Can anyone comment about stopping everything and just go away sailing for a year? Been at my job for 25 years, and have seen my fair share of friends die too young. Any feedback about this would be appreciated.
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Jack Tyler
Well SURELY you should at least consider it
Bob, here's a little story. Each time I decided to take some time off and go sailing (I've done it 3 times, each time interupting a good career with a major employer), I would let my colleagues know upfront what my plans were. Each time, in quiet conversations in remote corners of the workplace, all kinds of folks would reveal that they too had a secret dream but were afraid to act on it. Write a book, be a Rescue Skiier, parent the child for a year...the list was boundless. Each time, seeing the quiet desperation - and I might add, the lack of acting on their wishes - my own choice was validated. And each time, I ended up in a better vocational position, with better pay and in a phycial location I preferred to the last place. I suspect you would be amazed at the number of people who are out doing Atlantic circumnavigations in a single year. It should be a club! They can't afford to step away either permanently or for a lengthy period, but in a single year they can see Atlantic Europe, numerous Atlantic islands, visit the Caribbean, and return home. (Alter the starting point if you are in North America). If you need a breath of fresh air, if you have a decent boat, and if you want to stretch and enjoy a bit of life otherwise unavailable, my question would be: Why wouldn't you do this? Jack
Bob, here's a little story. Each time I decided to take some time off and go sailing (I've done it 3 times, each time interupting a good career with a major employer), I would let my colleagues know upfront what my plans were. Each time, in quiet conversations in remote corners of the workplace, all kinds of folks would reveal that they too had a secret dream but were afraid to act on it. Write a book, be a Rescue Skiier, parent the child for a year...the list was boundless. Each time, seeing the quiet desperation - and I might add, the lack of acting on their wishes - my own choice was validated. And each time, I ended up in a better vocational position, with better pay and in a phycial location I preferred to the last place. I suspect you would be amazed at the number of people who are out doing Atlantic circumnavigations in a single year. It should be a club! They can't afford to step away either permanently or for a lengthy period, but in a single year they can see Atlantic Europe, numerous Atlantic islands, visit the Caribbean, and return home. (Alter the starting point if you are in North America). If you need a breath of fresh air, if you have a decent boat, and if you want to stretch and enjoy a bit of life otherwise unavailable, my question would be: Why wouldn't you do this? Jack
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Torfi Agnars
Desent boat
Jack. You talk about a desent boat. What would you recommand. What make, around 30 ft? Torfi
Jack. You talk about a desent boat. What would you recommand. What make, around 30 ft? Torfi
Doing it
We decided in Sept 2003 to quit our jobs and head south. In March 2004 we left. We love it and would recommend it. Our co-workers like us were Yuppies and Dinks in the upper 1% of the income earners who were working hard to make more money and by a bigger house and take vacations. Most don't understand the need to see and be part of the world, learn new things, and to challenge ones self. Owning thing is nice but the experinces and freindships made while cruising can't be bought in a 2 week vacation. Cruising changes you in ways you can't believe. I can rant on my soapbox and have often stood on it and yelled that it is important to live life. If you are interested in more constuctive comments I would be happy to help or check out our website. We made the decsion set the dates and left. It was rather quick but we learned a lot about cruising and ourselves. I am off my soapbox... and cruising in the Caribean!
We decided in Sept 2003 to quit our jobs and head south. In March 2004 we left. We love it and would recommend it. Our co-workers like us were Yuppies and Dinks in the upper 1% of the income earners who were working hard to make more money and by a bigger house and take vacations. Most don't understand the need to see and be part of the world, learn new things, and to challenge ones self. Owning thing is nice but the experinces and freindships made while cruising can't be bought in a 2 week vacation. Cruising changes you in ways you can't believe. I can rant on my soapbox and have often stood on it and yelled that it is important to live life. If you are interested in more constuctive comments I would be happy to help or check out our website. We made the decsion set the dates and left. It was rather quick but we learned a lot about cruising and ourselves. I am off my soapbox... and cruising in the Caribean!
M
Mike
On your death bed
When you lie on your death bed and take your last breaths, will you regret that you went on a year long cruise? It won't be long from now, you know.
