"the economy....who cares".....go sailing

[Frank]

Warnng....this is a ramble...

Some friends took me out to lunch today and the "economy" came up. One stated that if things got worst...he could get by with his trailer out at the lake. Another said he could sell his home (now paid for) and downsize. Then the talk swung to "what would you do for fun"?
Annie came to mind. Annie is an infamous North Channel sailor that spends entire summers cruising about the many island of Lake Huron's north channel (beautiful). I last sailed with her about 6 yrs ago and she was 67 then. A retired teacher, she is niether "slightly built" or "limber" yet she has spent entire summers on her Potter 14, a Slipper 17, a Suncat 17 and in our last conversation she stated that she missed the Potter. Any of you that haven't actually saw a Potter 14, you should know: no cabin footwell (sit on floor), no underbunk storage (berth cushions on hull) no cockpit lockers.  Think about that for a minute.....
Funny thing was although the Slipper and Suncat were far more stable, easier to get in/out of cabin, had a ton more storage etc....she missed that darn lil Potter!!
Anyhoot....this ramble is NOT about the atvantages of one small boat compared to another.....it is about her lifestyle.
In sharing that over lunch, I said:
"So....what would stop a person from buying a good used older trailerable for $2-3000, spend summers in it cruising closer to home (family/friends)  trailering further south in fall, say Chesapeake Bay, explore there for a bit before heading to Florida and doing Florida Bay and the Keys over winter before heading back north to repeat??
So....$2-3000 for a good used trailer sailor, $1000 or less for upgrades, a minimal decent $3-4000 tow vehicle, car is fine as many are only 600-1200lbs and GO!!!   A few beers and meals out, many more aboard or with other cruisers, the odd repair.....seriously.....talk about a cheap and "full" lifestyle!!!
As I talked about it.....any stress of "the economy" dwindled......realizing if the s@&t hit the fan....it may be a blessing as this lifestyle truly is so simple and so attainable.....not to mention relatively stress free.
There are a ton of places like the north channel where you would never be bored for a season between the company of other cruisers and the diverse cruising grounds. Insert your own locations for the seasons. Insert your own choice of boat.
Once the initial minimal investment of boat/vehicle is paid......funds spent truly would be so low.....
Just a ramble to get ya thinking.   Who cares about the d&m economy!!!

Here's to Annie!!     ;)

Edit:
after posting this, I googled "Annie Westlund"
here ya go

http://www.wwpotterowners.com/AnneMenu.html

Check out the "cruising is simplicity" link...
She truly is quite the small boat sailor!!

[Tim]

Annie has been an inspiration to many sailors over the years, including moi.

[lance on cloud nine]

I agree completely. Sometimes it is a good economy that spoils dreams of adventure. "I'll make a little more, and then I'll go."

[CharlieJ]

Totally agree about Annie. She and I have been internet friends for a long while. Quite a lady.

[Frank]

Met her 1st time 10yrs ago. We were sailing a M15 and Annie pulled into the anchorage, rounded up into the wind and dropped the hook from the cockpit! Too cool   ;) She joined us all week.
Then Rick and I had her join us with our Suncats about 4-5yrs back.. It was cool with 3 Suncats sailing together!!  Looked super at anchorages and I can only imagine underway with the 3 gaffers running together.
She's quite the gal... a spade is a spade not a shovel!!    ;)



OK....back to the "F the economy.....go sailing!"   ;) ;) ;D

[Frank]

Thinking I gotta clarify my thread here.....

Not so much about Annie....as taking Annie's summer ritual and keep it going with a stop mid way south...then south...to enjoy the seasons...

Minimal investment.....minimal "cost of living"....major return on "life experiences"

After vehicle and boat are purchased.....I wouldn't doubt a $250/week budjet would give you a "good life".....less if careful and not out eating/drinking too much.  Heck....you could even use the boat as a "camper" while trailering.
"Walmart campgrounds" are free    ;)

[s/v Faith]

Beautiful Frank, there really is abundance in simplicity.

