The Cruising Life, by Jim Trefethen, and Cruising Financials

[sailingdog]

is it possible to limit posting a message with links to people who have a certain minimum number of posts???

[camaraderie]

Dawg...thanks for the alert. Admin Jeff will have to answer that question...all I can do is push the big red "EASY" buton he gave me!!

[hellosailor]

Jim-
"If you sail with no health insurance, can that be unfair to one's extended family?" Sailing isn't relevant to that question, is it? Whether you are afloat or on land, the inaffordability of health insurance poses the same questions. At sea you are less likely to be in a car crash, hit by a bus, mugged, or fall off a train platform. So, perhaps sailing is actually fairer to the family--they may be at less risk.

[Jim H]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Jim-
"If you sail with no health insurance, can that be unfair to one's extended family?" Sailing isn't relevant to that question, is it? Whether you are afloat or on land, the inaffordability of health insurance poses the same questions. At sea you are less likely to be in a car crash, hit by a bus, mugged, or fall off a train platform. So, perhaps sailing is actually fairer to the family--they may be at less risk.

Hello,

It's not that I think there's more or less risk at sea or on land. It's just that if you choose to stop working and give up your existing health insurance, then it's hard to say it was the same either way. I guess I'm thinking more about operations and procedures for ailments that will happen whether one is sailing or not...

Personally, I've found some very good posts on the SSCA board about catastrophic coverage that sounds affordable, even if it only applies outside of the US. My real point is that one shouldn't have to choose between health insurance or cruising (at least I hope not).

Jim H

[hellosailor]

Jim, if you're quitting a job that has health insurance, you probably can take a COBRA conversion for 18 months after you leave them. That often is 1/2 the price you would pay for the same coverage with taking the conversion plan, although the terms and options offered to you may differ. But it's worth asking about.

Of course, MOST private plans these days are with some form of HMO or regional insurer, and you may be surprised to find out that (even if you are employed) if you get sick out of town--you've got no coverage until you come home. Or, are placed in a hospital. So even the typical corporate coverage can be useless once you "leave port".

Probably cheaper to just hire an ex-soviet doctor as permanent crew. "Comrade, I give you $400 a month, fresh bread and butter, and warm place to sleep! All you do care for wife and I. Deal?" "DEAL!"

Soviet, Indian, Chinese...take your pick. And none of them will give you a hard time about "I'll need a preapproval form before..."

[sailorjim99]

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO COME OUT, THE spammers ARE BACK.

ALL YOU GUYS AND GALS HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

JIM.

[camaraderie]

Got 'em Jim...Merry Christmas back at ya!

[PBzeer]

Wonder why they keep picking on this thread?

[camaraderie]

PB...I think they find a way in on one thread and then automate it taking over someone elses IP address to send every night at about 3AM.

[canadianseamonkey]

Originally Posted by ianhlnd

Waverider
I would like to take umbrage with some of your remarks unfortunately, yours is a common attitude of a lot of Canadians and especially those that I grew up with as a native of Halifax, and later the Okanogan valley in BC, my family has over 300 yrs in that country. The best thing that ever happened is that my father decided to move to California during the war and "Americanized" us all. Besides Halifax, as an adult I've worked in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver and I've seen the same attitude amoung my compatriots as you apparently have.

The fact is without the US at your southern boarder, you probably would have disolved into separate provinces and then into chaos. I'm not sure Canada is even a country anymore anyway. The US provides all your defence, financial investment opportunity, produce and foodstuffs, The government is the greatest employer, 20% on the pogey, AND, explain Quebec???? Maybe you don't remember when the separationists were blowing up cafes and gathering places of the "english". And Rene Lesveque (sp) tried two times to separate do you remember the referendums? IMHO Canada has slipped into a socialist morass since the second world war when canada had some backbone.

I do agree and I don't like it that Iraq is costing the US a lot in lives and dollars, which could be best spent elsewhere, and, I don't like the US being the world's policeman. But If not us, who? Canadians? French? In my perfect world, the US would worry only about things within its boarders, and let the rest of the world go to hell if that's where they want to go. Korea and Iran with Nukes, hell, give some to Somalia, Niger, Botswana, So Korea, Thailand, and any other country that wants them.

Sorry for venting, but your post rung my bell at the wrong time.

IANHLND,

Sorry about your feelings towards Canada and us Canadians. You seem a little bitter that your father Americanized your family and that you are missing out on free healthcare, low pollution, uncrowded land, great economy (no thanks to the US and it's militant border laws) and so much more. You may want to educate yourself on what the US actually provides Canada before posting your assumptions. You provide us defence???? from who and what exactly? Opportunity? again what? You need to do some research my friend. Your thoughts on Canada are washed up and it's people like you that make this world ugly.

I've travelled to many countries and Canadians are loved all around the world. Americans have a reputation of being rude and ignorant. When I say ignorant I mean it in terms of being uneducated about anything outside of their own country. I've met many great Americans and I don't stereotype, but many people do and your reputation is tarnished in most countries.

You seem to be racist in general with you last comments. You may want to keep those to yourself. Now go fight a war.