Hi from a cruising wannabe

[isbolick]

Hello, My name is Irene and recently my husband and I have begun to look into sailing, cruising and the liveaboard lifestyle. It is something we have always talked about in a sort of 'wouldn't it be cool if' kind of way, but never thought we could possibly do. Lately, however, I have decided that if you think you can't, well, you can't. So, no more of that. I plan to do a lot of lurking here and maybe occasionally ask the uneducated question. Thanks in advance for all of the information I know I am going to get from this site!

[Intentional Drifter]

Welcome, Irene --

It is a fascinating and wonderful lifestyle. My wife and I are only 5 months into it, but having the time of our lives. We've really only gone a short distance in the scheme of things (Ft. Lauderdale, where we bought the boat, Bahamas for a couple of months, then to Georgia and then up the ICW (with some outside) to NC, where we are at the moment, doing a haulout/maintenance).

We've met wonderful people, had some of the best meals ever, danced under the moonlight, lost weight without trying (amazing what a more active lifestyle and eating better will do -- I haven't been this light since our wedding 22 years ago), seen a lot of wildlife, incredible sunrises/sunsets -- the list goes on. Not that there haven't been trying times, too. Boat maintenance is a never-ending and often frustrating chore. There have some times of terror (dragging anchor in a 40-knot blow that came out of nowhere) and a few tricky dockings. But, those are far outweighed by the other. We've gotten to know great people and shared lots of funny stories.

It is definitely, way cool.

ID

[swagman]

Welcome Irene (and partner),
Glad you've found the site and pleased about your plans. As others have said before, there's no such thing as a silly question......so you just ask away and I'm sure some one will come bacck with some answers.
Enjoy
JOHN

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Irene,
Welcome aboard! You'll get lots of opinions and ideas if you ask your questions in an appropriate thread.
Hope you enjoy the forum as much as I do. I truly have learned a lot here.
kind regards,
JohnL