Of course, there are many more decisions. Some don't need to be made right away. Situations and conditions change. Live-aboard cruisers learn soon that decisions are never cast in concrete - more like cast in jello.
If you did well in your career and have plenty of retirement income, things will be a lot easier for you in some ways. You may have the money to buy the finest boat and hire mechanics, and riggers, and varnishers to do all the work for you. And congratulations, we're a little jealous. But a word of warning; when it's just you out there on the ocean and things start to get dicey, there is no 'off-ramp.' You need to know what to do. You need to know where all the through hull valves are, you need to know where all the tools are and how to use them. You need to learn to rely on yourselves.
Assuming your boating experience is limited you should follow this broad procedure:
(If you have extensive boating experience, you can probably skip this part - or maybe just skim read, you may find something you need to brush up on.)
But in what order? Obviously basics first.
If you did well in your career and have plenty of retirement income, things will be a lot easier for you in some ways. You may have the money to buy the finest boat and hire mechanics, and riggers, and varnishers to do all the work for you. And congratulations, we're a little jealous. But a word of warning; when it's just you out there on the ocean and things start to get dicey, there is no 'off-ramp.' You need to know what to do. You need to know where all the through hull valves are, you need to know where all the tools are and how to use them. You need to learn to rely on yourselves.
Assuming your boating experience is limited you should follow this broad procedure:
READ LEARN DO
(If you have extensive boating experience, you can probably skip this part - or maybe just skim read, you may find something you need to brush up on.)
But in what order? Obviously basics first.
The Cruising Dream
Many have the Dream:
Chuck it all, quit the job, sell the house, buy a boat, move aboard and go cruising.
Well, we did it. Almost a decade and a half ago. We can tell you, it's great! But not quite as simple as it sounds.
No question, life in the slow lane beats life on the beltway. Simplifying your life is better than all the complexities of life in metropolis.
When you stop owning your stuff and your stuff starts owning you, the cruising life can sure look attractive!
Saltwater Suzi and Captain Larry had the Cruising Dream - live on a boat and see the world. After 14 years, we're still doing it. If we can do it, you can, too.
Many think that the 'chuck it all' and go cruising will be as easy as 1,2,3.
1. Quit job.
2. Buy boat.
3. Go Cruising.
Many have tried to do it the easy way. A few have even succeeded. Bless their lucky hearts. But most have failed, for lack of planning, lack of learning, lack of preparation. And that's what this site is about. When we say preparation, we're not just talking about your boat. We're talking about preparing yourselves. Getting the experience and education you need.
There is a LOT of information on this site. You may not be able to learn all of it. Most don't. We don't remember every bit of it. We don't expect to. But we should all be aware that the information is out there. We should be aware of what we don't know and where to find it when we need to know.
1. Quit job.
2. Buy boat.
3. Go Cruising.
Many have tried to do it the easy way. A few have even succeeded. Bless their lucky hearts. But most have failed, for lack of planning, lack of learning, lack of preparation. And that's what this site is about. When we say preparation, we're not just talking about your boat. We're talking about preparing yourselves. Getting the experience and education you need.
There is a LOT of information on this site. You may not be able to learn all of it. Most don't. We don't remember every bit of it. We don't expect to. But we should all be aware that the information is out there. We should be aware of what we don't know and where to find it when we need to know.
Here's what you need to do to realize your dream:
First, realize that there is a lot to learn and it's going to take some time. Some have done it in a year or two, some have taken ten or twenty years.
Many decisions have to be made, and most of the personal decisions we can't help you with. Here are some of them:
| • | Are you young? If, so, do you have kids? What are you going to do about their schooling? Are they going to adapt to boat life? Are you? |
| • | Are your kids in school already? Do you need to get them through school and college before you climb aboard? |
| • | Are you nearing retirement, or are you retired? If so, what about your retirement income? Will you be able to afford the boating life and still keep your home? Will you rent your home or sell your home? |
| • | Is your cruising life going to be a specific time limit - one year, two, five ten? If so, what's your bail out plan? |
| • | What kind of a boat will it be? Sailboat, powerboat, trawler, multihull? How big will it be? Which make / model will it be? Should you get a new boat or a used boat? What do you need to add to it to make it serve my purposes? Auto-helm? Radar? Water-maker? Navigation equipment? SSB radio? Storm sails? |
| • | Join the U.S. Power Squadron. Take their courses. You'll get to meet many other boaters that way, too. Some of them wll have had lots of experience. |
| • | Go boating with others. Before going read our Page on "Your first time on a boat." (even if it isn't.) |
| • | Read our pages on Anchoring, the Beaufort Scale, Boat and Ship Rigs, Education, How to Talk Salty, Knots, Running Lights, Sound Signals, Rules of the Road, Tying up your boat, VHF Radio. Our pages give you a lot of information, but in each case, it's not all you need to know. There are many books written about each of these subjects. |
| • | Purchase or borrow and read the books listed on our Books for Boaters Page. |
Following the advice above - Read - Learn - Do. For each of the items listed above, once you've read it, make sure you understand it. Test yourself.
