Hi Rik, If you want answers to your questions, the early books by the Hiscox's describing their travels, and later those of the Pardeys, plus Hal Roth, discuss the financial aspect of round the world cruising. ........or of long term cruising. The Hiscox's wrote articles for sailing magazines, and later, books about their voyages. The royalty income from their books (and income from lectures) was enough for them to build a larger boat in steel, - about 45' as I recall - and later a smaller one - about 36' long in Australia which was their final vessel. The Pardeys, sailed, wrote articles and later books about their travels, and now give lectures, as well. Larry Pardey, having built both of their boats, could probably find work as a shipbuilder wherever they dropped anchor. Larry didn't install an engine in their boats, because of cost; complications; and the space that was needed for the installation, which could be use to better advantage. Hal and Margaret Roth, as I recall from their early books, didn't have any great incomes. They had enough to buy a good ship, equip it, and then went sailing, living frugally as they went. They too, wrote books and articles for a cash income. Tanya Abbi (sp?) went around the world solo in a 25 foot sail boat, and she didn't have an independent income. She too wrote articles for sailing magazines, and if my memory serves me, for the National Geographic, and sent in photographs of her voyage to pay the bills. CRUISING magazine continually has news of couples that are crossing the Atlantic or Pacific, and their boats range from fairly primitive but adequate for the job, to expensive boats with every imaginable piece of equipment and convenience. The one couple does it with a boat that costs $30,000, and lives frugally, while the other needs a boat that costs $150,000, and wants to eat in expensive restaurants in every port. Both get to their destinations, but with large differences in monthly "cruising" costs. Connie