The Cruising attitude is more important than the boat you choose

[Moonfish]

I've always wondered if the dingy with a 4hp Yamaha could tow the mothership to safety if I had a catastrophic failure of both engines. One or two knots would be fine. Never actually tried it though. I better test it this weekend. Kind of like this maybe.

Many years ago I watched a Catalina 34 get towed from the middle of the bay to the dock - by a guy in a kayak!

Speed over ground was probably 0.5 kts, but he did it. In flat calm conditions, though.

 

[kthoennes]

Thanks very much to all the replies about the dinghy (or kayak?!) as an emergency tow. Upper Missouri River, tow services don't exist. I'll still have to try it sometime but good to know it would likely work. I keep thinking it would be like the first couple minutes of that old Mike Myers skit on SNL, Phillip tethered to the jungle gym.

 

[SteveK]

Having done a dingy tow/push I will suggest pushing and using ships steering as better than pulling. Fix dingy motor on stern and tie off dingy so it stays parallel with boat pushed.
Towing in all but calm conditions allows main boat to steer dingy stern and you may be constantly steering to keep a line.

 

[psneeld]

For long tows with a tiny vessel, side tow, steer with big boat steering. For close manuevering, tow from bow of big vessel and short tow with tiny vessel either in fowrard or backwards in reverse....whichever is more manueverable. Lots of experience in the industry of doing it.

 

[GoneFarrell]

First trip to the water was as a crawler...crawled off the seawall at Lake Oswego and sank. Dad jumped in, felt around, pulled me up by my little feet to drain me out.

Later, about 10 y.o., blew down onto sharp lava rocks in a kiddie-sized catamaran with a bedsheet lateen rig, high mountain lake. That was my "how to tack upwind" lesson.

First real sail was on uncle's converted WWII lifeboat in Columbia River, sketchy boat.

High school was in the harness on sailing cats. Only got pitched into the drink once.

Pulled ropes "racing" Catalinas in the Columbia.

80's, chartered sailing out of Cap Sante, good times.

90's, built a sliding seat wood row boat, set out for the San Juans. Only lost propulsion once when oarlock outrigger broke. Fixed that at sea with safety wire and zip ties before I got swept out to Victoria.

My trawler is named Imagine because when I was working my ass off assembling Intel factories I would walk down to the river at lunch hour, see all these nice cruisers in harbor and cogitate/Imagine that is something I want to do. Kept me sane, sorta.

This century, much of that dreaming became reality. Much island hopping in San Juans and BC. More to come.

French Marquesas last year on my gal's cutter.

Broughtons in 2026, hoy!

 

[GoneFarrell]

View attachment 168462
First trip to the water was as a crawler...crawled off the seawall at Lake Oswego and sank. Dad jumped in, felt around, pulled me up by my little feet to drain me out.

Later, about 10 y.o., blew down onto sharp lava rocks in a kiddie-sized catamaran with a bedsheet lateen rig, high mountain lake. That was my "how to tack upwind" lesson.

First real sail was on uncle's converted WWII lifeboat in Columbia River, sketchy boat.

High school was in the harness on sailing cats. Only got pitched into the drink once.

Pulled ropes "racing" Catalinas in the Columbia.

80's, chartered sailing out of Cap Sante, good times.

90's, built a sliding seat wood row boat, set out for the San Juans. Only lost propulsion once when oarlock outrigger broke. Fixed that at sea with safety wire and zip ties before I got swept out to Victoria.

My trawler is named Imagine because when I was working my ass off assembling Intel factories I would walk down to the river at lunch hour, see all these nice cruisers in harbor and cogitate/Imagine that is something I want to do. Kept me sane, sorta.

This century, much of that dreaming became reality. Much island hopping in San Juans and BC. More to come.

French Marquesas last year on my gal's cutter.

Broughtons in 2026, hoy!

Oh yeah, I still ride motorcycles a lot, too fast, but no more racing/trackdays, and I still get the Corvette out for fun.

 

[GoneFarrell]

View attachment 168462
First trip to the water was as a crawler...crawled off the seawall at Lake Oswego and sank. Dad jumped in, felt around, pulled me up by my little feet to drain me out.

Later, about 10 y.o., blew down onto sharp lava rocks in a kiddie-sized catamaran with a bedsheet lateen rig, high mountain lake. That was my "how to tack upwind" lesson.

First real sail was on uncle's converted WWII lifeboat in Columbia River, sketchy boat.

High school was in the harness on sailing cats. Only got pitched into the drink once.

