Are Liveaboards Unwanted? Disliked? All over Everywhere?

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

Absolutely not! No one has any special credentials for their time living aboard or cruising. Those that expound more about their achievements seem to have less.

I want to thank you Hudson for these inspiring words. All 44 of us at St Marthas yachting school for wayward boys, will endeavour to live up to the model you have set before us. Thank you for keeping us humble. It has so much meaning.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

There are no credentials, certifications, or documents to identify anyone as a liveaboard or a cruiser. It makes no difference if you've completed 2 or 27 half circumnavigations; lived on the boat for 3 days or 25 years. Actually, few people have any reason to be impressed or care. I've lived aboard a very long time. It's not an achievement, honor, challenge or credit. It's just the way that my wife and I have chosen to spend our lives.

Thank you for writing that, Hudson. We just had someone about a week ago saying what an achievement it is for us to have cruised so long, and I said pretty much that, back to him: that we were not "achieving" anything, just living life each day---just like everyone else lives his/her life each day. For you, for us, cruising has been a life style. It isn't for everyone.

imho, there's another issue floating around in this thread, and it has a big question attached to it: what do I do when I can no longer sail? or cruise? If one has devoted one's life to it, then one is facing a huge loss. Often, rage is one part of the emotions attached to anticipating and working through that loss. One copes the best one can, and that's all we can do.

Ann

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by weavis

wrong:


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You dont get a get out of jail card here on CF for a claim you make. You get it for approval from your peers, and I dont include myself in that crowd because your 25 years of living and sailing and 2 circs, as you constantly tell us, are more than I can even dream of. But it counts for nothing if you dont have respect and need to demand it or point it out constantly.

I would much rather 'learn' from your experience. Just state it as it happened and stop beating up on us lesser mortals, some of whom are not as less as you think. (Except for me because I do lack experience)

On another note, I truly am sorry that your health is not as good as it could be. I mean that sincerely and with empathy. It will not stop me being an ARSE over your ARSENESS at times, but it will allow me to offer a genuine human offer of whatever help you need in terms of information or if I can suggest something for your consideration, please just PM me in confidence. Disagreements mean nothing where health is a concern. Id like to see you better so we can disagree some more without me feeling guilty over it.

And I feel an ARSE for writing this but hey.. I hold my hand up and admit it.

Thanks for a good analysis.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by weavis

Same year Mary Towns dumped me for Alan Jenkins. B@%tard!

You knew them, too??? eace :

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by Wrong

The fact you do not recognize your cruising endeavours as an achievement does not change the fact others will.

As for the rest of your comment I can only presume you're talking about me. I am not enraged about the reality cruising will cease to be at the center of my existence. Sad? Yes? Uncertainty about how much longer I'll have the strength to get onto and off of my boat from a kayak? Sure. Hoping I'll make a miraculous recovery? You bet. Wondering how I'll live what's left of my life? Yep.

Really no different though for anyone facing a life threatening illness.

As we always say, I'll just do what I have to do...

"I'll just do what I have to do" Wrong that is so right..

[Cap Erict3]

Although the discussion seems to have wandered away from the original topic, I am glad that I have continued to follow it. As always it has been necessary to separate the wheat from the chaff from the idle chatter but it has proven worthwhile for the most part.

The number of times I have been approached by the landlocked with words of incredulity and envy lead me to believe that cruisers are not only welcome but admired by many. I think it safe to assume others share these experiences.

When asked what I wanted to do with my life, my favorite answer was to try to have good stories to tell. Cruising has given me a few.

A good number of the members here are well to do, while the rest run from upper middle class to poor as a church mice. We have potential Olympians and the infirm. Cockpit potatoes and full bore race hounds.

Each will likely feel welcome among his economic peers or his yacht club buddies or at his chandler. Birds of a feather. A few will go out of their way to welcome different color feathers.


While I have felt unwelcome, that feeling was inspired by individuals not places. The cruising community as a whole, seems to be a welcoming one. Curmudgeons, odd ducks and the anal retentive included.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[Hudson Force]

The loss of physical ability to sustain a cruising life is everyone's issue.

