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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/06/2009 : 17:49:10

Just got the latest BoatUS magazine. In the section "Where Our Flags Fly" there is a photo of an American Tug 34 next to a glacier. The caption reads:

"We purchased Annie, an American Tug 34, in LaConner, Washington," writes Don and Anna Gordan, "and took a three month shakedown to Alaska. Then we set off on an eight month cruise down the Pacific coast, through the Panama Canal, up the Western Caribbean to our home port in Punta Gordo, Florida. We feel very fortunate to have taken this once-in-a-lifetime journey in our own boat."

Fortunate indeed. I would love to do that.

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 18:35:39

Me too, I'm so ready to be doing something different like cruising.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 19:41:21

Me too but stuck in this rat race. Sometimes I even wonder why I bother. Once I'm done with all the living expenses, theres not much fun money left if at all. I pay a premium because I'm in Calgary, because that's where the good paying jobs are, then the come the vehicles, kids expenses, utilities, etc. Then I read about all those cruisers living well on $20K a year, taking a break once in a while to replenish the money. Just imagine having no mortgage, no cars, no overhead. Work 1/4 of the year, then cruise the rest of the 3/4. Lots of people doing it and not waiting until their 60.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/06/2009 19:46:42

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 19:53:07

I'm with you, if you want to read an interesting story, go read the [url="http://www.theslapdash.com"]Slapdash[/url] blog. They're a Canadian couple in their 30's who decided to chuck it all, sell the house, fly to Florida and find a boat to sail around the world. Right after they learned how to sail it. They bought a Gemini 105MC in North Carolina, learned how to sail it, and headed off around the world. That was about 14 months ago, the boat's in New Zealand now, while she's back in Canada working for a while & he's doing maintenance on the boat & trying to get a work permit. They inspire me.

Edited by - delliottg on 03/06/2009 19:56:05

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 20:17:39

Then there is us . . . Work hard all our life, buy a house and all the stuff in it, save up lots for that retirement sailing dream . . lose most of it when the time comes to spend it.

Yep, maybe they have figured it out.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 20:34:22

I hear that...

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 20:44:14

What a sucky time to be near retirement right now. When you are saying loses, do you mean paper loses? Do you believe its possible to recup? On a 5 year projection, don't you think the real estate is going to bounce right back? This of course if most of your retirement money wasn't in AIG or the like. :-(

I'm 42 now and went through 2-3 recessions at critical times in my life. One when I was in my early 20`s and the other right now. On top of this being from Quebec they have a tendancy to go into a recession 1 year in advanced, and stay in a recession 1 year later. Feels that I've been in a recession all my life with the occassional breaks. I think this is the reason that led me to buy my boat. Sure I could`ve invested $20K more wisely, but told my wife that I don't want to do like my parents who saved all their lives only to be too old to do anything later. Then again reflecting back "investing" 20K in the boat in 2006 was probably better than the stock market, maybe would be just $5K left.

Look on the bright side, at least we have wonderful boats and sailing!

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/06/2009 20:50:26

ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 22:19:58

We speak of choices as if they really come to sailors. The fact is sailing is a vocation. I had this epiphany while reading Sailing Small and The Greatest Sailing Stories Ever Told. What differentiates the people on this blog from people who are true live aboard cruisers, is probably more about the number of vocations we have, rather than our focus or clarity. I myself have a couple of vocations which keep me sailing at the level I am. One calling is to be a minister, another is to being a husband, another is being a father, and another is being a sailor. Sometimes I feel conflicted over the vocations. On the one hand I am called to do what I can to aid in the dignity of the human being, but on the other I just want to sail off to the horizon and become one with the heart of the sea. Of course I also need to be a good husband and father, which calls me to a different direction entirely. So to me its about balance. The fact that we are unwilling to let go of other vocations for the sake of a particular vocation is not always a bad thing. That we can respond to the sailboat blog on the level of a 25' yacht of any kind, is pretty lucky in the scope of the human condition. Now that I have come to understand sailing as not just a hobby but a vocation I feel more at ease. I guess this is why I enjoy this forum, because its not about people sailing larger, or even smaller vessels, but people who know something about the limits of money, many kinds of passions, and the expanse of joy that comes with a well filled sail.
-Vern Wright

Edited by - on

joemireur
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 22:23:48

"Look on the bright side, at least we have wonderful boats and sailing!"

Indeed we do, even if they aren't Island Packets capable of circumnavigations or giant catamarans with king size beds for berths. I've just gone through a fairly bad case of wanna bigger boat blues. But being a cheapskate (which is cover for "I can't afford the boat, the slip or the upkeep.") I have decided to stay with my Capri 25. I wanted a bigger boat to better deal with the stronger breezes of spring and maybe a circumnavigation once in a while. Spirit is absolutely terrific in light air, and at my age, that's when I should be out on the water.