Pulled ropes "racing" Catalinas in the Columbia.

80's, chartered sailing out of Cap Sante, good times.

90's, built a sliding seat wood row boat, set out for the San Juans. Only lost propulsion once when oarlock outrigger broke. Fixed that at sea with safety wire and zip ties before I got swept out to Victoria.

My trawler is named Imagine because when I was working my ass off assembling Intel factories I would walk down to the river at lunch hour, see all these nice cruisers in harbor and cogitate/Imagine that is something I want to do. Kept me sane, sorta.

This century, much of that dreaming became reality. Much island hopping in San Juans and BC. More to come.

French Marquesas last year on my gal's cutter.

Broughtons in 2026, hoy!

Oh yeah, I still ride motorcycles a lot, too fast, but no more racing/trackdays, and I still get the Corvette out for fun.

 

[a_real_journey]

setting a date for the goal and telling other people you did greatly increases your chances of untying the lines and shoving off.

Every year, I buy a new At-A-Glance monthly calendar. On the front page of it, I write two proverbs. One is actually from the Book of Proverbs, the other says: "If you put it on the calendar, it's not guaranteed to happen. If you don't put it on the calendar, it's guaranteed not to happen."

 

[a_real_journey]

Most boat owners barely use their boats TO GO BOATING!

I work part-time in a local marina (in MN) with a harbor for bigger boats/yachts and a dry-stack for runabouts and pontoons. I'm surprised at how many people pay large sums of money to not go boating on their boats. I know a lot of folks in the harbor treat their vessels like floating cabins. They appreciate the camaraderie on the docks and sometimes raft-up in the local area to party. I guess they never really intend(ed) to cruise.

 

[ksanders]

I I know a lot of folks in the harbor treat their vessels like floating cabins. They appreciate the camaraderie on the docks and sometimes raft-up in the local area to party. I guess they never really intend(ed) to cruise.

There is nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.

When we are done with our current adventure in 27 or 28 our cruising days will probably be over. We are on the waitlist at our YC in san Diego, and as we age we expect our boat will become more of a condo.

 

[Howard Hughes]

Thanks, this has been a great conversation!!!

Not all of us dream of cruising. For those that do, perhaps this thread will help you to make decisions that help you cast off the lines and go.

Don't wait too long. If you really dream of cruising, do it while you can.

Most of us have our 60's in pretty good health.
Many of us start having health issues in our 70's
Few of us are still cruising in our 80's if we make it that long.

The longer you wait, the larger the chance that you will not be able to go. Remember it's not just you, it's your cruising partner as well.

Thanks, this is an inspiring thread.

I am 61 years old and first discovered ocean cruising about 4 years ago. I have been a dreamer so far and love Nordhavns, but have recently realised that if I wait until I can afford a Nordhavn, or until I retire, that I may just never make this happen. In the last 18 months I have lost a friend to cancer (who'd join me at boat shows and we'd dream together). I've also lost a nephew in a drowning accident. So I have decided to make this happen NOW, tomorrows are not guaranteed.

My wife who is not keen on sailing due to suffering motion sickness, has agreed to let me get a boat to fulfill my dreams. She will meet me at the destination and enjoy the destinations, while I with the help of friends and family battle the ocean crossings. I have found the perfect boat, that has everything a Nordhavn does, but at a third of the price. The bank has said no, but I have an appointment with a broker today who is confident this can get up. If that fails I'll set my sights on any boat that can handle the oceans.

I have zero cruising experience, other than owning an 18' half cabin cruiser about 35 years ago. On my first trip in that the steering cable broke and I had to limp back to shore manually steering the outboard. I've been a pilot for over forty years, so like to think I have the weather observation and decision making skills to make this happen and there are a lot of synergies between boating and aviation. My plan is to spend up to two years bay and coastal cruising, learning everything there is about the boat, before venturing across the oceans. I live on the East Coast of Australia and aspire to visit Tasmania, Lord Howe Island, Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Whitsundays and eventually embarking on a 1-2 year 4000nm cruise to Tahiti and back.

Wish me luck and I hope to meet you out on the seas real season.

 

[ksanders]

Thanks, this is an inspiring thread.

I am 61 years old and first discovered ocean cruising about 4 years ago. I have been a dreamer so far and love Nordhavns, but have recently realised that if I wait until I can afford a Nordhavn, or until I retire, that I may just never make this happen. In the last 18 months I have lost a friend to cancer (who'd join me at boat shows and we'd dream together). I've also lost a nephew in a drowning accident. So I have decided to make this happen NOW, tomorrows are not guaranteed.