When you lie on your death bed and take your last breaths, will you regret that you went on a year long cruise? It won't be long from now, you know.
M
Mark Burrows
I was thinking about this today
I was telling colleague about seriously getting into the boat buying market this time next year. She asked where I sailed and discussion broadened to retirement cruising. With that in mind, a full helping of Starbucks, and a seriously bad meeting with an exec VP (She didn't see my vision...sigh), I started thinking about going on sabbatical. I need to look at the links on this thread to see what kind of prep is needed but it may be in the cards in a few years. Are there any shortcuts from the Chesapeake to Seattle? Markdb
I was telling colleague about seriously getting into the boat buying market this time next year. She asked where I sailed and discussion broadened to retirement cruising. With that in mind, a full helping of Starbucks, and a seriously bad meeting with an exec VP (She didn't see my vision...sigh), I started thinking about going on sabbatical. I need to look at the links on this thread to see what kind of prep is needed but it may be in the cards in a few years. Are there any shortcuts from the Chesapeake to Seattle? Markdb
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Karen
just do it
The only problem with cruising for one year, is that when you get back, you can't wait to do it again! We went ~ 3 years ago with our 10 year old, and now are anxiously awaiting her graduation from high school to go again. Life is short....live it!
The only problem with cruising for one year, is that when you get back, you can't wait to do it again! We went ~ 3 years ago with our 10 year old, and now are anxiously awaiting her graduation from high school to go again. Life is short....live it!
K
Karen
just do it
The only problem with cruising for one year, is that when you get back, you can't wait to do it again! We went ~ 3 years ago with our 10 year old, and now are anxiously awaiting her graduation from high school to go again. Life is short....live it!
The only problem with cruising for one year, is that when you get back, you can't wait to do it again! We went ~ 3 years ago with our 10 year old, and now are anxiously awaiting her graduation from high school to go again. Life is short....live it!
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Bob
Yep, I did it!
I love telling my story about living aboard after quitting my job. It was a dream since I was commodore of my sailing club in college while in Florida. I worked in Atlanta, sailed my 23-25 footers in Lake Lanier and dreamed of living aboard on a sailboard cruising the eastern seaboard. Despite my work mates calling me "crazy", I left my job after seven years, took a two and one-half year old son and a reluctant wife and bought a 1972 Coronado 35 center cockpit sloop in St. Augustine, Florida. The year was 1983 and I was 32 years old. The key was placing three years of boat payments in escrow to cover the payments, rather then slapping down the entire amount for the boat. Keep that one in mind. We sold the house, sold everything in a garage sale including one of the cars (all art and keepsakes were stored with relatives), and packed up the car and headed to our "Rozinante" at Comanche Cover marina. Beleive me that you look back and wonder how I could have collected so much junk for so many years. The garage sale was a pleasure! I learned very quickly how to become a diesel mechanic, electrician, rigger, plumber, etc, as a matter of economic necessity. Our budget was approximately 1k per month after the boat payment. Not bad for 1983 actually. We cruised up to the Carolina's before the cold set in and back down to Florida, across Lake Okeechobee twice, up into the panhandle, around the Keyes, into the Bahamas and as fate would have it back to St. Augustine. Two years, 10 months later, we sold the boat and a job brough us back to Atlanta, where I sail my Catalina 30 on Lake Lanier today. Was it hard to do? HELL NO!!!!!!!!!! Were their hardships? Some if you consider, two hurricanes at dock, a few groundings, USCG cautions about "pirates" at the "big bend" of the panhandle back then, loosing my steering once and a hell of lot of rain and lighting on stormy summer afternoons. Was it worth it? A thousand times YES, then a thousand YES's after that! Believe me when I tell you that I came across so many senior sailors that finally fulfilled their dream, but wished they had done it decades before when they were younger. EVERYONE IS AFRAID TO JUST GO FOR IT as if some hand of god would slap you off the planet if you dared to go long term and leave somethings behind. Lets put it this way.....I am now in my fifties, my children are out of the house, the ICW ain't gettin any deeper, the marina's are'nt getting any cheaper and I am not getting any younger. The experience was was absolutely fantastic, and incredibly easy and less painful then you can imagine. Sure, we encountered beligerent dockmasters, damaging wakes by large powerboat skippers in narrow channels, even crime at several marina's, and with that sometimes you'd think the romance would wear off with the added days of thunder and lightning. But the few times of displeasure were far out numbered by the magnificent sunsets, emerald waters, freedom on the water and most of all the friendships made by simply sharing the same love of the adventure with fellow cruisers. Yes, I am going to do it again, and within the next two years. I survived Vietnam, quadruple bypass surgery and have but a single one track mind these days...........the need to cruise and liveaboard. Do I need to say anymore my fellow sailors? Regards Bob