So I decided to be thankful for what I have. One of which is a new traveler, which moves according to my wishes. The old car moved only when enough effort was applied by two grown men. Occasional cuss words were often required too.

Time to give her a wash and wax. And fix the leak in the starboard rear port, third time! May use gunite this time!

Joe Mireur

Edited by - on

joemireur
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 22:31:21

Exceptionally well said, Vern Wright! Sometimes I think if I lived to be 1000 and could own any boat I had a momentary desire for, I would still read this forum before I go to sleep.

Joe Mireur

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 23:05:56

The condition in which we always want bigger and better is a disease and a blessing. A disease when it comes to be blind on what we have while focusing on what we don't have. A blessing which drives us to better ourselves.

You may see your retirement sailing dreams wash away with this recession, but then again you don't need to $500K boat either. You have a choice:
1. Buy a cheaper 50K-100K boat and live your dream.
2. Stay home with a negative mood eating away at "what might have been, only if..."

The discussion was spawned on the Cruisers Forum, where a guy wanting a $250K boat was budeting things and asking questions. Needed to keep a part time job, cost of upkeep and all. In the end the conclusion was that he would buy a $50K boat, live off the money (and interest) on what he's got now. You would be amazed on what you can get for $50K, its just more work to find a good one. The best is to find an excellent condition dirty boat, they just don't sell when dirty, and clean it up.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 08:01:55

I for one am happy that I can still sail at the level we are at. As economic times get a bit rougher, the simplicity of sailing even at our level is a joy and relatively inexpensive (after the initial expense). How many "hobbies" allow your entire family and friends to participate.

I agree that the kind of sailing that couple is involved in is a vocation and requires a commitment that is not only monetarily, but also of one's time. Few of us especially, here in the midwest, have that vocation in our background. We were not brought up around boats. The jump from a traditional life to one of the sailor is a big leap. But it is nice to dream.

For those of you with investments, just remember, just about all of you are down 50% or more. What I'm down would have bought a large wonderful boat. Did I buy it when I could have? No, It's a matter of commitment.

Edited by - on

Windhover
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 09:46:26

Wow what an interesting thread... and perfect for our family. With 5 kids we clearly are drawn in many directions, work, kids' sports, etc. After our first season sailing together (last season) the kids have been dying to get the boat back in the water. Our oldest is 12, youngest is almost 3,so it'll be a few years before we can 'chuck it all' and go cruising. However my wife and I feel very fortunate to have been able to introduce the kids to the sport of sailing and I think it is in their blood now. All winter I have had to chase my fresh copies of Sail throughout the house as the kids keep grabbing them when they come in the mail. And just last night my 12 year old was lamenting she wasn't learning fast enough to single hand our C25 yet... It is a commitment in time, and the house jobs are neglected all season, but so worth it!
Not only are we fortunate to have our C25, but to have very close access to Lake Ontario. (Location may change due to work changes based on the economy sadly, though ...)
Oh and once again thanks to the long timers in the association, any questions I have (many) I am always able to find the answers here.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 09:47:39

A lot of good thoughts being expressed here and I can see the value in all of them. This forum is more than a place to get technical advice.

We're in that group of Boomers who are at retirement age (the Admiral is retired, but still doing some sub teaching) and who have seen awesome stock market (401k) losses. Mind boggling really. But, as they say, right now it is all on paper and we plan to wait it out. I still have a great job I will stay with and the Admiral's pension is secure so we are, indeed, blessed. We wouldn't have spent the 401k on a big boat anyway.

We are not looking to ever give up land living and live aboard a boat full-time. Still, the thought of a moderate boat and extended cruising is like a siren's song. Some day. In the meantime I look forward to our launch next month and the another two week adventure in the San Juans or Gulf Islands.

I sure do love this forum. Thank you all for making it special.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 11:10:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by joemireur
 Exceptionally well said, Vern Wright! Sometimes I think if I lived to be 1000 and could own any boat I had a momentary desire for, I would still read this forum before I go to sleep.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Amen to that! The other day a friend was lamenting about the forums associated with his little '56 Porsche Speedster... how everyone's trying to be more "expert" than the next, leading to name-calling and other nonsense. You get the same thing on Cruising World, and of course Sailing Anarchy...

Having "changed horses", I can't tear myself away from this group--it's truly unique on the web. I guess unpretentious boats tend to be owned by unpretentious people.

For me, no avocation is meaningful if it doesn't involve somebody else, whether it's sailing, traveling, or even going to a restaurant. Maybe I'm odd, but maybe that's what 40 idyllic years does to you. After losing my Admiral to cancer, time and distance made cruising on a sailboat unworkable with my new First Mate (not yet an Admiral), so POOF--a boat that can get us to Block Island, Shelter Island, or wherever, expeditiously. But I'm still a sailor... We play with the wind in a Beetle Cat or the like. Passage was maybe going to be my last boat... Sarge is "Last Boat II", and so it goes.

