Taking an extended cruise is not a new idea for me. I’ve been agonizing about taking off for a year or more for a long time and it still doesn’t pencil out financially. But I’m planning on taking off later this year anyway. Do you think it makes sense to head out earlier in life, possibly taking with you the added stress of having to come back to make ends meet? Or would you rather pay your dues and bank enough cash to head off on the high seas without financial pressure? When is the right time to go? Set your checkout time here then vote in this week's Quick Quiz on the home page. (Discussion topic and quiz by Trevor MacLachlan)
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Thats hard
Being diagnosed with cancer...I can say dont put off what you want to do to long...However for me that also includes paying of the house for my wife and putting 3 kids through collage... Both are more important then what I want.. I Bought the boat though...
OH PS: If I make it that long..."T-" 8 years and counting..
Being diagnosed with cancer...I can say dont put off what you want to do to long...However for me that also includes paying of the house for my wife and putting 3 kids through collage... Both are more important then what I want.. I Bought the boat though...
OH PS: If I make it that long..."T-" 8 years and counting..
Ask your self one question.
If I only had one year to live would I do it?. When my wife and I consider buying some thing, or doing some thig we ask our selves that question. If the answer is yes, we do it. So many people wait too long to live a dream, only to find out they are either not physically, or financially able to do it. If you are willing to face the consequences of your actions go for it, as you get older the only thing they can't take from you are your memories.
If I only had one year to live would I do it?. When my wife and I consider buying some thing, or doing some thig we ask our selves that question. If the answer is yes, we do it. So many people wait too long to live a dream, only to find out they are either not physically, or financially able to do it. If you are willing to face the consequences of your actions go for it, as you get older the only thing they can't take from you are your memories.
Try it in steps
I was able to take an extended cruise, but for only 3 months. We went from Toledo, Ohio to points south including South America. It was wonderful, but something I could do without severing my employment completely and still do while young enough to handle what ever. If I had it to do again, I'd go in a heartbeat for two key reasons. 1. I didn't pass on my dream, just abbreviated it for then, and 2. I'll definitely do it again and longer when I retire since I now have first hand knowledge of what it takes, and I will be able to do it at my retirement age.
I was able to take an extended cruise, but for only 3 months. We went from Toledo, Ohio to points south including South America. It was wonderful, but something I could do without severing my employment completely and still do while young enough to handle what ever. If I had it to do again, I'd go in a heartbeat for two key reasons. 1. I didn't pass on my dream, just abbreviated it for then, and 2. I'll definitely do it again and longer when I retire since I now have first hand knowledge of what it takes, and I will be able to do it at my retirement age.
Originally
My answer would have been: -I'd make sure I had no debt and enough cash to last ~10 years. Then this spring, we BOTH got laid-off! So... Off we go with what we have. It's not the boat we dreamt of, we don't have enough money, we didn’t have much time to “plan” for the reality, but we are going to do it! At least for the summer. What was going to be an easy spring commissioning (wash, wax and bottom paint) has turned into adding an oven, radar, HF radio, holding tank, converting storage areas to make them more efficient, buying charts, setting up bill payment, arranging lawn mowing, contingency plans for ailing parents, teaching the cat to like it, buying health insurance, and on and on and on…… So, as of mid February my answer has changed to: -I’d go now, I might get hit by a bus tomorrow (or have to find another job)
My answer would have been: -I'd make sure I had no debt and enough cash to last ~10 years. Then this spring, we BOTH got laid-off! So... Off we go with what we have. It's not the boat we dreamt of, we don't have enough money, we didn’t have much time to “plan” for the reality, but we are going to do it! At least for the summer. What was going to be an easy spring commissioning (wash, wax and bottom paint) has turned into adding an oven, radar, HF radio, holding tank, converting storage areas to make them more efficient, buying charts, setting up bill payment, arranging lawn mowing, contingency plans for ailing parents, teaching the cat to like it, buying health insurance, and on and on and on…… So, as of mid February my answer has changed to: -I’d go now, I might get hit by a bus tomorrow (or have to find another job
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It is always posible to find a job. A year of sailing
and traveling experience won't hurt your resume`. The question I would ask is," can I cover my basic costs without going into debt or putting all of my eggs in one basket?"
and traveling experience won't hurt your resume`. The question I would ask is," can I cover my basic costs without going into debt or putting all of my eggs in one basket?"
