Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Is world cruising all its made out to be,are we victims of the world of the Hiscocks,Pardys et al and manipulated by the Yachting press barons
Does the dream match the reality
- Thread starter Wansworth
- Start date
davidbains
Well-Known Member
Objectively speaking, living inside a leaking GRP tube has it's drawbacks.
The fact that so many people do it, at least in the summer, would indicate
to me that there is something essentially boring and unfulfilling about modern
life with all it's conveniences and comforts and routine ashore.
Liveaboards are actually making their life more difficult in pursuit of some
feeling of accomplishment or freedom.
It's not for everyone and problems occur when some family members find
it less satisfying and more restrictive than the driven skipper.
My last trip turned into a tour of avaiable internet cafes, frustrating for the
sailors, and inadequate for the passengers!!
I suppose the lesson is to involve everyone on board in the actual sailing
even when more capable people may be idle.
The fact that so many people do it, at least in the summer, would indicate
to me that there is something essentially boring and unfulfilling about modern
life with all it's conveniences and comforts and routine ashore.
Liveaboards are actually making their life more difficult in pursuit of some
feeling of accomplishment or freedom.
It's not for everyone and problems occur when some family members find
it less satisfying and more restrictive than the driven skipper.
My last trip turned into a tour of avaiable internet cafes, frustrating for the
sailors, and inadequate for the passengers!!
I suppose the lesson is to involve everyone on board in the actual sailing
even when more capable people may be idle.
steve_cronin
N/A
Do you mean:- Does the reality match the dream
Well I have met several world girdlers over the years and they all seemed very down to earth people and enjoying (most) of the experience.
My next door neighbours have now reached Brisbane in their Beneteau Evasion 34 having sailed a few years back from the Hamble via Cork, the Cape Verdes, Venezuela, Argentina, Cape Horn, the Cooks & Tonga.
Maybe lots of people contemplating the trip never do so, possible under thoughts like those expressed in your posting but the ones who actually go (& remember, those sailing celebrities you mention weren't famous before they started out) usually finish the project and are glad they did.
Steve Cronin
Well I have met several world girdlers over the years and they all seemed very down to earth people and enjoying (most) of the experience.
My next door neighbours have now reached Brisbane in their Beneteau Evasion 34 having sailed a few years back from the Hamble via Cork, the Cape Verdes, Venezuela, Argentina, Cape Horn, the Cooks & Tonga.
Maybe lots of people contemplating the trip never do so, possible under thoughts like those expressed in your posting but the ones who actually go (& remember, those sailing celebrities you mention weren't famous before they started out) usually finish the project and are glad they did.
Steve Cronin
Kilter
Well-Known Member
I spent two years doing it and on the whole it was brilliant! I know a number of people who set out to see what it was like and 10 years on are still sailing. Increasing numbers seem to be taking to it and on the whole seem friendly, happy people. I'd love to take off again one day!
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
Well, you've prob seen my earlier thoughts on the subject. I'm damn glad I did it and am contemplating further girl wordling upon my retirement. I certainly don'y think that we are at the mercy of the press barons and I feel sorry for anybody that thinks they are. A moments reflection will tell you that there few places in the world that can't be reached in 36 hours via a 747 and pack mule or two. The sailing experience is in my view now more the style in which you travel rather than the destination.
What has most definitely changed is the experience relative to the Hiscocks, the world has moved on. In the Hiscocks day you loaded your craft up with everything you might possibly need on travels, now a call to DHL will bring almost any part to any part of the world within a day or so. Also communications have changed out of all recognition meaning that can keep in touch with home easily. For those of us with familly to keep up with a satphone makes a world of difference.
The final thought is that much as we'd like we can't leave our psyche behind when we travel for extended periods and I guess the dream is very much what you make of it.
What has most definitely changed is the experience relative to the Hiscocks, the world has moved on. In the Hiscocks day you loaded your craft up with everything you might possibly need on travels, now a call to DHL will bring almost any part to any part of the world within a day or so. Also communications have changed out of all recognition meaning that can keep in touch with home easily. For those of us with familly to keep up with a satphone makes a world of difference.
The final thought is that much as we'd like we can't leave our psyche behind when we travel for extended periods and I guess the dream is very much what you make of it.
absit_omen
Well-Known Member
We are in our fifth year and still around the Med loving every minute.
Hiscock etc pleasant reading but has little bearing on our lifestyle. Nobody manipulates us, least of all a yachting press baron!
