What happens to all the wannabees?

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by theDangerz

This thread is Hilareous! How did I not stumble upon this one before??

I love how the usedtobbees majority assume that all the wannabees either chickened out and are sitting at home or got eaten by pirates.
Clearly no possibilities in between.
Ever consider than many of us are simply too busy enjoying our passage drink and watching the sunset to come back and tell you that everything is a-okay??


I was a wannabee.

I always lurked quietly here because I knew that if I asked my questions I'd be laughed out of the forum or worse, scared out of chasing my dream.
I knew that I'd get the same old "it's too dangerous and too hard and too expensive and you don't have enough experience" responses that abound on here when wannabees like us looked for a confidence boost from those who had gone before...

Luckily, we ignored all those posts and did it anywway.

When we decided it was time, we shopped for a total of 3days, bought a boat sight unseen from the other side of the country, moved aboard with zero sailing skills/knowledge and almost zero savings after buying the boat.

We set about teaching ourselves how to sail after moving aboard. How to live on a boat, how to set anchor, read the weather, service the engines, you name it... but we did it all WHILE living our dream aboard our own boat. We still are, with zero plans or desires to do anything else!

We learned what the gulf stream was after moving aboard, crossed it on our 4th ever sail, cruised past Georgetown and Luperon (where many got "stuck" because it seemed too easy and too much like home) and kept cruising south.

We've made plenty of mistakes (that's how we learn) and I have no doubt we'll make many more (because we still have much to learn)... but like everything else in life experience is the best possible teacher and we look back now and laugh at the things that seemed huge hurdles before.

Now over 2 years in... we've island hopped our way up and down the Caribbean a couple of times, are looking to cross into the pacific as soon as covid allows, and honestly - wouldn't have changed a thing (other than maybe doing it a decade earlier)!!

While I wouldn't suggest our path is the right path for everyone, it is clear that it IS possible...
That doesn't mean you have to cut the cord with no plan and no knowledge and no money... but for those of you who have some/any of those things - you're already FAR better off than we (and many others also out here) were when we started, so just go make it happen in whatever path/timing is right for you!! YOU GOT THIS!

and if we can help in any way don't hesitate to let us know!

Bingo
Conventional Wisdom is more often than not Wrong.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, many posters here want cruising to sound harder than it really is to make them sound special. But it really ain’t rocket science. Ignore the naysayers and poke fun at them I say...

[chriskilmer]

Have a new to me Caliber 38. Moved her to Tampa area. Had her surveyed, but many things to repair/replace. Comfort comes later. Stuffing box leaking and beyond tightening. Prop strut loose. Many thru hulls, none with wood bungs nearby. Most are frozen in open position. Head that smells. Have a good haul out place couple miles away. Just getting parts and a gameplan so haulout goes efficiently.

Once I get a minute, need to learn and work the other systems on her. Watermaker, Radar, solar. Figuring whether to keep using Navionics or throw money at a modern chart plotter. Hoping to be out by April, but lots to do. Maybe even sail her!

Been too busy to do much besides the above. Perusing CF and the the internet is limited to solving the above problems.

Wannabee in transition! Thanks all!

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by theDangerz

This thread is Hilareous! How did I not stumble upon this one before??

I love how the usedtobbees majority assume that all the wannabees either chickened out and are sitting at home or got eaten by pirates.
Clearly no possibilities in between.
Ever consider than many of us are simply too busy enjoying our passage drink and watching the sunset to come back and tell you that everything is a-okay??


I was a wannabee.

I always lurked quietly here because I knew that if I asked my questions I'd be laughed out of the forum or worse, scared out of chasing my dream.
I knew that I'd get the same old "it's too dangerous and too hard and too expensive and you don't have enough experience" responses that abound on here when wannabees like us looked for a confidence boost from those who had gone before...

Luckily, we ignored all those posts and did it anywway.

