2 boats I have sailed offshore come to mind ....A Flicka and an Ariel. As Capt S states...the small boat design is important...and these 2 are a couple of the best. Flicka's have crossed the Pacific so many times it isn't noteworthy anymore. I got "caught" on a passage to the Abacos and remember a big catamaran  having more troubles than the lil 20ft Flicka did. In my travels on her there were 3 different times when she took care of me in far bigger than typical seas. Never a worry. As good as the lil Flicka is....the Ariel was a better sailor and truly seemed in her element when the wind built up and waves got bigger.
 Most of us aren't going to "go around" and are satisfied knowing the boat we sail is comfortable and capable offshore. Point being.....the Flicka is 20ft and the Ariel is 25ft 6in!!!
Neither are big boats, both are great designs that will get ya there. I'm sure your Westerly would as well 
 Now...about that Hunter? 
     
 

Grog to ya.  MORE PICS!!

Not trying to hijack this thread...but thought the "funny boat ad" theme might keep going.....

Mods...edit at will  

http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-boats-watercraft-powerboats-motorboats-1996-Lund-Alaskan-3000-W0QQAdIdZ480348029

Thats only about 90 miles from me....TOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!

Hi Mike. Welcome aboard!!!

 

Tao Te Ching ..."he who knows he has enough is rich"

I agree with the wanting less ...downsizing and purging "stuff"...very "freeing" feeling.

Just step outside it for a second. Let say you are sailing from North Carolina to Florida, anchoring along the way, then across the gulf to spend 3 months in the Bahamas. Does that really seem like it would attract 70 year olds or Euro backpacker types.  I think the point is not enough you adventurous souls realize it is possible.

Do you have any idea how many 70+ yr olds do this same trip every year???
Annie and Neville come to mind...GREAT sailors!!
LuLu and GiGi are close to 70...same trip and more yearly!!
MANY MANY MORE!!

PS..this note sent from my wheel chair at "Shady Pines Home for the Decrepit"  

I'm sure that this may have been covered in part elsewhere here, but I think a thread dedicated to "Enough" may be worthwhile.
A few random thoughts...

* In a book I read, one of the authors used a word "Lagome" as an example to live by. The word translated to "enough".. "just right". He used a meal as an example. Some times there is far too much on the plate or you take 2nds at a buffet. You feel over stuffed and lazy after. Other times you wished for "just a bit more" and were still hungry. Then there are the meals that are perfect....you are full, but can still move with ease afterwards and feel satisfied!  He was making the point of how we should live our lives like that..."Lagome"...just enough....

* Another story that has stuck with me is an author that had surprising sales of a book he wrote and the bit of noderiety that comes with it. He was invited to a party put on by a major developer that had multiple business interests and holding. When arriving, the place was packed and he was asked if he would like to be introduced to the developer. He said "no thanks". He was questioned as to why he would not want to meet a man that had "this" and "this" and "this" and "that". He stated..."yes, but I have something he will never have....'enough' "

* enough will mean different things to each of us. Hoping we all find "just enough"  

Cruising is like eveything in life...Light side-dark side.
*Beautiful calm nights at anchor, sipping wine watching the sunset, Jimmy Buffet CD playing---being tossed around as the wind howls outside..cold, uncomfortable, then anchor dragging
*magical beam reach in 15knot winds, sun shining, small chop, nature at it's best---25+knots on the nose, beating for hours in the cold rain, 6 hours more to go, wondering why the heck you are out here!
*everything is working great, you"re proud and praise yourself for maintaining a proper little ship---everything seems to be falling apart at once, for 2 weeks you've been contorting yourself into wild positions to get at nuts and bolts never intended to be touched. You wish the person that designed this was here right now to work on it ! Your cruising kitty is taking a serious hit as the parts bills mount up even with you doing the labour....all the while wondering when the fun starts

And so it goes......the majic and the pain.....  Life IS kinda like that 

18 to 50 eh !!! I guess CJ, myself and others here better hang up our docksiders  
 I know MANY MANY cruising couples in their 60's and 70's.  

can you send me a personal message with your phone # and a good time to call later in the week. I'll be glad to go over a few great spots with you.

