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Old 20-05-2017, 09:29   #1
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Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Good morning!

Often we read "We're selling it all, buying a 40' something and taking off for a year or more. Any advice on budget, boat, kids, destinations, etc?"

What I rarely hear is how it all turned out and what was learned. (sailorboy inspired this question) How did the expectations of the cruising/liveaboard life align with the reality. How would you have done it different if you had a "do over"?

Brutal honesty encouraged ;-)

I'll start.

Been at this most of my life so the nuts and bolts had pretty much figured out and knew what to expect early on when we started cruising (fixing things in exotic locations). I'd been racing since early teens, sea scouts, Coast Guard, Captain, etc. When Becky and I took off for what could of been a non stop year or more in our early 30's we quickly realized it got boring (for us). After 3 months we were ready for something else. The days mushed into one another, the ports, the parties. That cruise took us from Ft Lauderdale to Grenada.

The adjustment? Hybrid. We got a partner and began spending about two months cruising, then back in Alaska for work or RVing or something else for a few months then back to the boat. This worked for us and kept everything exciting and fresh. With a partner the boat ended up somewhere new and that alone mixed things up. We did have a business we could run semi-remotely, no trust fund unfortunately.

On the long trip where we raised the girls and crossed the Pacific didn't bump into the boredom issue. That was 3 years full time but we were always "in motion" so to speak and the girls offered a new dimension. In hindsight we should have spent MUCH longer in the Tuamotos, spent the off season in Tahiti, then finished the Pacific more slowly the following year.

Battery about to die on this little laptop as I sit in the RV on the shores of Resurrection Bay in Seward Alaska in the rain. Next Saturday, the Exumas! Hybrid ;-)

Thanks all! Look forward to hearing of your experiences!
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Old 20-05-2017, 12:26   #2
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

In our case, we simply opted for not creating any expectations. There were no dreams of cruising in paradise, nor of sailing around the world / saving the planet / meeting the good native.

The Internet was already present and kicking (2002) and so it was easy to learn beforehand about what it is all like beyond our home fence.

And so we did not have to adjust.

Along the adventure, a couple of things turned nasty (=adventure) the rest was pretty nice. Just like what one experiences in everyday life in any big city, minus the pollution.

So we were maybe lucky with not having any fixed expectations and finding the new reality actually fit our lifestyle pretty well.

Cheers,
b.
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Old 20-05-2017, 13:16   #3
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

The biggest satisfaction I've gotten out of the lifestyle is owning the capacity to be totally self-reliant. Getting into a jam in the middle of nowhere with only yourself to fall back on. Instilling a pride and respect for being alive in the world. Being content and not begrudging anyone else for their actions. Taking the helm and going with the flow in one breath.

Biggest lesson learned so far is that there's always someone more badass than you out there doing it, so just be happy and stay humble.

Biggest mistake I made was spending too much time in a boatyard and at marinas getting everything "just so".

I'm part timing it these days as well. After 7 years I came to want a little more stability. And there are other adventures to be had away from the boat.
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Old 20-05-2017, 14:54   #4
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

We hybrid with a co-owner in the Caribbean - St. Thomas. Great partner, works great for us. We love the shoulder seasons of spring and fall when cruisers are rushing south or north. We haul the boat for the major hurricane months.

We have just moved to liveaboard on the Cheseapeake. Good pay and telecommute Friday and Monday. We are keeping the boat in the Caribbean and we'll spend 8-12 weeks a year on her.

The real test for us comes the winter when we'll move our liveaboard south. I don't know how we'll balance two boats and remote work. I expect I'll spend more time on a plane and more nights in a marina than I wish.

Cheers, RickG
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Old 20-05-2017, 15:58   #5
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

I don’t really feel qualified to offer any deep insights b/c I (we) are in the midst of ‘do it’ — whatever “it” really is. Due to this thing called Canadian winters, so far our approach to cruising has been 1/2 time on the boat and 1/2 time doing other stuff. So far “other stuff” has included house sitting and motorcycle/camping around North America.

We’ve lived somewhat out of the norm for a couple of decades now, so moving onto our boat and sailing off hasn’t been that big a transition. As with most things, we do them slowly, so I feel like reality has matched expectations pretty much bang on.

I don’t have dreams or desires to sail around the world in a year, or conquer the high seas in any way. I don’t have a bucket list, or any place I ‘must see.’ I find beauty and wonder everywhere, so I don’t really have to be anywhere in particular. I’m just living as simple and as interesting a life as I can. And doing it as freely as I can.
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Old 20-05-2017, 16:08   #6
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Our adventure begins later today - Sunday 21st May - when we move aboard and begin a journey. It will be a little longer before I can report where that journey leads us.
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Old 20-05-2017, 16:19   #7
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

How cruising has strengthened my relationship with my wife...someone who can stand a single person watch in a F10 and 25 ft waves is definitely worth holding on to!
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Old 20-05-2017, 16:24   #8
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Well, when Ann and I set out there was no internet, so our expectations were based on the Hiscocks and other authors. The Hiscocks had years of cruising the world and enjoyed most of it We've had years of cruising the world and have enjoyed most of it.

