Don't quit yet, but here some advice...

[rlaribee]

I grew up boating; it was the family business. I've owned and sold various sloops over the years. For years I've been carefully maneuvering my retirement planning around my intention for liveaboard cruising. (I agree with Reese Palley that there's no advantage in dying on land than dying at sea.) My family's claim that nobody loves sailing more than I and that sailing is all I think about is grossly exaggerated.

I say all of that before saying that I love Corpus' original post here, and commend it to others. I've come back and read this again and again. It helps keep me grounded as I move forward in my planning. There's coming that longed-for day when I cast off lines for my longest voyage ever, but until that day, while planning and dreaming, it's good to be grounded.

Thanks for that post!

Originally Posted by Corpus

Are you planning on taking some time off, maybe a year, maybe fovever, sail down the carribean and if things go well, cross the Panama canal and just keep going? Ya so was I, here's what I've learned.

-Get as big of boat as you can handle, maybe even a little bigger. Yes people have crossed oceans in canoes, but there is a reason most people take a cruise ship, or a plane. A bigger boat will bounce less, go faster, and has more storage room. Try living in just your bathroom for a week, or just an hour and see if you still think that Catalina 27' is fine.

-The ocean is never flat, and the wind will always be against you. It was for me and it probably will be for you. Even if you don't get seasick, pounding into waves crawling your way up-wind just isn't very fun (the smaller the boat the worse it will be).

-Invest in a good dinghy, with a good motor. Rowing to shore in a kayak against the wind with your grociers getting all wet kind of sucks. Sitting on your boat all day eating stale crackers and peanut butter sucks more.

-It can be boring, especially if your alone. Yes the water is beautiful and there are time when it is amazing, but a lot of the time it's boring. Eventualy the novelty wears off and you're sitting alone in a piece of fiberglass with nothing to do but look at the same water all day long. Then you get to port, a storm hits and you have to ride it out for three days in your boat because there is no way you could row your kayak in that water. (Longest three days of my life)

-Don't get to hung on the sailing part. Actualy sailing the boat is pretty easy, the hard part is all the other stuff. Reading the signs, figureing out where to go (btw get a good gps) stocking food, buying equipment, etc.

-There aren't sandy beaches where you can tie off to a coconut tree everywhere, or anywhere (at least not in the keys). You're going to have to go to designated anchorages, many of which aren't very exciting at all.

-The moral of the story is: buy a power boat, better yet, convience your friend to buy a power boat. While sailing my sailboat I was passed by many a power boat full of girls in bikinis hanging over the sides, not one sailboat though. So don't give up. I certainly don't regret my adventure, but it wasn't at all what I expected.

[Blue Crab]

Yeah, well, the truth may set you free but won't make you popular. And, that was just the truth for him and his mindset.

[CharlieCobra]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

Must be Hell, Charlie, dropping all the way down to a nine after a lifetime of tens.

After 20 years of being with her, that's her rating from me. Other males may not rate her so high, not that I GAS.

[Blue Crab]

good stuff. I love to run into people who really like each other.

[bobbyg4eagle]

Another in a list of great CF threads for us armchair sailors prepping for when our safe dry land fantasy meets a cold wet reality. Reminds me to actually “dip a toe in the water” before jumping in head first.
Thanks to all for sharing thoughts! Turds and all

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by bobbyg4eagle

Another in a list of great CF threads for us armchair sailors prepping for when our safe dry land fantasy meets a cold wet reality. Reminds me to actually “dip a toe in the water” before jumping in head first.
Thanks to all for sharing thoughts! Turds and all

Yes and no - "Dipping a toe" has it's downside as well, depending on how you do it. Chartering a luxury catamaran with an experienced cruising captain = yes. Buying a tiny boat improperly outfitted for cruising = no.

It appears that this fellow tried the second method. Of course, there is a full spectrum in between.

[aclevername]

I'd say living in a typical NY city or Sf California apartment gets one ready a little at least. You really come to realize how little space you need, especially when so close to activity. I share a 1000 sq ft apt with 5 people, and it works more than just fine. Thinking about the sq ft space in AND outside even my 27 ft boat, its not too small. But it is an adjustment to be sure.

Oh and I don't know about you guys but sailboats seem to be just as much of a draw to the opposite sex, though generally the more intelligent and adventurous types. This does not mean any less attractive either. I'll take that any day.

[boatman61]

ROFLMTO.... you guys watch WAY to much Capt Ron...
NY apartment.... ehehehheeee

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by aclevername

Oh and I don't know about you guys but sailboats seem to be just as much of a draw to the opposite sex, though generally the more intelligent and adventurous types. This does not mean any less attractive either. I'll take that any day.

Learn sumin new ever day!

Confederate Railroad - Trashy Women (High Quality) - YouTube

[nnb4oc]

so because it wasn't what you expected your plan is never to do it again and to try and discourage everyone else in the process?

[GoingWalkabout]

At last I find a thread where the OP confirms the sense of having a larger boat. For a moment I was almost convinced to go for a 45'. Now I'm once again looking for tge 56' to 62' beauties.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by GoingWalkabout

At last I find a thread where the OP confirms the sense of having a larger boat. For a moment I was almost convinced to go for a 45'. Now I'm once again looking for tge 56' to 62' beauties.

Go for what you can afford to mange..

[GoingWalkabout]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Go for what you can afford to mange..

Thanks for the encouragement boatman.

[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by nnb4oc

so because it wasn't what you expected your plan is never to do it again and to try and discourage everyone else in the process?

I think many here misinterpret what the op is really saying. I think his first words are the point here. Don't quit yet! I enjoyed the op's post and I think if everybody kept that "Don't quit yet" message to the fore front of thought when continuing to read, they will see a different message than discouragement. So from me at least, thank you to the op for a thought provoking and humorous post.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Corpus

-The moral of the story is: buy a power boat, better yet, convience your friend to buy a power boat. While sailing my sailboat I was passed by many a power boat full of girls in bikinis hanging over the sides, not one sailboat though. So don't give up. I certainly don't regret my adventure, but it wasn't at all what I expected.

Man, that lady with her blog who dissed the seller who didn't have women on his promotional literature would get a hoot outta this!