Time Keeps Slipping Away...

[scarlet]

... I'm kind of sad today.

I went out to update my profile here, today as I've recently moved, and I saw my stats. I've been a member since 2013. I joined after a particularly bad time in my life. I came here because, after some very deep soul searching, I had decided that I wanted to sell everything, buy a catamaran, and become a full time cruiser.

That was 5 years ago...

In that time, we have inspired 5 couples to also pursue that dream.. all 5 of them have bought their boat, and have taken off, and are living their dreams.... our dreams... All of them are our age. And I'm still here. Since we know these couples well.. we know their situations. Some could afford it, and some definitely could not. But they did it anyway. I see them posting the pictures of all the exciting places they travel to.. friends they've made... etc, and I can't help but be jealous and sad.

There are, of course, good reasons why we haven't pulled the trigger. First it was saving so that we could do it our way without having to live too austerely, and without undo stress... Then it was not knowing if the Air Force would extend my husband another 2 years.... then it was finding out that our health insurance wouldn't start at retirement.. but instead, 4 years later.....

We haven't been idle during that time.. we've learned so much, and every month cross another major hurdle, and when the time finally comes, we will be well prepared. But, at least one of the couples we know who just took off, had never set foot on a sailboat before they bought their catamaran, and took off across the gulf stream... They are learning as they go....

... and I'm still here...

And now, I'm 5 years older, although still relatively young. But, my eyesight has gotten much worse, and I believe I have the onset of arthritis, and my husband is older too, and his knee is getting worse.. and, I know none of these things will keep us from our dream, they are a constant reminder that we are aging. And aging comes quickly. Every year that goes by is one less year we will have to live our dream.

We are still looking at about 2 years before we can pull the trigger. And.. I'm sad about that.

So.. no real question here. I just wanted to "let it all out"... maybe someone's story could cheer me up..

[dwedeking2]

Originally Posted by scarlet

... I'm kind of sad today.

I went out to update my profile here, today as I've recently moved, and I saw my stats. I've been a member since 2013. I joined after a particularly bad time in my life. I came here because, after some very deep soul searching, I had decided that I wanted to sell everything, buy a catamaran, and become a full time cruiser.

That was 5 years ago...

In that time, we have inspired 5 couples to also pursue that dream.. all 5 of them have bought their boat, and have taken off, and are living their dreams.... our dreams... All of them are our age. And I'm still here. Since we know these couples well.. we know their situations. Some could afford it, and some definitely could not. But they did it anyway. I see them posting the pictures of all the exciting places they travel to.. friends they've made... etc, and I can't help but be jealous and sad.

There are, of course, good reasons why we haven't pulled the trigger. First it was saving so that we could do it our way without having to live too austerely, and without undo stress... Then it was not knowing if the Air Force would extend my husband another 2 years.... then it was finding out that our health insurance wouldn't start at retirement.. but instead, 4 years later.....

We haven't been idle during that time.. we've learned so much, and every month cross another major hurdle, and when the time finally comes, we will be well prepared. But, at least one of the couples we know who just took off, had never set foot on a sailboat before they bought their catamaran, and took off across the gulf stream... They are learning as they go....

... and I'm still here...

And now, I'm 5 years older, although still relatively young. But, my eyesight has gotten much worse, and I believe I have the onset of arthritis, and my husband is older too, and his knee is getting worse.. and, I know none of these things will keep us from our dream, they are a constant reminder that we are aging. And aging comes quickly. Every year that goes by is one less year we will have to live our dream.

We are still looking at about 2 years before we can pull the trigger. And.. I'm sad about that.

So.. no real question here. I just wanted to "let it all out"... maybe someone's story could cheer me up..

Pffff... Thats no time at all.

I got this idea in 2008 as a way to live more sustainable (think tiny house). Meandered around with the idea (reading books, planning, making spreadsheets) until taking lessons in 2014. Chartered day sails until 2016 when i bought and lived aboard my first boat. Almost have finished the first year refit (while living aboard) of my final boat. Only 1 more year of refitting to go...