When we decided it was time, we shopped for a total of 3days, bought a boat sight unseen from the other side of the country, moved aboard with zero sailing skills/knowledge and almost zero savings after buying the boat.

We set about teaching ourselves how to sail after moving aboard. How to live on a boat, how to set anchor, read the weather, service the engines, you name it... but we did it all WHILE living our dream aboard our own boat. We still are, with zero plans or desires to do anything else!

We learned what the gulf stream was after moving aboard, crossed it on our 4th ever sail, cruised past Georgetown and Luperon (where many got "stuck" because it seemed too easy and too much like home) and kept cruising south.

We've made plenty of mistakes (that's how we learn) and I have no doubt we'll make many more (because we still have much to learn)... but like everything else in life experience is the best possible teacher and we look back now and laugh at the things that seemed huge hurdles before.

Now over 2 years in... we've island hopped our way up and down the Caribbean a couple of times, are looking to cross into the pacific as soon as covid allows, and honestly - wouldn't have changed a thing (other than maybe doing it a decade earlier)!!

While I wouldn't suggest our path is the right path for everyone, it is clear that it IS possible...
That doesn't mean you have to cut the cord with no plan and no knowledge and no money... but for those of you who have some/any of those things - you're already FAR better off than we (and many others also out here) were when we started, so just go make it happen in whatever path/timing is right for you!! YOU GOT THIS!

and if we can help in any way don't hesitate to let us know!

Bingo
Conventional Wisdom is more often than not Wrong.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by theDangerz

This thread is Hilareous! How did I not stumble upon this one before??

I love how the usedtobbees majority assume that all the wannabees either chickened out and are sitting at home or got eaten by pirates.
Clearly no possibilities in between.
Ever consider than many of us are simply too busy enjoying our passage drink and watching the sunset to come back and tell you that everything is a-okay??


I was a wannabee.

I always lurked quietly here because I knew that if I asked my questions I'd be laughed out of the forum or worse, scared out of chasing my dream.
I knew that I'd get the same old "it's too dangerous and too hard and too expensive and you don't have enough experience" responses that abound on here when wannabees like us looked for a confidence boost from those who had gone before...

Luckily, we ignored all those posts and did it anywway.

When we decided it was time, we shopped for a total of 3days, bought a boat sight unseen from the other side of the country, moved aboard with zero sailing skills/knowledge and almost zero savings after buying the boat.

We set about teaching ourselves how to sail after moving aboard. How to live on a boat, how to set anchor, read the weather, service the engines, you name it... but we did it all WHILE living our dream aboard our own boat. We still are, with zero plans or desires to do anything else!

We learned what the gulf stream was after moving aboard, crossed it on our 4th ever sail, cruised past Georgetown and Luperon (where many got "stuck" because it seemed too easy and too much like home) and kept cruising south.

We've made plenty of mistakes (that's how we learn) and I have no doubt we'll make many more (because we still have much to learn)... but like everything else in life experience is the best possible teacher and we look back now and laugh at the things that seemed huge hurdles before.

Now over 2 years in... we've island hopped our way up and down the Caribbean a couple of times, are looking to cross into the pacific as soon as covid allows, and honestly - wouldn't have changed a thing (other than maybe doing it a decade earlier)!!

While I wouldn't suggest our path is the right path for everyone, it is clear that it IS possible...
That doesn't mean you have to cut the cord with no plan and no knowledge and no money... but for those of you who have some/any of those things - you're already FAR better off than we (and many others also out here) were when we started, so just go make it happen in whatever path/timing is right for you!! YOU GOT THIS!

and if we can help in any way don't hesitate to let us know!

Glad you enjoyed the thread and have survived the transition.