If it's about marlinspike, tie the knots. Tie them over and over, until you can do it without thinking. Keep doing it until you can 'see' those knots in your head.
If it's about Navigation lights - look at the image but cover up what it is, and see if you can remember. When you're out there on the water at night and you're looking at a boat coming at you, and there are background lights, are you really going to have time to open the book and find out what you're looking at?
If it's about the Rules of the Road - test yourself. Have someone ask you questions. And once you have learned it, refresh occasionally.
Once you are comfortable with the Learn part, start putting your knowledge to practical use. The 'Do' part.
Get yourself out there on the water with someone who has experience. And practice. Try to put yourself in situations where you can practice what you've learned. Sail at night. Find the marks so you can find the channel. Use the radio to hail other boats. Practice setting and retrieving the anchor. Keep on practicing until you are comfortable with everything you are doing.
And make sure your first mate and crew are learning right along with you!
If it's about marlinspike, tie the knots. Tie them over and over, until you can do it without thinking. Keep doing it until you can 'see' those knots in your head.
If it's about Navigation lights - look at the image but cover up what it is, and see if you can remember. When you're out there on the water at night and you're looking at a boat coming at you, and there are background lights, are you really going to have time to open the book and find out what you're looking at?
If it's about the Rules of the Road - test yourself. Have someone ask you questions. And once you have learned it, refresh occasionally.
Once you are comfortable with the Learn part, start putting your knowledge to practical use. The 'Do' part.
Get yourself out there on the water with someone who has experience. And practice. Try to put yourself in situations where you can practice what you've learned. Sail at night. Find the marks so you can find the channel. Use the radio to hail other boats. Practice setting and retrieving the anchor. Keep on practicing until you are comfortable with everything you are doing.
And make sure your first mate and crew are learning right along with you!
Buying your First Boat
Buying your first boat is a big step - but it's still a part of your learning curve. Except that now, you're about to lay some hard cash on the line. But you don't want to take a big hit when you go to sell the boat when it's time to purchase your Cruising boat.
Learn
Be careful. Read about boats - the makes and models. Talk to knowledgeable boaters. Only bear in mind that many boaters are very opinionated - one may absolutely despise a particular brand which others find quite suitable. Get more than one opinion. And ask for, or look for, facts to support the opinions.
Get a survey
If you are purchasing a used boat, find a surveyor. Get recommendations - most surveyors are excellent, but we've heard some horror stories. Don't necessarily go with the surveyor the boat broker recommends. He may have split loyalties. While the surveyor is going over your prospective boat, stick with him. When you see him writing something down with a scowl on his face, ask questions - and have him point out to you what he has found. He may not like it, and he may tell you to wait for his written report, but he's working for you.
Ask around, too, about the boat you're about to bid on. Maybe it has set on the hard for three years and hasn't gotten a single offer. That may be enough in itself to make you shy away from it. But it also may be an opportunity to lowball your opening bid. The seller may be very anxious to get rid of it.
Shop around
Look at what other similar boats have sold for recently. We've seen sometimes a seller who is unjustifiably asking way too much for his boat in hopes of duping a rube. Though, sometimes, a boat of a given make, model, year is justifiably higher priced than others because of the care it's been given, the improvements that have been made and the inventory of equipment which is being offered with it.
Bargain
Use the survey to help convince the seller to lower his price for you. If it says that there are problems in a certain area of the boat, see if you can find someone to give a ballpark figure on repair or replacement and installation.
See if you can make deals - will he throw in the dinghy and the dinghy engine into the deal. Ask if his slip is paid for where he has been keeping the boat - maybe you can get a free slip until the end of the season. See if he'll pay for a repair or upgrade as part of the deal. And make sure it gets done right. Supervise the work if possible, or at the very least, inspect it carefully before accepting it.
