Full Time Cruiser on the 'Dark Side' Now

[SharAndy]

A former sailor with limited experience (Hunter 25 & Catalina 27) I moved to the dark side aboard our 50' DeFever trawler when we retired. We gained a lots of skill sets - many the hard way but love the life! We've been cruising full time from Canada to the Bahamas over the past 2 1/2 years. Currently on our way to the Caribbean, all the way to Grenada for a couple of years or so. You sailors cruise further & longer, therefore, your website is of great interest to me. I hope to learn lots about the Caribbean and other areas from you all.

[boatman61]

Greetings Turncoats...
Just joking...lol Welcome to CF.. sure the Caribbean folks on here will be able to point out some nice spots and helpful tips to help you on your way thro' the Islands... Enjoy..

[atoll]

dark side? most yachties motor every where any way................. welcome to the froom.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Yachtsmen motor

Sailors sail

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here. When the wind dies I transform into a powerboater pretty quickly.
kind regards,

[David M]

Most sailboats over 20 feet are stinkpots in disguise....don't feel bad. Ask 'em....they will never admit to having heard the word Volvo or Yanmar.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by David M

Most sailboats over 20 feet are stinkpots in disguise....don't feel bad. Ask 'em....they will never admit to having heard the word Volvo or Yanmar.

perkins and yannie are my friends but i sail-- boat over 40 ft-- full keel-- some places dang tight.... gotta give her a good goosing to brong her around well...... a la cpt ron..LOL....
defever is a goo dboat-- coolest-- have fun and welcome to the world..LOL

[SaltyMonkey]

I've secretly looked at trollers and trawlers this last year as a possibility for cruising and livaboard. Better living spaces, secure helm, simpler maintenance and the like. There are great deals out there right now due to economy. Unfortunately there are great deals out there because it costs $5,000 to fill your tank thanks to oil costs, so I am stickin' in the sailing boat search.

But, bottom line is there are a lot of benefits to power boats, and with stabilizers can cross oceans - no matter what people say.

[David M]

When run below hull speed, power boats are not that uneconomical. 2-3 GPH is not so bad. What's a new set of sails and replacing rigging cost? I don't want to start an argument but those are costs unique to sailboats.