Is Anyone Cruising Right Now?

[BandB]

Sylphide and I made it back to our home port. We're currently tied up to the wall at Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake. It's been a whirlwind week of family, friends, locks, sweat, fried fish, and strangers asking me what kind of sailboat this is. Planning to set off tomorrow back toward the east and the Hudson River.

My folks and my sister will be aboard for a few days. We haven't all gone on a boat trip together since 1998, I think. I'm really happy to be doing it again.

Wifey B: For all these people who say not to plan for guests, theey must not be as friendly as you since you regularly have them and have had several family members to cruise with you. To me, this trip you're about to make is what it's all about, time on the water with people special to you.

 

[Frosty]

Wifey B: For all these people who say not to plan for guests, they must not be as friendly as you since you regularly have them

I can see both sides of this one. On the one hand, as you say, people DO have guests, and then it's nice to support them in comfort.

On the other hand, sometimes even friendly people don't have guests nearly as often as they think they might in the boat-shopping phase - especially if they are newer to cruising and don't realize it can be somewhat unpredictable at times.

When we went off sailing, dozens of people said they would love to come visit, and we encouraged them. Ultimately, we had visitors twice. Once a couple, and the second time the woman of the same couple, but solo.

I can't blame the others though. It was an effort to come and our schedule was subject to weather and other unpredictable things.

Now, we were sailing, and carrying along another 12' of boat "just for guests" would have had significant consequences. Some financial; but more than that, physical. Bigger sails, heavier lines, etc. Plus more draft usually, which would have limited us in the places we spent time. We saw many people do that, for guests once per year or less (which is fine, if chosen consciously).

Someone cruising such as Wanderer right now is close to friends, schedules on inland waterways are slightly less weather dependent; and with his particular boat there doesn't look to be much if any downside to carrying the guest space along all the time (he probably would have wanted about the same sized boat just for himself).

I'm *not* one to say don't plan on guests; but I would say do understand that in many cases they may not come in the numbers you'd think (especially think about this if new to the whims of boating vs. purely land or commercial air travel). And then also consider how a larger, deeper-drafted, or more expensive boat might impact you at other times (may or may not be an issue). And too, what sort of luxury level would you or your guests want or expect.

Sorry for the tangent. I think the "may not be as friendly" got me going

 

[BandB]

I think the "may not be as friendly" got me going

Wifey B: So the "may not be as friendly got you. Well, I'm saying very few of us are likely as friendly as Wayfarer.

I do think to him the social aspect of it with family and friends has been very enjoyable. I know to us, having our extended family and friends join us is huge. I can understand not having them on your sailboat, you might have made them work.

We have friends who choose to spend their vacations and other time off with us.

I think also one needs to make the effort to extend invitations that are realistic. We had different people join us through different stages of the loop as most could only spend a week or two away from work. Same when we cruised in Alaska. It's funny to watch as different ones join for different places based on their interests. Our friends go from those who will join us for large cities and others who join for the most remote areas. Then there are things like going through the Panama Canal when everyone you know wants to be there.

Of course, Key West during Fantasy Fest was very popular with our friends as well.

 

[Cigatoo]

Just returned from a week in Martha’s Vineyard and neighboring Elizabeth Islands. Lots of people cruising with limited mooring availability. Shoreside seems as busy as ever. Large majority of folks were masked up. Beautiful weather through Friday. Timing was good as We returned before the Northeasterly winds (and accompanying surf) arrived.

 

[La Mer]

Island of Santorini, Greece. Today and tonight.

Located on the southern side of the Aegean sea, about 110 nautical miles southeast of Greece's mainland.
Santorini is a part of Cyclades islands complex. The island was created after a huge eruption of a volcano, occurred in 17th century B.C.

 

[Frosty]

Island of Santorini, Greece. Today and tonight.

Interesting and beautiful. The surroundings in the 5th photo (with the red hills and yellow buildings) are particularly captivating.

 

[MuseII]

Excellent summer cruising!!

Just finished a week out with wife and daughter leaving our anchorage at Anglers Cove in Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island. 1st night on Hornby Island in Tribune bay on the hook w/ great hiking trails. Second night at Gorge Marina on Cortez Island then on to Dent Island Lodge & Marina for 2 nights which was absolutely amazing!!! Heading back south to Prideaux Haven in Desolation Sound for great clams, oysters & prawning...Powell River next day and last stop overnight was Pirates Cove on D’Courcy Island. When this thing blows over I highly recommend a cruise through these amazing Islands...