Hiscock etc pleasant reading but has little bearing on our lifestyle. Nobody manipulates us, least of all a yachting press baron!
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
Interestingly the statisitics of peeps that actually take off are quite illuminating. At the YM seminar on living aboard which we went to in 1995 before we set off for a year stated that of the 100 peeps that went to the seminar in any one year 2 had set off by the end of the year that they said they would. I don't know what the stats are now but would guess not too different.
I've given up counting the number of sailors I've met who have a 5 or 10 year plan to set off. I haven't met one who had such a plan who has (other than those who self built their boats which I'd guess was also a previous 5 to 10 year plan). The ones who go, in my experience, are the ones who say I'm off in 12-18 months, set a date and then bend heaven and hell to make it.
I've given up counting the number of sailors I've met who have a 5 or 10 year plan to set off. I haven't met one who had such a plan who has (other than those who self built their boats which I'd guess was also a previous 5 to 10 year plan). The ones who go, in my experience, are the ones who say I'm off in 12-18 months, set a date and then bend heaven and hell to make it.
tcm
...
Interesting stuff!
i plan to temporarily lash heaven and hell together using some tape and self tappers, before replacing them with a painted plywood or more likley stainless steel which will stand up to the masive heat differential between heaven at one end and hell at the other.
i plan to temporarily lash heaven and hell together using some tape and self tappers, before replacing them with a painted plywood or more likley stainless steel which will stand up to the masive heat differential between heaven at one end and hell at the other.
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
Thread drift
I've asked the admin to move your post to R2R.
I've asked the admin to move your post to R2R.
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Re: Thread drift
Thread Thugs!The jist of my post,before it was hyjacked, was is world cruising all that its purported to be after the publicity.I found that I had to have a reason to travel,which I think was brught on by a spell in the M N.Iam thinking about another boat but for travelling in line with someone who decides to see what is round the corner and just sets off walking,wthout the suitcase,so to speak,very simple
Thread Thugs!The jist of my post,before it was hyjacked, was is world cruising all that its purported to be after the publicity.I found that I had to have a reason to travel,which I think was brught on by a spell in the M N.Iam thinking about another boat but for travelling in line with someone who decides to see what is round the corner and just sets off walking,wthout the suitcase,so to speak,very simple
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
Sorry didn\'t mean to upset you
I respect your motives and hope that you do it.
I'm sure what you say can be done, I'd find it difficult not to have some kind of game plan before I set out and I wish you well with your endeavours.
I respect your motives and hope that you do it.
I'm sure what you say can be done, I'd find it difficult not to have some kind of game plan before I set out and I wish you well with your endeavours.
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Re: Sorry didn\'t mean to upset you
Having just read Shrimpy again, I think that is the vein in which Mogy see himself. 30 quid at the start, and 8 years on came home. Not for me, but the route will be similar.
Having just read Shrimpy again, I think that is the vein in which Mogy see himself. 30 quid at the start, and 8 years on came home. Not for me, but the route will be similar.
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
Yes and no.
Yes, it was as good as I hoped, No it wasn't exactly how I dreamed it would be. Many things were different, some things I thought would be difficult (e.g. provisioning, communications) were easy, others (repairs & breakages) were more trouble than I expected. We planned to do a lot of walking to keep fit but that stopped when we got into tropical temperatures.
Yes, it was as good as I hoped, No it wasn't exactly how I dreamed it would be. Many things were different, some things I thought would be difficult (e.g. provisioning, communications) were easy, others (repairs & breakages) were more trouble than I expected. We planned to do a lot of walking to keep fit but that stopped when we got into tropical temperatures.
CharlesM
Well-Known Member
Re: Sorry didn\'t mean to upset you
Who is this Shrimpy jimdew refers to? Not Mike of Shrimpys in St Martin isit?
Who is this Shrimpy jimdew refers to? Not Mike of Shrimpys in St Martin isit?
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
Re: Go for it
If you don't try it,you will never know...
Here's one suggestion (well 2 actually)
Don't tell anyone you are going, just quietly go off when you are ready.-And if it turns out that you can adjust to the limitations and freedoms and selfdiscipline and adventure of sailing,well ,then send some postcards.
Oh, and don't let your trip be ruined by loading the boat with unnecessary and expensive gear that will break and stop you..
If you don't try it,you will never know...
Here's one suggestion (well 2 actually)
Don't tell anyone you are going, just quietly go off when you are ready.-And if it turns out that you can adjust to the limitations and freedoms and selfdiscipline and adventure of sailing,well ,then send some postcards.
