Purchased boat January of last year, finally got to her in September, moved aboard, and started getting ready to go.
This was the first we really cruised the boat. So far this year, we've put over 4000 miles and around 650 hours on the boat, with about 500 of that to Glacier Bay, Alaska and back.
We burned right on 3.0 GPH over just under 3000 nautical miles, with an average speed of about 7.2 kts. That burn includes about 50 hours of standby engine generator use (due to a mechanical problem, and before we got the solar up and running), as well as hydronic (diesel fired) heat as needed. Also includes running the hydraulic driven 12kw 120v generator while underway. Sooooo, about $9,000 so far this year spent on diesel.
Was that painful? Yes, it was, but what would have been MORE painful would have been to have not made the trip! It may be our only opportunity to cruise to Alaska, as we plan on heading South next year to Sea of Cortez, then in 2024, head through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean and from there, who knows? Bahama's and the East Coast of the US definitely in the plans, but nothing set in stone. Bottom line, the cost of fuel, to a point, is not going to restrict our cruising. Going down the coast, we may cruise at 6 kts instead of 7.5, but distance will probably be the same.
We're not rich, but we have enough.
We had a Class A motor home for a number of years as well. Sold it December of last year for more than we thought we would, so had more money for boat upgrades/fuel than we thought. Cost of fuel never restricted our wheeled travels either, although wife heard occasional grumbling every time we filled up.
If we hadn't bought the boat, and started using her, we be in our house in KY wondering if the grass needs mowing, or whatever. Much rather be on the boat.