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Velma · 08-12-2010, 11:19

I'm just wondering what sort of challenges there are to living aboard in the Caribbean? We are hoping to do this starting next year once we've purchased our sailboat. Any suggestions out there??

Happy sailing,
Velma

marc2012 · 08-12-2010, 13:32

I'm not there but wish I was.marc

VirtualVagabond · 08-12-2010, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velma

I'm just wondering what sort of challenges there are to living aboard in the Caribbean? We are hoping to do this starting next year once we've purchased our sailboat. Any suggestions out there??

Happy sailing,
Velma

It's tough... eg. it's late afternoon... do you make your wife's pinacolada first, or do you pour your rum and coke first, and sip it while you make hers?

Is there enough ice for the evening or do I need to make some more?

Hard decisions... but not insurmountable...

beowulfborealis · 08-12-2010, 14:58

The only downside I can think of (and I have been dreaming about this for a long time) is those darn Atlantic hurricanes. Other than that, it's paradise.

**boatman61** · 08-12-2010, 15:07

"Leaving...??"

John A · 08-12-2010, 15:58

It depends on what lifestyle you chose to live.
Marinas, car rental, eat out every night, movies twice a week, casinos, inland tours, connect with the mega-yacht people, shut yourselve in your boat to perserve the Air Cinditioning and watch DVD's and fly home every month.
Or anchor out everywhere and connect with the world cruising comunity and local people.
Or become a recluse and pass negitive judgements on everyone and everything and shun social contact.

Or somewhere in-between.

The challenge will be to enjoy the adventure.

**boatman61** · 08-12-2010, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A

Or become a recluse and pass negitive judgements on everyone and everything and shun social contact.

OK... you've got me.... Where did we meet...

John A · 08-12-2010, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A

Or become a recluse and pass negitive judgements on everyone and everything and shun social contact.

OK... you've got me.... Where did we meet...

I'm the one that stole your beer when you went to the restroom at Shrimpies in St Maarten I think it was March 2005.

**boatman61** · 08-12-2010, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A

I'm the one that stole your beer when you went to the restroom at Shrimpies in St Maarten I think it was March 2005.

Damn.. it was you.... or was that another nite... I never seemed to remember much that happened when I was there... apart from arriving...

s/v Moondancer · 09-12-2010, 09:08

It is a wonderful life except for avoiding the hurricanes which occupies your thoughts for 4 months a year

**Hud3** · 09-12-2010, 11:05

Hi, Velma.

I suppose the biggest challenge could be getting here. I don't know where you'll be departing from, but the offshore trip from the US East Coast and the "Thorny Path" from Florida to the eastern Caribbean islands can be a bit rough.

Once you're here, "the livin' is easy", as the song goes. Most passages between islands are an easy day-sail. Navigation is mostly by sight, using a good cruising guide. There are plenty of excellent anchorages to enjoy, where you can wait out any bad weather, but the weather is usually super. Ample provisions are available on most islands, though we'd sometimes need to visit two or three before finding certain items. There are diesel and propane sources, chandleries, mechanics, riggers, and sailmakers on a number of the islands. The locals are generally friendly and helpful, and your fellow cruisers even more so. Pretty low-stress, all in all.

Velma · 09-12-2010, 12:23

Thanks Hud,
So I expect depending on where we purchase our sailboat is where we will sail off from. Because of how you've described the passage East Coast/Florida I think we would like to purchase down in the Caribbean somewhere so it's already there and we don't have to experience any rough sails initially. Our plan is to be on the blue sea's by November 2011...OUR DREAM!!!

Do you know of any good places in the Caribbean that we could purchase a sailboat?

Any other experience/knowledge is apprecaited.

Sweet sailing,
Velma