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Old 12-06-2011, 03:25   #1
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Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Greeting! It's an honor to be amidst so many folks living out my dreams; it makes it feel like it's just about in reach...but still 10 years away!

My wife, our three children and I are currently experienced "daysailors" with just a few longer cruises under our belt (hope that doesn't discredit me at all...) living in Florida at our fourth duty station with the Air Force. We've towed Sundae, a 1977 Catalina 22, everywhere from Georgia to Alaska and points in between finding unique sailing experiences at every turn.

After landing an assignment on the Gulf, we decided to step up to a bigger boat. With our Dave Ramsey lifestyle, we could only afford a well-loved 1976 Irwin 28. This has given us ample opportunity (while not deployed) to experience longer periods of time away from the marina while teaching our kids more about teamwork and the world that is out there to explore.

Ten years from now, we'll hopefully be retiring with some savings and a nice little pension keeping us afloat. The ultimate dream (for now) is to start the first year of retirement in Maine and sail through the ditch up to Alaska where we'll leave our "second home" in a safe harbor and spend up to 5 months a year cruising AK and the Pacific NW. That is, of course, a LONG way off and we are in no position to be as adventurous in our current position.

The next step is to figure out just how much we want this dream, so I am hoping we will be able to find a way to rent/buy a three-stateroom liveaboard for at least 6 months at our next assignment, staying close to home and learning more about maintaining that lifestyle.

I am going to hop on over to the Liveaboard forum to ask specific questions, but I welcome your comments, feedback, salutations, etc.

Sincerely,
David
Currently at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
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Old 12-06-2011, 04:01   #2
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Hey David...welcome to the forum.
Excellent first post.
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Old 12-06-2011, 05:16   #3
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Welcome - Look forward to your posts as you live your dream.
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Old 12-06-2011, 06:02   #4
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Welcome to the group! There's several other military around here. I got back from Bagram in Feb. I hope not to see that place again.

Sounds like you got a good plan for retirement. I'm working on my plans too but no telling where things will take me next.
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Old 12-06-2011, 06:36   #5
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum and enjoy the site

Glad to have you here and THANK YOU for your service
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Old 12-06-2011, 06:55   #6
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Welcome David,
Good to have you on board and great to hear you are not just planning over the next ten years, but managing to get out on the water with the family.
Good luck as you continue to fulfil your dream.
Cheers
JOHN
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Old 12-06-2011, 07:26   #7
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

G'Day David,

Welcome aboard, mate! Your first post is such a great change from the "I once saw a sailboat and I am going to sail around the world... how do I do it?" genre. Your approach and future plans sound workable, and Ann and I wish you a speedy and safe return from the desert.

I too spent a few years with a Cat-22 and learned a great deal from her... a long time ago.

Good luck with it all, and keep us posted as you continue your adventures.

Cheers,
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Old 13-06-2011, 01:59   #8
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Aloha and welcome aboard!
It's good to have you here and I too was a Catlina 22 owner many years ago. Mine was a fin keeler at a dock in Pearl Harbor. Learned a lot and did a lot of sailing on her.
Thanks for your service.
kind regards,
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Old 13-06-2011, 04:10   #9
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Welcome aboard!

You sound like you have a good plan in mind and as someone who "plans" for a living, you can never start too soon!
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Old 13-06-2011, 15:14   #10
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Welcome David, and as others have said, a big "Thanks" for your service. I wish you well in the coming sailing months and years. James...(Ret USN)
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Old 16-06-2011, 19:02   #11
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

David:

Welcome to the forum. We have some commonalities. I sailed a Catalina 22 during the early part of my Air Force career, from 1972 to 1974, out of the marina at Keesler AFB, on the Back Bay of Biloxi. Subsequently, we sailed a Hobie 16 in Texas and windsurfers in Germany and Northern Virginia. After retiring from the Air Force in 1994, we acquired a Sabre 34 which we've raced and cruised, mostly on the Chesapeake but occasionally venturing out of the Bay, up until last fall. This spring, we commissioned a new Tartan 4300, getting ready for second retirement and some extended cruising.
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Old 17-06-2011, 20:31   #12
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Great to meet you!! Coast Guard here about to retire to a 30' Sabre currently homeported on Ches Bay.... we all share the dream. congrats on having a plan.
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Old 18-06-2011, 23:39   #13
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Dear fellow sailors, service members, and other friendly folks,

Thank you very much for the warm reception! I don't browse a whole bunch of forums (relative to the time I'm in front of a PC) and I'm pretty selective with what I put "out there" in "ink" on the internet. It is very encouraging to be surrounded by so many folks with a friendly and helpful way about them. I can also tell that I will have no problem finding advice or measured warnings when posing a question, challenge, or situation. Thanks again for the thoughful replies.

Sincerely,
David
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Old 19-06-2011, 16:31   #14
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Welcome Aboard Shipmate! About to retire from Coast Guard after almost 29 years of service... plan to live aboard and cruise with my wife... You have chosen a great forum for info, fun and camaraderie. Bob on S/V OTTER Deltaville, VA.
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Old 19-06-2011, 17:48   #15
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Re: Greetings - Military Family Halfway to Paradise!

Welcome aboard
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