I love telling my story about living aboard after quitting my job. It was a dream since I was commodore of my sailing club in college while in Florida. I worked in Atlanta, sailed my 23-25 footers in Lake Lanier and dreamed of living aboard on a sailboard cruising the eastern seaboard. Despite my work mates calling me "crazy", I left my job after seven years, took a two and one-half year old son and a reluctant wife and bought a 1972 Coronado 35 center cockpit sloop in St. Augustine, Florida. The year was 1983 and I was 32 years old. The key was placing three years of boat payments in escrow to cover the payments, rather then slapping down the entire amount for the boat. Keep that one in mind. We sold the house, sold everything in a garage sale including one of the cars (all art and keepsakes were stored with relatives), and packed up the car and headed to our "Rozinante" at Comanche Cover marina. Beleive me that you look back and wonder how I could have collected so much junk for so many years. The garage sale was a pleasure! I learned very quickly how to become a diesel mechanic, electrician, rigger, plumber, etc, as a matter of economic necessity. Our budget was approximately 1k per month after the boat payment. Not bad for 1983 actually. We cruised up to the Carolina's before the cold set in and back down to Florida, across Lake Okeechobee twice, up into the panhandle, around the Keyes, into the Bahamas and as fate would have it back to St. Augustine. Two years, 10 months later, we sold the boat and a job brough us back to Atlanta, where I sail my Catalina 30 on Lake Lanier today. Was it hard to do? HELL NO!!!!!!!!!! Were their hardships? Some if you consider, two hurricanes at dock, a few groundings, USCG cautions about "pirates" at the "big bend" of the panhandle back then, loosing my steering once and a hell of lot of rain and lighting on stormy summer afternoons. Was it worth it? A thousand times YES, then a thousand YES's after that! Believe me when I tell you that I came across so many senior sailors that finally fulfilled their dream, but wished they had done it decades before when they were younger. EVERYONE IS AFRAID TO JUST GO FOR IT as if some hand of god would slap you off the planet if you dared to go long term and leave somethings behind. Lets put it this way.....I am now in my fifties, my children are out of the house, the ICW ain't gettin any deeper, the marina's are'nt getting any cheaper and I am not getting any younger. The experience was was absolutely fantastic, and incredibly easy and less painful then you can imagine. Sure, we encountered beligerent dockmasters, damaging wakes by large powerboat skippers in narrow channels, even crime at several marina's, and with that sometimes you'd think the romance would wear off with the added days of thunder and lightning. But the few times of displeasure were far out numbered by the magnificent sunsets, emerald waters, freedom on the water and most of all the friendships made by simply sharing the same love of the adventure with fellow cruisers. Yes, I am going to do it again, and within the next two years. I survived Vietnam, quadruple bypass surgery and have but a single one track mind these days...........the need to cruise and liveaboard. Do I need to say anymore my fellow sailors? Regards Bob
Thanks Bob
Bob - What a great post! Full of realistic encouragement. Bravo, and thanks for making me forget all the @#)($ I have to do today at work! Trevor
Bob - What a great post! Full of realistic encouragement. Bravo, and thanks for making me forget all the @#)($ I have to do today at work! Trevor
So much depends upon resources
I've seen a few people that were like homeless people. Ratty little boats that looked like miserable places to live. Owners without the money to do repairs to make the boats seaworthy enough to travel. It all depends upon your resources... If you have money and a boat and a career that can be restarted a year off sounds great!!!! On the other hand when I was in the Air Force a friend was talking one day about his life plans. He was recently married and they were going to go back home to college and have two kids and he knew where he was going to live and the career he was going to have. I felt pretty bad having no plans. That weekend he and his wife were driving their VW bettle across a long bridge. A camper trailer came off it's hitch and hit them head on!!!! He broke his neck and died. His wife was uninjured. She worked with us and told us the story. A big change in plans!!! Sooo if you really want to do something and can do it..do it now. I am so sad about the child killed near Wise VA recently. 3 years old asleep in bed when a boulder rolled downhill from a minesite on top of the mountain and crushed him to death. About the only thing you can be absolutely sure of is that one day you will die. Tom
