Great Escape

[aph]

As someone who trawls the cruising websites mainly for technical data, I am intrigued by the number of people who are planning the "great escape" but are compelled to communicate with the world on every aspect of their life prior to departure. One of their big concerns seems to be being able to "stay on line" after they let go the ropes. That is going to be the least of their problems. Wait untill you are taking a reef at 3 am off Tarifa or dragging anchor in San Antonio. Who needs a laptop then? These folks are in danger of being disappointed as the anticipation is often better than the realisation. Want a cheap boat, then head for Gibraltar or East Florida USA to find broken dreams. Cruising is changing. eg Arcs and round the world rallies are creating a package holiday type mentality. What has happened to trying dinghy sailing first to see if you like it or not instead of asking the planet what type of vessel should I buy to sail the world. By the way I am Med based and been serious cruising for 25 years.

 

[kgi]

Agree with you,they sometimes forget that computers are not marinised and on aboat that is actually cruising, their life expectancy can be brief. whats wrong with the good old telephone, and having your mail forwarded, the idea of cruising is to cut down the stress not maintain it at the level of terra firma, in a lot of ways i think people are losing sight of what cruising is all about,on my boat we do not bother with email on the boat,we dont have cellphones or ssb, its absolute bliss.......just my own views........keith

 

[summerwind]

You are having a good day then. Full of joy and the milk of human kindness.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, God is in his heaven and all is right with the world.

 

[ToMo]

I agree with the tone of your response, my first impression of aph was ' here is someone who has forgotten what the early times are like emotionally.
It is very kind to warn folk of some of the pitfalls of the lifestile, but the manner in which it is done can be sympathetic too!
TôMö

 

[poter]

Re: Great Escape, Dreams

>"I am intrigued by the number of people who are planning the "great escape" but are compelled to communicate with the world"

Why are you intrigued? Perhaps they feel so good about their forthcoming adventure that they want to tell the whole world...... & why not.


Don't break their dreams please.



poter

 

[colvic]

Hate to say it but you are basically correct, but being an AVID computer user I have to say there are many more uses than just for e-mails, which are cheaper i any internet cafe except GIBRALTAR £4.50 an hour!

 

[Guest]

Well,Aph:
I've been a full-time cruiser and live aboard since 1962. Here are my thoughts!!
Cruising is about independence,accomplishment,& self-esteem. It is about new friends,broadened perspective.
It is also about crystalline waters,infinite skies, and the Green Flash.
The richness of the experience does not equate with the wealth of the participant!!
Or their experience. To copy phrase from dear friends. "go now go small"

 

[MedMan]

There are many ways to skin the Ship\'s Cat!

One of the great joys of cruising is meeting up with different folk and finding out how they do things, what is important to them, what they can do without and what they can't. There are, of course, as many answers to these questions as there are sailors upon the seven seas. There is an infinite number of ways to skin the ship's cat!

There would appear to be one factor above all others that prevents many would-be live-aboard sailors from ever casting off and which destroys much of the magic for those who do. It is not the threat of gales nor the fear of drowning nor the misery of seasickness but something far more basic to our human needs. It is the fear of being out of touch with loved ones back at home.

When planning to cast off for a protracted period I believe that it is important to consider the philosophy of living aboard as opposed to taking a holiday afloat. When one is in full-time employment one’s annual holiday is supremely important and one makes a very great deal of effort to make sure that it goes well. For the duration of the holiday reality is suspended: worries about relatives are put on one side, health problems are ignored and finances are temporarily over-stretched. By contrast, when one moves on board permanently, reality moves on too. Even though one might be living in paradise, problems can no longer be ignored but must be dealt with on a day-to-day basis. It is this aspect of living aboard that makes communication so vital. For many, a laptop and GSM phone on board makes the difference between being able to sever the ties and not.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: There are many ways to skin the Ship\'s Cat!

