Great advice, "Pay Serious Attention to what you DO NOT EVER WANT". I have my list of "have to haves", "nice to haves", and "NOPE." If there was something I couldn't stand about a boat, no amount of positives would mitigate that. Maybe the Nope could be easily/inexpensively altered to be OK - but if it couldn't nope. Thanks for your insights, Janice! It's beginning to look festive onboard SeaWeed. :)
The photo of my Christmas cards is from last year. It looks much better this year, at least I believe so. I have changed my decorations, eliminating the Christmas tree. That might move to the flag pole out back, but thus far I have not gotten that far. We shall see.
You are correct regarding the nopes. Some things cannot be altered. Dungeon galley was forward, down steep steps. When the wife looked up she could see ankles of visitors on her side deck. The side deck had those fiberglass barriers which look great however you can't see through 'em.
I felt badly for her. It was isolating down there. Unfortunately there was no way I could see to remedy the situation though I suppose a secondary mini-galley on the sundeck might have bought them time.
Structure and layout are critical for happiness afloat. Your Dream Boat is very workable. It is ideal for a soloist too.
Today I am off to install a fuel polishing system on a boat. Should be fun. J.
Great advice in this article. I lost a terrific woman in part because I had to pick the boat and would not listen to what she wanted. I opted for 'Blue Water' and she wanted at least SOME level of comfort. I won, she lost. Now she is long gone. She said when we met again years later that if I had just listened to her a bit then we might still be together. We would both be happy. She has found another man and I am older and alone with my boat. She was the A+ woman who got away, my fault entirely. Wish I had been smart enough to heed your advice long ago. Sail on, sweet Janice. Sail on.
Janice that was chock full of good advice. You are a good therapist and life coach among all your other skills! I also know stories of couples who sold everything and moved onto a boat only to have the wife decide it wasn’t for her. I think people should charter boats together to get a real feel for the life before planning to purchase. Also they should consider the reality of living in a boat yard for months which seems to happen to everyone at some point. There are so many stressors in the live aboard lifestyle that are probably unknown to most people starting out. Probably best to make the change incrementally... you are the best ! Your friend Claudia
Thanks so much for your comment. It is true that we all have a "one that got away" thought here and there. I am happy your former found her happy place and wish the same for you. Who knows? The woman of your dreams may just be one blink away! Good luck Sir, and happy cruising. J.
Your good sense means that mistakes can be overcome versus demolish the relationship Claudia. Knowing what pleases you makes a world of difference. For the adventurous, travel is a way of experiencing life outside of the norms. Having our homes along, be it an RV or a boat, makes the trip far more comfortable.
I do like my creature comforts. Right now I'm listening to Sinatra with my Christmas lights twinkling. A cup of hot cocoa (Swiss Miss Light) is by my elbow. Life is pretty good. I am fortunate beyond measure.
But I digress...
Chartering is a good idea too. The difference is that when things break, someone else is responsible for fixing the problem. Much like renters versus home-ownership, one spots issues and the other has to repair them.
LOVING your boat/home makes a world of difference. I Enjoy tweaking my Seaweed. That said, I enjoy the experience much more in retrospect than while I'm in the midst of the fix! And at this point I know way more about my engine than I ever intended to learn.
Still, when starting out I was a neophyte. I'd forgotten so much and had some Real Difficulties. I am fortunate I had friends who helped and guided me back then. The nightmares are over and I like it that way.
As for now, I'm processing a bunch of pictures tonight. I had a great boat ride yesterday (Tampa Bay, Boca Ciega, etc.) and it was wonderful. It was fun to be underway. Life is Great.
Thank you Claudia for your compliment too. Life Coach is such a nice term. Thank you. Your friend, J.