Major leap of faith... Call me crazy (I don't care!)

[wanderingloon]

Originally Posted by Adelie

There are a number of power cruisers here so you should be fine.

The sailors dominate in cruising because it is generally much cheaper so do so on a sailboat. Most powerboats get in the 1-3nm/gal range. Motoring sailboats tend to get in the 6-12nm/gal range. Sailing ithe get 15000-30000 nm/gal (fuel evaporates).

Some things like the ICW the sailboats motor 75% or more because channels are to constricted. For the GreatLoop a power boat is the preferred way to go.

For long offshore passages with questionable fuel supplies along the way sailing is the safer way.

All good points considered over the past years. I’d love to do the loop someday, which is one of the major reasons I went with the MV instead of a sailboat. Much appreciate your input!

[wanderingloon]

Originally Posted by Group9

What’s the worst that could happen? Do it!

I did! After seven years of dreaming and scheming, I bought my first boat in October, though not quite doing the live aboard thing… Yet! I do seem to be spending more nights on the boat though, than in my house that I’m trying to sell. More and more, I just come back to the house to do things that need doing, and then I am anxious to get back to my boat! :-)

[wanderingloon]

Originally Posted by SURV69

Hi .... whereabouts are you in life? That is boat/water life-wise.
... are you looking to "pull the plug", on the sidewalk and grass mowing?

I have found two marinas on Lake Eries that presently allow winter on-water storage(read: I stay on the boat).

I've heard there are some similar places in the Detroit area too ....

I’ve got my house up for sale, and when it sells i(if not before!) I’ll get rid of what I can and store the rest, and start heading up the Illinois River to Lake Michigan! Planning to be in the traverse city area, so will probably have to put my boat on the hard for this first winter.

[Lonestaralaskan]

Wiping away tears as I read this thread. Its so inspiring to see dreams turn into reality. We're working towards that goal now, but it seems so far way. This is the stuff that keeps me going.

[Simi 60]

Welcome aboard wanderingloon

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Motor boats are not necessarily more expensive to run than sailboats. Smaller sailboats with rarely replaced sails and rigging are pretty cheap, but the loads on sails and rigging go up exponentially with size, and with good sails, replaced every 10 or 15k miles, you're spending probably more than the cost to run a comparable interior volume trawler.

Quoted for truth

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by wanderingloon

I’ve got my house up for sale

If you own it would you not be better off renting it?

Cash coming in and a fallback position if the boat doesn't work for you.

[wanderingloon]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

If you own it would you not be better off renting it?

Cash coming in and a fallback position if the boat doesn't work for you.

I have seriously considered that very thing. But I also want to move my boat to northern Michigan and cut ties with Illinois, and so selling the house makes the most sense.

[wanderingloon]

Originally Posted by Lonestaralaskan

Wiping away tears as I read this thread. Its so inspiring to see dreams turn into reality. We're working towards that goal now, but it seems so far way. This is the stuff that keeps me going.

Keep the faith, and just keep learning all you can in the meantime. Those seven years I spent dreaming and scheming went quite quickly, looking back now, yet it gave me plenty of time to learn all I could to be more knowledgeable in finding just the right boat.

[wanderingloon]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Welcome aboard wanderingloon

Quoted for truth

Thank you!

[ChainsnAnchors]

DITTO!
(Female half of ChainsnAnchors here)
Girl, do your homework and JUMP!!
We are getting ready to do the same thing. We are working out the details to allow us to launch. We have been watching the forums, learning all we can. YouTube has been a great learning tool for us. He is an experienced sailor and I'm a novice. His family thinks we're crazy. That's okay......this isn't their life we're talking about.....it's ours. My family is about a 50/50 split. In the process of selling everything, putting stuff in storage, purging away what isn't necessary and couldn't be more excited.

Good Luck!
P of CnA

[ChainsnAnchors]

I get where you're coming from Loon.....
It's about cutting the ties. We have been having the same conversation in the wee hours of morning.....sell the house for cash in the account or rent it for steady income. I own the house, so no mortgage. We decided that if it doesn't sell within 6 months, we will enter into the landlord business.
Good luck!

[Group9]

Many plan, few do.

[wanderingloon]

Originally Posted by Group9

Many plan, few do.

I know that most didn’t believe I’d ever do it... Now they see I really was determined enough to make it happen! ��

[SURV69]

It's been a few years ...

I hope you followed your dreams and I hope you're doing well.

I've gotten stuck on land because of "responsibilities", and my age caught up with me quickly since.

I hope to be in the market for a beautiful sailboat, in the 30 foot range, to chase my dream, again, before I lose out on my chance.

[JPA Cate]

Hello, SUV69,

If you buy the simplest, smallest boat that makes your heart go pitty-pat, you CAN get out there. It will be sort of like time travel, in that you want to think about 1960's technology, and sail as if you were a sextant sailor. Our miraculous electronics don't have the longevity or reliability. They are fun gadgets. One can travel using paper charts (make up a clear pvc envelope for it when it is above decks). You learn patience, and a sort of harmony with weather, necessary to keep yourself safe. You learn about weather and what the sky tells you is coming. It's all within our capabilities.

However, if you insist an all the "mod cons", financially, a whole lot becomes out of reach.

Keep it small, simple, and you've a chance at it.

And thanks for reviving this thread. It was lovely to read through it again.

Ann