 

[Beaverlake]

Finishing our first stint with a sunset view from Fossil Bay, Sucia Island, San Juan Islands, WA State. A fantastic weather week with periods of “water ski” surface conditions. Home for 10 days then back out to South Sound for 2-3 weeks. A large number of boats in the SJIs. Pretty good distancing etc at Roche and Friday harbors. Non-existent at Sucia and Stuart which was disappointing....

 

[La Mer]

Interesting and beautiful. The surroundings in the 5th photo (with the red hills and yellow buildings) are particularly captivating.

Thank you Sir. I took a better pic of the surroundings.

Breakfast ashore this morning.

The Hot Springs of Santorini.
The tiny uninhabited islet of Nea Kameni, also known as the Santorini volcano, is a volcanic island at the centre of the impressive Santorini caldera. The famous mud sea baths (Brown colored water) were formed as result of volcanic eruptions. Continuous volcanic activity underground maintains the springs' temperature between 30°C and 35°C (86F and 95F).

 

[menzies]

Those blue domes in pic seven are the ones featured on nearly every travel brochure on Greece!

 

[La Mer]

Those blue domes in pic seven are the ones featured on nearly every travel brochure on Greece!

More blue domes of today for you. Thanks for the thread Sir, good idea.

 

[La Mer]

...

 

[Wayfarer]

Wifey B: For all these people who say not to plan for guests, theey must not be as friendly as you since you regularly have them and have had several family members to cruise with you. To me, this trip you're about to make is what it's all about, time on the water with people special to you.

I can see both sides of this one. On the one hand, as you say, people DO have guests, and then it's nice to support them in comfort.

On the other hand, sometimes even friendly people don't have guests nearly as often as they think they might in the boat-shopping phase - especially if they are newer to cruising and don't realize it can be somewhat unpredictable at times.

When we went off sailing, dozens of people said they would love to come visit, and we encouraged them. Ultimately, we had visitors twice. Once a couple, and the second time the woman of the same couple, but solo.

I can't blame the others though. It was an effort to come and our schedule was subject to weather and other unpredictable things.

Now, we were sailing, and carrying along another 12' of boat "just for guests" would have had significant consequences. Some financial; but more than that, physical. Bigger sails, heavier lines, etc. Plus more draft usually, which would have limited us in the places we spent time. We saw many people do that, for guests once per year or less (which is fine, if chosen consciously).

Someone cruising such as Wanderer right now is close to friends, schedules on inland waterways are slightly less weather dependent; and with his particular boat there doesn't look to be much if any downside to carrying the guest space along all the time (he probably would have wanted about the same sized boat just for himself).

I'm *not* one to say don't plan on guests; but I would say do understand that in many cases they may not come in the numbers you'd think (especially think about this if new to the whims of boating vs. purely land or commercial air travel). And then also consider how a larger, deeper-drafted, or more expensive boat might impact you at other times (may or may not be an issue). And too, what sort of luxury level would you or your guests want or expect.

Sorry for the tangent. I think the "may not be as friendly" got me going

Wifey B: So the "may not be as friendly got you. Well, I'm saying very few of us are likely as friendly as Wayfarer.

I do think to him the social aspect of it with family and friends has been very enjoyable. I know to us, having our extended family and friends join us is huge. I can understand not having them on your sailboat, you might have made them work.

We have friends who choose to spend their vacations and other time off with us.

I think also one needs to make the effort to extend invitations that are realistic. We had different people join us through different stages of the loop as most could only spend a week or two away from work. Same when we cruised in Alaska. It's funny to watch as different ones join for different places based on their interests. Our friends go from those who will join us for large cities and others who join for the most remote areas. Then there are things like going through the Panama Canal when everyone you know wants to be there.

Of course, Key West during Fantasy Fest was very popular with our friends as well.

Aw shucks,

I didn't necessarily look for a boat with extra space for guests, but I'm glad I found one. It's only two staterooms which is pretty typical, but the layout is open and spacious. I think a third of my family would move in if I let them, lol.

Having friends and family aboard for trips has made for some of the best parts so far. It makes up for the fact that I don't get to see them as often, but when I do, we spend some real high quality time together.

More blue domes of today for you. Thanks for the thread Sir, good idea.

That's some bucket list level scenery there, sir.

Today, Sylphide and the gang will be traversing the Waterford flight of locks, and heading down the Hudson. Next port of call will be our summer home port of Coeymans Landing, where the crew will depart, and I'll revert to the quiet marina life for a while.

