Your rich and eccentric Uncle Harry has just died, leaving you half a million bucks! But the money comes with strings attached. You and your spouse (and kids if they are still at home) have to be willing to do some serious long-distance cruising for at least three of the next five years. The money can only be spent on a boat (if necessary), outfitting the boat for passagemaking, and/or cruising expenses. What would you do? (Created by Gary Wyngarden)
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I would find a great used boat thats tried and true somewhere in the 33-40 foot range, put all new safety equipment on it and electronics. And circumnavigate the world on 1/2 million less boat. I would want to stop everywhere and spend some time exploring. Really look forard to meditarian!
I would find a great used boat thats tried and true somewhere in the 33-40 foot range, put all new safety equipment on it and electronics. And circumnavigate the world on 1/2 million less boat. I would want to stop everywhere and spend some time exploring. Really look forard to meditarian!
I'm sorry but.....
If I find that uncle Harry, and even if he's still alive, for the sake of serious long-distance cruising with $500K for at least three of the next five years I'll kill him myself....
Sorry but I had to admit!!! Jim Davis
If I find that uncle Harry, and even if he's still alive, for the sake of serious long-distance cruising with $500K for at least three of the next five years I'll kill him myself....
Sorry but I had to admit!!! Jim Davis
What was the question?
Seriously, $500,000 is not a large budget if you don't already have the boat. Many/most of the boats that people here consider "Blue Water Cruisers" are pretty expensive. A Shannon 43 that is 10 years old goes for $300,000 + It is very easy to drop $50,000 into a used boat outfitting it for a 3-5 year cruise. Figure 10% of the value of the boat each year for expenses. 5 years @ $30,000 is another $150,000, leaving about $0 for the cruise. Sure it can be done for MUCH less. A $5000 Catalina 27 and $25000 in a refit leaves you $470,000 to enjoy the cruise on. I don't think there are many of us that would pass up the opportunity to go sailing for a few years.
Seriously, $500,000 is not a large budget if you don't already have the boat. Many/most of the boats that people here consider "Blue Water Cruisers" are pretty expensive. A Shannon 43 that is 10 years old goes for $300,000 + It is very easy to drop $50,000 into a used boat outfitting it for a 3-5 year cruise. Figure 10% of the value of the boat each year for expenses. 5 years @ $30,000 is another $150,000, leaving about $0 for the cruise. Sure it can be done for MUCH less. A $5000 Catalina 27 and $25000 in a refit leaves you $470,000 to enjoy the cruise on. I don't think there are many of us that would pass up the opportunity to go sailing for a few years.Have I got a deal for you
OK, I will make the sacrafice, I sell you my boat for 1/2 Mill. And you get a special one time only 1/4 mill cash back deal. I am just trying to help....That's the kind of guy I am....... Not sure whre your bogged down. Take cash, go sailing in warm temperate zones as long as possible. I am sure you would never regret it.
OK, I will make the sacrafice, I sell you my boat for 1/2 Mill. And you get a special one time only 1/4 mill cash back deal. I am just trying to help....That's the kind of guy I am....... Not sure whre your bogged down. Take cash, go sailing in warm temperate zones as long as possible. I am sure you would never regret it.
donate $!00,000.00 to a needy boating cause.
then sail to the caribean in the new hunter45 center cockpit.
then sail to the caribean in the new hunter45 center cockpit.
Give up everything and go solo?
Probably the first thing I would do is place this "provision" in the hands of a lawyer friend. I don't believe such a condition is legally binding. As much as I would love the romance of a 3 year sabattical, I would have to give up everything - marriage, house, children and grandkids if I went. That's WAY too big of a price to pay! Bill on STARGAZER
Probably the first thing I would do is place this "provision" in the hands of a lawyer friend. I don't believe such a condition is legally binding. As much as I would love the romance of a 3 year sabattical, I would have to give up everything - marriage, house, children and grandkids if I went. That's WAY too big of a price to pay! Bill on STARGAZER
It's not enough...
While $500,000 may seem like a lot of money, it's not enough for me to quit my job. I'm too close to retirement! The loss of medical insurance and the impact on my retirment pension that quitting now would have makes this deal a little too costly. However, if crazy uncle Harry had left me $5 million, I'd be out of here faster than you could say "anchors aweigh!" I'd keep the boat that I have, put in a few upgrades (water maker, etc,) and head for the Caribbean!
While $500,000 may seem like a lot of money, it's not enough for me to quit my job. I'm too close to retirement! The loss of medical insurance and the impact on my retirment pension that quitting now would have makes this deal a little too costly. However, if crazy uncle Harry had left me $5 million, I'd be out of here faster than you could say "anchors aweigh!" I'd keep the boat that I have, put in a few upgrades (water maker, etc,) and head for the Caribbean!
