I am at the point of being ready to take the plunge and go cruising. I am retiring at age 58 (next year). My wife who is 45 wants to keep working at her career for another 10 years. I don't want to wait until I am 68 to cruise. It is looking as though I will be going single-handed. My wife will fly to meet me and stay for short stints as time permits. I am okay with that and actually kind of like the idea. Not that I don't love my wife. We are the the best of friends and I would certianly rather have her along. My plans take me from California to Mexico, Central America, South Pacific, Hawaii, Pacific North West, and back. I am thinking 5-10 years. Then if I am still healthy and my wife wants to go... maybe more. Have any of you done any single handed sailing? What do you all think of this? I have never single-handed the boat more than over night and a couple hundred miles, but others do this so why not? I have 30 years of sailing experience. Handling the boat is not an issue. Would love to hear your Ideas, Comments, and Advice. Thanks.
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I took a 3 month trip covering 1200 miles a couple of years ago - about half of it single handed. I certainly enjoyed the trip, but I was surprised to find out how much I like people. I really had thought I was more of a loner than I turned out to be. Anchoring alone is not, in my opinion, a lot of fun, so I found myself tying at docks where it was a bit more social. It is hard to stop at a local restaurant and enjoy a meal alone. I would go alone again, but I did find it a bit lonely.
Single Handing
I have and do single hand a lot. And I love the time alone. That being said, my GF and I brought our new to us boat back from NJ to New Orleans year before last. Took us 2 & 1/2 months, and would have taken longer, but we wanted to be back by Christmas. It is certainly more enjoyable to have someone aboard, most of the time. But as higgs says, you can tie up, anchor out, at a new place whenever the mood strikes, and the people you meet are always wonderful. I can't speak too much of long term offshore work, as my longest single hand voyage has been across the gulf, which is only 700 miles or so. But I did enjoy that very much. One thing you can do is head out, and if you don't like it, come back home.
I have and do single hand a lot. And I love the time alone. That being said, my GF and I brought our new to us boat back from NJ to New Orleans year before last. Took us 2 & 1/2 months, and would have taken longer, but we wanted to be back by Christmas. It is certainly more enjoyable to have someone aboard, most of the time. But as higgs says, you can tie up, anchor out, at a new place whenever the mood strikes, and the people you meet are always wonderful. I can't speak too much of long term offshore work, as my longest single hand voyage has been across the gulf, which is only 700 miles or so. But I did enjoy that very much. One thing you can do is head out, and if you don't like it, come back home.
I think that If it were me I would plan to put out to sea
for three weeks. I would sail away from land for 10 days and if I was still happy I would set a course for a destination and when I got there I would let folk know where I was. If I wasn't happy I could be home in ten days and would have had three weeks to consider my options.
for three weeks. I would sail away from land for 10 days and if I was still happy I would set a course for a destination and when I got there I would let folk know where I was. If I wasn't happy I could be home in ten days and would have had three weeks to consider my options.
Man am I envious
I'm 58 now, but my wife is dead set against me retiring (her father worked until he was near 70 and was never the same after he retired), she thinks I will be bored within a few months. I've been dreaming about taking the whole summer and just cruising the Great Lakes. I keep telling her I don't want to wait until I'm too old or feeble - but I'm hesitant about leaving a steady paycheck. Decisions, decisions. I'm thinking with all the modern communications devices you would be somewhat lonely, but not nearly as much as say 20 years ago. At least now you can keep in touch from almost anywhere.
I'm 58 now, but my wife is dead set against me retiring (her father worked until he was near 70 and was never the same after he retired), she thinks I will be bored within a few months. I've been dreaming about taking the whole summer and just cruising the Great Lakes. I keep telling her I don't want to wait until I'm too old or feeble - but I'm hesitant about leaving a steady paycheck. Decisions, decisions. I'm thinking with all the modern communications devices you would be somewhat lonely, but not nearly as much as say 20 years ago. At least now you can keep in touch from almost anywhere.
True words Ross
True words Ross, probably why deep down I'm a little afraid of leaving the work force. I should probably put down those Cruising magazines for awhile too.
True words Ross, probably why deep down I'm a little afraid of leaving the work force. I should probably put down those Cruising magazines for awhile too.
For me it is nice to get away for a while but it is
also nice to be home. This fall we will be in this house for 37 years. We have watched the trees grow and the flowers spread, We have gone to funerals of friends and neighbors. Home is good. Do not consider it lightly. I spent 3 hours today getting Bietzpadlin ready for the season . Still some work to do and six weeks of paying work on the calender. There will be some sailing and some tending to home and some working for money and satisfaction. That is a good balance I think.
also nice to be home. This fall we will be in this house for 37 years. We have watched the trees grow and the flowers spread, We have gone to funerals of friends and neighbors. Home is good. Do not consider it lightly. I spent 3 hours today getting Bietzpadlin ready for the season . Still some work to do and six weeks of paying work on the calender. There will be some sailing and some tending to home and some working for money and satisfaction. That is a good balance I think.