[sailorboy1]

currently I am a wishabe, I bet lots of cruisers are the same

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by theDangerz

... I always lurked quietly here because I knew that if I asked my questions I'd be laughed out of the forum or worse, scared out of chasing my dream...
... We've made plenty of mistakes (that's how we learn) and I have no doubt we'll make many more (because we still have much to learn)... but like everything else in life experience is the best possible teacher and we look back now and laugh at the things that seemed huge hurdles before.
...
That doesn't mean you have to cut the cord with no plan and no knowledge ...
... and if we can help in any way don't hesitate to let us know!

Thanks for sharing some of your inspiring journey, from wannabe to cruiser.

I’m a firm believer that experience is a teacher. However, I really think there’s something wrong with the adage that says (personal) “experience is the best teacher.”
In my opinion, experience doesn’t necessarily have to be undergone personally, but can be learnt through others as well. I prefer to learn from the mistakes of others.
One can be experienced, yet uninformed, or one can be inexperienced, yet informed.
Experience costs you time, and usually comes with pain. Knowledge doesn’t always come with time; sometimes age brings nothing more than wrinkles, and gray hair.
I think that, although experience is a great teacher, information is the best teacher.
I’m certain, though you asked no/few questions, you gained lots of experiential knowledge/information, just by lurking on the CF.
I’m pretty sure you agree, at least, in part:

Originally Posted by theDangerz

I'd say do the research and make your best decision...

[redhead]

I joined when I was a wannabe (I had to look it up - 2011). We had sailed, but it was definitely a pink job deal for me. I knew how to sail, but none about the systems. Weekends and three weeks in the summer. It was easy to recover from any mistakes because I was never far from land.

We moved aboard in 2014. On a much bigger boat. In a new part of the country where I had no network. Where I had to learn the systems or I might crash and burn.

The Forum here saved my bacon. If I needed to know what this thingy was off the backside of my alternator, CF was there. I knew nothing about navigating rapids and currents of 8 knots or more, I asked on CF. Sure some made fun of me, but most didn't and I learned. For everyone who sneered at the question, there were 20 more who tutored me. Yep, just like the old salts used to train the greenhorn on their first trip.

CF is just a larger version of me sitting talking to a man or woman who's been sailing for 50 years, answering smart or stupid questions with the same patience. I'll say it again - CF has saved my bacon more than once.

[theDangerz]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Thanks for sharing some of your inspiring journey, from wannabe to cruiser.

I’m a firm believer that experience is a teacher. However, I really think there’s something wrong with the adage that says (personal) “experience is the best teacher.”
In my opinion, experience doesn’t necessarily have to be undergone personally.

That's why I said "how we learn".

That's the thing. Science is clear we all learn differently...
Though to be fair, while your opinion is that experience isn't needed, most brain research actually shows/proves that experiential learning is far superior for the majority of the population; but maybe not be for you specifically.

Sadly at least in our experience, most posts on this forum are pretty jaded/negative and would lead you to believe there's one and only one "right" way to become a cruiser, which is to take all the courses, sail from shore for 50-60years until you're an "expert", and then eventually buy your forever boat and set sail...

We (like many/most) happen to learn by doing far more than anything we could soak up from a class or instructor... but we also are firm believers that you're not going to get everything right the first time no matter what.
Turns out it's SO much more freeing to simply thing about the boat as a boat rather than a forever decision and to think about this as a trip or dream rather than the forever trip or dream.

Simply breaks it all down into smaller and less terrifying steps/stages that we can handle along the way to living our dream life.

Originally Posted by GordMay

I’m certain, though you asked no/few questions, you gained lots of experiential knowledge/information, just by lurking on the CF.
I’m pretty sure you agree, at least, in part:

Experiential knowledge? No.
By definition that requires "experience" which can't be gained by reading along here.

But we did learn things on this forum though for certain, which is why we try to remember to come back from time to time and be a (possibly rare) positive influence and help others who may just be starting out whether they ask a question or lurk in the shadows.

Though... I'll also be clear that just like growing up; sometimes much of what you learn is what not to do or what you don't want to become.