Oh, and don't let your trip be ruined by loading the boat with unnecessary and expensive gear that will break and stop you..
jerryat
Well-Known Member
Re: Go for it
""Oh, and don't let your trip be ruined by loading the boat with unnecessary and expensive gear that will break and stop you.""
Agreed. To which I would add, don't worry about getting a 'big' or what is now apparently classed as a 'normal sized' (40 foot) cruising boat. You can have a fantastic, much cheaper, and less stressful time in 'small' boats too.
We've done far more in our 'little' 32 footer than most have in their 40+ footers. We had a great time over seven years and can't wait to get cracking again. Many spend far too long planning, dreaming and equipping their boat with all the 'necessities'(!) that they 'can't do without', that they never get away at all.
It's as someone implied earlier - a matter of attitude and wanting, almost NEEDING, to do it. In short, if you really do want to cruise and explore new places, feel terrified from time to time, feel great most of the time, overcome problems, meet marvellous (and awful) people, feel totally fulfilled and ...................... you'll go and do it!!
If that fundamental urge isn't there, save your money and time, and settle for enjoying sailing locally. Nothing at all wrong with that, and you'll be far happier not feeling that you 'ought' to be stretching your wings.
""Oh, and don't let your trip be ruined by loading the boat with unnecessary and expensive gear that will break and stop you.""
Agreed. To which I would add, don't worry about getting a 'big' or what is now apparently classed as a 'normal sized' (40 foot) cruising boat. You can have a fantastic, much cheaper, and less stressful time in 'small' boats too.
We've done far more in our 'little' 32 footer than most have in their 40+ footers. We had a great time over seven years and can't wait to get cracking again. Many spend far too long planning, dreaming and equipping their boat with all the 'necessities'(!) that they 'can't do without', that they never get away at all.
It's as someone implied earlier - a matter of attitude and wanting, almost NEEDING, to do it. In short, if you really do want to cruise and explore new places, feel terrified from time to time, feel great most of the time, overcome problems, meet marvellous (and awful) people, feel totally fulfilled and ...................... you'll go and do it!!
If that fundamental urge isn't there, save your money and time, and settle for enjoying sailing locally. Nothing at all wrong with that, and you'll be far happier not feeling that you 'ought' to be stretching your wings.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Re: Sorry didn\'t mean to upset you
Shrimpy - the famous 18' yacht that Shane Acton sailed around the world. He wrote a couple of books on the subject that are highly in demand in second hand market - they are like gold dust
Shrimpy - the famous 18' yacht that Shane Acton sailed around the world. He wrote a couple of books on the subject that are highly in demand in second hand market - they are like gold dust
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Re: Sorry didn\'t mean to upset you
Not upset at all whats r2r! .Not being at all bold I shall start coasting!
Not upset at all whats r2r! .Not being at all bold I shall start coasting!
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
Let me assure you THE REALITY DOES NOT MATCH THE DREAM!!!!!!
It is much much better - totally different from what you think the dream is going to be like in reality but it is a life changing adventure. With luck you will become a better nice person - you will see the world not from a 747 and faceless hotels with faceless tourist resorts but from a small boat anchored in some bay or other in the caribbean, North America society islandsm Cooks etc etc etc. and it does not matter how big or small your boat all people are equel in the cruising world.
Sure it will not suit some people but they will find out and quit very quickly - the only problem is finding a way to fund the dream and be able to get off the boat sometimes so that you remind your self from land how good it is to be cruising the world... Good title that!!!
(sorry my spell check has gone awol)
It is much much better - totally different from what you think the dream is going to be like in reality but it is a life changing adventure. With luck you will become a better nice person - you will see the world not from a 747 and faceless hotels with faceless tourist resorts but from a small boat anchored in some bay or other in the caribbean, North America society islandsm Cooks etc etc etc. and it does not matter how big or small your boat all people are equel in the cruising world.
Sure it will not suit some people but they will find out and quit very quickly - the only problem is finding a way to fund the dream and be able to get off the boat sometimes so that you remind your self from land how good it is to be cruising the world... Good title that!!!
(sorry my spell check has gone awol)
bbilly
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Well, you've prob seen my earlier thoughts on the subject. I'm damn glad I did it and am contemplating further girl wordling
[/ QUOTE ]
Freudian lapsus ????
Well, you've prob seen my earlier thoughts on the subject. I'm damn glad I did it and am contemplating further girl wordling
[/ QUOTE ]
Freudian lapsus ????
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