[TSOJOURNER]

All of the books and articles we have read, either how to or why the cruising lifestyle was chosen, all eventually end with the authors being happy with the choice. We are wondering if there is anyone out there who tried the crusing life and either opted to return to their former way of living or decided for some reason it was not the right choice for them. We are trying to make the decision now and we realized we have heard only the up side of casting off. Thanks,

 

[TSOJOURNER]

Hi Althea,

I own and live on a 30 morgan out islander for the past 3 yrs. I''m a solo sailor and have taken a few trips. I have also help neightor take their boats to places such as Cancun, Mexico and BVI.

There are certainly down sides to it, but I believe the up sides far outweight them. I Live in West Palm Bch. Fl. in a marina but it would be very easy to live along the intercoastal where the anchorage is free. So there would be a money saving. I''ve researched living on a sailboat long before I actually did it. The one important thing to know is the mechanics, electrical, plumbing and everything it entails. You put boat behind it and it becomes expensive. Problems a going to arise, but it you know your boat, it can be handled. There isn''t a time when I go out for a day or week that something doesn''t happen but its how you deal with it and knowing how.

There are good days and bad, sometime I do think of moving ashore but am not ready yet.

I plan on doing more cruising in the Bahamas next year( its only 50 miles from here) and the Carribean the next.

Only you can decide it the life you want, but you''ll never know unless you try.

Capt James "Sea Turtle"

 

[TSOJOURNER]

Hello

I think it is a terrific idea to get as much info and opinions as you can before embarking on a livaboard/cruising life. It is one of my goals as well.

I have been more and more drawn to it by first spending 10-14 days cruising with friends off New England on a Pearson Triton (28'') every year, in addition to many weekends sailing. I then spent years going on deployments of several months duration on naval surface combatants (I know, not exactly cruising but... still its life on the sea... except for the bad coffee :O) Gradually I got a boat of my own, then another and another... and several more. Now, I spend every weekend and every vacation aboard from March 1 to Dec 15th.

In doing this, I found what appeals to me and what does not. One curious thing, the only thing I missed about not being in my house was email. SO, since I have a Palm V, I got a wireless modem and bingo... now I never have to go home :O)))

Hope this helps
John
aboard INVICTUS