[theDangerz]

Originally Posted by redhead

The Forum here saved my bacon. If I needed to know what this thingy was off the backside of my alternator, CF was there.

CF is just a larger version of me sitting talking to a man or woman who's been sailing for 50 years, answering smart or stupid questions with the same patience. I'll say it again - CF has saved my bacon more than once.

With this I'll agree 100%!
This (to us anyway) is the true value of CF.

While it may stumble amidst a fog of negativity and pessimism for those looking to get started or become cruisers... when it comes to the real knowledge/details in terms of parts, repairs and makeshift "get you home" maneuvers once you're already onboard - it's as good as accidentally finding yourself at a marina with a collection of experienced boat owners with nothing else to do (but also costs less beers and doesn't require the dreaded marina).

[sailorboy1]

There is the right way, the wrong way, and the CF way

I have/do ask a lot of questions. It is then up to me to figure out which answers to try. And then there are the posters who get bent if you don't accept their answer.

Btw i have been a poster here longer than i have been sailing. In the end sailing and cruising is way easier than it is made out to be.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by theDangerz

This thread is Hilareous! How did I not stumble upon this one before??

I love how the usedtobbees majority assume that all the wannabees either chickened out and are sitting at home or got eaten by pirates.
Clearly no possibilities in between.
Ever consider than many of us are simply too busy enjoying our passage drink and watching the sunset to come back and tell you that everything is a-okay??


I was a wannabee.

I always lurked quietly here because I knew that if I asked my questions I'd be laughed out of the forum or worse, scared out of chasing my dream.
I knew that I'd get the same old "it's too dangerous and too hard and too expensive and you don't have enough experience" responses that abound on here when wannabees like us looked for a confidence boost from those who had gone before...

Luckily, we ignored all those posts and did it anywway.

When we decided it was time, we shopped for a total of 3days, bought a boat sight unseen from the other side of the country, moved aboard with zero sailing skills/knowledge and almost zero savings after buying the boat.

We set about teaching ourselves how to sail after moving aboard. How to live on a boat, how to set anchor, read the weather, service the engines, you name it... but we did it all WHILE living our dream aboard our own boat. We still are, with zero plans or desires to do anything else!

We learned what the gulf stream was after moving aboard, crossed it on our 4th ever sail, cruised past Georgetown and Luperon (where many got "stuck" because it seemed too easy and too much like home) and kept cruising south.

We've made plenty of mistakes (that's how we learn) and I have no doubt we'll make many more (because we still have much to learn)... but like everything else in life experience is the best possible teacher and we look back now and laugh at the things that seemed huge hurdles before.

Now over 2 years in... we've island hopped our way up and down the Caribbean a couple of times, are looking to cross into the pacific as soon as covid allows, and honestly - wouldn't have changed a thing (other than maybe doing it a decade earlier)!!

While I wouldn't suggest our path is the right path for everyone, it is clear that it IS possible...
That doesn't mean you have to cut the cord with no plan and no knowledge and no money... but for those of you who have some/any of those things - you're already FAR better off than we (and many others also out here) were when we started, so just go make it happen in whatever path/timing is right for you!! YOU GOT THIS!

and if we can help in any way don't hesitate to let us know!

I did that, Bought a boat in Fiji, Sight unseen, Spent 6 weeks learning how to sail it from scratch,
Then sailed it home to Australia, Single handed,
And CF didnt teach me how to sail it,
It was the sailors in the pub at night, What does this or that do,
Very entertaining listening to their first attempts at sailing, Also,

Well done to you,

Cheers, Brian,

[Fore and Aft]

thedangerz your even more hilarious, buying a flash cat like yours and going cruising is really not that adventurous. It's more like cheque book cruising and not how a lot of wannabees start out.
Cheers

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Thanks for sharing some of your inspiring journey, from wannabe to cruiser.