Maybe you can bargain for some lessons from the owner. Once the deal is made, get him to take you out for the afternoon. Each boat, especially sailboats, handles differently. Get the owner to show you what he knows about the sails, pulling into and out of the slip, where all the technical things are located that you're going to have to know when the boat is yours. For instance:
| • | Where's the fuel shut off? |
| • | What's this knob on the helm do that has no label? |
| • | Show me where all the through hull valves are and what each one does - take notes. |
| • | Where do you keep the emergency tiller? |
| • | Does she have a left hand or right hand prop? |
| • | What kind of bottom paint is on her and when was it last applied? |
| • | How do we reef the main? |
| • | What kind of oil, coolant, transmission fluid does she use? |
| • | Do you have all the manuals for the boat and all her equipment? |
| • | Can you show me her maintenance schedule? |
| • | What's that funny noise she makes when you put her in reverse? |
| • | Why is there so much smoke when you first start the engine? |
These are just sample questions. There are many more and some of course which apply to only the particular boat you're buying. Carry a little notebook with you and write questions down as you think of them as you are doing your boat shopping.
Once you've purchased the boat
Now the fun begins. The lists start. The learning begins in earnest. The bruised knuckles, the skinned knees, the increasingly empty wallet as you discover things you need, things you think you need, things you may not need but want pretty badly.
If you have a well-found, well equipped boat with everything you want on it (I do not believe this has ever happened in all of nautical history) more power to you. Now the only thing you have to do is learn how to use every system, learn how to pull the boat out of the slip (remember to unplug it!), how to pull it back in to the slip, how to anchor, how to pull up the anchor, how to set the sails, how to douse the sails and fold them up. You need to know where every through hull valve is and what it does, every circuit breaker and what it controls, how the radio works, how the autopilot works, how the radar works, how to check and change the engine oil, and the coolant, where the filters are and how to clean them or change them, how to test the batteries, how to monitor the condition of the batteries, how the head works.
And that barely scrapes the surface. You need to know how the electronics all interface, so you can repair the wires when they break - and they will. You need to be familiar with the steering linkages, the gears and the throttle, you need to know what every hose on the engine does, the head's Y-valve, you need to know the rules of the road, the running lights, the navigation aids, how to read a chart, how to tie knots, and on and on and on it goes.
Why do you need to know all this stuff? To avoid embarrassment. And expense. And death.
I have heard more than one Mayday being called in because a boater who does not know his boat has no clue what to do when suddenly his boat is taking on water. Sometimes its a real simple thing. Like shutting the engine off because one of the hoses has broken and the raw water pump is doing its job keeping the engine cool. But it's also filling the bilge. And sinking the boat. A knowledgeable boater would have looked at the problem, assessed what was happening, turned off the engine, closed the raw water intake, waited for the engine to cool down and repaired the hose and been on his way.
If you have a well-found, well equipped boat with everything you want on it (I do not believe this has ever happened in all of nautical history) more power to you. Now the only thing you have to do is learn how to use every system, learn how to pull the boat out of the slip (remember to unplug it!), how to pull it back in to the slip, how to anchor, how to pull up the anchor, how to set the sails, how to douse the sails and fold them up. You need to know where every through hull valve is and what it does, every circuit breaker and what it controls, how the radio works, how the autopilot works, how the radar works, how to check and change the engine oil, and the coolant, where the filters are and how to clean them or change them, how to test the batteries, how to monitor the condition of the batteries, how the head works.
And that barely scrapes the surface. You need to know how the electronics all interface, so you can repair the wires when they break - and they will. You need to be familiar with the steering linkages, the gears and the throttle, you need to know what every hose on the engine does, the head's Y-valve, you need to know the rules of the road, the running lights, the navigation aids, how to read a chart, how to tie knots, and on and on and on it goes.
Why do you need to know all this stuff? To avoid embarrassment. And expense. And death.
I have heard more than one Mayday being called in because a boater who does not know his boat has no clue what to do when suddenly his boat is taking on water. Sometimes its a real simple thing. Like shutting the engine off because one of the hoses has broken and the raw water pump is doing its job keeping the engine cool. But it's also filling the bilge. And sinking the boat. A knowledgeable boater would have looked at the problem, assessed what was happening, turned off the engine, closed the raw water intake, waited for the engine to cool down and repaired the hose and been on his way.
Easy does it... Baby steps... A little at a time... Look before you leap...
We have met several 'wannabe' cruisers who bought their boat and went to work on it, installing one gizmo after another, working on their boat but never, ever leaving the dock. Until it came time to go cruising.
