Missing Out

Living on a budget while cruising doesn’t mean missing out. It means being intentional.

For transportation, we skip taxis and use local buses, dinghy rides, or walk when we can. Entertainment often comes free: snorkeling, surfing, sundowners on deck, or potlucks with friends.

That said, some splurges are worth it. We’ll spend on safety gear, sails, or the occasional marina stay when the boat (or us) needs a reset. It’s about balance: save on the daily habits, splurge where it matters most.

This mindset: choosing simplicity and valuing experiences over things is what makes Budget cruising sustainable. Instead of feeling deprived, we feel free.

Making memories with friends.

Shoestring Doesn’t Mean Sacrifice

At the end of the day, cruising on a shoestring isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about freedom. By cutting costs in smart ways, DIY boat work, anchoring, cooking aboard, you free up resources to go further and stay out longer.

Living simply at sea has taught us that less really can be more. Instead of missing out, we’ve gained more connection with nature, more time with each other, and more adventure than we ever had on land.

If you’re dreaming of cruising but worried about money, don’t wait for “perfect finances.” Start planning now. There are countless ways to make it affordable—and the adventure is worth every penny saved.