I've seen a few people that were like homeless people. Ratty little boats that looked like miserable places to live. Owners without the money to do repairs to make the boats seaworthy enough to travel. It all depends upon your resources... If you have money and a boat and a career that can be restarted a year off sounds great!!!! On the other hand when I was in the Air Force a friend was talking one day about his life plans. He was recently married and they were going to go back home to college and have two kids and he knew where he was going to live and the career he was going to have. I felt pretty bad having no plans. That weekend he and his wife were driving their VW bettle across a long bridge. A camper trailer came off it's hitch and hit them head on!!!! He broke his neck and died. His wife was uninjured. She worked with us and told us the story. A big change in plans!!! Sooo if you really want to do something and can do it..do it now. I am so sad about the child killed near Wise VA recently. 3 years old asleep in bed when a boulder rolled downhill from a minesite on top of the mountain and crushed him to death. About the only thing you can be absolutely sure of is that one day you will die. Tom
P
patrick
go for it
Do you live for work or work to live??? Go or you will surley regret it. It's your life after all.
Do you live for work or work to live??? Go or you will surley regret it. It's your life after all.
J
Jack Tyler
Bob, you are not limited by your choices...
First, an aside: Bob's (the other Bob...) post is a wonderful summary of the good/bad/ugly/more good that cruising & living aboard can provide, altho' I would offer one cavaet: it was a bountiful experience for Bob because he made it so. One of the dirty little secrets about 'real cruising' (meaning cutting ties, leaving one's homeport, and having an open-ended itinerary that perhaps takes one away from the mother country...) is that most folks return after a year or two, work at re-entry, and basically plug back into the mainstream after having an interesting experience but not finding an alternative lifestyle. (Just as Bob did, I might add). That doesn't place a question mark on the plan to unplug for a short period; instead, it validates it. One might ask: what has been lost, when so much can be gained? But I digress... Bob, you asked what a 'decent boat' would be, around 30 feet. That is of course a huge subject (books have been written on it, one of them by John Vigor, BTW) and such references are loaded with subjective opinion. Let me offer you 2 referrals: read Log of the Mahina, and also Mahina Tiare, Pacific Passages, both by John Neal. There are a hundred other, similar books but I like these because in both cases John Neal took a basic but seaworthy sailboat from Seattle deep down into the Pacific, he didn't need a lot of 'systems' nor a big boat to do it safely, and in both books there is an appendix where he lays out how he equipped his boat. (Note: the emphasis isn't on the stuff you read about on BB's like this one nearly so much as it has to do with the integrity of a rudder, a masthead inspection, sound cockpit protection for the crew, and other important stuff). John's two boats were a Albin Vega 27 and a Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31, both Swedish (but sold in numbers in the USA). Both were intended to be sailed in the ocean, and that may not be your cup of tea...but there are a hundred alternatives, depending on what you hope to do. You need to read up a bit on boats and about cruising, as asking the question suggests you could benefit by a few expert opinions. Just keep in mind that most of the important stuff isn't all the gizmos you buy but the basic design and integrity of the boat & the skills you build - and your knowledge of the boat - before you shove off. Good luck to you...! Jack
First, an aside: Bob's (the other Bob...) post is a wonderful summary of the good/bad/ugly/more good that cruising & living aboard can provide, altho' I would offer one cavaet: it was a bountiful experience for Bob because he made it so. One of the dirty little secrets about 'real cruising' (meaning cutting ties, leaving one's homeport, and having an open-ended itinerary that perhaps takes one away from the mother country...) is that most folks return after a year or two, work at re-entry, and basically plug back into the mainstream after having an interesting experience but not finding an alternative lifestyle. (Just as Bob did, I might add). That doesn't place a question mark on the plan to unplug for a short period; instead, it validates it. One might ask: what has been lost, when so much can be gained? But I digress... Bob, you asked what a 'decent boat' would be, around 30 feet. That is of course a huge subject (books have been written on it, one of them by John Vigor, BTW) and such references are loaded with subjective opinion. Let me offer you 2 referrals: read Log of the Mahina, and also Mahina Tiare, Pacific Passages, both by John Neal. There are a hundred other, similar books but I like these because in both cases John Neal took a basic but seaworthy sailboat from Seattle deep down into the Pacific, he didn't need a lot of 'systems' nor a big boat to do it safely, and in both books there is an appendix where he lays out