With one of us losing some mobility, we look at things now that were never an issue in the past. How high of low of a step to the docks? How steep is the grade from the docks to the town?

We think about our future home and our choices. 'probably a small rental, but we all have other severe choices ahead,- assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospice, life support..... I've always been one to plan ahead, but this is no one's unique domain and there's not much to choose from. I don't linger or depress over this,- 'doing my best to enjoy the most!

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

The loss of physical ability to sustain a cruising life is everyone's issue.

With one of us losing some mobility, we look at things now that were never an issue in the past. How high of low of a step to the docks? How steep is the grade from the docks to the town?

We think about our future home and our choices. 'probably a small rental, but we all have other severe choices ahead,- assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospice, life support..... I've always been one to plan ahead, but this is no one's unique domain and there's not much to choose from. I don't linger or depress over this,- 'doing my best to enjoy the most!

I am hoping to swap lies with you at Hemingway Marina some winter. Hang in there.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

The loss of physical ability to sustain a cruising life is everyone's issue.

With one of us losing some mobility, we look at things now that were never an issue in the past. How high of low of a step to the docks? How steep is the grade from the docks to the town?

We think about our future home and our choices. 'probably a small rental, but we all have other severe choices ahead,- assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospice, life support..... I've always been one to plan ahead, but this is no one's unique domain and there's not much to choose from. I don't linger or depress over this,- 'doing my best to enjoy the most!

Did you ever stay at either Port Charlotte or Sarasota? Both were my home ports. Shallow bay in Port Charlotte.

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

Although the discussion seems to have wandered away from the original topic, I am glad that I have continued to follow it. As always it has been necessary to separate the wheat from the chaff from the idle chatter but it has proven worthwhile for the most part.

The number of times I have been approached by the landlocked with words of incredulity and envy lead me to believe that cruisers are not only welcome but admired by many. I think it safe to assume others share these experiences.

When asked what I wanted to do with my life, my favorite answer was to try to have good stories to tell. Cruising has given me a few.

A good number of the members here are well to do, while the rest run from upper middle class to poor as a church mice. We have potential Olympians and the infirm. Cockpit potatoes and full bore race hounds.

Each will likely feel welcome among his economic peers or his yacht club buddies or at his chandler. Birds of a feather. A few will go out of their way to welcome different color feathers.


While I have felt unwelcome, that feeling was inspired by individuals not places. The cruising community as a whole, seems to be a welcoming one. Curmudgeons, odd ducks and the anal retentive included.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

Well said! This matches our experience too. I don't know what color your feathers are but I'd be happy to share an anchorage with you some time.


S/V B'Shert

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

I am hoping to swap lies with you at Hemingway Marina some winter. Hang in there.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

That would be a great place to line up my 413 with your 415!

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by weavis

Did you ever stay at either Port Charlotte or Sarasota? Both were my home ports. Shallow bay in Port Charlotte.

I did a lot of growing up in this area. As a teenager a group of us were escorted off Sanibel Island after a bonfire on the beach party. I spent a summer break in college camping among the Pine Island Sound islands on my 12' sloop. Nancie and I were married in Sarasota. So yes, this area is on my list of places where I'm at "home".

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

I did a lot of growing up in this area. As a teenager a group of us were escorted off Sanibel Island after a bonfire on the beach party. I spent a summer break in college camping among the Pine Island Sound islands on my 12' sloop. Nancie and I were married in Sarasota. So yes, this area is on my list of places where I'm at "home".

I had motor vessels in Port Charlotte. I was going to buy a sailboat but after studying the charts, all the places I wanted to go were too shallow. Sad.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by weavis

I had motor vessels in Port Charlotte. I was going to buy a sailboat but after studying the charts, all the places I wanted to go were too shallow. Sad.

I loved pine island sound, cabbage key and Port Charlotte. Lots of fond memories there. With luck, one day I'll get back to the right coast.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

I loved pine island sound, cabbage key and Port Charlotte. Lots of fond memories there. With luck, one day I'll get back to the right coast.

Lol. I like fishing so wanted to get places..... shallow brackish estuaries and corners. Ended up with a 40+ offshore motor vessel and relocated it to Englewood from Port Charlotte.