Advice?- Contemplating cat cruising lifestyle

[bearkeley]

Hi all - hubby and I are retiring next year (both in our 40s, no kids!). We want to travel the world...and recently realized cruising might be a real option for us. We both love fishing and diving in warm waters and live way beyond our means so not tied to 'stuff' and can easily pack up and go. We are power boaters but never thought I can hande living in one due to sea sickness (but recently figured out a way to overcome it). So...aside from making sure I can physically handle being in an enclosed cabin, we also plan to take steps in ensuring we really want to do it (liveaboard cat sailing course followed by a few bareback charters). However, we are sure there is so much to learn and consider....

what lessons have you learned that you can share?

Initial questions....how much to spend on a boat (% of net worth?)? Should you finance or pay cash? Do you return to family / home or have them flyto you? Catamaran expenses were quoted ar 10% on this board....is that for used or new? How long should your trips be or how many trips should you have before knowing its the lifestyle you want? What books, resources did you find helpful along the way?

thank you!

[SkiprJohn]

You've asked a lot of pertinent questions and if you look at the search functions you'll find lots of answers. Just in a nutshell: You are not alone in your quest. You should not make up your mind on buying a boat until you have taken some sailing lessons or powerboating courses or read a lot of books and been on the water. Read, read, read and don't look at all the ads. They are glorifications of the cruising lifestyle.

You can ask specific questions here and get lots of different answers.

Good luck in your goal. Aloha and welcome aboard!