I guess that means for us, reality and expectations matched pretty well.

Jim
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Old 20-05-2017, 17:11   #9
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Our liveaboard lifestyle started 21 years ago. My health dicated we get out of the rat race and although we always intended to retire to a yacht - the life style just came much earlier than we expected.

Our journey from coastal cruising to off shore adventures grew as my health improved and finally was I given the go ahead to a roving life with constant medication but no more specialists.

We have travelled many ocean miles, met fascinating people, explored other countries and experienced many different cultures, shared the wonders of land and ocean creatures, but above all, we are part of a cruising family.

Life has many ups and downs but our cruising life style saved my life and my captain and I make the most of every day.

Sue
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Old 21-05-2017, 16:37   #10
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

A great economics professor once told me that there are only two truths. The law of diminishing marginal utility and that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Everything gets old.
Started sailing at 13. Lived aboard a great Passport. Charter captain for quite a few years. Now enjoy working on my boat more than I do sailing. Variety is the spice of life. Each to their own. Feel sorry for those stuck in a rut all of their lives no matter how much money they make or fame gained.
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Old 21-05-2017, 17:39   #11
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Enjoy every minute and congratulations!

Check back in May 21, 2018 :-)

Where are you heading?
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Old 21-05-2017, 17:43   #12
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Thanks to all who posted so far and the awesome "Tales of the South Pacific" posted on another thread.

I'm really interested in those who started "cold". Got the bug, not a ton of experience, wrote here for sage advice, sold it all and took off.

If that's you chime in.

Love these stories and the variety of responses. Awesome!

If
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Old 21-05-2017, 17:57   #13
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Quote:
Originally Posted by akprb View Post
I'm really interested in those who started "cold". Got the bug, not a ton of experience, wrote here for sage advice, sold it all and took off.
What you're fishing for I think this is your thread. +800 posts. Should keep you busy reading and answer all your questions. Enjoy!

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ees-89655.html
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Old 21-05-2017, 19:20   #14
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Our expectations have pretty much matched the reality.

My partner and I are a couple who started "cold", as you put it. We took sailing lessons through ASA 101 & 103. Bought our Slocum 43 with the intent to live aboard. Found that due to our inexperience, we couldn't get insurance without agreeing to not leave the marina without a certified capt. on board. Got lucky and found a great guy in our marina. After a few months, he was willing to sign the certification for our insurance.

Then I learned there was a marine technical school in Anacortes that I could attend. It was a great opportunity to learn the boat systems at fairly low cost and also gain access to some excellent tools. During the summer recess, we began our big refit. 30+ years, the boat needed a serious overhaul. A 4-6 week overhaul turned into 4-6 month refit. Ouch!

The refit ended in December and it gave me time to slowly wrap up the closing of my business and tie up loose ends. Earlier, we had divested ourselves of books, houses, etc. May 1st of last year was the time to get rid of the car as well and untie the dock lines.

We had a great time cruising up the inside passage from Tacoma to Haines, AK. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to winter-over in Sitka, AK and cruise down the outside coast April of this year.

Bounce off a rock, check.
Drag anchor until the hull was a foot from the rocks while stern tied, check.
Alternator stopped charging, check.
Motoring into 40+ knots with who knows how many feet waves, check check. (It took 6 hours to go 10nm and safe harbor!)

But it seemed like the trials came at a pace that gave us a good education without breaking our confidence. Wow did we learn stuff! Lots of reading of forums and FB groups and books/magazines helped a lot as well.

Two things were unexpected.

1) How much work was needed on the boat before I felt that we could rely on the systems.

2) How pitiful the state of the marine services industry is. Finding a reliable diesel technician was virtually impossible. This convinced me more than anything else to attend the marine technical school. There I learned not only diesel, but also electrical systems, and plumbing.

We just finished coming down the west coast of Vancouver Island and after visiting Puget Sound again and picking up a new drifter and windvane, we will most likely be heading toward Mexico in August.

Approach cruising with the attitude that there is no destination, only the journey. If the journey isn't being fun, then tack away and begin a different one!
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Old 21-05-2017, 20:22   #15
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Re: Your Backstory......expectations vs reality

Thumbs Up :-)

That being said if everyone looked for old topical threads we wouldn't need the forum ;-)

Thanks! Will check out!
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