One was actually bragging - "We're going all the way to the Caribbean and the farthest we've ever taken this boat is to the fuel dock." When they returned - about forty five minutes later - the sail stuck halfway up the mast, trying their best to motor back to the pier with the wind carrying the boat as much sideways as the engine was pushing it forward, several of us were there to meet them and tossed them lines. They tied the lines (with knots which had no names) and we pulled them to the pier. The First Mate (wife) stepped off the boat and said to me, "Drink. I need a drink. Strong and straight. " I went back to our boat and poured her a healthy jigger of rum - which she tipped back and emptied in one gulp - pushed it back to me - "More."
Their mistakes? Well, I'm sure you can see what they were - they were preparing the boat - without preparing themselves. They were adding upgrades, making repairs, and not testing each one. They did not know how to handle the boat, they knew very little of what they needed to know.
So what do you need to do? Now that you have the boat, you have to add one more thing to the 'Read, Learn, Do' list. Add 'Test.' Every new thing you put on the boat - I don't care if it's a clothesline - take the boat out and test it. And test yourself. If you're not comfortable at first, take an experienced boater with you. If you've joined the U.S. Power Squadron, there should be plenty of experienced boater friends you've made. If they are anything like the members of the Power Squadron whom we have met, they will be more than willing to go with you. If that's not convenient, ask someone on your dock who has experience.
Take short trips first. If you're uncomfortable with bringing the boat back into the slip - something which can be very daunting for the first time, especially with cross winds and current to contend with, practice. Find a marker somewhere and practice maneuvering around it. Or toss a couple of balloons overboard tied to strings with weights. Try to put your boat in between them without hitting them. Then try coming up on them and turning 90 degrees as you might when pulling into your slip.
Then take longer trips. If you have limited boating experience, you'll discover when coming back to your marina that the shore all looks the same. Landmarks you thought sure you'd recognize won't appear. Now you're learning about navigating. You look at your GPS and you have to figure out where you are on the chart. And this is in the daylight. Imagine what it's going to be after the sun goes down, or when it's foggy, or in a driving rain.
Gain experience while you are testing your boat - and yourselves. Don't go too nuts though - have an enjoyable time when you can. If you are two, make sure that each of you can do what the other can do. It seems to be natural that certain activities fall to one or the other. If one likes to cook and the other doesn't, it only makes sense. (If you both like to cook but one isn't too good at it, well, work it out.)
With a cruising couple, most often a guy and a girl, there are things which require strength. These will most often fall into the guy's area. Try to have respect for each others talents, try not to yell. Yes, it inevitably will happen, when things aren't going right, someone's going to start yelling. We who have been cruising for many years can always tell the inexperienced boaters by the volume. This is especially true when coming into a slip or when anchoring or picking up a mooring. The helmsman (or helmswoman) expects the deckhand to be at both ends of the boat at once. The deckhand wants the helmsman to be able to see what he (or she) can see and react to it. "You damned fool, you just passed the mooring ball again!" "What the hell's the matter with you? You didn't get the spring line on!" (CCCRRRUUUNNNCCCHHH)
Soon, you will learn. Try to work out hand signals. (Not digital signals!) So that the crew on the foredeck can tell the crew at the helm that he needs to speed up AND slow down while simultaneously turning left right.
Keep working at it. Discuss what the problems were after everyone has calmed down. Figure out ways to solve the problems. Watch how more experienced crews do it. You can tell which ones they are. There's no yelling. It is not anything to be ashamed of by learning from others. It is something to be ashamed of by being too proud to learn, to refuse to admit your mistakes and learn from them.
No matter how much you learn about boating, you will still have more to learn. That, to us, is one of the things that keeps it interesting.
We hope, after reading all this, that you still have ' the Dream.' But we also hope we have injected a little reality. Good luck in your endeavor.
One was actually bragging - "We're going all the way to the Caribbean and the farthest we've ever taken this boat is to the fuel dock." When they returned - about forty five minutes later - the sail stuck halfway up the mast, trying their best to motor back to the pier with the wind carrying the boat as much sideways as the engine was pushing it forward, several of us were there to meet them and tossed them lines. They tied the lines (with knots which had no names) and we pulled them to the pier. The First Mate (wife) stepped off the boat and said to me, "Drink. I need a drink. Strong and straight. " I went back to our boat and poured her a healthy jigger of rum - which she tipped back and emptied in one gulp - pushed it back to me - "More."
Their mistakes? Well, I'm sure you can see what they were - they were preparing the boat - without preparing themselves. They were adding upgrades, making repairs, and not testing each one. They did not know how to handle the boat, they knew very little of what they needed to know.
