Instant Cruising?

[scupper42]

Couldn't agree more. Now let's suppose for a moment that my scuba gear, fishing rods, cooking stuff, clothes, and dvds weigh a few hundred pounds and have several thousand dollar value. That brings us back to the original question. How big of a hassle is it to export this gear to some wonderful island nation somewhere? Is it better one place that another?

[uspirate]

well, for an example. to ship a 2' x 1 1/2' x 1 1/2' 50l bd box from Vegas to the Philippines via commercial shipping was $85.00

[FarCry]

I've sort of done what you describe. Shipped probably close to a thousand pounds of belongings from western Colorado to St Thomas to put in a house not on a boat. Our research led us to the US Postal Service pretty quick.

With uspirate's example from Colorado to St Thomas using the US Postal Service would be $42.73. You can go to the USPS website and play with the numbers to various locations and countrys. Shipping to the USVI through USPS eliminates taxes and import fees that private couriers would have charged with no need to clear customs. You just need a place to ship to. Not sure if the USVI qualifies as a wonderful island nation somewhere.

[scupper42]

[quote=FarCry;304724]I've sort of done what you describe. Shipped probably close to a thousand pounds of belongings from western Colorado to St Thomas to put in a house not on a boat. Our research led us to the US Postal Service pretty quick. QUOTE]

I like that approach as it eliminates the whole import / customs problem which to me is a bigger concern that the freight charges. Now I see I can ship by Canada Post to Ellesmere Island without any trouble. Is Baffin Bay a daysail from St Thomas? Hmmm. Why Canada couldn't be bothered to annex some beautiful tropical island is beyond me...

[FarCry]

Originally Posted by scupper42

Is Baffin Bay a daysail from St Thomas? Hmmm.

Not on my boat but maybe on Giu's, Chuckle's, or Sailing Dog's.

[StoneAge]

Originally Posted by scupper42

I like that approach as it eliminates the whole import / customs problem which to me is a bigger concern that the freight charges. Now I see I can ship by Canada Post to Ellesmere Island without any trouble. Is Baffin Bay a daysail from St Thomas? Hmmm. Why Canada couldn't be bothered to annex some beautiful tropical island is beyond me...

Didn't we try that once with Turks and Caico's??? For some strange reason it didn't go through...

Yes, we are hit with some more challenges being from the great white north (We are in Ladysmith). But persevere my friend. You'll get there..

John
Stone Age

[scupper42]

All right. There is no such thing as Instant Cruising, but if I think of everything involved from selling the house, the cars, the boat, arranging schooling, buying the boat, equipping the boat, adapting to a new life in different countries I've already completed the most difficult part. In fact, I am half way there to a new lifestyle.

I have discussed the concept with my wife.

I guess there really are no surprises. You can't leave Voyager's Handbook lying around and pretend your thinking about taking the Catalina 34 to the Broughtons.

She is agreeable. The rest is easy. Fast Passage 39 out of Mexico or late model Beneteau out of a BVI charter fleet, these are nearly irrelevant second tier details.

Everything is on the table now...

[sailingdog]

scupper-

whatever you do...make sure the mrs. can sail/handle the boat as well as you, and make sure she has input into the boat buying process. Cruising as a couple will leave you or her effectively singlehanding the boat for long periods of time...so you want to make sure that she likes the boat and can sail it.

[camaraderie]

Actually I disagree on the need for the missus to be able to handle the boat under sail. Obviously, this would be a plus but I also think it is one of the things that brings a lot of fear to non-sailing spouses..."What happens if my hubby has a heart attack" or similar variation.
The only reason for a woman to NEED to be able to sail the boat alone is if the hubby is incapacitated. If he IS incapacitated...she needs HELP for him...not to continue to make the passage. So...instead of sailing skills what she needs to learn is:
1. Getting the sails DOWN.
2. How to get help: EPIRB, SSB Emergency Operation, VHF Mayday prcedures AND how to give the position of the boat from the GPS.
3. Turning the engine on and driving the boat under power.
4. In the worst case of a spouse overboard items 1 and 3 are of immediate concern.

These things are relatively easy to learn and do not require strength or skills that take time to develope.
Obviously a spouse that CAN sail and enjoys it is a huge advantage in cruising, but it is my observation that many do not enjoy the actual sailing even though they may quite enjoy the cruising life.

[CalebD]

Scupper,
Check out this fellow Canadian's website: The Usual Suspects - Caribbean Sailing Adventures
He bought a boat out in the Caribbean in the charter fleet and tells ALL of the details. It can take several hours to read through it all. Well worth your time though.
Oh, and don't kill the dog!
Good luck.