The Philosophy Behind Sailing Simply and Cheaply

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Yes, I agree it is a trade off. But I feel any healthy years 60+ are a bonus, not a certainty.

Life expectancy for males in Denmark is 76 (that is for males born now, not several decades ago). The "quality" of years post 70 on average is not wonderful (looking at health issues). And at 60-70 (the years many people are expecting to go cruising post retirement), good health is by no means a high probability.

I agree that penniless old age spent in a urine reeking nursing home or wrapped in blankets and eating gruel would be the absolute pits, but how many cruising people ever reach this stage? To spend your good years working and saving purely to safeguard some comfort in an old age (that may never come) at the expense of never fulfilling your dreams is, in my opinion not the sensible thing to do (note I say in my opinion).

So many of my friends and acquaintances have been struck by debilitating illnesses in their 50's (typically cancer, heart attacks, strokes), let alone their 60's, that this realisation truly hit home for me many years ago and is a big reason I am cruising now. Just several days ago with a great deal of sadness I wrote condolence letters to the family of a good friend (early 60's) who died while on vacation last week. We were both god-parents to my nephew. He had barely retired and had been full of enthusiasm for his plans for the years ahead. Apart from experiencing grief, it really reinforced that I have made the right choices, as hard as they were at the time.

This had nothing to to do with Murphy's law - s*** can happen at any age, but your odds start to alter dramatically post 60. I just feel that waiting until retirement before trying to fulfil dreams is not a realistic expectation.

Absolutely , retirement planning often means simply leaving money to your decendants. I often question the wisdom of being " comfortable" or even well off , near the twilight of ones years for what exactly. You need enough to live but not much more. Spend the money when you can usefully do things with it.

Dave

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Doodles

Thanks for getting us back on track. One of the best sources for me on how to keep things simple on board has been Beth Leonard's list of things they left "off" of their new boat Hawk. Some items left off may surprise you but in every case I think they make a good argument for the decision, so I have tended to follow their lead when making my decisions.

http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/Leftoff.pdf

Thanks for the link Doodles. Interesting read. I've made some of the same choices with regard to water, rigging and the head (one is more than enough!). Their thoughts on SSB and satellite systems are deeply interesting to me b/c I've been struggling with this question for a while now. Same with the fridge question.

I've gone back and forth over the question of SSB vs sat phone system. If money were no object, I think I'd have both. But b/c money IS an issue for me, I've been leaning to SSB. The install cost is about the same for both, but I don't think I can afford the operating cost of a sat phone. But it interesting that Beth & Evans chose neither for Hawk -- I know Evans hangs out here occassionally. I'd be curious if they are still without either system.

Refridgeration is another great conundrum. There are many benefits, but there are significant downsides to running a fridge/freezer. Battery capacity, larger charging needs, complexity, cost. Is that cold beer really that necessary?

[hpeer]

Just found this thread, haven't read entire thread, 50 pages, wow.

In case this has not been posted before consider this...

I think it captures the intent of the thread beautifully.


Voyaging On A Small Income: Annie Hill: 9781888671377: Amazon.com: Books

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Just found this thread, haven't read entire thread, 50 pages, wow.

In case this has not been posted before consider this...

I think it captures the intent of the thread beautifully.

Voyaging On A Small Income: Annie Hill: 9781888671377: Amazon.com: Books

Hi hpeer, welcome to the discussion.

Annie is definitely one of my inspirations. She gives me hope that I'm not totally crazy . A definite must-read!

[s/v Beth]

Cool, looks like we weathered that gale...
I am going to by Annie's book.

[marlamoss]

what's the simple, cheap alternative to unaffordable mooring expenses?

[boatman61]

Setting your own mooring... if its permitted..

[marlamoss]

Are you doing that in Portugal? Those beaches are on my list...

[boatman61]

If I'm on board you'll find me on the hook somewhere.. Alvor, Portimao, Faro/Olhau/Culatra, Taveira.. Sagres.. Cascais... if away on a job its a marina till done..

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by marlamoss

what's the simple, cheap alternative to unaffordable mooring expenses?

anchor

[susanna reiter]

Marlamoss...anchoring out. Setting your own mooring requires permission from the local water Nazis. ...sometimes you can...most times not w/o a permit or fee.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[David_Old_Jersey]

No water Nazis here. We used to have real ones - probably why we dont create our own Nazis to keep us "free" lol.

[s/v Beth]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

No water Nazis here. We used to have real ones - probably why we dont create our own Nazis to keep us "free" lol.

Didn't you fight a war to get rid of those? Or did you keep a few in the channel islands?

[PortClydeMe]

I lived in Boston for 10 years, and we would often drive out to Walden Pond for a swim after work during the summer months. Thoreau's home-site is still there.

Times were much different in the mid 1800s. Had Henry Internet access, he might have written "Hinckley: My life on the water ... and how great these barbecued NY sirloins taste while anchored off Tahiti with my AC running full tilt as I run my business from this laptop".

Or, some similar title.

[JPA Cate]

You might be unnecessarily concerned. Tahiti's climate is so benign, AC would be like tits on a boar hog!

Ann