What Do You Miss the Most?

[Strygaldwir]

Closet space;
A garage in which to do projects
The feeling that I can call someone and tell them come fix this. I feel I have to do it on the boat!
An oven big enough to cook a pizza without cutting it in two.

[slomotion]

I'm with Cheechacko, I want to turn the question around:

What I miss most about cruising is Island Time. If you don't understand this, you have never cruised the tropics.

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by Strygaldwir

The feeling that I can call someone and tell them come fix this. I feel I have to do it on the boat!

Try this:

Each time something needs to be done and you wish you could call someone, write down how much it would have cost to have someone actually do the work. Then, when you've successfully completed the project yourself, take that amount of money and put it into a separate account.

At the end of a year, say, see how much is in the account and do something nice for yourself with it! Could easily be a new dinghy!

After a short time of paying yourself for your labor and expertise, you won't feel so resentful. The bonus is that the projects get done more quickly and your vessel looks and works better more of the time.

You can even tell your friends that you have a guy you hire to do all your work, but he isn't cheap and only works by referral.

TaoJones

[Philosail]

I miss the weather not affecting my sleeping patterns. I.e. Not heeling over 10+ degrees in the middle of the night from 50+knt winds. Not having to walk a couple hundred yards to take a shower or get to my car. Being able to stand up straight. Refridgeration. Heat. Space. Not sleeping in soggy sleeping bags.

The biggest surprise: Preferring all of this over living in a fancy expensive studio in the downtown of a metropolitan.

[Allan S]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I'm turning it around: What do I miss most about the Islands? Fresh fish, no set agenda, no worrying about the news being shoved down our throats, no medicine commercials on tv, the warm wind, little noise, the challenge of getting there, friends helping friends, new things.....

Cheechako, I have not lived the life you've described but in my dreams. Reading your post actully made my heart ache. I actually miss what I never experienced. No, my 18 years in the navy and sailing the Carribean doesn't count...lol I have to get on with my plan....Allan

[Hudson Force]

We've been full time cruisers since 2002 & full time liveaboards since 1972 and we don't have the slightest idea of what we are missing! 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[GeoPowers]

My wife said- laundry!

I think mine might be a nice big elongated toilet.

For the kids, it is probably a bath tub.

[schoonerdog]

I miss cruising!

As for land life, not a damn thing.

(Schoonerdog's wife Cindy)

[nautical62]

I'd just like to thank everyone for all your insightful responses. It seems that for the most part what people miss when living aboard are the same things I begin to miss when I'm cruising for just a few months: A comfy chair, a bed that doesn't rock in storms, my hot tub, long hot showers and some work space. It also seems that like my short-term cruises most people think these are very worth while trade offs. It makes me look forward to the day I'll be living aboard full time.

Thanks again for all your responses.