My future cruising lifestyle:
I have the great distinction to be one of a few people in this world who have both had and
lost the opportunity to live in the
mediterranean sea - Many have had, and have not
lost, and therefore do not appreciate as fully as they can what they have. As a result, I know exactly what I want and need.
My future life is filled with sandy
mediterranean beaches, seasonal crossings, summer moorings near rocky coasts, and an amazing variety of festivals and opportunities to sample foods, drinks, and other cultural delights.
However, I may also need to continue to support myself and my beloved, possibly as a computer programmer or as a data analyst, working remotely for clients who might be anywhere in the world.
For me, I believe that translates to the following:
a) A cruising
catamaran which will calmly follow the sea without being overwhelmed=
b) Enough speed (under sail) to reliably complete a move from one coastal
mooring to another, or to complete long-ish island crossings in a few days time
c) Not so much speed as to feel as if life is moving too quickly or that I have entered into a
race against time
d)
Shallow draft to approach the beaches and coasts very closely, or even to allow intentional beaching of the craft
e) Sufficient comfort and style as to be attractive to future guests without being flashy or ostentatious, whether they are boat enthusiasts or not
f) Maneuverable and powerful enough under
motor to be confident in
marinas
g) Self-sufficient enough to provide for a pleasant lifestyle for long periods between
provisioning
h) Operating harmoniously with the
environment - i.e. not being noisy, smelly, or a visual imposition on the natural
environment
i) Sufficiently well behaved that piloting her for days at a time will not become exhausting or burdensome for myself or my partner
j) Sufficiently technological that the boat will safely pilot herself for hours at a time while we do our work in the large, open
salon with an eye on the horizons
This is not intended as a list of features, but more a list of characteristics - a kind of "philosophical basis", which I'll later be translating to a list of desirable features.
So far, though, the
Lagoon series is the one catching my attention. I'm not sure exactly what combination of length, style, year, and amenities will best meet my needs.
I invite your comments, suggestions, additions or changes to my philosophical basis. I'm hoping for great discussion, links to other threads, etc before moving forward from here