I have to level with you though brother, I don't think you could do it.

Not unless you towed a second one as a "rum barge"....  Just saying.  8)

[Frank]

Why do you think I tow an inflatable?   :o  ;)

[Bubba the Pirate]

Two things and a quote:

Here's to Annie, indeed.

I am going to be on my way later this summer. Currently, I am shopping for a slightly larger boat than my Vega. Crewing on a Westsail 42 darn near ruined me. I plan to try and live on less than $750/mnth; averaged of course.

This seems like the perfect time for my favorite voyaging quote:
"To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea... cruising, it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about. "I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of security. And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone. What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade. The years thunder by, the dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?
  - Sterling Hayden

[CharlieJ]

I am going to be on my way later this summer. Currently, I am shopping for a slightly larger boat than my Vega. Crewing on a Westsail 42 darn near ruined me. I plan to try and live on less than $750/mnth; averaged of course.

That should be non problem at all. I live totally on a soc sec check. While I was cruising this spring (May-July) I wound up with extra money in the bank at end of cruise. And I maintained my house during that time.

I left here with a saved up $3000 cash, and came back with $1600 of that left. And here in January almost a year later,, there is still $200 of that left

Cruising can be VERY inexpensive, once the boat and it's gear are right. And no way do I want a larger boat than my 25, unless of course I was to live on it full time, with no land base at all.

[s/v Faith]

Of course, and now I understand that 14' long blow up you sold with Allure....   ;)

[Sunset]

So tell me how to convince my wife that a Catalina 27 is big enough to live on during the winter? I could make it full time on a Catalina 22 with pop top.

[Bubba the Pirate]

That should be non problem at all. I live totally on a soc sec check. While I was cruising this spring (May-July) I wound up with extra money in the bank at end of cruise. And I maintained my house during that time.

Cruising can be VERY inexpensive, once the boat and it's gear are right. And no way do I want a larger boat than my 25, unless of course I was to live on it full time, with no land base at all.

I'm looking for a boat between 30-35'. I won't have a home base, so I'm looking for a little more comfort - wimpy, I know.   And I'll have to get a special exemption for hanging around here if I push the LOA too much.   

I lived aboard for a time in Sarasota. It was good on almost no money.  Of course, where i was anchored then is now a state regulated mooring field. 

[Frank]

No worries on the 30-35ft thing  :D

Now.....if it has drive in jet ski storage and a helicopter pad on the fore deck ya may take a few jabs   :) :)

I get the "bit more room if full time"....we are all different. I could live full time on Allure comforatably at 27ft.

Only thing I'd be looking at is draft. SO many advantages of shallow draft.
4ft or less is wonderful!

[K3v1n]

"To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea... cruising, it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about. "I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of security. And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone. What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade. The years thunder by, the dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?
  - Sterling Hayden

Wow! ...words to live by. Makes me rethink my plans from 5 years and a bigger boat to perhaps 2 and keep sailing my Com-Pac 23. Could easily trailer sail that puppy up and down the east coast!

[CharlieJ]

Friends on a ComPac (from Texas) in Nassau Harbor- they did a LOT of the Bahamas

[CharlieJ]

Same couple getting a tow back from a snorkeling  outing at Little Farmers Cay

For those who remember  them, that's Nick and Melissa

[Frank]

A Compac 23 is a GREAT boat for Bahamas!!!
Very shallow draft and super ventilation.
You are "off boat" so much......just morning coffee, meals and bed....

Seriously......

"GO NOW"


PS......did 2 of us AND a 76lb golden retiever for 3-1/2 mths here on a 23.....

[lance on cloud nine]

I have just never thought about another 10 or 15 feet of boat as changing the adventure that much. What ever my adventure is to be, it does not happen because of that extra space.

[K3v1n]

Wow Frank! We have the CP23 and a 70lb. Goldie!   ....now to convince the Admiral! :D

PS. How did your dog take to boat life? Any tips would be great. thx.