 

[rslifkin]

Having friends and family aboard for trips has made for some of the best parts so far. It makes up for the fact that I don't get to see them as often, but when I do, we spend some real high quality time together.

In places like the canals, having some friends and family aboard can make the trip more relaxing too. Having enough people means nobody has to work as hard.

 

[La Mer]

Paros island, Aegean Sea, Greece, today.

 

[menzies]

What's the water temp there right now?

 

[La Mer]

26 C / 79 F in Paros today afternoon.

Before yesterday was 30 C / 86 F into sea hot springs of Sentorini (brown color water).

 

[Frosty]

La Mer: Merci! Seeing more is wonderful, especially when I'm hunkered down.

Wayfarer: I can't believe I called you "Wanderer," geez My only excuse is that, in actual fact, I think of you as "Sylphide"

B and B: I may not end up with an extra cabin, but I'm still friendly

 

[La Mer]

La Mer: Merci! Seeing more is wonderful, especially when I'm hunkered down.

Thank you Frosty. On Sunday we are leaving to port of Piraeus, the chief sea port of Athens and a major hub of the international shipping world. We are flying to France on Monday. Boat will be carried next week by a cargo ship back to France as she came.

 

[menzies]

La Mer, do you know of any companies in the Med who do long term rentals of trawlers - say three months?

I have done some amount of Googling and all I can find are go fasts and shorter terms

 

[La Mer]

La Mer, do you know of any companies in the Med who do long term rentals of trawlers - say three months?

I have done some amount of Googling and all I can find are go fasts and shorter terms

Sorry Sir I don't know any around me. I'm going to PM you contact info of my current boat's former owner. He knows quite a lot of people in the recreational trawler world, he was 23 years old at the time he bought a new Grand Banks 42'. Not at all involved into boat business but perhaps he may help you, also I will pass him your request.

 

[BandB]

B and B: I may not end up with an extra cabin, but I'm still friendly

Wifey B: But not as social as Wayfarer. He delights in entertaining his family on Sylphide. He's just the type dude who is going to make friends five minutes after he hits the marina. Knowing yourself becomes an important part of selecting a boat. We didn't need the loop boat we bought to do it, but we needed it for those who would be with us and can't imagine doing it just with the two of us instead.

 

[Frosty]

Wifey B: But not as social as Wayfarer. He delights in entertaining his family on Sylphide.

Ouch.

 

[La Mer]

Today we hired a little boat to visit along the coast of Antiparos, Despotiko, Strongyli islands.
7th pic, first time I have seen olive trees on a beach.

 

[menzies]

We were over in Positano last October and I was highly tempted to hire a boat for the day and go along the Amalfi coast and perhaps Capri. But we were crashing after a pretty strenuous trip to the ME so I got lazy.

Would still like to do it though!

 

[La Mer]

Too bad you missed it, Capri is just 3 nautical miles from mainland.
Prevailing wind in Amalfi comes from South East, sometimes very strong, then depending the weather second option to rent a boat should be marina of Sorrento, my favorite.

 

[koliver]

We were over in Positano last October and I was highly tempted to hire a boat for the day and go along the Amalfi coast and perhaps Capri. But we were crashing after a pretty strenuous trip to the ME so I got lazy.

Would still like to do it though!

Next time for sure!

We were there a couple of years ago. A week in Sorrento included hiring a boat and getting over to Capri. We saw the land sights and did a circumnavigation, complete with a stop at the caves and for a swim. Well worth doing. Smaller boats are good value, the one we took had only 8 passengers.

 

[menzies]

Too bad you missed it, Capri is just 3 nautical miles from mainland.
Prevailing wind in Amalfi comes from South East, sometimes very strong, then depending the weather second option to rent a boat should be marina of Sorrento, my favorite.

We took the ferry over to Capri and spent the afternoon there, but I am sure it is a different experience on your own boat!

We also did the grotto on Capri where they transferred us to little row boats and we had to duck to get in.

 

[micheln]

Got to do pretty much my first trip on the boat, took all of July off and explored from Vancouver to ocean falls, had my brother fresh out of open heart surgery, my granddaughter and our puppy. Was perfect timing, crowds where down , so took the opportunity to check out desolation sound.

Didnt have to use any docks for the whole trip, and it was great to have so much freedom to go where we pleased, and so much quality time to spend with loved ones.

 

[menzies]

That's what it's all about right there!