What sailing on a budget looks like in 2024

If you dream to sail the world one day and want to work out how much money you need to save to get there, don’t rely on old information on YouTube.

There are dozens of videos called “how much does it cost to sail around the world?” on the platform. And, unfortunately, they’re all wrong; they’re outdated. Most of the videos were published by creators who bought their boat before 2020, in the pre-pandemic market. Boats used to be a lot cheaper back then. For example, Polar Seal cost us about $100,000. To buy a 2005 Jeanneau or Beneteau, you now need to cash out at least $130,000.

In this video, I talk to our friends Beau and Brandy about what sailing on a budget is like in 2024.

In 2016, Beau and Brandy bought Saorsie, a 1971 Pearson 35, for just $2,000. They had no experience of sailing or doing boat work, but they refitted her DIY over two and a half years. The initial refit cost them about $9,000.

Since they left the dock in 2018, the guys sailed over 10,000 nautical miles - from Florida to the Bahamas, the Windward Islands, Jamaica and Central America, and all the way up to Rhode Island.

Beau and Brandy have lived on Saorsie with minimal comforts for 6 years. After showering in the cockpit for so long, they recently refurbished their heads to add a shower. They even bought a portable washing machine, which they say is worth every inch it takes up. Overall, since buying the boat, the guys spent about $20,000 on refitting her and turning her into a home. That’s exactly 10 times the cost of the Saorsie.

So if you’re on the market for a cheap, old boat that needs a lot of work, take into account the cost of refitting and maintaining her. You might need to save up for a little longer before you buy. That said, we know many people who still sail on a budget in 2024, so it’s definitely doable.