New to the Forum seeking help

[islanpacktgirl]

We sail an Island Packet 380 out of Marblehead, MA and Portland, Maine.
We are debating about how to leave and sail for years and then come back.
We are worried about how to get back to work after leaving.
We are early sixties and energetic and fit. We don't have time to wait.
Is it possible to live cheaply?
Help seeking advice from anyone.

Islan packt girl

[Weyalan]

I think that it is possible to live cheaply. Nevertheless, there is no secret; just simple economics and good discipline. Work out what your budget is (be realistic), and then work out how you have to live to stay within your budget. For example, swinging on an anchor is free, parking in a marina berth is expensive. Drinking water is free, wine is not. Repairing your own sails is free, paying a sailmaker isn't. Catching fish is cheaper than buying meat... In the end, the lifestyle might not be as opulent as you would like, but the "fringe benefits" will probably make up for it!

[islanpacktgirl]

Thanks for the information. Just being on this site gives me confidence that there are other friendly sailors to constantly communicate with for help and advice. Can't believe there are so many out there ready to help.
It's starting to look up. Just concerned if I want to get back what I'd do for a job
when I come back and older in age.

[Weyalan]

With all due respect, to what age would you expect to be working? Or, put it another way, if you are talking of sailing for a few years, when you come back and are looking for a job, you are going to be pushing 70. If you didn't go sailing, what work would you be doing then anyway?

Elsewhere on this site there is a thread about annual live-aboard budgets (link here: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...dget-4296.html )
On that thread, you can see that about 15% of cruisers who voted are living on an annual budget of $10,000 or less per year and almost 40% on $20,000 or less per year.

Essentially, what I think you can draw from that poll is that you can live-aboard on practially any budget....

[islanpacktgirl]

True Weyalan,
I think I'm 33 most of the time and will need to work forever. Probably need a reality check and wake up call.
Thanks

[Pblais]

get in touch with "HUD" (on this forum) he as an IP 380 down in Nevis.

I can't say you should wait. Too many that do have problems that end the trip. A set of good friends has one of them now in the hospital in Cape Fear because they waited too long. This is the second attempt to take off where they had to turn back. You'll never be better than you are now.

[Celestialsailor]

Somebody said to me one time..."How old will you be if you don't try"?

In my past I had some pretty legitimate reasons for not going...Raising kids, child support, mortgage and so on. If you own a home, at least you have something to come back to. As far as jobs? They're a dime a dozen. Think of it in a positive way...You will gain some rich experiences that could never be had by swallowing the anchor. Chances are you will find out who you 'really' are in your time away. You would probably come back knowing what you want to do when you grow up. Many people cruising become so self-suffient, the prospect of working as regular job is cast away like an old set of clothes for self reliant employment of some kind that brings home more than a paycheck...a sense of doing something you like. what a concept!