[SV Bacchus]

Forget insurance, I didn't have any until I turned 65 and it was never a problem. Medical care is cheaper in other countries. Cash pay all the way and over the past 5 years it has been much cheaper than paying for insurance.

Start cutting those meaningless strings that are holding you back. Very hard to do but we did it and are loving life on a cat. Sure beats where we were as we were waiting for our cruising to begin. We should have done it sooner!

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

Pffff... Thats no time at all.

I got this idea in 2008 as a way to live more sustainable (think tiny house). Meandered around with the idea (reading books, planning, making spreadsheets) until taking lessons in 2014. Chartered day sails until 2016 when i bought and lived aboard my first boat. Almost have finished the first year refit (while living aboard) of my final boat. Only 1 more year of refitting to go...

It just seems like forever... I'll be 53 then... and I certainly won't be in better physical condition. I'm just anxious, and I feel like the clock just keeps ticking.

Are you living on the boat during the refit? and are you doing the refit all yourself? That's another part of it. The "refitting". The boats in our price range will definitely require some work.. not complete overhauls, but definitely some work. Not insurmountable... but still.. another delay.

In the meantime, we've been doing some chartering to get more experience.. but, gosh, it's so expensive!! I'm always torn as to whether to invest that money in our "kitty" for buying a boat, or invest it in a charter to further our learning and experience...

And to Bacchus... I'm not sure that we could do that... We will be back and forth into the U.S... and if something major would happen, it would ruin us financially for life. I know medical care is cheaper outside the country, and they have excellent care as well. But, paying $10,000 for a medical emergency would be 6 months out of our cruising kitty. I hope that nothing would happen.. but that is a hell of a gamble. I also take medication that is outrageously expensive.. (over $1200 a month! ) couldn't afford it from my specialist without insurance. Although, we have often talked about expat insurance which seems pretty reasonable. Once my husband turns 60 we will be fine cause we will have tricare for life.

Ok.. so what I'm really saying, is that I'm afraid of doing that. I'm not afraid of crossing an ocean... but, I am afraid of being ruined, financially for life, or risk having to go without treatment because we can't afford it... Yes... I will admit it... no insurance scares me...

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by SV Bacchus

Forget insurance, I didn't have any until I turned 65 and it was never a problem. Medical care is cheaper in other countries. Cash pay all the way and over the past 5 years it has been much cheaper than paying for insurance.

Start cutting those meaningless strings that are holding you back. Very hard to do but we did it and are loving life on a cat. Sure beats where we were as we were waiting for our cruising to begin. We should have done it sooner!

OH... and to hijack my own thread... I love your avatar!!

[dwedeking2]

I'll be 50 when the refit is done (first of 2020) and 55 when I plan on sailing off. Yes, I'm living aboard while working on the boat (a pain but is financially what I have to do). I'm doing the refit completely by myself, this year is a complete painting of the boat (inside and decks) then next year replacing the electrical, water, and starting to add the electronics and "want to haves" (solar on arch, scuba compressor, dodger/bimini etc).



The project is huge and some days I REALLY feel it (self financed and self taught the skills required).

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

I'll be 50 when the refit is done (first of 2020) and 55 when I plan on sailing off. Yes, I'm living aboard while working on the boat (a pain but is financially what I have to do). I'm doing the refit completely by myself, this year is a complete painting of the boat (inside and decks) then next year replacing the electrical, water, and starting to add the electronics and "want to haves" (solar on arch, scuba compressor, dodger/bimini etc).



The project is huge and some days I REALLY feel it (self financed and self taught the skills required).

One thing that I was surprised about when I got into boating is how expensive things are. If you need a nut and bolt for your house... Ace hardware sells them for pennies... if you want it for a boat... $30!! Insane, right?

I've remodeled my whole house virtually myself. (I hired a few jobs that had to pass inspection).. There really isn't much I can't do except electrical, (with the exception of replacing a light fixture, or plug)... So, I know there isn't much that I couldn't do on my boat... But, the cost!!! oy vey!! Does it seem that by the time you get to the end of your refit, you will need to start replacing things again as they wear out? lol

[dwedeking2]

What I've been doing to combat this (as much as possible) is to order online in bulk. If I need a 2" stainless steel hose clamp, I'll research online and get 20 of them (hopefully at a discount). 1) Keep costs down. 2) Build up a store of spares.

