Would you still live aboard?

[Nostrodamus]

We have been living aboard and cruising for the last 5 years but I have to say we have it easy.
Looking back at those intrepid sailors of the past who lived aboard without electronics, mobile phones, pilot books and the internet I can do nothing but admire them. They were all heroes.
Would you still live aboard and cruise without electronics or without knowing about your family back home for months on end?

 

[TQA]

Yes and did so at first.

Could not afford GPS at first. So it was an Ebbco and a programmable calculator. RDF for confirmation.

Amex for letters and funds, they let you buy TCs with a personal cheque.

I did have a ham radio but used it mostly for recreational listening.

 

[Nostrodamus]

I forgot about that. Of course in those times ATM's did not exist.
I wonder if someone will look back in 50 years and wonder how we managed to sail today.

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Not if it meant I had no contact with the daughters, not a chance!

 

[SHUG]

I remember being a sweltering phone kiosk, nearly running out of coins ,two people waiting outsisde and having a heated "discussion" with the Inland Revenue about my Tax Return.
All before the dubious joys of e-mail

PS YES

 

[ribrage]

HMRC still don't accept email . they ask for fax

 

[Tony Cross]

We have been living aboard and cruising for the last 5 years but I have to say we have it easy.
Looking back at those intrepid sailors of the past who lived aboard without electronics, mobile phones, pilot books and the internet I can do nothing but admire them. They were all heroes.
Would you still live aboard and cruise without electronics or without knowing about your family back home for months on end?

I probably would but I'm pretty sure SWMBO would not!

 

[BobnLesley]

The principals don't change, just the technology; we regularly enquire from/advise people heading in the opposite direction where to find good/reliable/cheap wifi or internet connections. When we were motorcycling across Asia thirty years ago it was just the same, except that we were exchanging info about decent/reliable places for post-restante and making international phone calls.

 

[Hipchick]

I think I must be your new cyber stalker BOb and Les. Haven't been on this forum for years due to depression caused by all the moaning minnies. Glad to see you. Hipchick aka Jane

 

[jerrytug]

Yes

 

[LadyInBed]

I got a taste of what it would have been like when contracting in Libya in the late 90's.
No internet or phone, had to use faxes to communicate to home. Money exchange with 'Man in corner shop'.
I wouldn't like to live like that now!

 

[KellysEye]

We left Les Aves a Venezuelan out island at night and had a total power faiure, no deck lights, no nav lights, no instruments and no engine heading to Bonaire. We could see Venus, that follows the sun, the Pole star and the Southern cross and Bonaire was due east. It is a very interestig thing do and good experience and we arrived in Bonaire and picked up a buoy under sail. I also helped deliver out boat with the new owner from Lymington to Scarboroughwithout using any GPS wapoints. It is possible to sail without any nav aids and it's fun trying it.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Kellys Eye, I totally agree that from time to time you should navigate by traditional methods to keep the ideas fresh and for events like you had.
The point really though is if you had to do it everywhere, if you had no phone, no internet, no real pilot books and the only way of making contact was by landlines or snail mail would you still live aboard and go long distance cruising?

 

[rigman]

Read the Hiscocks books on Wanderer. Or the Smeetons. They managed OK long distance.

We used to sail all round the Med/NW Europe in the 1980's without Internet, phones GPS, Navtex. Facebook blogs and all the other stuff. Maybe phoned relatives once every 6 weeks or sent a postcard. We were happy enough. Probably happier.

 

[lindsay]

To put this all in perspective take a look at the film Waterworld...now that' sailing!

 

[capnsensible]

Kellys Eye, I totally agree that from time to time you should navigate by traditional methods to keep the ideas fresh and for events like you had.
The point really though is if you had to do it everywhere, if you had no phone, no internet, no real pilot books and the only way of making contact was by landlines or snail mail would you still live aboard and go long distance cruising?

Got the t shirt.

Finding a copy of the Daily Express only two days old was a treat. Could always find footie in a bar tho.

 

[dslittle]

Got the t shirt.

Finding a copy of the Daily Express only two days old was a treat. Could always find footie in a bar tho.

Ahhh. The old Champions League tour of Southern Spain springs to mind!!!

As recently as the time that Micheal Jackson died, we were five weeks behind the news. Arrived back to UK to incessant Micheal Jackson records. Didn't realise why until the next day...

 

[capnsensible]

Theres a memory. Was delivering a boat, found out when we got to Horta, in the taxi going up the hill to the supermarket.

 

[rigman]

Who is Michael Jackson. Never heard of him.

 

[blampied]

No, need contact with family and friends!