how he equipped his boat. (Note: the emphasis isn't on the stuff you read about on BB's like this one nearly so much as it has to do with the integrity of a rudder, a masthead inspection, sound cockpit protection for the crew, and other important stuff). John's two boats were a Albin Vega 27 and a Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31, both Swedish (but sold in numbers in the USA). Both were intended to be sailed in the ocean, and that may not be your cup of tea...but there are a hundred alternatives, depending on what you hope to do. You need to read up a bit on boats and about cruising, as asking the question suggests you could benefit by a few expert opinions. Just keep in mind that most of the important stuff isn't all the gizmos you buy but the basic design and integrity of the boat & the skills you build - and your knowledge of the boat - before you shove off. Good luck to you...! Jack
B
Bob
I will keep encouraging
Everyone has a different motiviation that pushes them seaward. We are all fallible, but what pushes us is our dreams and desires. They are all part of the equation. My dearest friend who was an Economic's Professor at Northwestern was bit by a mosquito while in Barcelona back in the early 80's, and contracted infectious encephalitis. He died too young within 6 months. It made me stop and think how precious life is and how critical it was that I pursue my dream of just simply sailing. I had the confidence that I would be re-employed, buy another home, set myself up back on terra firma, and get back to the all the pressures I left behind. But, when it was all said and done and I look back, man was it worth it! Of course I met "sea-rats" aboard their beat up boats who lived on rice and a solar distillation unit, without a dime, but these folks were kind, were in love with their element and would not give up that lifestyle. I sort of envied them. Why? Because they were independent, afloat and very much at peace with themselves. They were collectively very passive and private, but unfortunately they also helped to change for the worse, the mooring and liveaboard ordinances in many Florida counties. Its getting tougher in Florida to liveaboard and moor for extended times in many locations. The condo-owners who did not like the sight of these folks below their balconies, set the pace on the changes. Durimg my trip, the ICW was not plied by nothing but wealthy boat captains, with chests of gold in reserve. No, they were folks like me who decided the cut the bonds, and just do it. It requires a certain discipline to budget accordingly and to educate yourself on repairing systems on the vessel when necessary. I look back often at my log book, all the photos, and what I have gained as an individual, and I find myself proud of this simple, single act of desire. "Rozinante" was my home and I took good care of her. Cruising the coast is by far one of the greatest adventures you will ever undertake. I can only speak of my experience and for those of you hanging on the fence,the water is just fine, all you have to do is jump in. Regards Bob Breez'n II
Everyone has a different motiviation that pushes them seaward. We are all fallible, but what pushes us is our dreams and desires. They are all part of the equation. My dearest friend who was an Economic's Professor at Northwestern was bit by a mosquito while in Barcelona back in the early 80's, and contracted infectious encephalitis. He died too young within 6 months. It made me stop and think how precious life is and how critical it was that I pursue my dream of just simply sailing. I had the confidence that I would be re-employed, buy another home, set myself up back on terra firma, and get back to the all the pressures I left behind. But, when it was all said and done and I look back, man was it worth it! Of course I met "sea-rats" aboard their beat up boats who lived on rice and a solar distillation unit, without a dime, but these folks were kind, were in love with their element and would not give up that lifestyle. I sort of envied them. Why? Because they were independent, afloat and very much at peace with themselves. They were collectively very passive and private, but unfortunately they also helped to change for the worse, the mooring and liveaboard ordinances in many Florida counties. Its getting tougher in Florida to liveaboard and moor for extended times in many locations. The condo-owners who did not like the sight of these folks below their balconies, set the pace on the changes. Durimg my trip, the ICW was not plied by nothing but wealthy boat captains, with chests of gold in reserve. No, they were folks like me who decided the cut the bonds, and just do it. It requires a certain discipline to budget accordingly and to educate yourself on repairing systems on the vessel when necessary. I look back often at my log book, all the photos, and what I have gained as an individual, and I find myself proud of this simple, single act of desire. "Rozinante" was my home and I took good care of her. Cruising the coast is by far one of the greatest adventures you will ever undertake. I can only speak of my experience and for those of you hanging on the fence,the water is just fine, all you have to do is jump in. Regards Bob Breez'n II
Blue water ??