So what do you need to do? Now that you have the boat, you have to add one more thing to the 'Read, Learn, Do' list. Add 'Test.' Every new thing you put on the boat - I don't care if it's a clothesline - take the boat out and test it. And test yourself. If you're not comfortable at first, take an experienced boater with you. If you've joined the U.S. Power Squadron, there should be plenty of experienced boater friends you've made. If they are anything like the members of the Power Squadron whom we have met, they will be more than willing to go with you. If that's not convenient, ask someone on your dock who has experience.
Take short trips first. If you're uncomfortable with bringing the boat back into the slip - something which can be very daunting for the first time, especially with cross winds and current to contend with, practice. Find a marker somewhere and practice maneuvering around it. Or toss a couple of balloons overboard tied to strings with weights. Try to put your boat in between them without hitting them. Then try coming up on them and turning 90 degrees as you might when pulling into your slip.
Then take longer trips. If you have limited boating experience, you'll discover when coming back to your marina that the shore all looks the same. Landmarks you thought sure you'd recognize won't appear. Now you're learning about navigating. You look at your GPS and you have to figure out where you are on the chart. And this is in the daylight. Imagine what it's going to be after the sun goes down, or when it's foggy, or in a driving rain.
Gain experience while you are testing your boat - and yourselves. Don't go too nuts though - have an enjoyable time when you can. If you are two, make sure that each of you can do what the other can do. It seems to be natural that certain activities fall to one or the other. If one likes to cook and the other doesn't, it only makes sense. (If you both like to cook but one isn't too good at it, well, work it out.)
With a cruising couple, most often a guy and a girl, there are things which require strength. These will most often fall into the guy's area. Try to have respect for each others talents, try not to yell. Yes, it inevitably will happen, when things aren't going right, someone's going to start yelling. We who have been cruising for many years can always tell the inexperienced boaters by the volume. This is especially true when coming into a slip or when anchoring or picking up a mooring. The helmsman (or helmswoman) expects the deckhand to be at both ends of the boat at once. The deckhand wants the helmsman to be able to see what he (or she) can see and react to it. "You damned fool, you just passed the mooring ball again!" "What the hell's the matter with you? You didn't get the spring line on!" (CCCRRRUUUNNNCCCHHH)
Soon, you will learn. Try to work out hand signals. (Not digital signals!) So that the crew on the foredeck can tell the crew at the helm that he needs to speed up AND slow down while simultaneously turning left right.
Keep working at it. Discuss what the problems were after everyone has calmed down. Figure out ways to solve the problems. Watch how more experienced crews do it. You can tell which ones they are. There's no yelling. It is not anything to be ashamed of by learning from others. It is something to be ashamed of by being too proud to learn, to refuse to admit your mistakes and learn from them.
No matter how much you learn about boating, you will still have more to learn. That, to us, is one of the things that keeps it interesting.
We hope, after reading all this, that you still have ' the Dream.' But we also hope we have injected a little reality. Good luck in your endeavor.
We have provided the Guestbook below because we welcome your input. Please be polite, responsible and keep it clean. We promise not to sell or use your e-mail to inundate you with ads or anything. This guestbook will immediately send you a message that your comment was accepted. That's all you'll get - we promise.
|
Notice: While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate, we can not be held responsible for any mishaps which may occur as a result of your using information found in this website without verification through other, more authoritative sources such as the U.S. Coast Guard. |
Please click here to tell your friends you like us.
The Frugal Mariner
Saltwater Suzi and Cap'n Larry's "Boating on a Budget"
How to's, Information, Education & Fun Stuff about Boats, Sailboats, and Cruising
How to's, Information, Education & Fun Stuff about Boats, Sailboats, and Cruising
CURRENT MOON
Before you go sailing check your local National Weather Service forecast by "City, ST" or Zip Code
Help support
The Frugal Mariner.
Buy a Nice Nautical T-shirt for your favorite Mariner.
The Frugal Mariner.
Buy a Nice Nautical T-shirt for your favorite Mariner.
Help support
The Frugal Mariner.
Buy a Funny T-shirt for your favorite Mariner.
The Frugal Mariner.
Buy a Funny T-shirt for your favorite Mariner.
Help support
The Frugal Mariner.
Buy a Captain or Crew T-shirt for your favorite Mariner.
The Frugal Mariner.
Buy a Captain or Crew T-shirt for your favorite Mariner.
Help support
The Frugal Mariner.
and decorate your home or office with beautiful
Nautical Photography
by Captain Larry
The Frugal Mariner.
and decorate your home or office with beautiful
Nautical Photography
by Captain Larry