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**Ex-Calif** · 28-04-2018, 07:28

Hey to all the CF-ers. Been lurking the past few days. I see a lot of recognizeable names and a lot of new names but CF is still trucking along.

Time passes and as I get more "senior" seems to pass faster. Left Singapore in 2015 and sold the boat. Did some crewing the first year lake sailing but it got kinda boring fast. Never one to live without a hobby I am now messing around with old cars. Specifically MGs. Buy in was cheap, maintenance and messing around takes about the same as a smallish boat and car shows are fun throughout the summer.

But the bucket list still has "live on a boat" staring at me and a check of the calendar reveals that I become "retirement eligible" in 3 short years! Yikes. More likely it will be 5-7 but who knows...

My second divorce cleared in 2013 but the finance fight took 4 more years and with the final settlements done and having my wallet removed through my a$$hole I can now get back on path for the liveaboard "dream." Yes I have become a dreamer again...

I've lowered my sights from big cats to modest monos. I also have changed my destination from Asia to the Caribbean sea somewhere. My current Ms. is from Colombia and in fact this week we are in Cartagena vacationing. The better half has an apartment here on the beach so that's nice! It's usually rented out but is between renters so we are cleaning, painting and decorating to re-rent it asap. Fortune favors the lucky - LOL.

As with my luck with the gentler species I think it prudent to have alternate plans and have considered "partnering" with another guy - not financially in the boat (had my share of partnering - yuck) but maybe someone who "wants to go," shares a compatible persona and would enjoy double handing in stead of single.

I probably won't post a ton but I am gonna start seeking advice in the liveaboard's forum. I am thinking retirement visas for somewhere on the Caribbean sea or adjacent. Colombia, Belize, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica are currently on the shorter list with a couple of others.

Aside from safety, cost of living, medical etc. It will be important to have good boat facilities. We may end up in Cartagena for convenience and split our time in condo and boat. 6 months cruising, 6 months holing up.

So that's the long version - Nice to be lurking...

PS - Here's a couple of gratuitous car shots. "Red Betty" is the convertible and she is in dire need of paint and body. Mechanically she is now aces and a blast to drive - hence my hesitation to tear her apart. Bart (Simpson) is the GT - He's yellow and naughty. Not as much fun to drive but has become my "go to shows" car. They keep me occupied and out of strip clubs while boatless - LOL...

senormechanico · 28-04-2018, 08:30

Welcome back !

**Wotname** · 28-04-2018, 15:22

Welcome back +1, I've missed you

Thanks for the lifestage update and your MG obsession/porn. Great cars to mess with!

**boatman61** · 28-04-2018, 17:30

Hey Ex.. Welcome back mate..

Good to see the Dream lives on...

Vasco · 28-04-2018, 17:45

Welcome back. The threads have not changed. What's a blue water boat? No Lotus Sevens?

**Don C L** · 28-04-2018, 22:06

Aha! Couldn't stay away eh? I like that MGBGT ya got there!... sometimes I ponder a shop restoring good old sailboats in my retirement years... but I gotta sail too ....