Sailing Cost

[Jgold46]

I read an article that stated the cost to run a sailing cat was approximately the same as a power cat. How can that be?

[Nausicaa]

what does the writer of the article say?

[Jug]

The cost of running a sailboat is based on LOTS of variables such as where you are, the type of sailing you do, and how anxious you are to have the latest of gadgets aboard.

[Osiris]

You got to be kidding on that article about costs. When sailing your fuel costs are nil - the wind is free. When running the engine(s) on a power yacht the diesel is US $3 to 4 gallon times your hourly consumption times your journey length.
Maybe the other costs of maintenance, insurance, food and consumables are close to the same between the two versions - - but the major cost is the price of fuel to move the boats from place to place.
For example in the computer world they just about give away the inkjet and laser printers - because they know they are going to make millions on your purchases of ink cartridges. The basic selling price of the two yachts is probably close - - but the operating costs are vastly different.
Believe me if the total costs were even close between sail and power yacht = 3/4 of all sailors would be on power yachts. We are out here cruising to see the world and experience the joy of beautiful islands, their people and the adventure of the seas. Getting from one place to the next place is less than 10% of the time we spend cruising.

[Randyonr3]

I can see this to be a very true statement..cost being equal.
We've been cruising for 4 years now, full time. and the start of the cost for the sails for this FIRST 42 were around 22 thousand. thats a full set, main, roller 135, staysil, drifter and a cruising spinnaker.. the running rigging is over 1000 feet and better than 2.50 to 3.00 per foot..
Just in sails and rigging we've got 25 thousand dollars..thats alot of fuel... Cost of fuel IS at a high of around 4.00 per gallon but thats in the US... In Equador its less than 50 cents a gallon..
Now figure that most of your time cruising is at anchor and even in the sailboat, we motor from anchorage to anchorage if less than a couple miles.
I've spoken to many cruisers in trawelers that say the cost is very resonable..
Where you're going to see a difference is in crossing oceans,
If thinking of a power cat, you might check into the new diesel electric units.. you can off-set the power consumed with solar and wind charging.. for long distance, you fire up the diesel generator...