Right in the middle
Our Club plans a week-long cruise each summer for the third week in July. It seems to work out best. The boat is ready - and WE are ready to head off and see some new sights! Bill on STARGAZER
Our Club plans a week-long cruise each summer for the third week in July. It seems to work out best. The boat is ready - and WE are ready to head off and see some new sights! Bill on STARGAZER
Like which boat is best
Which is the best sailboat? Obviously, there's no one answer to this - depends on who you are, what your intended use is, etc. etc. Same for this question - depends on what you want out of life, what your interests are, etc. I spent 35 years dreaming of getting a sailboat, but never ever imagined it would be remotely possible. This was not for financial reasons (mainly), but a commitment to other aspects of life. I wish I knew more about sailing now, but I have no regrets over what I didn't do for all those years. It was the right thing to do. That was me. You are different (whoever "you" are).
Which is the best sailboat? Obviously, there's no one answer to this - depends on who you are, what your intended use is, etc. etc. Same for this question - depends on what you want out of life, what your interests are, etc. I spent 35 years dreaming of getting a sailboat, but never ever imagined it would be remotely possible. This was not for financial reasons (mainly), but a commitment to other aspects of life. I wish I knew more about sailing now, but I have no regrets over what I didn't do for all those years. It was the right thing to do. That was me. You are different (whoever "you" are).
go early
I think you should go early while young and enjoy more adventure. Also you need much less when young and will have in your lifetime more than one career. The longer you wait the more you find reasons not to go. Get a small boat, put some gear in it, and leave. I put off going now for more than 20 years finding lots of "reasons" not to go. In the end, I think going early would have been better, and I could return and pick up where I left off easier when younger than older.
I think you should go early while young and enjoy more adventure. Also you need much less when young and will have in your lifetime more than one career. The longer you wait the more you find reasons not to go. Get a small boat, put some gear in it, and leave. I put off going now for more than 20 years finding lots of "reasons" not to go. In the end, I think going early would have been better, and I could return and pick up where I left off easier when younger than older.
Empty Nest
For us it is when the nest is empty and we're half way there. We want the kids to be on their own and not likely to be wanting to move back in. After that it's back to the bohemian life of BC (before children). We have my disability income and my wife has always been able to find work. So the plan is to stop paying to support stuff like sofas and bedroom sets and live aboard. With in certain limits I am allowed to earn a little extra money plus one can always work under the table. Shhh don't tell the government eavesdropper I said that
For us it is when the nest is empty and we're half way there. We want the kids to be on their own and not likely to be wanting to move back in. After that it's back to the bohemian life of BC (before children). We have my disability income and my wife has always been able to find work. So the plan is to stop paying to support stuff like sofas and bedroom sets and live aboard. With in certain limits I am allowed to earn a little extra money plus one can always work under the table. Shhh don't tell the government eavesdropper I said that
Easy for me...
Without any elaboration, I would wait until everything is behind me. Kids out of the house, responsibilities of 9~5 over. Yep, I can still enjoy life after retirement. No sitting on my butt and watching the tube. My vote is a late checkout.
Without any elaboration, I would wait until everything is behind me. Kids out of the house, responsibilities of 9~5 over. Yep, I can still enjoy life after retirement. No sitting on my butt and watching the tube. My vote is a late checkout.
Carpe Diem
To give you a context, I'm 68 and retired, and I just finished sailing/motoring every inch of the ICW solo in a sailboat these past six months. Regarding going earlier or later in life I met people of all ages and financial means on the water. There were young newly weds, and mid-career parents traveling with children, and quite a few couples regardless of age who work half the year and cruise the other half. However the dominant population on this route is the older retired or semi-retired marinars. This profile sums up my answer to the question you posed: there is no generic right answer, however there is a right answer for you, and you will know it intuitively, not rationally or by other people's vote. My bias: carpe diem!
