The adventure begins...

[MrReedatsea]

There are a lot of people who have a dream but my impression is that it's a small percentage who will follow through. Life has a way of creatively interfering with the best laid plans. That said, it seems my plans for a new adventure are nicely falling into place.

After 25 years as a middle school science teacher and wrestling coach, I've taken a year-long sabbatical to go sailing. In the past month I've accomplished the following:

1. Secured approval for my sabbatical.
2. Rented my home.
3. Reached the amount of money in my savings account that I've budgeted for the year.
4. Sold my motorcycle.
5. Had my offer accepted on a sailboat that meets all my personal requirements. (Yes. I've been following the forum. The offer is subject to a survey and sea trial.)
6. Acquired the web site MrReedatsea.com so my students can follow along.

In March I'll close on my new (to me) sailboat, an O'Day 322, and spend my spring break sailing, getting used to her, and figuring out any issues. In June when school lets out I'll be heading to the Bahamas and then points south.

There will be questions and a lot of "what ifs" along the way, but isn't that what makes life interesting?

Soon I'll be Mr. Reed at sea sailing on an O'Day 322 that will become know as S/V SeaReed. What could go wrong?

[skipmac]

Congratulations Mr. Reed,

I can think of one, really big thing that could go wrong. You sail off into the sunset and love it so much you never want to come back. Be careful.

[Tayana42]

The greatest lesson you can teach your students is to have a dream, make a plan and follow it through to achieve what you dreamed. Good for you.


S/V B'Shert

[SV THIRD DAY]

What can go wrong, he asks...
plenty....but they will just be part of the Cruising Adventure and make for good stories later. Good luck amigo!

[boatman61]

Congratulations.. enjoy the rewards of your labours.

[MrReedatsea]

Sailing toward the sunset is always a possibility but I have two more years teaching before I can "officially" retire.

[SeaYote]

Bon Voyage, Mr. Reed! You're opening the world for your students. Safe journeys.

[Hudson Force]

As another science teacher at sea, I'll look forward to hearing of your adventures. We'll likely be returning from the Bahamas in June. Where will you be beginning your voyage?

[MrReedatsea]

School lets out June 2nd and the plan is to be on the water sometime the next week heading east to Bimini. After that, I'll let the wind and weather decide but I REALLY want to make a stop in Cuba at some point...

[RKO]

Fair winds, Mr. Reed!

[a64pilot]

My wife is a Middle School Science Teacher too, we leave Summer of 17, but it will be before she reaches full Retirement.
The tough part for you I believe will be to return for those two years

[MrReedatsea]

It might be tough but I'll have a boat I'm experienced sailing and I only work 182 days a year

[Hudson Force]

So then I guess your boat is in South Florida. All I saw was the Indiana location. Crossing over to Bimini from Florida locations at Miami or south are good trips. Angelfish Creek makes for a nice departure point.

[ericoh88]

Mr Reed

Living your dream

When I was at Outward Bound, Lumut Malaysia some 30 years ago, a couple from the US on their RTW came to join us for the evening bbq dinner. We talked. They pointed to their boat on anchor and what they were doing. At that moment, the idea of cruising caught my imagination that some day, some day I am going to do just that - liveaboard and cruising.

Since then I have made so many friends through amateur radio to set up contacts to meet in Port Klang.

Mr Reed , you are going to inspire a lot of young people :-)

[Krakato]

We just sold our motorcycles yesterday. It killed my soul, but I just couldn't figure out how to get my GoldWing onto my boat.

Wife is moving on board in two weeks to get the boat prepped. I'm heading out in December of this year (as soon as the pension kicks in!). The house has been emptied and I'm moving into our RV for the next 9 months. But so far, everything is going according to plan. I'm just waiting for the next hiccup in the road!