Fascinating thread. Some people have touched on the fitting out comparedto maintenance costs, and the original question seemed to be about maintenance costs once you're gone.

We spent Ł50K on a 1977 40' ketch and spent more than half that again on fit out over three years. (And some of that we wouldn't spend again; however many questions you ask, there will be mistakes!) We had very low labour costs as we did most of the work ourselves, except electrics where we needed a lot of work done and didn't feel too confident. Also we replaced the stadning rigging, a cost we knew we'd incur when we bought her. She is (according to new valuation survey for increased insurance) now worth Ł80K

But she is our home and we were happy to incur costs on living accommodation and comfort as well as radically improving/updating her capacity.

Since then (now only in 3rd season and as figures above show, costs creep up), we would agree with the pattern above - one major item often needs work plus maybe 4% in more mundane maintenance.

So, we agree with the Pardey dictum to 'go when you're seaworthy', because you'll never be 'ready', but also your ongoing maintenance bill will be less depending on how set-up you are when you leave.

Our costs also exclude mooring costs (very much a personal decision) and communications. As you plan to, we partly earn as we go depending on the comms, and that's a very significant feature of our overall budget. Here in Europe though, we have not bothered with sat phone as we have not found it pays its way in business terms. This could change both with location and technology/price improvements.