You can now notify everyone
A short time ago I posted up, asking if anyone has the SPOT, which WM is not selling. A friend of mine bought one, and has been using it and sending me spot reports. They come to your email, and you can attach a short message, although it is the same all the time. I think up to one hundred characters. It gives time, position, and link to a google map showing your position. Pretty neat deal and priced reasonable. The unit is 150 bucks, and basic activation is 100 bucks a year. Hell, most of us drink a lot more than that.
A short time ago I posted up, asking if anyone has the SPOT, which WM is not selling. A friend of mine bought one, and has been using it and sending me spot reports. They come to your email, and you can attach a short message, although it is the same all the time. I think up to one hundred characters. It gives time, position, and link to a google map showing your position. Pretty neat deal and priced reasonable. The unit is 150 bucks, and basic activation is 100 bucks a year. Hell, most of us drink a lot more than that.
Ken
Do you want to go to your grave sorry that you hadn't given cruising an honest try? I was an Electronics Engr. for 20 years. I gave it all up at age 40. It wasnt until 18 years later that I made as much money as i did in 1986. I have never enjoyed life as much as I have since I left. Even through some very difficult financial years, I never regretted leaving the 3 piece suit life. I was married and divorced twice and I never felt as free as the day I left Southwestern Bell. Most men have no idea how married they are to their careers until they leave. I went from a big house on 60 acres to cheap apartments to a 25 foot sailboat and a dock box. I currently still live aboard with my GF on a 39' Ketch. After leaving SWBell I became a half-ass artist, I had a custom woodworking business, I became a furniture designer and builder, I was a deckhand and shortly thereafter became a Captain on crew boats and small supply boats in the Gulf of Mex serving the Rigs and Platforms. I am currently a protective coatings inspector on the rigs. Life is good and life is fun. IMHO Tony B
Do you want to go to your grave sorry that you hadn't given cruising an honest try? I was an Electronics Engr. for 20 years. I gave it all up at age 40. It wasnt until 18 years later that I made as much money as i did in 1986. I have never enjoyed life as much as I have since I left. Even through some very difficult financial years, I never regretted leaving the 3 piece suit life. I was married and divorced twice and I never felt as free as the day I left Southwestern Bell. Most men have no idea how married they are to their careers until they leave. I went from a big house on 60 acres to cheap apartments to a 25 foot sailboat and a dock box. I currently still live aboard with my GF on a 39' Ketch. After leaving SWBell I became a half-ass artist, I had a custom woodworking business, I became a furniture designer and builder, I was a deckhand and shortly thereafter became a Captain on crew boats and small supply boats in the Gulf of Mex serving the Rigs and Platforms. I am currently a protective coatings inspector on the rigs. Life is good and life is fun. IMHO Tony B
As I have written before on this site...
I have been solo cruising for over six years on our current boat all in PNW waters. The admiral goes with me some of the time, but even then I'm doing most all of the heavy lifting. Having all of the sail trim controls extended to the cockpit is important for solo sailing. I've been out in all kinds of weather, for extended periods of time (two months) and sailing is my current passion in life. I retired at 55 from a very stressful career and I wanted to do something different. The job that I have now continues to give me some purpose in life because it allows me to work with kids, which I enjoy. It also provides lots of time off during the year and good pay with benefits. Odds are had I stayed with my original career I'm afraid of the physical toll it would have taken and the opportunity to begin a new chapter. I suspect by the time I reach 70 my stamina will have diminished to the point that sailing our current boat will not be possible. No regrets here. Terry
I have been solo cruising for over six years on our current boat all in PNW waters. The admiral goes with me some of the time, but even then I'm doing most all of the heavy lifting. Having all of the sail trim controls extended to the cockpit is important for solo sailing. I've been out in all kinds of weather, for extended periods of time (two months) and sailing is my current passion in life. I retired at 55 from a very stressful career and I wanted to do something different. The job that I have now continues to give me some purpose in life because it allows me to work with kids, which I enjoy. It also provides lots of time off during the year and good pay with benefits. Odds are had I stayed with my original career I'm afraid of the physical toll it would have taken and the opportunity to begin a new chapter. I suspect by the time I reach 70 my stamina will have diminished to the point that sailing our current boat will not be possible. No regrets here. Terry
Well...
you will never know unless you try it! Personally I think it needs to be in your blood. Type "C" personality... that's one past "B". And if your asking our advice... you are still a "B". And don't mind talking to Spalding... the basketball! I think after 5 or 10 years... you might be ready for something else. That's just me... I am probably just envious though! You might want to start out as Ross suggests... and leave one foot on shore. Wish you ther best.
you will never know unless you try it! Personally I think it needs to be in your blood. Type "C" personality... that's one past "B". And if your asking our advice... you are still a "B". And don't mind talking to Spalding... the basketball! I think after 5 or 10 years... you might be ready for something else. That's just me... I am probably just envious though! You might want to start out as Ross suggests... and leave one foot on shore. Wish you ther best.
GO FOR IT !!!
