[claritycal36]

After spending two years in the Middle East, I went and bought a 1968 Cal 36and sailed her from FL to Annapolis. She is a great boat and the survey came out as Excellent just below Superior. I dumped some electronics on board and she is getting a new engine while I do another year in the Middle East. When I return, it's off we go to do some voyaging down to the Crib and then hit the canal and due west. Spending a few years where you are paid ALOT of money and spending little makes it easier to save for that extended voyage. There are many jobs overseas that are a year contract and will enable you to save for a long voyage. I am single, but have a girlfriend who may or may not decide to voyage with me, but I know that what I have made and saved will enable me to go around the world and then some. Being 45, I want to do this before I am 50 and since life has a way of surprising us, I want to see it now then worry later about where life goes from 50 onwards. My friends and family say to keep working till 50 then take off, but I will do this now as I am single, no mortgage, no home (except the boat), no children, do debt. Who knows what will happen from now till 50. As for spending a lot on the trip, I don't think I will as I do not really like the culture of the yacht marina very much. Too much my boat is better than your types there. I do enjoy having a beer at the end of the day with other cruisers and swapping stories of how much battery juice is used by their boats. Swinging on the hook and fishing off the stern has a great appeal to me at this moment. Restocking the liquor cabinet and book swapping are also some of my favorite things. That in a nutshell is my plan and with some more luck, I am off this time next year. Be well and safe.