My wife who is not keen on sailing due to suffering motion sickness, has agreed to let me get a boat to fulfill my dreams. She will meet me at the destination and enjoy the destinations, while I with the help of friends and family battle the ocean crossings. I have found the perfect boat, that has everything a Nordhavn does, but at a third of the price. The bank has said no, but I have an appointment with a broker today who is confident this can get up. If that fails I'll set my sights on any boat that can handle the oceans.

I have zero cruising experience, other than owning an 18' half cabin cruiser about 35 years ago. On my first trip in that the steering cable broke and I had to limp back to shore manually steering the outboard. I've been a pilot for over forty years, so like to think I have the weather observation and decision making skills to make this happen and there are a lot of synergies between boating and aviation. My plan is to spend up to two years bay and coastal cruising, learning everything there is about the boat, before venturing across the oceans. I live on the East Coast of Australia and aspire to visit Tasmania, Lord Howe Island, Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Whitsundays and eventually embarking on a 1-2 year 4000nm cruise to Tahiti and back.

Wish me luck and I hope to meet you out on the seas real season.

You have the right attitude!

As far as your wife meeting you at the next port of call, that's what Vicky does for the most part. She really enjoys time on the water, and is a fantastic cruiser herself, but someone has to drive the jeep, so that's her job when I do not need her on the boat.

Choosing to go earlier in a lesser capable boat, vs later in a more capable abet more expensive boat is something i have advocated for quite a bit. Some agree, others do not, yet my Bayliner has been from Alaska to Mexico, and we are now more than half way back to Alaska, proving without a doubt that it's does not take an expedition yacht to explore on the water.

Best of luck to you and keep pushing for the dream!!!

 

[Cigatoo]

Here on TF we tend to focus on the boat, when in reality we really just want to go cruising.
In my opinion as a seasoned cruiser on my Bayliner 4788, that thought is 100% incorrect.

Focusing on the boat is easy. Cruising is a dream that we think we can achieve if we just have the correct boat to make our cruising dreams a reality.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I have been in a lot of marinas. Marinas filled with arguably more capable boats than my Bayliner.

Every person I've talked to is in awe of our adventures. I cannot tell you how many times we've been approached in a marina by a TF member or facebook follower who has watched our adventures and just wants to say hi. It's humbling. The other day we met a nice couple in Victoria BC that said we were an inspiration to others.

First, we are not special. Our boat, a Bayliner 4788 is not all that special. What is special is that we have a cruising attitude. We have a dream of exploring, and nothing is going to stop us. Cruising is not about the boat. It's all about being willing to go for it. To give up the normal lives the rest of the world lives, and leaving your safe place and venturing into the unknown.

This life is not for every one. You give up a lot. You give up the security of things you are familiar with. You give up your home turf. But the reward is seeing and experiencing the unknown. Living a life of adventure and exploration.

So my friends, if this cruiser could pass on any advice.. Stop focusing on the boat. Stop focusing on wether you have the correct amount of solar, or the best anchor, or the perfect expedition boat.

Start focusing on your life. Focus on the barriers that really stop you from cruising, and remove them.

Then go cruising in whatever boat you have or can afford today.

We have been from Alaska to Mexico, and back to Canada in our Bayliner 4788. This winter we are exploring the area around Victoria BC. Next cruising season we will return to Alaska and explore all summer.

If we can do it in our Bayliner, you can do it too.

Kevin and Vicky Sanders
Living the life of Vagabond Cruisers.
MV Dos PecesView attachment 168366View attachment 168367View attachment 168368

Possibly one of the best posts on this forum…….. EVER Thank you Kevin.

 

[psneeld]

I agree with Kevin. A cruiser will make it happen, because it's in their blood. Often it's a teenager in a pram that rows to an island in a nearby lake and camps for the weekend and loves it. Despite no hot food, the mosquitos, the lack of soft bed, etc. That's one way it all starts.

The one thing that I tend to disagree with is that "some day.... I'll go cruising" is a dream. Especially when it comes out of the blue in middle age or later. Somehow, I think it's deeper than that. It starts earlier than the "magic cast off time" some seem to set for themselves. It comes in drips and drabs for awhile till the brain says.... "I am ready". That is a hugely different time frame in many people, but it is the satisfaction that they feel they are finally ready. No matter the boat or time in life, even experience is only part of the equation. It's not a dream...it just part of a path that some people take because they know they will make it work.... no matter what.

For those that wake up one day and turn to their significant other, "hey, lets go cruising...how about a loop to start?" I truly wonder what percentage make it past their loop or at best a couple years of serious cruising.