The selection of a boat depends upon money and plans. In general a blue water boat will be slower and more expensive. There are several at my marina and they are rarely sailed for a daysail. A dirty little secret is that sailers often motor a lot. A couple at our dock motored all of the way from Panama City to Key west in their heavy steel blue water boat. Another guy motored his Hunter also. Lack of wind occurs far more often than survival conditions along the gulf coast. Last year sailing from Pensacola to Panama City we encountered dead calm for several hours it took 26 hours to go roughly 100 miles. Typically in the summer the wind doesn't start until noon and then dies a couple of hours after sunset. Our last trip from PC to Port Saint Joe(about 30 miles)took all day because of a lack of wind. A boat that will move well in 10 knots of wind is going to be sailed a lot more than a slug that requires 15 knots to move. Our pearson is very happy with 15 knots but moves OK with 10 knots. On the east coast given the choice between a new motor or new sails take the motor!! If you are talking about a year and you are on the east coast you could easily spend a year coastal sailing. My wife and I are planning to go sailing and in 2003 bought a Pearson 323 and it seemed a good compromise between ruggedness and speed. After about a year and a half of sailing more speed would be better. Shoal draft is very important along the gulf coast and the Chesapeak. We have beeen working to get the money together and the boat in shape for a year long cruise. If we like the lifestyle we'll probably buy another boat. If we don't we will probably keep the pearson and go back to work. Though not the perfect boat a Catalina 30 has a lot to offer for the money. There is a book called "Sensible Cruising" the Thoreau approach that I enjoyed reading. The take home message was to take the boat you have or can now afford and go cruising now. We are too chicken to do that now but are getting ready to go in 2006. Tom
The selection of a boat depends upon money and plans. In general a blue water boat will be slower and more expensive. There are several at my marina and they are rarely sailed for a daysail. A dirty little secret is that sailers often motor a lot. A couple at our dock motored all of the way from Panama City to Key west in their heavy steel blue water boat. Another guy motored his Hunter also. Lack of wind occurs far more often than survival conditions along the gulf coast. Last year sailing from Pensacola to Panama City we encountered dead calm for several hours it took 26 hours to go roughly 100 miles. Typically in the summer the wind doesn't start until noon and then dies a couple of hours after sunset. Our last trip from PC to Port Saint Joe(about 30 miles)took all day because of a lack of wind. A boat that will move well in 10 knots of wind is going to be sailed a lot more than a slug that requires 15 knots to move. Our pearson is very happy with 15 knots but moves OK with 10 knots. On the east coast given the choice between a new motor or new sails take the motor!! If you are talking about a year and you are on the east coast you could easily spend a year coastal sailing. My wife and I are planning to go sailing and in 2003 bought a Pearson 323 and it seemed a good compromise between ruggedness and speed. After about a year and a half of sailing more speed would be better. Shoal draft is very important along the gulf coast and the Chesapeak. We have beeen working to get the money together and the boat in shape for a year long cruise. If we like the lifestyle we'll probably buy another boat. If we don't we will probably keep the pearson and go back to work. Though not the perfect boat a Catalina 30 has a lot to offer for the money. There is a book called "Sensible Cruising" the Thoreau approach that I enjoyed reading. The take home message was to take the boat you have or can now afford and go cruising now. We are too chicken to do that now but are getting ready to go in 2006. Tom
May 1, 2006
that's my shove off date. in 2002 I also had several friends die. five as a matter of fact, with four of them younger than me. I was 50 at the time, I decided to sell my bid'ness and go while I still could. sold the bid'ness in May of 03 with a 3 yr management/no compete clause, I'll be free and outta here come 5/1/06! now then, the next problem: Hurricane Ivan totaled my boat so I'm starting all over there!
