What makes one a 'cruiser'?

[DMF Sailing]

As an avid fan (and $upporter!) of this forum, I enjoy all the knowledge and banter and opinions expressed.

I also enjoy the debates that a poll generates, especially when I'm beached for the next 5 months.

[tamicatana]

You forgot ‘asks about a “blue-water” boat.’

[StuM]

Wadya mean "you" ?
Are you asking what makes a person a cruiser, or what category the responder falls into?


"by more than a few days and more than a few ports," is that per trip or over a longer time period?



And you left out "I visit different places looking for a hookup"

[goboatingnow]

A cruiser is not a racer after that who knows what defines it.

[carstenb]

a police squad car
a person who cruises beaches on a bicycle
A cruiser is a warship, fast and moderately armed, somewhat larger than a frigate and somewhat smaller than a battleship.

Webster's

[AiniA]

I thought it would be about how many times one has cruised on Holland-America, Princess, et al. More than x makes you a cruiser.

[Tetepare]

Cruisers have 1970s heavy displacement boats with multiple masts, and are in non-contiguous countries. They wash their clothes in salt water, and own no footwear heavier than flipflops. Their hair is gnarly and sun bleached, and their skin bronzed. They don’t have refrigeration. They know about places you’ve not heard of: Funafuti, Kiritimati, Tikopia, Buka. If you sit with them and shut up, they have amazing stories.

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Cruisers have 1970s heavy displacement boats with multiple masts, and are in non-contiguous countries. They wash their clothes in salt water, and own no footwear heavier than flipflops. Their hair is gnarly and sun bleached, and their skin bronzed. They don’t have refrigeration. They know about places you’ve not heard of: Funafuti, Kiritimati, Tikopia, Buka. If you sit with them and shut up, they have amazing stories.

You forgot the ukulele or some other ethnic instrument.


To a true cruiser boat is home.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Cruisers have 1970s heavy displacement boats with multiple masts, and are in non-contiguous countries. They wash their clothes in salt water, and own no footwear heavier than flipflops. Their hair is gnarly and sun bleached, and their skin bronzed. They don’t have refrigeration. They know about places you’ve not heard of: Funafuti, Kiritimati, Tikopia, Buka. If you sit with them and shut up, they have amazing stories.

I was going to make a joke, but then I started to tick off quite a few of your boxes here TP. And then Tupaia added "You forgot the ukulele..." and I really started to get worried (ukulele, Check!). Maybe I am a cruiser

[Tetepare]

Yes! A Ukelele. Or guitar, and cruisers know how to play whole songs; CSN, Buffet, Iz, Isa Lei, etc.

They welcome newcomers, but have a very short fuse for BS. Cruisers have a nack for navigating cultures and avoiding trouble, though they had the foundation for this before they left. Blissful ignorance hasn’t been part of their character since they were eight years old.

They’re not pansies either. They’re not afraid of sharks or barracuda, or birds, or bugs. They sleep during blows while at anchor. If it needs to be done , they just do it, without all the whining and hand wringing.

They drink beer and rum, not frufru drinks. They have a disdain for yacht club people.

[Tetepare]

And more...

Real cruisers are naturalists. Always have been, but now they're more refined. It's not a "White Eye" bird, it's a TETEPARE White Eye. God forbid some land lubber refer to a frigate bird as a gull, or even a sea bird. They know their fish, down to the species, and often can tell you the name of that fish in four or five languages. They can say Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, and certainly can discern from other Humu.

They use ' as appropriate in spelling, and take the time to do so. It's Hawai'i and Vava'u. They'll be more historic and specific, like "let's meet at Kiritimati" so you don't wind up waiting for them a thousand miles away; it's Makira not San Christobal.

Cruisers know they guy that wants $20 when you show up isn't the chief. He never is. They also know that $20 local currency will be satisfactory, and not wip out that US$20.

Cruisers are slow to anger and difficult to get into conflict; that changes fast when some dumbass white fella starts screaming and berating the locals. You wanna find out just how strong that stringy, crazy looking yachtie is? There ya go.

They love the lines of the Hylas 55 that pulls into the anchorage, they feel as they did when they were 18, looking at other lines. Invited below decks on the Hylas, they are sincerely in awe of the beauty, practicality, ergonomics, and comfort. But if offered an even up trade for their boat, they'd decline.

They don't wonder if the water in the bilge is fresh or salt. They know exactly which friggin fitting has probably given up and can check it in seconds. They know every wire, every hose. They weren't diesel mechanics, but they are now.

[Mike OReilly]

I think TP is having a seizure, or some sort of kannipfit. Maybe a local cruiser can check in on him .

P.S. That's another mark of a true cruiser; they'll always help out other cruisers.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I think TP is having a seizure, or some sort of kannipfit. Maybe a local cruiser can check in on him .

P.S. That's another mark of a true cruiser; they'll always help out other cruisers.

Well, not to compare with your situation, but the boat is on the hard, sealed up tight, and probably will go unseen for four months. The marina docks are completely void of boats. Ya know?

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Well, not to compare with your situation, but the boat is on the hard, sealed up tight, and probably will go unseen for four months. The marina docks are completely void of boats. Ya know?

Ah... just bored, like me .

[Sparx]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

And more...

Real cruisers are naturalists....

That paragraph did not go where I thought it might. But I do agree with what was said.

We took a hike with a group of just aquainted cruiser friends representing 5 boats. It was amazing the amount of natural science with the group.