Seems to me, I am seeing more and more videos about people who start cruising or full time RVing, giving it up because it wasn't what they thought it would be. In most of them, they said they watched numerous videos before they started. Few say how much cruising or RVing they had done before setting out on a major step.

Maybe I sound like a broken record but many here also suggest baby steps first. Try and get some under your belt before you go. Sure chartering is expensive but it's only the briefest experience in extensive cruising, it still should be built upon by much more dabbling. Gearing up and outfitting for a major adventure can be very costly expenditure if you find out rather quickly it isn't for you or your partner. Can't even imagine buying some of the expensive boats people "think about" as their starter boat only to dump it a few years later.

 

[l00smarble]

My question is, how many people jump into this lifestyle without doing any homework, only to jump right back out after a couple of years?

What's wrong with jumping out after a couple of years if that is a pre-stated goal? I don't see it as a failure if someone wants to cruise for even just a year and get out.

 

[psneeld]

What's wrong with jumping out after a couple of years if that is a pre-stated goal? I don't see it as a failure if someone wants to cruise for even just a year and get out.

Nothing at all wrong with it, just that person doesn't have the heart and soul of a cruiser. It's when they claim to be that may rub some the wrong way. Their exploits might be notable....but...... I would have to say when making distinctions, the term "lifestyle" needs to be explained for its context.

Same with those that sit at the dock and only day sail, even if for a lifetime. Hardly "experienced cruisers".

Lots of definitions for all kinds of boaters, absolutely nothing good or bad to comment on. If they are on the water and having fun, whether they just use the boat as a tool like fishermen, water sport towing stuff, condo on the water, etc.... they are boaters, just not cruisers. Only when you try to act like something you are not.

I personally have gone from fisheman to sailor to fisherman to cruiser to fisherman over the last 60+years. Each phase was great.

 

[ksanders]

For some fun.... Here are a couple of classic cruiser songs by Jimmy Buffett.

I have seen the Southern Cross, and the first time I saw it, I understood why I came this way.
I have a new Tattoo, and i do not have a clue how I got it.

I met my Mexican wife while cruising, and Vicky and i celebrate 4 years together in December.
Lots of TF members have met Vicky, and she is a sweetheart for all.

We kid around that we are leading a life of Vagabond Cruisers, but in reality that's what we are doing.

Wasting away in Margaritaville.

 

[Wtrguy]

What's wrong with jumping out after a couple of years if that is a pre-stated goal? I don't see it as a failure if someone wants to cruise for even just a year and get out.

Perhaps I should have worded that different. I wasn't referring to those that do it as a planned part of their lives. I was referring to those that jump into it on a whim without any due diligence, then are out a couple of years later because they don't like it.

 

[tiltrider1]

I don’t have the same desire to travel great distances. I do enjoy changing my home port seasonally. I travel a small circle between Olympia, WA and Sitka, AK with Seattle being my primary port.

However, I am currently on the move to Anacortes. It’s a beautiful sunny day with no wind and no boat traffic. Just the way I like it.

 

[Mac2]

I agree with Kevin. A cruiser will make it happen, because it's in their blood. Often it's a teenager in a pram that rows to an island in a nearby lake and camps for the weekend and loves it. Despite no hot food, the mosquitos, the lack of soft bed, etc. That's one way it all starts.

Totally agree. I was an avid camper and backpacker before purchasing a boat. I find boating and backpacking are very similar. You’re going to remote locations and you carry everything needed to survive-no one around to help you. I often comment to my wife, when anchored out, “sure beats sitting on the dirt”. Maybe this is a new measuring stick. If you enjoy camping/backpacking, you’re going to absolutely love boating. Instead of spending major cash on a charter, go camping

 

[psneeld]

Not everyone loves water and not everyone loves dirt.

Not everyone loves roughing it, and t some degree that comes with age and a touch of having enough money not to rough it.

Probably very few love all of those.....

