Another Wannabe Cruiser

[lookin2cruz]

Hi all,
I've enjoyed this forum very much.

I'm looking to cruise for a year with wife and five kids of all ages.
I've been sailing all my life on various boats and lived on a small sailboat for a year and a houseboat for a year so I know some of what I'm getting myself into. We've focused on a sailing cat as boat of choice.

Our "for certain" plans include a year of East Coast/Bahamas/Caribean cruising. Certainly thoughts of a crossing or circumnav for another year or so are in my sights but this would depend on how the first year goes as well as financial considerations.

So two big ?s (yes i've been reading every book/blog/forum I've had time for)

1) To the families out there cruising, has the leap from steady job and available stateside services particularly with kids in mind, to the cruising lifestyle long term been all that you hoped it would? Has ur wife and kids been overall happy with your life at sea? What, if anything would you do different?
Yes an open ended question.

2) Has anyone made a long term lease situation work for a year, and if so how; or would most people definately favor buying? (I'm well researched on the buying side, but mostly in the dark on any type of long term lease or co_ownership scenario.)

Thanks for your help

[maxingout]

We cruised with our children in their teens around the world . I did locum jobs in the Middle East to keep the cash flow going during the circumnavigation.

I calculated what it would cost to charter a Privilege 39 for a year, and it was about $175,000 at the low season rate. I went ahead and purchased a new Privilege catamaran.

Our Privilege 39 had few expenses in terms of maintenance and upkeep for the first five years. After that, the wear and tear of a circumnavigation meant our annual expenses on the boat were higher.

[Knots]

I like this topic ,and hope it grows.

[Islandmike]

You are only a Wanna Be Cruiser if you choose to be. I gave up a well paying job, sold our house, gave most of our belongings to friends, kids etc and left CT for points South. We are presently in JAX Beach FL, but will continue; me, my wife of 36 years and our cat. If you want it, it will happen. Good luck and look forward to hearing of your travels.