Well...
after hearing the news, I'd have to spend the first $450,000 for toilet paper. There has to be a nice Camper-Nicholson 35 out there somewhere for about 40k. Then sail til the money runs out.
after hearing the news, I'd have to spend the first $450,000 for toilet paper. There has to be a nice Camper-Nicholson 35 out there somewhere for about 40k. Then sail til the money runs out.
Good ol’ Uncle Harry!!
I guess coastal cruising would count. Live low on a reasonably good boat. I’d find me a nice used Island Packet 36’ish or something wide and go for a ride! Prob’ly spend the summers on the Great Lakes and wander south in the fall. Fish lots, explore lots and toast Uncle Harry every sunset. Later, eh! Ferg
I guess coastal cruising would count. Live low on a reasonably good boat. I’d find me a nice used Island Packet 36’ish or something wide and go for a ride! Prob’ly spend the summers on the Great Lakes and wander south in the fall. Fish lots, explore lots and toast Uncle Harry every sunset. Later, eh! Ferg
Update my passport
get all my health needs taken care of and go shopping. After all Uncle Harry wouldn't want me to show up in some far away port and not be properly fitted for the occasion. A well stocked bar and a good ice machine, a new AC and all the electronics one could possibly need. Maybe even hire a crew to do most all the work. Did I mention kids? I didn't think so. Keep it up, Ctskip
get all my health needs taken care of and go shopping. After all Uncle Harry wouldn't want me to show up in some far away port and not be properly fitted for the occasion. A well stocked bar and a good ice machine, a new AC and all the electronics one could possibly need. Maybe even hire a crew to do most all the work. Did I mention kids? I didn't think so. Keep it up, Ctskip
Gunk hol'in
Largo, Fla here I come. First thing to do is acquire 40 ish something Island Packet. Outfit her, sail down to Jimmy Buffett land and drop the hook. Fly home for some of the ski season, fly back, sail ovto CA via the Panama Canal. Drop the hook again, fly home again. Fly back, hit the Alaskian fjordes. Back thru the Panama, up the Mighty Missippi, thru the Great Lakes, and back to N.E..
Largo, Fla here I come. First thing to do is acquire 40 ish something Island Packet. Outfit her, sail down to Jimmy Buffett land and drop the hook. Fly home for some of the ski season, fly back, sail ovto CA via the Panama Canal. Drop the hook again, fly home again. Fly back, hit the Alaskian fjordes. Back thru the Panama, up the Mighty Missippi, thru the Great Lakes, and back to N.E..
Good ole Uncle Harry
I would take the half millon dollars and do exactly as uncle Harry wants. Go crusing !
I would take the half millon dollars and do exactly as uncle Harry wants. Go crusing !
I would buy a brand new Lyle Hess designed
Sam L. Morse built Bristol Channel Cutter. Make the mortgage payments for six months ahead. Then I would invite a couple of by best friends to explore the Canadian maritimes and the St. Lawrence river.
Sam L. Morse built Bristol Channel Cutter. Make the mortgage payments for six months ahead. Then I would invite a couple of by best friends to explore the Canadian maritimes and the St. Lawrence river.
whales in Lake Ontario?
Off Topic, but whales in Lake Ontario from your recent picture on the Web Site!! What are you talking about? Maybe Belugas many thousands of years ago, but Killers today? What?? Oh- Gimme a Pacific Seacraft 44 uncle! Tom
Off Topic, but whales in Lake Ontario from your recent picture on the Web Site!! What are you talking about? Maybe Belugas many thousands of years ago, but Killers today? What?? Oh- Gimme a Pacific Seacraft 44 uncle! Tom
Calm down
I agree with banking $400K, or stock options. Then use $50K for repairs, upgrades, and expenses. When I wear out my Catalina 30, get another cheap one to sail home with the remaining $50K. Write a book on how I squandered my loot and retirement, go on Letterman and Opra to beg forgiveness. Then sell hot dogs on the street corner. Some day a songwriter will stop by for a dog and imortalize the story in song. Not a lot for $500K, but thats All U Get.
I agree with banking $400K, or stock options. Then use $50K for repairs, upgrades, and expenses. When I wear out my Catalina 30, get another cheap one to sail home with the remaining $50K. Write a book on how I squandered my loot and retirement, go on Letterman and Opra to beg forgiveness. Then sell hot dogs on the street corner. Some day a songwriter will stop by for a dog and imortalize the story in song. Not a lot for $500K, but thats All U Get.
Huh?
Is that a question? I mean, hell yes I would go! One could easily buy a boat and live quite comfortably on $500,000. And you would have enough for a healthy retirement if some of it was invested properly afterwards. So...what was the question again? Neil
Is that a question? I mean, hell yes I would go! One could easily buy a boat and live quite comfortably on $500,000. And you would have enough for a healthy retirement if some of it was invested properly afterwards. So...what was the question again? Neil
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