Thanks for letting the sailor in a $+!nkp*+ stay around!

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 14:20:47

Dave Bristle said: 
Thanks for letting the sailor in a $+!nkp*+ stay around!

If you get a ski boat with an arch covered with speakers you're outa here!

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/07/2009 14:33:45

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 14:40:57

Yup, and sunglasses with flames on the side, hawaiian shorts, a goatee and shirtless.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/07/2009 14:42:40

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 16:53:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Blackburn
 ...and shirtless.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">So my mesh muscle-tee (wife-beater) is OK?

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/07/2009 16:54:55

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 18:56:57

My hero (besides my father) is Robin Lee Graham as he did what I really would love to do and just need to develop skills and confidence to achieve. God bless those who aspire to more

Edited by - on

joemireur
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 22:45:36

Re retirement plans and 401Ks becoming 101Ks: A fellow in my Sunday school class says the vocabulary word for today is "liquididty". That's when you look at your retirement account and wet your pants!

Joe

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2009 : 08:28:48

As the resident cruiser around here, I had to chuckle when I stumbled on this thread. You too can do it. Sell all of that crap you've accumulated and buy a reasonably priced older boat as suggested and just go. We are completing our second year of cruising and many people consider US to be the lucky couple.

Reality check.

Stuff happens, and while folks are congratulating us for our chrystal ball in terms of our business and the economy and getting out, we have to remind them that we are not sitting pretty forever. BUT, it sure beats working for now.

That been said, we had to "park" our vessel in Savannah after diverting here during some dicey weather. Three months later - after caring for my mom in Oregon - we had a diver clean our bottom and we untied the lines and were off cruising once again. 10 minutes later the boat started to sound like it was going to fall apart and we headed for a yard. OK, not just any yard - Hinckley Yacht Services. Two weeks and a few thousand bucks later, we might be ready to try this again. We spun a cutlass bearing... Anyway, the bugs are pretty bad, the boat is a mess, we're considerably poorer, and we still have some vibration to deal with, so on occasion the old cubicle sounds kinda pleasant.

The good life is a process, not a destination.

sten
DPO '82 C25 FK/SR #3220 Zephyr
SV Lysistrata C&C 39 - Savannah GA

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2009 : 08:51:17

I dunno how I managed to miss this thread.

Thanks everyone for some great stuff to reflect on today.

Edited by - on

frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 19:34:04

And I'm still trying to figure out the best way to circumnavigate our lake (Lake Murray) here.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 19:50:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bigelowp
 My hero (besides my father) is Robin Lee Graham as he did what I really would love to do and just need to develop skills and confidence to achieve. God bless those who aspire to more
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I am also in Awe of Graham's voyage, and I gave my daughter the book to read as well. We had a couple long discussions abou tth etail end of his journey though. A lot of questions only he could answer, but the thing that we worked through was when it gets rough, and you just wanna quit, there are some serious decisions to be made about whether your goals are still valid and worthwhile.

Reading about Robin's last passage from the Gulf of Mexico back to California, you really start wondering about motivation and attaining what you started out chasing. It sounded to me like his voyage really ended someplace around South Africa, and that from there to California was completed with his head in the wrong place.

Just my take on it. Of course the only way to know for sure would be to ask Robin, and I don't think he posts on this board.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 19:52:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by frogger
 And I'm still trying to figure out the best way to circumnavigate our lake (Lake Murray) here.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I put together a "multiple Crossings" Itinerary to make our lake seem bigger, and then gave up when I realized the futility of it. I could, with a little creativity and back-and-forthing make a 125 mile trip out of going between the marinas on the lake that we have recip with.

I would also want to beat my brains out by the time it was done.

Edited by - on

joemireur
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 21:29:47

frogger sez: "And I'm still trying to figure out the best way to circumnavigate our lake (Lake Murray) here."

I don't know much about circumnavigating lakes. I've been mostly a circumnavigator of Galveston Bay, or parts of it anyway. Seems to me it would be much the same for either. But a really important ingredient would be quality adult beverages of your choice. After good companions, and a nice breeze, and oh yeah, the proper sailing vessel. As found within this forum. Some sunshine too.

Some will tell you that the adult beverage will make it "seem" like a circumnavigation. Or that you "think" you have circumnavigated some body of water. Try to avoid them. Enjoy life and plant your flag at the other end of the lake and claim the land for yourself. If the owner complains, you have two options: 1. just say, "OK" and take your flag elsewhere or 2. offer him one of your adult beverages and try to explain to him why you are NOT moving your flag. Neither option works for me but that's no reason you shouldn't try it!

Fair winds,
Joe Mireur

Edited by - on

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