Sanity Check....unplugging and going Cruising...or Bust?

[richandlori]

Ok, guysI may be opening myself up here as being called crazy or even worse, but no riskno reward.

I am getting close to several events that will most likely lead to the ending of my current job with its ridiculous travel and ridiculously high pay. (No its not because I spent too much time HERE!) The lack of a job doesnt worry me a bit; it is what to do with this opportunity that is the question. My wife and I have been seriously and I mean seriously considering using this opportunity to take a few years off from the day to day trials of life. Basically the thought is to coastal cruise for 1-2 years with the kids up/down the US and Mexican West coasts. Maybe, even through the canal to the US Gulf, Caribbean, and US East coast. Yes, everyone we know calls this plan and way of thinking CRAZY, which frankly is even more of a good reason to do it! With zero debt now and collage cost still far enough away, it just seems like now or never especially before I get into a new job. Rent the paid off house, use that rent money to cover cruising costs, home school the kids, and either get closer as a family or drive us all into the crazy house!

To see if this could work we are thinking about a 1 to 2 month trial on our Mac this summer before spending the $ on a larger boat, something in the 35-40ft size range. Trust me on this, I would love to just pull it all off on our Mac, heck, then its paid for and ready to go! But having a shower/oven/private spaces seems a must of a 1-2 year trip. It is amazing what you can get for around $50K. Not having my Mac and the thought of selling it KILLS ME, especially when I think about being back from the 1-2 year tripthen what.buy a new one? Its like I wish I could tow it behind as a dingy or something!

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... 51730&url=


So why make this post? What am I looking for? I dont know, maybe just some advice from friends and some thoughts about if any of you were to make this crazy move how would you do it? Or would you just splash water on your face, drink a bottle of scotch and put this crazy thought out of your mind?

[aya16]

Wow knowing how old you are I say sounds like a plan except If you are just going up and down the coast, Mexico and the US by all means use the mac. And stay in hotels as you trailer to great far off places.Use the money for the new boat to buy a Tow van or a small motor home like ricks. Thats what I would do. Talk to Scott he is planning a trip down to mexico with the Mac soon. Bigger boat is great but remember you will need those two years to get to some far off places that would take you a few days to trailer to. And if the wheather turns bad on you a nice hotel
with room service will make the wife very happy instead of hunkered down in the cabin with the kids cold and wet sceaming at you about your dumb Idea. Just a thought

Mike
http://www.alasvegashotel.com/juniorhon ... uites.html

PS dont forget you can also travel the US towing the mac you wont be limited to west coast. Wow it sounds like fun can i go

[Captain Steve]

That C & C that you linked is a beautiful boat!,,,Make it more than a dream!

[Randy Smith]

If you have enjoyed your Mac that much and are ready for "more" go for it.....you can always enjoy the big boat and then downsize, upsize...whatever you want.....you know what you Mac can do, yet if you want blue water, you gotta step up.....the most important issue is the Admiral's opinion........mine is fine with the Mac at this time...we are jet skiing beach bums, and there are not many boats, with the accomodations, that you can put on the beach for headquarters and then push off shore at night to sleep....our friends and slip mates call Breezy the "Mother Ship".
Anyway, I dream of a bigger boat....a 35 footer with all the bells and whistles....I would love a "real" "traditional" sea boat. A teacher's salary, child support, mortgage, two trucks, jetskis....well, everyone has their burdens....I would chuck it all and live aboard(I lived on the Mac for a winter, so cool) but the Admiral's little foot is pretty solid......someday, when life changes I will get that boat...for now, the Mac is the boat for me and the family....Rich, I agree with Me Mine, if you can do it now, the stars aline, the Admiral is go, the cash is flow, then DO IT! Drink scotch anyway. Randy

[DLT]

I'd do it if I could.

Although, aya16's idea has some serious merit. Unless you really want to do the "canal" thing, you could by one heck of a RV to tow that Mac just about anywhere. You could use the RV to "spead-out" in between those water born excursions...

You could take the Mac to and throughout a lot of the Bahamas, properly timed of course... But, you're not on a schedule...

You could reach pretty far south along the west coast, without having to go big... Especially if you didn't mind springing for a hotel room now and again...

[kmclemore]

Well, Rich, I've lived on a C&C 36, and let me tell you - you couldn't choose a better boat. Solidly built, fast and very roomy... frankly I think it's one of the best deals going in pre-owned sailboats.

It's easy to say this from my own arm-chair, but I'd do it!

[delevi]

Rich,

Live the dream! I have a similar dream, however, I'm only 35 and trying to start a family. Hopefully in 10-15 years, if business stays good, I will be able to do the same. GO FOR IT WHILE YOU HAVE THE CHANCE!!!

As for the C&C boat, she's a beauty. I don't think you will shed too many tears for your Mac. It will be an awesome upgrade. Besides, you could always trade back when you complete your voyage.

Fair Winds!

