Sailing around the world on a budget

[veshengro]

Do folk more want to get away from a situation that makes them unhappy or positively desire to sail the oceans?

I suspect the answer to this will influence the degree to which comfort and budget are relevant to them.

In just over 17 years of foreign wanderings I found quite a few expats who after the initial 'Honeymoon' period of a few years were in fact no happier than if they had stayed at home. That includes Germans, a couple of very memorable homesick Canadians and quite a few other nationalities.

Some of the Brits, particularly those that had taken root in the mainland Spanish tourist hot spots were fairly pathetic I thought. Pissed by 1100 hrs and whining until dusk. Many spent hours on UK social media lauding life in paradise while complaining bitterly to anyone within nearby earshot about some local regulation or law with which they didn't agree.

I also encountered people who had found contentment and were very happy in their new countries, although I always had the feeling that those people had not run away, but rather made a considered choice and would probably make a go of life where ever they lived.

 

[benjenbav]

In just over 17 years of foreign wanderings I found quite a few expats who after the initial 'Honeymoon' period of a few years were in fact no happier than if they had stayed at home. That includes Germans, a couple of very memorable homesick Canadians and quite a few other nationalities.

Some of the Brits, particularly those that had taken root in the mainland Spanish tourist hot spots were fairly pathetic I thought. Pissed by 1100 hrs and whining until dusk. Many spent hours on UK social media lauding life in paradise while complaining bitterly to anyone within nearby earshot about some local regulation or law with which they didn't agree.

I also encountered people who had found contentment and were very happy in their new countries, although I always had the feeling that those people had not run away, but rather made a considered choice and would probably make a go of life where ever they lived.

There’s the old story of the traveller in strange lands asking a local sage what the folks are like in a new (to the traveller) city and being met by the question, ‘what are they like where you come from?’

No matter what the traveller’s answer, the sage’s final reply is always, ‘they’re pretty much the same here.’

 

[Wansworth]

In just over 17 years of foreign wanderings I found quite a few expats who after the initial 'Honeymoon' period of a few years were in fact no happier than if they had stayed at home. That includes Germans, a couple of very memorable homesick Canadians and quite a few other nationalities.

Some of the Brits, particularly those that had taken root in the mainland Spanish tourist hot spots were fairly pathetic I thought. Pissed by 1100 hrs and whining until dusk. Many spent hours on UK social media lauding life in paradise while complaining bitterly to anyone within nearby earshot about some local regulation or law with which they didn't agree.

I also encountered people who had found contentment and were very happy in their new countries, although I always had the feeling that those people had not run away, but rather made a considered choice and would probably make a go of life where ever they lived.

Interesting the word”honeymoon”….heard that about some Germans who ought a house in Galiciaeverything great initially.In our part of Galicia by chance we found quite a few who maintain close contact with each other swapping dvds and books every month they seem to have one legion blights and anotherinSpain

 

[capnsensible]

Not all who wander are lost.

 

[steve yates]

Not all who wander are lost.

Wanderers are sorted, by setting out they have already made themselves happy. “Searchers” on the other hand, are forever doomed to disappointment and dissatisfaction.

 

[John_Silver]

…and, as Arthur Ramsome wrote…..

 

[spindly_killer_fish]

Yes, I’m sure the necessary budget is quite subjective and that it’s impossible to answer for anyone else.

My suspicion is that if someone is really dissatisfied with their life and wants to do something - perhaps, anything - different they may be more inclined towards the Pardey approach of just getting on with it with the resources that are available in the moment than they might be if they are long-term planning towards an idyllic dreamscape of adventure, discovery and capturing the sights of remarkable sunsets and exotic wildlife.

That just depends on the type of person, some are happy to just go with whats in their pockets and without a care in the world of how they live. Personally i have responsibilities to make sure i have some experience, enough cashflow and a sound vessel. I have given myself a few years to achieve all of those things. I don't think that makes me any less likely to achieve my goals and id rather be better prepared. Of course over the duration of planning and preparation I may have a change of heart and just decide to buy a house somewhere warmer and have a little boat for day fun and thats ok. its a journey and things are allowed to change, its worse if you don't recognise those changes or even bother accepting them.

 

[lustyd]

Do folk more want to get away from a situation that makes them unhappy or positively desire to sail the oceans?

For me it’s probably a little of both but mostly a desire to explore. Modern Britain isn’t really a viable place to build a life these days for anyone who isn’t already wealthy, and it’s making the whole country angry/depressed. I find that with sailing you tend to end up in small seaside communities most of the time which end up being more human places to hang out.
I’m not really running away, but I certainly don’t want to live out my days working for very little return on a rainy and dreary island listening to ever escalating hate speech (and that’s just the BBC!).

