The fee for a berth on Tropicbird is usually set per person per day.
The rate may be set by a hostel you have contacted or are staying at.
However if you would prefer to contact me directly please use the contact form or telephone me for a chat
I shall always endeavor to come to an agreement of mutual benefit
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Costs:
(Amounts are in Dollars US).
I started to break down the costs thinking that each category food, fuel, immigration fees, cruising permits etc etc could each be a shared cost come the time of reckoning i.e. at the cash-out of the supermarket for instance. Then it occurred to me that it would be difficult for you as perspective crew to know the daily rate and budget accordingly, when most of the variables are shared there can be some surprises. So I decided to go the ‘all inclusive’ route as much as possible so that you have a better idea of what you are getting for your hard earned dollar and thus making it easier to budget. The only variables I have outside are fuel (Footnote 1), Visas and Passports (Footnote 2), cruising permits and mooring charges (Footnote 3).
ALL purchases will be as cost-effective as possible, in the case of food for instance bulk quantities will be sought, vegetables from local markets, etc.
Note: I use the term ‘basic contribution’ if you would prefer to call it a charter fee then so be it. (Consider what is written under the heading ‘Free’) The terms and conditions and the general running of the ship and your involvement whilst aboard remain the same whatever you label the fee.
Be reminded: Sailing isn’t free, when sails need replacement as they wear from exposure to the sun and general strain they are seldom less than a 1000 dollars each to replace, a replacement mainsail (good used) will be many hundreds more. Antifoul paint costs 250 a gallon and Tropicbird requires five gallons every two years, plus hauling out. Batteries and their charging systems, which allow your separation from national power grids wear out and need replacement. Lets not even consider the wear of the engine………….. All has to be paid for at some time and the many miles of enjoyable adventure that the crew have enjoyed have contributed to the need for replacement, renewal etc.
The following are some of the items which have to be paid for whilst you are on Tropicbird:
1) Food. This will be included in the basic contribution. I have shopped for groups many times and I have never had any complaints about quantity or quality or variation. As a group we can work out the finer details. The cooking duties are to be shared and so is helping the captain with the shopping. I have no refrigeration apart from buying ice, so apart from Corned Beef in a can I only eat meat when ashore, although for me this is seldom. Fresh fish, lobster etc can be found amongst fishing communities and the occasional fish may be caught from the boat; you are welcome to try your luck!
Note: Alcohol and soft drinks are not included. (see special note about alcohol on ‘Work/Play’)
2) Diesel fuel, outboard fuel, oil changes and filter changes. See Footnote 1.
3) Propane gas for cooking (included in the fuel share)
4) Drinking water, worst case scenario is bottled water from a store. Rain water is a free source and in many countries the tap water is drinkable, some countries even charge for tap water.
5) Water to wash bodies and dishes. This can also cost as much as 20 cents a gallon! Again it depends on the country and the source.
6) Domestic cleaning products, toilet rolls etc.
7) Immigration. Fees vary depending on the country; typically about 25 dollars per person entry and sometimes some exit tax.
Visas. See Footnote 2.
9) Cruising permits: These are obligatory in many countries even if the boat is just passing through. The Bahamas is 300 dollars even if you stop to get fuel, (not a country on my wish list)!
The San Blas islands is 40 dollars and some places there is no charge.
The boat must be entered and exited also and this differs country to country, for example the in and out of Colombia is 120 dollars. ( 60 dollars if the boat stays less than 10 days).
10) Mooring fees. See footnote 3
11) Berth Rental:
Lets make no mistake you do rent time aboard as well as partly ‘working your passage’. This is not hitchhiking a boat. This is not a floating couch to surf. The money you pay for your time onboard outside of the costs listed pays for the upkeep of the boat so that she may continue to be available in the future. Having extra people aboard creates additional wear and tear costs also. The fee also sustains me, again so that the opportunity is available.
Footnote 1: Diesel is fairly straightforward as I know the consumption is 1 1/2 Gallons (us) an hour. Therefore since I have an hour counter the expense can be easily calculated and shared accordingly, there will be a levy on this amount of 40 cents a gallon which will cover the filters and oil changes. (Not too difficult to keep track of). The cost of the Outboard fuel will be absorbed by the above. Current rate is 5 dollars an hour (shared between the crew).
Footnote 2: Visas are not included: The need for a visitors Visa depends on your nationality so check before sailing WELL IN ADVANCE as some visas can take months to secure. It is the responsibility of the individual to purchase his/her visa. See number 7 for passport costs.
Footnote 3: Moorings and anchorages will be a shared cost. I don’t like marinas and prefer to anchor. If bad weather determines that shelter be sought in a marina this might cost from 25 to 50 dollars per night, hopefully this will never occur. Anchoring is seldom charged for and the cruising community regard free anchoring as sacrosanct. Amongst nature reserves, especially those with coral there may be no anchoring but instead mooring buoys for which the normal fee would be 25 dollars a night. Having said all of the above I have and will always seek out free anchoring.
Fees are payable at lease one week in advance, weekly, ongoing
Imagine sharing a floating apartment including food etc, during a sailing adventure to exotic countries and paradise islands. Learning how to sail and navigate whilst quite probably meeting and living with other individuals from all sorts of different backgrounds and cultures; for a fraction of the cost of a BareBoat Charter