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SailingTerrapin · 13-08-2015, 08:10

In preparation for life aboard a sailboat we spent days, weeks, months and almost two years pouring over reference books and reading through cruising blogs. So many questions, concerns and wanting to know what to expect. Honestly it's not till after you've set sail into the sunset that you realize you're only partially prepared for what to expect.

Knowing how to sail is only half the battle. Learning to live the cruising lifestyle can prove to be just as challenging, especially when you add children to the equation. Simple things like going to the store for bread and eggs takes on a whole new meaning. You need to have a passion for weather and understand that your entire life is dictated by Mother Nature and she could care less where you're trying to sail and how fast you think you need to get there. Cruising is hard work. There's more days that you wake up (if you've slept at all..rolly anchorages suck) to a self generating "to-do" list than not. Take a break from the stack of books you've bought and ask yourself these simple 15 questions...you may not be as ready to cruise as you think.

#1. If when you think of cruising the first image that comes to mind is of a man with an infectious smile, bushy mustache who's holding a tray of cold drinks....that's not the cruising I'm referring to. Wrong Blog! Around here we sail our own boat and fetch our own drinks.

#2. Does the thought of making meals while swaying from side to side, while trying not to burn your exposed skin make you queasy? You may not be ready for cruising.

#3. Would wearing the same bathing suit (or a variety of bathing suits) for 5 consecutive days at a minimum of 16 hours a day leave you wanting to set fire to your bathing suit? Cruising may not be for you.

#4. If the only way you imagine traveling between beautiful locations is faster than half the speed of smell, cruising on a sailboat is not for you. All is not lost. Maybe consider cruising on a powerboat.

#5. If you're not willing to attend dinner with friends while smelling like you've just sprinkled on "Eau de Diesel", you might not enjoy cruising.

#6. If you're a well kept lady who would rather get hit by a UPS truck than give up one or more of the following; Spa Pedicures, Gel Manicures, Gym memberships, Hair Cuts and Color, or Waxing, you are not the ideal candidate for cruising. The Good News: if you ever decide to go rouge, your monthly "upkeep" budget will help fund you and a loved one for a few weeks a month while cruising. Better News: Cruisers don't care what you look like. Seriously, no one cares!

#7. If you've ever pondered that you might be part vampire due to your avoidance and hatred of the sun, don't even think of cruising.

#8. If the term "clean clothes" doesn't have a large variance in definition, you are not ready to cruise.

#9. If your reaction to being awaken at 2am and told "it's your turn for watch" would result in punching someone in the face, you shouldn't consider cruising

#10. If the thought of tracking down the source of at least 5 different leaks in your house every time it rains sounds absurd to you, cruising may not be for you.

#11. If the idea of your entire life revolving around the weather makes you roll your eyes, you are not ready for the cruising lifestyle.

#12. If the idea of drinking a tall glass of water that was seawater only 5 minutes earlier makes you throw up in your mouth, you've got a long way to go before cruising.

#13. If going to the grocery store needs to take less than 3 or 4 hours and not involve you getting wet along the way, you may need to rethink this whole cruising idea.

#14. If your definition of a hot shower does not include a 5 gallon solar shower strapped to your boom that you have to wait a few hours to heat up before showering, you either need to adjust your definition or not cruise.

#15. If waking up everyday to a new "to-do" list has no room in your life, don't consider cruising.

If you've balked at any of the aforementioned, I hate to break it to you...we're just warming up over here. I haven't even gotten to seasickness, dragging anchor, filling up the chum bucket, making it through your first squall, pumping out your toilet or changing out zincs in disgusting marina water. Hell, you probably don't even know what I'm talking about when I'm referencing zincs. Baby steps....

David_Old_Jersey · 13-08-2015, 08:17

Lol :-)

MarinerJo · 13-08-2015, 13:12

LoL! You say you are just getting started, can't wait to read the rest of those. Do continue. This is more informative than a lot of other threads here.

Hydra · 13-08-2015, 15:00

You should add something about unclogging the toilet pump, getting covered in *used* engine oil, staying awake for 36h because the crew is seasick, anchor watch in a gale...

By the way, cruising isn't always in warm and sunny weather. A variant of #3 would be "living days and nights in the same set of smelly and damp but warm underwear".

Alain

**Hudson Force** · 13-08-2015, 17:33

I like Sailing Terrapin's list of questions because it's hilarious, but a more realistic list that addresses these factors from successful cruisers would be the following:

1- You will be independent and caring for your own needs.
2- You can make simple nutritious meals in a rolling sea.
3- You can do well with simple & comfortable clothes.
4- Your travel will be as pleasant as your destination.
5- You can maintain a diesel engine without diesel smells.
6- You can be natural, clean & healthy without make-up.
7- You can cruise and protect yourself from the harsh sun.
8- You'll have plenty of time to launder your simple wardrobe.
9- You can adapt to new sleeping schedules & still rest well.
10- You can maintain a boat without rain leaks.
11- You will be attuned to the weather.
12- You be aware of the natural cycles of water and food.
13- You will have more time to devote to grocery shopping.
14- You can bathe in warm tropical waters.
15- ..... and back to #1, you will be independent and taking care of your
boat relying on your own skills!

I know my list isn't as funny, but it's closer to how we see the realities of cruising.

sailorboy1 · 13-08-2015, 17:46

Post 1 is the one to use to scare people away from cruising so there is more room for yourself.

Rhapsody-NS27 · 13-08-2015, 18:11

Those are supposed to scare people away?
Heck! Those are part of the reasons I WANT to go cruising. lol

gamayun · 13-08-2015, 18:28

I was just talking to a friend today about living the cruising life -- I'm maybe a year away -- and he said, "It would be lonely on the ocean for days on end with nothing to do." So it is good that not everyone who has a boat wants to cruise, because otherwise, it would look and feel like a tropical, all-inclusive resort.

pbbmorton · 14-08-2015, 00:17

If your knowledge of the human digestive process does not include turning green and hanging over a rail then you are not ready to cruise.

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

**carstenb** · 14-08-2015, 00:31

Here's a couple more:

1- If the thought of taking apart your toilet (and putting it back together again) when it is clogged and the pump doesn't work, while sailing in near gale force winds (and waves) is repugnant to you.
Stay home, buy a house, put the plumbers phone number on a stick-it on the fridge door

2- Going up your 50 mast in inclement weather scare the beegeezes out you?
Rethink this cruising.

3- Going on a heaving deck in a gale/storm with the water knee deep and getting battered by waves that crash over the deck intimidate you?

better stay at home

4- Don't want to spend half your time fixing things? Charter a crewed boat.