To give you a context, I'm 68 and retired, and I just finished sailing/motoring every inch of the ICW solo in a sailboat these past six months. Regarding going earlier or later in life I met people of all ages and financial means on the water. There were young newly weds, and mid-career parents traveling with children, and quite a few couples regardless of age who work half the year and cruise the other half. However the dominant population on this route is the older retired or semi-retired marinars. This profile sums up my answer to the question you posed: there is no generic right answer, however there is a right answer for you, and you will know it intuitively, not rationally or by other people's vote. My bias: carpe diem!
Go before everything is solved.
I got into sailing late. Did some sea excursions from N. Ca. to S.Ca. and back a couple summers ago making me realize I should'a gone on those occasions when I was between wives. Now, at 71, I won't go to sea without another sailor, which limits extended cruiseing. We all get to be 85 anyway. Don't compromise experience-collecting to be secure. Security is a state of mind. Financial security comes from not spending. Read the extended cruise authors. If you can't go full time, go part time.
I got into sailing late. Did some sea excursions from N. Ca. to S.Ca. and back a couple summers ago making me realize I should'a gone on those occasions when I was between wives. Now, at 71, I won't go to sea without another sailor, which limits extended cruiseing. We all get to be 85 anyway. Don't compromise experience-collecting to be secure. Security is a state of mind. Financial security comes from not spending. Read the extended cruise authors. If you can't go full time, go part time.
I too have an opinion
As howard Edson said I too have met Young Medium And older Folks while cruising and all were enjoying it. You will have to determine what is best for you. For some who were cruising with, and home schooling their kids, it was a family adventure, but I (with my wife), waited until after we retired. I think it was a shame that so many of the younger folks I encountered had to curtail there cruising because their cruising kitty had run out. They had to go back to earn more money. And then, even though they were cruising, they had to pinch their pennies to prolong what they had. It also seemed as though they were trying to cram too much into a single cruise, because the end was always in sight for that particular cruise. So they were more on the go, to get to places, and see things. They weren't as laid back as the older folks we met. My wife and I on the other hand waited until after retirement. We had a nice retirement income and reasonable health an were able to cruise in a very relaxed style. Anchoring for as much as a month in one little harbor. So everyone sees it differently, The young people will be able to look back and say they did it, and enjoyed it, But then, they may have to work well past the retirement age to make up for it, and that could be a hardship. The other part is, that if they didn't do it when they were young, they could have become ill and never done it at all. Who can say what life is going to offer. My choice was good for me, and I'm sure yours will be just as good for you. Happy Sailing Joe S
As howard Edson said I too have met Young Medium And older Folks while cruising and all were enjoying it. You will have to determine what is best for you. For some who were cruising with, and home schooling their kids, it was a family adventure, but I (with my wife), waited until after we retired. I think it was a shame that so many of the younger folks I encountered had to curtail there cruising because their cruising kitty had run out. They had to go back to earn more money. And then, even though they were cruising, they had to pinch their pennies to prolong what they had. It also seemed as though they were trying to cram too much into a single cruise, because the end was always in sight for that particular cruise. So they were more on the go, to get to places, and see things. They weren't as laid back as the older folks we met. My wife and I on the other hand waited until after retirement. We had a nice retirement income and reasonable health an were able to cruise in a very relaxed style. Anchoring for as much as a month in one little harbor. So everyone sees it differently, The young people will be able to look back and say they did it, and enjoyed it, But then, they may have to work well past the retirement age to make up for it, and that could be a hardship. The other part is, that if they didn't do it when they were young, they could have become ill and never done it at all. Who can say what life is going to offer. My choice was good for me, and I'm sure yours will be just as good for you. Happy Sailing Joe S
Go now!
We spent years planning, preparing, and sailing locally. Ten months after retirement and six months from departure my wife of 42 years was diagnosed with leukemia. A year later I was alone and wondering whether I should even keep the boat. Life goes on and so did I but I wish I had my crew back.
We spent years planning, preparing, and sailing locally. Ten months after retirement and six months from departure my wife of 42 years was diagnosed with leukemia. A year later I was alone and wondering whether I should even keep the boat. Life goes on and so did I but I wish I had my crew back.
