Small Boat Blues

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Janae

Wrong on all counts. We've spent a good portion of our life being true backpackers. Something that even most sailors aren't capable of. I know we're cut out for this, in that regard. However, living in the wilderness on open spaces away from civilization is one thing; living in a confined 27' area next to hundreds of other people is another.

The mate and the dog are the other beings that I'd ever consider doing any other this with. I probably would have snuffed out anyone else.

Thanks for the post, but way off.

the sooner you leave,the sooner you will lose the crowds,on any boat no matter what size once you are on the way everything quickly finds its natural place.............a bigger boat will not nessacaraly help with the agraphobia.......

[Janae]

Originally Posted by tgzzzz

Pardon my belabored point: think about the friggin dog! You love the dog. The dog loves you. But betcha the dog doesn't love boat life. I don't want to get off on a rant here but damn, there's nothing for the dog in your scenario. Slippin and slidin on deck, always has to go too long between, ahem, potty breaks, no where to run. Loan out the dog for a year and go sailing. You have all the boat you need.

Nope - she loves the boat. That isn't me imposing my hopes/desires/what ever you want to call it on her. We would never have stayed this long if she hadn't liked the boat. When we go out sailing, she likes to stand at the bow of the boat smelling the air. She's a water hound, so she like's to swim all the time.

I genuinely love her - I wouldn't put her through something that I thought made her unhappy. She isn't sequestered to the boat, she's roaming around with me every second of the day. We've decided to change our ultimate goal because we don't want to cut her out of our plans. Compromise for all involved.

[Hillbillyfunk]

as a single hander my opinion should be taken with an ocean of salt, but get the hell out of Boot Key Harbor! that place is where boats (and their owners) go to die.... take a 2 week cruise, up and down the length of the keys, visit Dry Tourtugas, just get moving, keep moving, anchor out, avoid landfall for 3 days on end (how's the dog handle the poop deck?) and if your boat is still too small Nassau is only 4 days away and full of cheap sailboats.

[Janae]

Originally Posted by atoll

the sooner you leave,the sooner you will lose the crowds,on any boat no matter what size once you are on the way everything quickly finds its natural place.............a bigger boat will not nessacaraly help with the agraphobia.......

You hit the nail on the head. I think that is definitely one of the major problems here; Agoraphobia. Not that I'm actually phobic, but I'm a granola girl. Wilderness, isolation, back packing - I've spent my life in the woods and I've never had to live in a place with so many people before! There's no where to retreat to for solitude!

We're realizing that our problems might not be with the boat size, but with the area we're keeping it. The Keys have way too many people for two peas in a pod like us. We're booking it to the Bahama's as soon as hurricane season ends!

[atoll]

the hardest part is allways leaving on a new venture,it get's much easier once you are on the way,plus your real goals become much clearer.

agraphobia,take the boat out,even if only to anchor off the end of the breakwater.......

people ;every body has got a story,interact it can be fun.........you might be surprised who your neighbours are,and what they've done in their lives...........

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by easterly38

Here's the thing on a crappy market for selling a boat, or house for that matter. Let's say you sell for 20% less that what the boat should be worth. The guy you're buying from is probably taking the same percentage of loss on his. So, as long as you're moving up in price range (and presumably in size as well), in actual dollars, you're coming out ahead.

In fact, one is more ahead because the actual dollar amount that the larger boat is being discounted is greater due to the higher starting price (assuming both boats were discounted the same percentage).

[JoeDiver]

Just curious....when out on the boat for extended times....where does the dog go....you know....how do you provide for that?

Legitimate question...I really don't know.....

[Janae]

Originally Posted by JoeDiver

Just curious....when out on the boat for extended times....where does the dog go....you know....how do you provide for that?

Legitimate question...I really don't know.....

Legitimate question! For our furball, we have a grass turf for her to do her business. Took some training, and she wasn't too stoked about it to start, but she adapted. On a day to day basis, she's on shore with me from sun up to sun down. Right now for instance, she's lounging in the marina office lavishing all the attention she's receiving from everyone. It's a tough life. She only needs to step up to the plate of 'boat duty' when we're underway for more than a day (which, sadly, is far and few between).

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[JoeDiver]

Ahhh! Sort of like paper training a puppy.....

I have a cat and a bird, so those considerations are much easier for me...but I've wondered what dog owners do....thanks.

[susan kennedy]

Originally Posted by Hillbillyfunk

as a single hander my opinion should be taken with an ocean of salt, but get the hell out of Boot Key Harbor! that place is where boats (and their owners) go to die.... take a 2 week cruise, up and down the length of the keys, visit Dry Tourtugas, just get moving, keep moving, anchor out, avoid landfall for 3 days on end (how's the dog handle the poop deck?) and if your boat is still too small Nassau is only 4 days away and full of cheap sailboats.

Yes

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by Janae

Legitimate question! For our furball, we have a grass turf for her to do her business.

Are you using real turf or the "astro" variety. Locally I have seen a product with that goal in mind for sale (a bit on the expen$ive side) but was concerned that it would get a bit stinky after a while. How do you find the odor containment to be?

[mrohr]

I love my dog almost as much as wife and kids. i would never cruise with him (35#).
A cat maybe.

[Janae]

Originally Posted by ADMPRTR

Are you using real turf or the "astro" variety. Locally I have seen a product with that goal in mind for sale (a bit on the expen$ive side) but was concerned that it would get a bit stinky after a while. How do you find the odor containment to be?

We use astro turf. She doesn't have to use it often, since she's frequently on sure. We haven't had any issues with smell so far. We dunk it thoroughly after use, as well as spray with Marine Simple Green. It's worked great so far! Best of luck!