[jetta01]

Rich,

Molly and I just got back from 5 days on her dad's boat (44 ft. Hunter) down in San Carlos, Mexico. I asked lots of these type of questions while we were there. Things he mentioned, most of which would be covered by Mike's plan...

1. Very surprised at the amount of time motoring vs. sailing from Ventura down around Cabo and up to La Paz. 80% engine 20% sail...all depends on the weather, but I think if you ask around to cruisers in Mexico you will find it is a lot of engine time...Might as well drive there and sail in the location.

2. Having a car has made their trip much more enjoyable. Get off the boat and explore the lands, or just go to the store for that matter...or get home to see the rest of the family. It is very difficult for him as he has to find someone to drive the car to the next location, or catch a bus back to get the car. He has been spending a month exploring, then comes home for a few weeks to see the family etc...then back down for a month or so.

3. Would love to be able to go "fast" when crossing. We could cross the baja in 6 hours or so. In a "normal" sailboat, that is an all night afair.

Personally, I think Mike's idea is great. It solves the cost of #1, the pains of #2 and the power of #3.

Heck, you can see both coasts and all the lakes in between with a couple of years. Not to mention all the tourist things on the road trip along the way. Getting between places with the car solves all the weather issues also. When we left, Larry was ready to head for Puerto Vallarta, but had to wait for about 3 days due to bad weather forcasts...not a problem on the trailer.

All that being said, you would still need to do some serious mods to the Mac. Things I can think of after being down there...

1. More fuel capacity
2. More water capacity
3. More battery capacity
4. Generator
5. Refrigerator
6. SSB radio (only way to get accurate weather forcasts)

Good luck...if you are serious, let me know and I can get you some time with Larry to pick his brain on what he would do different, or what he did to prepare. I know he spent about $33,000 outfitting a 2003 Hunter to be ready for the trip...

[Catigale]

Rich

Heres my three cents on your idea, in no particular order except the first item.

1 Your first responsibility is to the kids of course. Are they of the mindset where they can cruise and home school, and 'normally develop'? Statistics and pro/counter examples from others mean nothing, only you and Lori know the kids. Once the kids are off to college is the perfect time to do this trip for YOU (plural) but I understand if you want to do it with them. I would too.

2 Park the Mac at a friends/Macolleague/etc for the year or two so it will be yours to return to if you go the bigger boat route.

3 $50k is a lot for a used boat. We picked up a 1977 freshwater Ericson 32 in concours condition for $17k. Up on the Great Lakes, boats dont corrode, things dont rust up, so 1977 boats that have been in use (and upgraded on electronics, etc) are like 1997 boats, only cheaper..

4 My biased impression is there are a lot more places that arent high rent to hang on the East Coast in the US at least. I dont know Mexico though.

5 Hang some of the load on your Mac sisterhood/brotherhood to help you on your quest - you can count on me for help if you are up in the Albany area. A week off the boat in someones house is huge once a month or so, and might let you pull this trip off in the Mac. Sure Fish and Friends stink after three days, but I think you would get some takers on this (Id better check with Admiral....)

[richandlori]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Actually, I was hoping that the admiral would quash my "crazy idea", but she is actually up to it! So as hard as I try, I can't think of a reason not to do it, except for fear of change.

Although I would love that C & C the big problem is that it is on the wrong side of the US! I need to find something reasonable on the west coast, as starting such an adventure in more "home" waters would make for an easier transition. I do agree with Catigale that I may be able to find something that fits my needs for less, but the C & C is definitely on the "oh ya" list.

I also think I will keep my Mac in storage or something so that she will be waiting for me to get back to the "real world".

When to begin? Well, I guess I need to start seriously looking for a boat and get this thing going before someone comes to their senses!

[James V]

I started looking at this problem, looking at older boats and what was needed to repair them, the cost went up to almost a new boat. If you are like most people you will be spending most of your time in bed or the cockpit, your cooking will be done in the cockpit as well, bathing as well as you do not want all that smell and water in the boat.
Take a look at the microcruiser site http://www.microcruising.com/ and see what other people have done. The bigger boats are nice but a lot of space is taken up with the inboard unless you get into the 40 foot or better range.
You could just take your Mac to Florida and cruise the great loop or .... That way you can stay out of the real heavy seas.

[Moe]

During the years we lived in the Middle East and traveled all over Europe, my kids were ages 7-10 and 4-7 years old. They, especially the youngest, don't remember much of it at all, like they might've had they been older. Just something to think about if you're thinking you'd be giving them an experience they'll never forget.

[Idle Time]

GO..dont let anyone talk you out of it. If you can manage for the 2 or 3 months on the Mac then you will have it made. Personally...I think your kids will be much better out of the present school system. Some of the wacko stuff they are required to take and then not even beable to read really makes me wonder whats going on. My daughter was a high school drop out and when she was home schooling my granddaughter she had better grades and a good relationship with her mother. Now she is in public school and not doing half as well. Look at the life lessons they will will learn. Make one of their projects keeping us up on where you are and what you are doing.