Why Do We Make It So Hard Sounding

[psk125]

Making it all sound hard? Really? Don't we WANT to keep the riffraff out?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by psk125

Making it all sound hard? Really? Don't we WANT to keep the riffraff out?

It didn't work..

[Exile]

Originally Posted by boatman61

It didn't work..

Speak for yourself!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Exile

Speak for yourself!

I was..

[Exile]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I was..

I know . . .

[Dr. D]

Hard? HARD?

Try to learn to play GOLF! Now that is hard!

[scarlet]

Because it is. I've been living aboard since March. I bought an amazing, well maintained beautiful boat and yet I've done no cruising because I have one maintenance issue after another. Can't even get it out of the marina... It is completely overwhelming. When does the fun begin.

[Palarran]

I think it is hard and a ton of mental and physical work. Probably has a lot to do with the actual sailor and what they do. I would imagine that the guys and gals sailing on the Vendee right now think it's pretty hard. Probably the crews on the AC72's think it's pretty complicated. It sure takes a lot of effort for the crews of charter boats to keep them going and their passengers safe and happy.

For me personally, when asked how hard sailing is, I say it's the easiest part of cruising/boating. The hard part starts with having friends join you. On average we have 20 to 25 people join us over our 3 month period of cruising each year. Figuring out the logistics of that takes months. It's absolutely worth it though as we will always remember the fun and adventures. Then there's the maintenance. At least three weeks per year are spent on fixing crap for me. Most of the fixing is somewhat new to me. I haven't installed motors and electronics since a baby so it takes time to figure it out and do it right. And something is always breaking - always, every week. Jeez, even trying to source the parts is a monumental task sometimes. It could be easier if instead of fixing it myself I just called someone and wrote a check, or just didn't fix everything as soon as it breaks. Let it all pile up?

It would be certainly easier to not have so many join us though and either buy a newer or smaller boat. It would also be easier, much easier, if we didn't in general move on to a different location every other day. Customs and Immigration is a right pain it the butt. If we stayed in our home country and even our home waters of the Great Lakes it would have been gravy. I can for sure see how it would be easier if approached differently. Like Sailorboy, I see you are in South Florida. Do you sail much around there or go anywhere? There are grocery stores everywhere and more marine stores then anywhere else on earth. It's funny reading a Facebook group for cruising the Bahamas. There are sailors who wait weeks and weeks for a "weather window" to cross to Bimini - I mean it's 50 miles. Constantly they post about when to go and if anyone want's to buddy boat with them. Cracks me up really as they perceive that to be hard and I'd say it's easy.

[NedX]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Have to wholeheartedly agree.
Seems some can't cope without a plethora of rules and courses.

Actually, this is true.

Everyone has different learning styles. Some people need structure. Some people need to read every one of these threads even if they already know how to do it because they might learn something new (and can be amused by wisecracks from boatman and sailorboy along the way.)

I like the thread, but sailorboy1 lemme correct you here:

Stop making it seem hard so you seem "special".

Should be

Stop making it seem so hard because you represent half of humanity

This comes through to me every time I take people who have never sailed on the boat. Some get it right away. Others love being on boats but can't tell where the wind is coming from after 10 voyages. And one very special person will not sail with me until she's taken a class. I'd love to sit her down with you so you could set her straight.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by scarlet

Because it is. I've been living aboard since March. I bought an amazing, well maintained beautiful boat and yet I've done no cruising because I have one maintenance issue after another. Can't even get it out of the marina... It is completely overwhelming. When does the fun begin.

Ahh.. The 'Its not quite ready' trap.. The sailors Hotel California..
If your sails go up and down okay, the engines work and your steering good the rest can be done at anchor off the Keys, the Bahamas or however far you choose to go.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Dr. D

Hard? HARD?

Try to learn to play GOLF! Now that is hard!

What ever are you talking aout, Doc? You drop a ball on the ground. You pick a club and you hit the ball in the general direction of a hole in the ground. You keep doin' it until you get the ball into the hole. There are some rules (Colregs for golf) that you are supposed to follow while you are doin' the above, but mostly no one watches to be sure you do this.

That's golf to the degree of proficiency related to SB1's concept of sailing/cruising.

Jim

[acem]

People come up to my boat and are amazed we sail. 'Isn't it hard?' 'No hun, People have been doing it for thousands of years!'

I mostly sail lakes and my Catalina 22 looks hugh compared to their bass boat or pontoon.

I read some books, watched some YouTube and hit the lake!

On our first two sails the outboard would not run longer than a minute. That quickly improves your sailing ability!

We have since sailed many lakes, the gulf of Mexico and Florida keys!

Just do it!

Thx-Ace

[StuM]

Dunning-Kruger and thinking complicated things are easy go hand in hand

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

What ever are you talking aout, Doc? You drop a ball on the ground. You pick a club and you hit the ball in the general direction of a hole in the ground. You keep doin' it until you get the ball into the hole. There are some rules (Colregs for golf) that you are supposed to follow while you are doin' the above, but mostly no one watches to be sure you do this.

That's golf to the degree of proficiency related to SB1's concept of sailing/cruising.

Jim

as long as the ball goes into the hole it all worked out , .............. right?

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

What ever are you talking aout, Doc? You drop a ball on the ground. You pick a club and you hit the ball in the general direction of a hole in the ground. You keep doin' it until you get the ball into the hole. There are some rules (Colregs for golf) that you are supposed to follow while you are doin' the above, but mostly no one watches to be sure you do this.

That's golf to the degree of proficiency related to SB1's concept of sailing/cruising.

Jim

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Perhaps it is related to the difference between "doing something" and doing it well.

And IMO, in sailing or in cruising, there is a noticeable difference in the proficiency demonstrated by various sailors and cruisers.

Jim

Yes, to put it more directly, there are plenty of 'cruisers' around who are not actually very good 'sailors' (sometimes despite significant miles logged).