Seeking Guidance on Live-Aboard Decisions

[zeehag]

ROFL!!!!

[superdave]

my book list would be , subscribe to SAIL Mag for a year , Then Cruise World for a year, Lats and Atts , then when you are ready to really dig in OCEAN NAVIGATOR, keep a Chapmans Piloting book on hand, Maybe get a sixpac captains course under your belt, and boggedy boggedy out there....

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by zeehag

...............i used to pull the legs off daddy long legs spideys ................

Guess this puts a new twist on you pulling our legs............it's all about memories

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

Guess this puts a new twist on you pulling our legs............it's all about memories

rofl--i was 8 yrs old then....i am a lot older now--aint growed up--i refuse to grow up. but i am older.

[bljones]

ethiwdj,
It sounds like you have bigger problems.
Have you asked your wife what SHE wants to do when you retire?
If her answer is "hire a lawyer' you have some talking to do, as i suspect you might. Something tells me that communication is the weak point in your relationship.

[GeoPowers]

Originally Posted by etihwdj

As retirement draws closer, my dream is to sell the home, cars, etc. and get a 40-50 ft. sailboat to live on. Though I have some experience with smaller boats, the plan would be to learn proper sailing of the yacht while using it primarily as a home until I've learned enough to actually begin cruising along the coast and ICW vs. short day jaunts. My wife is not yet enthusiastic about the idea. She has kindly agreed to experiement with the lifestyle, living aboard a "rental" for a month or two to get a feel for the experience. Unfortunately, I'm having difficulty finding available yachts for that type of rental period without an expense that would be better used as part of an actual purchase. Does anyone know of any resources to find this kind of opportunity? I appreciate any ideas, suggestions, etc.

We always take the viewpoint of not assigning this whole live-aboard experience as "forever" or "permanent". We just say that we'll stay onboard as long as it's fun (almost 2 years now!). You wife might be a little apprehensive of such as major lifestyle change when she doesn't know if she'll like it or not. But you know your wife better than any of us, so I'm sure you have a better perspective on that end.

As for finding a boat, that is a tough one. IMO Charters are very expensive for just a week of fun, and wouldn't give you a real feel for what it is like to liveaboard anyway (think vacation vs. home). I'd recommend you join a cruising club if available to immerse your wife a little more into the culture. Maybe you'll meet new friends who you can tag along with!

Tough to say much more without your sailing experience and $$$ availability...

Frank

[BlueWaterSail]

etihwdj, life is short, no one knows that better than you do. If your retirement dream is a 40ft sailboat, go for it - now's a great time to buy. Enjoy yourself, encourage your wife to join you on your jaunts (no pressure for an all-or-nothing lifestyle change) and with every trip both of you will learn more not only about sailing, but whether it's what you really want.

BWS

[BlueWaterSail]

Originally Posted by zeehag

is much more difficult to find a partner for sailing than it is to find a partner for sex. go figger--isnt the way women see men--is the way men react to a female owning a 41 ft ketch.

Simple, your pole is way bigger than his - and you have TWO!

Sorry, couldn't resist, back to helping the OP ..

BWS

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by BlueWaterSail

Simple, your pole is way bigger than his - and you have TWO!

Sorry, couldn't resist, back to helping the OP ..

BWS

ROFL AGAIN...probably too true...
i am finding the most important thing is HONESTY. without it, there is no relationship at all. there is no partnership when one befouls it with falsehood, nor is there a friendship. how is one supposed to trust the other if that other is unable to speak but falsely?? make sure whatever ye do is HONEST and be truthful with her or there may be a lawyer in your retirement.