When life begins
There was a conference of biologists and religious representatives on the question of when life begins. One of the religious people started it off by explaining that life begins at the moment of conception. Then a biologist explained why it was that life doesn't really begin until well into the third trimester of pregnancy. A debate followed, with the arguments going back and forth. Finally, and older guy who was the janitor, who was listening to all of this interrupted. "No, no, no... None of you guys know anything at all about life. Life begins when the youngest kid turns 21 and is out of the house."
There was a conference of biologists and religious representatives on the question of when life begins. One of the religious people started it off by explaining that life begins at the moment of conception. Then a biologist explained why it was that life doesn't really begin until well into the third trimester of pregnancy. A debate followed, with the arguments going back and forth. Finally, and older guy who was the janitor, who was listening to all of this interrupted. "No, no, no... None of you guys know anything at all about life. Life begins when the youngest kid turns 21 and is out of the house."
My story
When we were young I wanted to go sailing. My wife being a teacher, schooling for the kids shouldn't have been a problem. My wife said no, wait until the kids are out of school. I said that by then we will be taking care of the "ELDERS", our parents(we're only children). "No" she said,"that won't be a problem". Well, thirty odd years later the kids are on their own and we are taking care of the"ELDERS". It is the right thing to do and don't mind doing it. After all, they took care of us for all those years BUT, by the the time the the last one passes away we'll be in our seventies and probably too old to do any cruising. Would things have been better if we had gone years ago? I don't know...nobody knows the answer to such questions. Fair winds, Pappy Jack P.S. A quote by John Barrymore: " A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."
When we were young I wanted to go sailing. My wife being a teacher, schooling for the kids shouldn't have been a problem. My wife said no, wait until the kids are out of school. I said that by then we will be taking care of the "ELDERS", our parents(we're only children). "No" she said,"that won't be a problem". Well, thirty odd years later the kids are on their own and we are taking care of the"ELDERS". It is the right thing to do and don't mind doing it. After all, they took care of us for all those years BUT, by the the time the the last one passes away we'll be in our seventies and probably too old to do any cruising. Would things have been better if we had gone years ago? I don't know...nobody knows the answer to such questions. Fair winds, Pappy Jack P.S. A quote by John Barrymore: " A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."
Sweet Youth
I would do it as young as possible. That way if you can do it all again before you need crew to help you. It takes much money and it may be tough getting re hired the older you get . Its not a dream of mine but I suggested to my business partner who did do it to go while she had the strenght to do it herself with her partner. They did it succesfully. the link attached is their story. Smitroe
I would do it as young as possible. That way if you can do it all again before you need crew to help you. It takes much money and it may be tough getting re hired the older you get . Its not a dream of mine but I suggested to my business partner who did do it to go while she had the strenght to do it herself with her partner. They did it succesfully. the link attached is their story. Smitroe
Go When?
I am now 47 and if I could go back 25 years I would still be doing the cruise today. But, now with a wife, child and a house I need to wait 8 more years
I am now 47 and if I could go back 25 years I would still be doing the cruise today. But, now with a wife, child and a house I need to wait 8 more years
Pappy Jack's Story
Pappy's story is all too common. And someone else mentioned health problems that come with age. I say go while you can. Back in the 1960's while I was being a responsible citizen with a great job - Electronics Engr, my cousins had gotten together and hitch-hiked all over the USA, Europe and most of Asia for several years. When they came back to the US, they eventually all settled down and got pretty good jobs or opened small businesses. Wasn't too much later that we were all in the same socioeconomic position. They have the great memories and I had the great job. I know that I missed out on a lot in life by not going with them. Moral of the story...they did their thing when young and never regretted it and still did well in later life. One of them died several years ago from cancer. If he waited to travel, he never would have gotten to it. Tony B
Pappy's story is all too common. And someone else mentioned health problems that come with age. I say go while you can. Back in the 1960's while I was being a responsible citizen with a great job - Electronics Engr, my cousins had gotten together and hitch-hiked all over the USA, Europe and most of Asia for several years. When they came back to the US, they eventually all settled down and got pretty good jobs or opened small businesses. Wasn't too much later that we were all in the same socioeconomic position. They have the great memories and I had the great job. I know that I missed out on a lot in life by not going with them. Moral of the story...they did their thing when young and never regretted it and still did well in later life. One of them died several years ago from cancer. If he waited to travel, he never would have gotten to it. Tony B
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