I totally agree with you! Sailing off to live aboard and abroad is all very well, you can ignore lots of things if you are retired. I work and live aboard, I need comunications, E mail and phone, preferably onboard, I have to know when and where I'm going to go to work, airline tickets etc. These things are important now, later I will have diferrent priorities, there will always be somebody who knocks other people because they rely on technology, it's there, why not use it, if it's cheap and effecient. I would love to use all natural energy, sun panels wind etc. But my boat is power hungry and I would need 160 wattts of solar, at least, thats 1200 pounds! that buys a lot of diesel for my genny!! A wind genny, a good one at 1000 pounds, more diesel and very noisy, you cant hear my genny six feet from the boat, a wind genny, well I'm sure you've heard a big one! Solar is out of the question, on price and space required for the BIG panels, so I have to rely on fossil fuel. Please don't knock me because I want cold beer and other comforts while I'm living PERMANENTLY (and have been for 12 years) onboard. Just come over and get one for yourself! always welcome guests!

 

[cariad]

Come on 'aph', the planet has changed hugely in the past 25 years, for better or for worse. Technologly is making it easier to keep in touch on land and sea, it is also making it easier for many people to follow their dreams earlier without the worry of it turning into a nightmare regarding family members. So many people can stay employed and liveaboard these days with the assistance of laptops etc.
It seems you are moaning about 2 completely different problems, mass flottila holidays (like many mass package holidays on land) are spoiling many an idyllic spot on this beautiful planet. Obviously you are finding it more and more difficult to find a place to that has not been ravaged by the 'package holiday type mentality'. That, I do agree, is very very sad.

 

[Guest]

Re: There are many ways to skin the Ship\'s Cat!

My reply to you is keep on doing it!! There is no ONE RIGHT WAY!! I have a mate
which requires Ice for her drinks, a micro wave, heat and airconditioning, a TV, VCRand DVD, a blender for her screwy drinks. So I deal with it. It give me pleasure in keeping her happy. Me I could and have lived with a lot less.
There somethings she is willing to forgo. A proper head and shower. We use a portapottie under the pilothouse overhead and the show bag goes on top. Running water, we use a foot pump.
Gene

Keep on Learning!!

 

[rex]

I can't see any connection between dinghy sailing and liveaboard, they would be better trying camping to see if they like it. What is your problem with people asking for advice before doing something new to them, it seems pretty sensible to me. Perhaps their dream wil not crash if they try a little research before taking the plunge.

 

[cynthia]

If I overdraw, its the end of the great escape. On line banking keep everything and one far from sober! Not to mention the kids, the relatives and the forwarded mail from UK. Please yourselves, but I'll stay on line!

 

[ccscott49]

I couldn't do what I do without it and telephone, I'm still working! Thankfully, the business I'm in will allow me to fly from anywhere (almost) to work and I work 3weeks on 3weeks off, which allows me some freedom, it won't be too long before I can retire, then it's more cruising. I too will stay online. I can't understand people moaning about using technology anyway, it allows me to have a great deal of freedom. It's nice to stay in touch, (with thiose chosen few!)

 

[milltech]

Re: one factor above all

In my case it's the lady wife who wouldn't be seen dead aboard! I could afford to go now but I can't afford to keep her "in the manner etc" whilst I do it.

John

 

[NDG]

Don't see what your problem is.

Are you complaining about people wanting to use technology, or people going cruising in rallies with other boats? Either way its up to them.

We're off next week on an atlantic circuit in a beautiful 30 yr old contessa 32 - our first boat and our first cruise - the only means of communication I will be carrying will be a VHF and an epirb if it all goes tits up. Doesn't mean I think people shouldn't do it just the way it suits them though - if I could afford a sat c system I would get one, but I cant.

We don't all have to be salty old seadogs to enjoy it!

 

[Cheveche]

[ QUOTE ]
The richness of the experience does not equate with the wealth of the participant!!<br>Or their experience. To copy phrase from dear friends. "go now go small"<br><br>

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread as I'm one of the dreamers who would dearly like to make the 'Great Escape'. And I like that quote "go now, go small". The go small bit at least.

I'm 50 now and have no ties. I live in a rented flat in London and work nearby, but I've been thinking for ages I'd like to drop out, pare down and live on a boat. The thing is am I being a fantasist or is it possible to take up sailing at my age?

I've seen a lovely 24' wooden sloop that is affordable to me. My question I guess is how much training would I need to sail solo around British coastal waters?