Liam, you're right on track. You've made a plan, and if you feel good about it, follow your plan. BUT don't be to hard on yourself, you're supposed to be having fun, and be flexable, you can always change your sail plan and goals. I retired at 52 yrs. of age after working a professional career serving the public. I've met alot of people who said; "Your to young to retire." You don't look old enough" yadda yadda. Well, hello people, WAKE UP !! That's the whole point. I've travelled all over the world, and have worked with people who kept telling me what and where they were to do and go after they retired. Well I've learned most people don't change much if and when they retire. I've been retired over 7 years and have always said if I'm bored or feel like working I'll get a job. Well, I've never had that feeling. AND many of the people I used to work with have now retired and guess what, they don't travel much and few have done things they said the wanted to ... bad back, spouse not well etc., etc. Life is short, spend time on yourself, exercise daily so you'll live longer, and SAIL. Do not be brought down by negative or cowardly people. (Misery loves company) .... by now I guess you can tell that what I'm saying is; Be Happy, and Sailing, people, travel, family, & whatever accomplishes this is all good. Amen.
Liam, you're right on track. You've made a plan, and if you feel good about it, follow your plan. BUT don't be to hard on yourself, you're supposed to be having fun, and be flexable, you can always change your sail plan and goals. I retired at 52 yrs. of age after working a professional career serving the public. I've met alot of people who said; "Your to young to retire." You don't look old enough" yadda yadda. Well, hello people, WAKE UP !! That's the whole point. I've travelled all over the world, and have worked with people who kept telling me what and where they were to do and go after they retired. Well I've learned most people don't change much if and when they retire. I've been retired over 7 years and have always said if I'm bored or feel like working I'll get a job. Well, I've never had that feeling. AND many of the people I used to work with have now retired and guess what, they don't travel much and few have done things they said the wanted to ... bad back, spouse not well etc., etc. Life is short, spend time on yourself, exercise daily so you'll live longer, and SAIL. Do not be brought down by negative or cowardly people. (Misery loves company) .... by now I guess you can tell that what I'm saying is; Be Happy, and Sailing, people, travel, family, & whatever accomplishes this is all good. Amen.
Do it
You seem to understand the implications. An alternate route to return is back up the West Coast - see or Google George Benson, who's written a very good book about it. The link is to his website. Read his narrative, too, lower right hand side of his home page. Just do some more solo sailing around where you live to give it a try.
You seem to understand the implications. An alternate route to return is back up the West Coast - see or Google George Benson, who's written a very good book about it. The link is to his website. Read his narrative, too, lower right hand side of his home page. Just do some more solo sailing around where you live to give it a try.
Do it, but....
I pretty much agree with the general trend of these responses. I also think your plan of taking it in small doses is sound. If it works out, take progressively longer trips. If it doesn't, then you can always come home. I've heard too many stories of people who sell up and sail off in a big fanfare, then slink home a few weeks later when they discover the cruising life ain't what they thought it would be. Imagine trying to rebuild your life on land when a big chunk of what you own is tied up in the very boat you left in disgust in George Town, Luperon, Puerto Vallarta (pick one). Peter H23 "Raven"
I pretty much agree with the general trend of these responses. I also think your plan of taking it in small doses is sound. If it works out, take progressively longer trips. If it doesn't, then you can always come home. I've heard too many stories of people who sell up and sail off in a big fanfare, then slink home a few weeks later when they discover the cruising life ain't what they thought it would be. Imagine trying to rebuild your life on land when a big chunk of what you own is tied up in the very boat you left in disgust in George Town, Luperon, Puerto Vallarta (pick one). Peter H23 "Raven"
Great Comments
Thanks to all for the well found comments. I have a pretty good idea about what cruising is. When I was in my 20's I cruised for a year and then lived aboard for another 3 years. I always look back on those times as some of the best I've had (I probably just remember the good stuff). Sailing has been a life-long passion, it is definately in my blood. As I said, I am still about a year away but having the dream and the goal that close really excites and motivates me.
Thanks to all for the well found comments. I have a pretty good idea about what cruising is. When I was in my 20's I cruised for a year and then lived aboard for another 3 years. I always look back on those times as some of the best I've had (I probably just remember the good stuff). Sailing has been a life-long passion, it is definately in my blood. As I said, I am still about a year away but having the dream and the goal that close really excites and motivates me.
Retirement
I retired almost a year ago, mainly due to increasingly sore knees (I worked as a carpenter). I should have done it 25 years earlier! As for single-handed cruising: I'm reminded of one of the all-time great lines in a movie. It's from that movie made about the Krakauer book, "Into the Wild". He says: "Happiness isn't really real unless it's shared with someone else."
I retired almost a year ago, mainly due to increasingly sore knees (I worked as a carpenter). I should have done it 25 years earlier! As for single-handed cruising: I'm reminded of one of the all-time great lines in a movie. It's from that movie made about the Krakauer book, "Into the Wild". He says: "Happiness isn't really real unless it's shared with someone else."
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