 

[spindly_killer_fish]

For me it’s probably a little of both but mostly a desire to explore. Modern Britain isn’t really a viable place to build a life these days for anyone who isn’t already wealthy, and it’s making the whole country angry/depressed. I find that with sailing you tend to end up in small seaside communities most of the time which end up being more human places to hang out.
I’m not really running away, but I certainly don’t want to live out my days working for very little return on a rainy and dreary island listening to ever escalating hate speech (and that’s just the BBC!).

This ^

I dont plan on spending my time after working pottering around a garden and laying on a lounger. retire early and get out to see more of the world at your own pace before the end of days lol

 

[Daydream believer]

My suspicion is that if someone is really dissatisfied with their life and wants to do something - perhaps, anything - different they may be more inclined towards the Pardey approach of just getting on with it with the resources that are available in the moment than they might be if they are long-term planning towards an idyllic dreamscape of adventure, discovery and capturing the sights of remarkable sunsets and exotic wildlife.

I cannot help wondering if one cannot make a go of life in the first instance, do they have the long term frame of mind to make a go of it in another environment

 

[veshengro]

" enough cashflow and a sound vessel "

Crucial elements in my experience. Most voyagers have met people who failed in either of those two needs. Years ago in the boatyard just across the river from Portimao I met a bloke who was selling literally everything aboard his boat to raise cash for repairs. I bought a very iffy pair of Binos from him more out of sympathy than need..

I heard on the grapevine that he eventually 'did a runner' and his boat is probably still there

 

[spindly_killer_fish]

" enough cashflow and a sound vessel "

Crucial elements in my experience. Most voyagers have met people who failed in either of those two needs. Years ago in the boatyard just across the river from Portimao I met a bloke who was selling literally everything aboard his boat to raise cash for repairs. I bought a very iffy pair of Binos from him more out of sympathy than need..

I heard on the grapevine that he eventually 'did a runner' and his boat is probably still there

yeah i dont understand being underprepared. i plan on retiring at 55, i should have a about 200k for a boat plus an income of 20-30k as well as the wifes pension, that should probably get me somewhere

 

[spindly_killer_fish]

I cannot help wondering if one cannot make a go of life in the first instance, do they have the long term frame of mind to make a go of it in another environment

why do you assume anyone leaving the country for a better/different life cannot or has not "made a go" of their life?

 

[lustyd]

why do you assume anyone leaving the country for a better/different life cannot or has not "made a go" of their life?

100%. My life and career have been great by any measure, but now I want to make some changes and at 45 I’m still young enough to enjoy my retirement. The downside to that is that at 45 it’s hard to get long stay visas without wanting to work so I have to show a pot of gold until I can touch my pension at 58. Assuming that age doesn’t go up again.

 

[Sea Change]

yeah i dont understand being underprepared. i plan on retiring at 55, i should have a about 200k for a boat plus an income of 20-30k as well as the wifes pension, that should probably get me somewhere

That sounds extremely comfortable, a far bigger budget in both capital and income than we are doing it on.

 

[spindly_killer_fish]

100%. My life and career have been great by any measure, but now I want to make some changes and at 45 I’m still young enough to enjoy my retirement. The downside to that is that at 45 it’s hard to get long stay visas without wanting to work so I have to show a pot of gold until I can touch my pension at 58. Assuming that age doesn’t go up again.

ditto, own a house, have a family, worked all my life in a decent career, travelled the world and lived in other countries, luckily im 50 this year and can access my pension at 55. which gives me plenty of time to get more experience in sailing, start the downsizing process and prepare for the off.

 

[spindly_killer_fish]

That sounds extremely comfortable, a far bigger budget in both capital and income than we are doing it on.

of apart from the boat, ill do it on a lot less if i can as ill be drawing down the pension and keeping as much invested as possible for those times of new sails etc. id say 15k per year is doable on day to day life.

 

[lustyd]

ditto, own a house, have a family, worked all my life in a decent career, travelled the world and lived in other countries, luckily im 50 this year and can access my pension at 55. which gives me plenty of time to get more experience in sailing, start the downsizing process and prepare for the off.

A word of advice, start downsizing now. It takes way longer than you think

 

[Blueboatman]

Added two pence worth
The great unknown in life is health - ask any actuary!

The sailing magazines and latterly the YouTubers have been promoting the “ must do” , bucket list, tick boxes, visit this/swim there/experience this before-it’s-too-lste(!) round the world trip relentlessly for what, 40 years now?

Be a shame to be too Ill or settled to go for it in the end or indeed to pin too much expectation on the one definitive retirement sail package.
Go early, but go. As a sabbatical. Which might cure an itch or fire up a change of life, who knows?

Or buy a nice boat in paradise from a failed ‘ adventure of a lifetime’ and sail it home..?

 

[spindly_killer_fish]

A word of advice, start downsizing now. It takes way longer than you think

this year i have sold about 20k in tools and machines, im doing well on that front