I’m a firm believer that experience is a teacher. However, I really think there’s something wrong with the adage that says (personal) “experience is the best teacher.”
In my opinion, experience doesn’t necessarily have to be undergone personally, but can be learnt through others as well. I prefer to learn from the mistakes of others.
One can be experienced, yet uninformed, or one can be inexperienced, yet informed.
Experience costs you time, and usually comes with pain. Knowledge doesn’t always come with time; sometimes age brings nothing more than wrinkles, and gray hair.
I think that, although experience is a great teacher, information is the best teacher.
I’m certain, though you asked no/few questions, you gained lots of experiential knowledge/information, just by lurking on the CF.
I’m pretty sure you agree, at least, in part:

That's right Gord. I have run into lots of people having a great time with life but I notice many that do things the hard way......or.......err.....should I say..........ummmm........the wrong way , ie: dangerous.
I know also. I have self taught since I got my first bicycle at 11 and self taught how to fix a flat. After that repair I had 3 other holes to practice on!. Research is good. Screwdrivers can be sharp and cause damage.

Now I know there are 7 ways to skin a cat but I also have learned that only two are done and eating before it gets too dark to see. I am an impatient type and don't want to spend 4min. dicing an onion when I can do it in 2. And more safely.
I also cannot stand as much pain as others.
Different strokes.

[theDangerz]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

thedangerz your even more hilarious, buying a flash cat like yours and going cruising is really not that adventurous. It's more like cheque book cruising and not how a lot of wannabees start out.
Cheers

I guess you'll have to help me out on verbiage as I'm not familiar with the term "flash cat"... probably because we didn't do a lot of research (because what kind of boat it was didn't much matter to us).

The boat was/is simply a means to an end for us.
A floating home to get us on the water and traveling/exploring full time while teaching ourselves to sail...
I'm the first to admit that it's not the biggest, most beautiful or most expensive boat (they're mostly planned/built as a charter cats), but it was what we could afford from the projects we just finished and what allowed us to continue chasing our dream immediately, so it fit the bill at the time (and frankly still does).

Of course most of the retired crusiers we hang out with in the evenings are on bigger, prettier, faster boats... and that's great for them as they worked a few decades longer to afford them. To us, we made a choice to run away sooner rather than saving more money to buy more/bigger toys.

We still get to spend our days and nights in the same idyllic bays, so why do we care what gets us there?
We also have dear boat friends on tiny "fixer" monohulls, and we could have easily done (and may still do) the same. It's honestly a better fit for how we've always lived, buying fixers and renovating them while sleeping on the floor was "our way" back on land... but when it came to a boat we somehow believed that if we bought a newer boat it would buy us a few years to focus on sailing rather than having to fix/repair/replace everything onboard.
HA! Joke's on us there.

We don't look at any purchase (home or boat) as a forever decision... just a way to live our life fully today rather than slaving away for a bigger house, bigger boat or a dream that may never come.


I am very much aware that we didn't start as most wannabees do... pretty sure that was clear in my post.

Maybe what wasn't clear, is that I wasn't trying to convince you or anyone else that this journey we're on is "adventurous".
In fact... I just tried to describe that anyone could (and should) do it.

Adventure has never been our goal.
Living our dream life was... so we quit the world and went after it - and are now living each and every day pinching ourselves because we couldn't possibly be any happier or more satisfied or any more grateful... that's about all that matters to us. Certainly not impressing you or anyone else with how we did it/do it.


Your post however is a pretty fitting example of what I described our experiences on CF to be (even if you're raising/lowering the bar a bit).
Apparently, now it's not even enough to sit back and try to talk/scare most wannabees out of taking the leap and cruising... but now you're also telling those of us who actually did make the leap that it's somehow "not worthy" either??

I'm honestly not sure whether your hope is to make yourself feel better or somehow to make me/us feel bad... but that fact you think either will work... that's hilarious!
Cheers!

[sailorboy1]

Seems from a few posts that that someone just wants to start a pot verse kettle fight