 

[PierreR]

Totally agree. I was an avid camper and backpacker before purchasing a boat. I find boating and backpacking are very similar. You’re going to remote locations and you carry everything needed to survive-no one around to help you. I often comment to my wife, when anchored out, “sure beats sitting on the dirt”. Maybe this is a new measuring stick. If you enjoy camping/backpacking, you’re going to absolutely love boating. Instead of spending major cash on a charter, go camping

Funny you should post this.
I got my boat tucked away last Friday and decided to take advantage of the last good weather window before cold nights start to set in. Having a rotator cuff fixed last year and a knee replacement last April I have not done much of any bikepacking since Covid. I decided to set up the bike with packs, put the dog on my back and set out 55 miles to one of my favorite state parks. I spec'd and built a titanium fat e bike with a 2,900 watt hour battery pack about 7 years ago.
Luckily I found most of my camping stuff and shoved off. Found out that you can only camp now through the reservation system at the state parks and had to make a reservation on line at the camp ground. I ended up between a class C motor coach and a class A diesel pusher for an electric sight. Me traveling with a five pound poodle and a flashy very capable e bike got the better of my neighbors so they started to ask questions.
They were both traveling the country in RV's and certainly wanted to know why I did not cheap out with a tent site and I explained I wanted the better site and the view and that I did not really care much about the price. That triggered more questions and came down to the fact that this seemed just like an extension of my cruising summer on the cheap. I mentioned the loop and out came the I pad with fantastic photos in exotic places. They had never heard of the loop but the idea of long distance boat travel and veiws from the water was totally captivating to a couple of wander lust RVers . Both of them started small and built to a large RV in retirement. Both of them can now not unhear and unsee what I showed them. Time will tell. they were not ready to change places with me on the bike but they clearly had the wanderlust and zest for cruising, even without the knowledge.

 

[Mac2]

Both of them can now not unhear and unsee what I showed them. Time will tell. they were not ready to change places with me on the bike but they clearly had the wanderlust and zest for cruising, even without the knowledge.

Good for you to get out there. Half the battle is finding all your gear after a lengthy “hibernation”. Great time of year too-fewer bugs. Without exception, the several backpackers I regularly camped with for the last 30 years, all loved boating with me. They all wanted to buy a trawler (one is looking right now), but the main limiting factor was their inability to fix things. Like your experience, it is really amazing, and fun, to see peoples reactions to realizing there’s a whole new world out there.

 

[kthoennes]

Living in South Dakota this thread is tempting me to talk about the Sturgis Rally attendees -- many of whom are doctors and lawyers and investment bankers who definitely do not rough it, but truck their motorcycles from all over the country in covered trailers pulled by celebrity-looking Class A RV's. I'm sure once they get to the Rally it's still -- an adventure but not the ocean-crossing kind. Yes, to each his own. Different ways to embrace life and go for the gusto.

 

[PierreR]

I definitely felt like I was roughing it on the electric bicycle and the tent as night fell. After that, my knee is talking to me pretty good right now but to do that at 70yo makes me feel a bit younger for the effort

 

[Mako]

"Adventure is an attitude"
That's how the quote starts which I first framed and hung on my wall 35 years ago. This is a great thread and it's amazing how much feedback you've received @ksanders in just one week. Thanks!

 

[Crux]

Living in South Dakota this thread is tempting me to talk about the Sturgis Rally attendees -- many of whom are doctors and lawyers and investment bankers who definitely do not rough it, but truck their motorcycles from all over the country in covered trailers pulled by celebrity-looking Class A RV's. I'm sure once they get to the Rally it's still -- an adventure but not the ocean-crossing kind. Yes, to each his own. Different ways to embrace life and go for the gusto.

On the other side of the coin are these folks...the game is predicted log events...https://www.ironbutt.org/

 

[Jklotz]

Living in South Dakota this thread is tempting me to talk about the Sturgis Rally attendees -- many of whom are doctors and lawyers and investment bankers who definitely do not rough it, but truck their motorcycles from all over the country in covered trailers pulled by celebrity-looking Class A RV's. I'm sure once they get to the Rally it's still -- an adventure but not the ocean-crossing kind. Yes, to each his own. Different ways to embrace life and go for the gusto.

Those Harley guys! If you see my bmw on a trailer, call the cops. It's been stolen.

 

[Delta Riverat]

Yeah, I always got a kick out of the new "stylin" Sturgis guys. Silicon Valley millionaires with diesel pushers making the "long haul" to South Dakota and off loading the custom Harleys.

No body odor, no wind burn, no bugs in their hair or teeth.

Amazing.

 

[JayB]

Those Harley guys! If you see my bmw on a trailer, call the cops. It's been stolen.

Someday I might try a trailer for something like a lawnmower? Bought my current 10 year old BMW R1200GS with only 7,235 miles on her a few months ago. Put over 10,000 more on her so far. Last 2 BMW's circuited Antarctic to Arctic along both oceans before Covid. Had a pretty Rune who saw 8,000 before she found my driveway. I miss her, She and the first BMW burned with my house in 2014. "Rubber side down!"