Sounds like a fine cruise with enough time to enjoy things along the way. As to your wifes fear of offshore...crawl, crawl faster, walk slow, walk, walk faster, walk fast, jog, slow run, run    Build her confidance in both the boat and crews ability slowly. Too fast and the 1st big wave to slap ya will scare her off.  HAVE FUN!!!!!

Anyone who goes to sea without experience is a fool;

Which any one who has experience has already proven himself to be.

 

Vega....8 posts and 3 "grogs" gotta be a record!!! I love the post above!!!!    More grog from an proven fool   

I'm hoping this thread is not singularly about "relationship ending"...but the difficulties and/or joys of relationships aboard AND the compromises made. There is no doubt that troubles ashore will be compounded within the tight confines of a small boat. Issues will most cetainly surface a lot quicker!!
  That said, I see wonderful couples while away!! "Annie and Neville" or "LuLu and GiGI" come to mind. It would be hard to imagine one without the other. Compromise is certainly a required quality on land or away...there is no doubt about that. I truly admire how you and your family appear to not simply survive, but thrive being together on 30ft!
  As I asked in the opener...good or bad, how-to's (you could ad advice!), funny stories...whatever.
 Relationships effect us all  

Figure I'll keep some tough topics coming....

In "most" boating relationships, the male wants the cruising life more than the female. I personally know of several exceptions...but generally  this is the case. Some couples do very well "out there", others do not. Enjoying cruising means different things to different people.....everyone and every couple are different. It is hard putting 2 people together in a confined space that is often uncomfortable and keeping smiles on everyone's faces.
 Philip Teese wrote a book 20 some years ago about finishing a little boat and sailing it. He praised his wife for allowing him to go. She didn't enjoy the boat. Fast forward and his 2nd book is written AFTER the divorce. In it, he met a fellow small boat sailor at a marina, they got to know each other and as the saying goes...the rest is history.
 I'm not positive, but I think it was in Phillip's book that I read the line: "it is far easier to find someone that loves sailing and fall in love, than to fall in love with someone and try to get them to love sailing".
 Relationships are difficult on land.....can be very difficult in the confines of a small boat!
 Then there are the scenario's, like Philip, where the mate does not want to go!
 Anyone want to share? Good or bad experiences, "how-to's", funny story's....whatever. This is a topic that most likely effects us all!!!!!

Find a fat girl or a large dog.
the girl could cook but the dog wont talk back.

 

"breath in....breath out..."    I just tried to change the name to "Who's to say" . All the advice given here has been exellent!! None was judgemental in ANY WAY!!  
                             I REPEAT...NONE WAS JUDGEMENTAL!!!
 I was just hoping to get a exchange going on how so many have gone...and made it! Even the 13ft tinkerbelle made it across the atlantic with the skipper only doing some lake sailing before hand (by failing memory)   I agree with all that was said.  Heh...guess I succeeded in getting a discussion going  


911...would a MOD more technically gifted than I please change the wording to "who's to say"

All TRUE!  Reading your post reminded me of reading about the OSTAR years ago. I forget if it was Hasler or Chichester...but when asked what they would do if, while out there, their boat was sinking. The responce was ""I have resolved to drown like a gentleman".   Nuff said.

I "KNOW" for a fact that you are the last to hold anyone back!!  I put NORTHOCEANBEACH in there as a 'newbie' looking for advice.  
 How do you tell someone that a time will come when they will feel like they are in a washing machine set on "get the dirt outta there" cycle with both a visual and sound outside that could only be discribed as violent!  I fully understand that to keep on going, it is best to 'grow into' those situations and not be thrown into them. That would be a dream killer for sure !
 As I said....I agree with the advice...GREAT advice... that is being posted and only bring up the counter point as a topic for disscussion.

 Keep up the good stuff!!!!!