We finally did it...

[cbell]

Both my wife and I were in the US Navy, and loved being out at sea. That was when we were both in our 20's. Now we are both 55, the kid is grown, and we are in a better place to start enjoying our life. We have just purchased a 1990 Catalina 34, owned by an older gentleman for years. He was very picky about his baby, and it showed. We had it surveyed, hauled out, looked over with a fine tooth comb, and the end result? According to the surveyor, the boat shows like it was 5-6 years old. We couldn't be happier. Throughout this process, we went to dozens of marina's, and the feeling we have now, is that the people involved with boating in general, are some of the nicest people on earth. Completley different from the general public in our opinion. We may be starting our sailing life a little late, but sure are looking forward to meeting new friends.

[Tayana42]

Good for you both. Congrats on finding a boat in good shape. Jacksonville is a great place to get back into sailing. The Saint Johns river is wide ( though not deep so watch your depth sounder ) and easy sailing up river or out to the ICW or through the inlet to the Atlantic. Jykle Island is a great destination and so is St. Augustine. Enjoy.


S/V B'Shert

[sailorboy1]

Congrats

My wife and I were also in the Navy, hated being at sea. But that wasn't anything like sailing

[cbell]

We actually found it down in the Ft Myers area, and decided to leave it there. More to see and sail there, and we have relatives living in Naples. Looking to move there in the next year or so anyway.

[gamayun]

Congrats! IMO, it is never too late, and you're never too old, to enjoy the sailing life

[sailorman7225]

Congratulations. Ft. Meyers to Marco to Little Shark River to Marathon....and you're in Boot Key.

[oldragbaggers]

Congratulations. Catalina 34's are very nice boats and I am sure you have a wonderful adventure laying ahead of you. Welcome to the forum and fair winds to you.

[Nivels]

Congratulations! Sounds like your patience paid off!

[jheldatksuedu]

If your in the LaBelle (30 mi east of Ft Myers) area feel free to stop by and say howdy, I'm 5 miles west on the south side of the river.

[Cadence]

Grats! You are correct about the caliber of people and it has nothing to do with how deep their pockets are.

[mville]

Once a salty squid, always a salty squid! Congrats on returning to mother ocean! I did 9 years total, 5 on gator freighters out of Norfolk. Nothing like being at sea, both good and the suck of it. Like you two, my spouse and I were both Navy 20 years ago (we're 51 now), she only did shore duty though, so it took a bit to get her on-board. I can tell you from experience, all those bs middle of the night drills, all that 'same way every time', all that stuff we didn't like when hazy gray and underway, is going to save your ass some day!

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by jheldatksuedu

If your in the LaBelle (30 mi east of Ft Myers) area feel free to stop by and say howdy, I'm 5 miles west on the south side of the river.

Just out of curiosity, do you know if that Wharram is still at the marina at LaBelle.

[Hudson Force]

Cbell, We home port in Jax and are currently in Orange Park. We'll be northbound monday for New England or wherever we end up, but back in November. Maybe we'll see you about,- are you in Ortega River?

Welcome to both communities,- the Cruisers Forum and the St. Johns River!

[Foolish]

some of the nicest people on earth.

Welcome to the gang and a life that you'll find very wonderful. The thing that I found most surprising when I started sailing was the instant communities that spring up at every dock.

Anyone who lives in an apartment building can tell how they have barely met their neighbors other than to nod on the way to the elevator.

But on the dock, little folding tables and chairs suddenly appear every afternoon at about 4, and someone starts pouring cocktails and someone else brings out nibblies. Before you know it a dozen people are chatting about this and that. And then, just about 6, the tables and chairs disappear and everyone returns to their own boat for dinner and a quiet evening, mostly alone except for perhaps one other couple they have invited on board.

If I can give you a piece of advice, bring along an address book and write down names when you meet people, but alphabetize them by the name of the boat. So a month later when you're docked next to "Suzie Q" again, you can pull out your little book and say "Hey Dave & Mary, come on over for a gin & tonic"

[jmcdboater]

Hey, good for you guys!
My very lovely wife is almost 66 years young, I am just about 63 years young. We are coming up on 1.5 years of living aboard our SeaRay 440 motor yacht, and I am sure you will enjoy your new adventure as much as we have!

There's all these cliques.... But the bottom line is, there really are no promises for tomorrow for any of us.

My wife's mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about three years ago. At that time my wife & I had been talking about living aboard when I retired, but .... You start to think, what if we ever get the chance because we waited until everything seemed right?

If you wait to pull onto the street until you see all green lights.....you'll spend your life in your garage!
Shoot, there goes those cliques!!! LOL.
I digress, congrats and just live it and enjoy it!👫😎