that's my shove off date. in 2002 I also had several friends die. five as a matter of fact, with four of them younger than me. I was 50 at the time, I decided to sell my bid'ness and go while I still could. sold the bid'ness in May of 03 with a 3 yr management/no compete clause, I'll be free and outta here come 5/1/06! now then, the next problem: Hurricane Ivan totaled my boat so I'm starting all over there!
G
Gary Wyngarden
Ancient Wisdom
On an ancient wall in China Where a brooding Buddha blinks Deeply graven is the message It's later than you think The clock of life is wound but once And no one has the power To know just when the hands will stop At late or early hour Now is all the time we have The past a golden link Go cruising now my brother/sister It's later than you think. Anonymous
On an ancient wall in China Where a brooding Buddha blinks Deeply graven is the message It's later than you think The clock of life is wound but once And no one has the power To know just when the hands will stop At late or early hour Now is all the time we have The past a golden link Go cruising now my brother/sister It's later than you think. Anonymous
R
ron
We took a 2 years off
My story is a bit different. After a stressful stint at my job with no future of any change, my wife and I decided to take a leave of absence, contract out and work in the USA for a year. After being recruited to the east coast, renting out the house, putting everything in storage that we didn't sell at a garage sale, we loaded up the Chev Cavalier (2 door, no AC!!), drove across the continent, and worked outside of Washington DC for a year. We decided to purchase a Catalina 30, a dream for several years previous. We did just that, sailed the Chesapeake, eventually going north at the end of my contract. We went through the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal, down Delaware Bay, into the Atlantic, to New York, up the Hudson, demasting at Troy and going through the NY Canal System to Buffalo where we trucked the boat to Seattle and worked for another year. We continue to sail here in BC, looking forward to our next 'stint'. A return to the east coast, with our boat or a different one, having the option to sell and purchase a more ocean going vessel. My advice? Do what you want in any fashion that is comfortable to you. It was the best thing I did. 51 at the time. Quadruple by pass at 44. Life is short. 2-3 years before I can retire and sail full time, but in the mean time, I have my 'toy', I'm learning the systems, and enjoying every minute I have on the water.
My story is a bit different. After a stressful stint at my job with no future of any change, my wife and I decided to take a leave of absence, contract out and work in the USA for a year. After being recruited to the east coast, renting out the house, putting everything in storage that we didn't sell at a garage sale, we loaded up the Chev Cavalier (2 door, no AC!!), drove across the continent, and worked outside of Washington DC for a year. We decided to purchase a Catalina 30, a dream for several years previous. We did just that, sailed the Chesapeake, eventually going north at the end of my contract. We went through the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal, down Delaware Bay, into the Atlantic, to New York, up the Hudson, demasting at Troy and going through the NY Canal System to Buffalo where we trucked the boat to Seattle and worked for another year. We continue to sail here in BC, looking forward to our next 'stint'. A return to the east coast, with our boat or a different one, having the option to sell and purchase a more ocean going vessel. My advice? Do what you want in any fashion that is comfortable to you. It was the best thing I did. 51 at the time. Quadruple by pass at 44. Life is short. 2-3 years before I can retire and sail full time, but in the mean time, I have my 'toy', I'm learning the systems, and enjoying every minute I have on the water.
A
Andy
20 yrs from a friend
A friend gave me a laminated card with this: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed in the things you didn't do than the things you did. Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. EXPLORE DREAM DISCOVER That is the marque of my screen saver!
A friend gave me a laminated card with this: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed in the things you didn't do than the things you did. Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. EXPLORE DREAM DISCOVER That is the marque of my screen saver!
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