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

What I've been doing to combat this (as much as possible) is to order online in bulk. If I need a 2" stainless steel hose clamp, I'll research online and get 20 of them (hopefully at a discount). 1) Keep costs down. 2) Build up a store of spares.

that's a good idea... what source do you like to use?

Do you at least get out to sail every once and a while?

[MV Wanderlust]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and fears, scarlet. You're not alone. Just like you, we're eager to go but need to put a few things in place first (kids, real estate, finances). We're getting there but the waiting means one more day, week, year that we don't get to cruise. Totally get where you're coming from. And one factor is ensuring medical insurance is in place when the time is right. No real suggestions, since you didn't really have a question. Just commiserating and empathizing.

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by JohnEasley

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and fears, scarlet. You're not alone. Just like you, we're eager to go but need to put a few things in place first (kids, real estate, finances). We're getting there but the waiting means one more day, week, year that we don't get to cruise. Totally get where you're coming from. And one factor is ensuring medical insurance is in place when the time is right. No real suggestions, since you didn't really have a question. Just commiserating and empathizing.

I appreciate the commiserating. Doesn't it just amazing you that a lot of people don't wait till they get everything in place. Like our friends who orders a $750,000 boat at a boat show, never having sailed.. then immediately, upon receiving their boat, took off... no experience.. not a care in the world... and, (we believe). And they aren't independently wealthy. The husband did the same job as mine did in the Air Force.. and, unlike me, his wife NEVER worked... we could NEVER afford that... But, they don't care... they just did it. it amazes me. But, I'm a "play by the rules" sort of girl.. type A... sempre paratus. Always prepared...

[Phil Mavis]

I feel your pain and am empathetic...

However, there are dreamers, doers and doners. The hardest step for us was moving out of the "dreamer" category into the doer. My wife and I put it out to the universe and it answered in 5 days! Everything we worked and saved for we sold and made the big step. We have zero regrets.

Other eye opening life moments was watching two friends get sick and die BEFORE 50!

Don't wait too long. It's like waiting for the perfect time to have kids... Is there a perfect time? Everyone has their own journey, but from what I'm reading, you are starting to feel regret now. Could you imagine waiting only to have something happen after you buy your boat when you think the time is perfect?

Remember, all the "stuff" is just "stuff". Nothing will ever take away the incredible life changing experience my wife and I went through after we sold everything to go sailing.

Sometimes, you just have to take that leap of faith.

Hope to see you out there one day!

[dwedeking2]

Originally Posted by scarlet

that's a good idea... what source do you like to use?

Do you at least get out to sail every once and a while?

Amazon and then a lot of googling for bold suppliers online.



I sailed up from Ft Myers to Jacksonville, FL last year. This year has been all work no play (I have a day job, so that gives me an hour or two a night and the weekends to really work), but the plan is for next year to do a sail at least once a month.

[laika]

I feel for you, scarlet. We in this corner of the internet on the opposite path in some ways..cruised thru 20s and early 30s and now looking for some land. We still own the boat and cruise to escape the northern winters. We have a great life. But we are also highly discouraged in our land quest. It's crazy how expensive it is and, after living on a boat most of my adult life, it's really quite astonishing how many covenants and committees are involved in dictating what you can and can't do with your own land.

Anyway, just thought I'd toss in the bucket my envy at all the landlubbers who've got it figured out All your hard work and struggles will make the eventual transition to the water all the more sweet.

[scarlet]

Originally Posted by laika

But we are also highly discouraged in our land quest. It's crazy how expensive it is

Wow.. really?! I always thought it was WAY more expensive to live on a boat. We've been crunching numbers to compare living on a boat vs living on land.. (down to the penny) and it just seems so expensive to live on the boat. (but, of course a lot of that depends on what size and condition you bought). But, comparing the living expenses on the home we just sold, to a comparably priced boat is astonishing!

Where are you looking for land? and, if I may ask, how did you earn money whilst cruising?