Budgeting
We were warned that we would spend far more than we originally planned, and this certainly was true, but, as we look back on the experience, both Barbara and I agree that our plans suffered more from bad budgeting than over-spending. This Budgeting series of web pages was written to help others in their estimating process. There are many choices to be made when you undertake to fit-out a boat, all of which have a financial impact, so we will include the reasons for our major decisions which were often related to living aboard in comfort, and occasionally based on living aboard in style.
The financial model included under the button on the right provides a reliable indication of the likely total cost of a barge. There is not a lot of leeway in cost unless one contracts to have a third party build the ship from scratch. Under those circumstances costs of between a half and a million Euros would not be surprising, and the quality of finish can be marvelous. This was not our objective though, as we wanted the experience of building the ship, and the fit-out was certainly a worthwhile adventure.
The diagram indicates that you are unlikely to get a live-aboard dream-barge at less than 200,000 Euros, as they simply are not available with the necessary equipment below this price. There is also not the potential to add equiment to increase the cost beyond the upper limit shown unless all the finishing is contracted out. The electrics, plumbing, appliances and so on fit a narrow band of costs and the selection depends on how you plan to use the boat.
It is our intention to live aboard all year, which means we need some "wintering" factors such as double glazed windows, good heating, a fireplace, both washer and dryer, and even a dish washer. These would not be necessary if we planned to use the boat for a couple of months in the summer. This planned use also dictates the choice of hull size since year round living is a stretch on a 12 metre boat. We chose 25 metres because we wanted full living space and some room for company.
Size is a factor in several cost items, mostly related to finish. Items like insulation, paneling, wiring, plumbing, and painting depend on size, but it is not the overall dominating factor one would imagine. Size has some impact on hull cost, but this is greatly outweighed by steel condition, hull shape, market, and inclusions in the "sail away" package.
The attached pages can be used to support the price of an existing ship or to set the budget for building. They are based on 2003 costs as found in Holland. They are a guide for determining the price of a finished ship but do not reflect the current market, wharf appeal, or the eagerness of the seller.
1 Euro =
.70 GBP
1.10 USD
1.50 CAD
