Let's say I want to drop out of society.....

Bingo, you nailed it Eric. I'm going to make nice with some of the blow boats in my marina hahahaha. There are a couple of big ones that like to go for long hauls. I'm going to see if they need a hand. I'm a quick learner and I can pretty much fix anything with a hammer and some duct tape. I think getting out into some open water on a sail boat will help me decide if that's the route I want to consider. I don't have much fear of the open water but then again it's always been pretty calm when i'm in it. So I think a good smackin around will do me some good.
 
Oh yeah. . .getting smacked around is "fun".

I learned boating on a 22' sailboat. In recent years, I have chartered 45' mono-hull and catamaran sailboats in the Chesapeake for weekends and in the Carribean for week long stints.

This experience translated VERY WELL when I got a twin engined power boat. I knew the systems, was familiar with West Marine. More importantly, I knew navigation and how to watch weather.

In terms of sailboats. . .there is a big transition from small sailboats to large sailboats. First is the "systems". AC, heads, all the fun stuff you have on a dancer. In terms of sailing, however, there is an important lesson regarding the relative size of the sailor and the sails. On a small boat, you can muscle the sail and lines. On a large boat, you MUST use winches (some boats have electric winches). You have to be careful about the MASS of the mainsail as it is raised and lowered. On a small boat, you get to the top of the mast by taking the mast down. On a large boat, you climb the mast (using a chair, and haul yourself up like a sail)

For me. . .power boats are ideal for knocking about for 3-4 hours. It gets you places! For the Carribean, I am not sure you want to be tied to fuel docks all the time. You just want to bop from place to place, only being worried about finding a good anchor spot. It is hard enough getting the food/water planning correct. you don't want to add fuel management to that.

I tend to think of 32-35' as the breakpoint between "1 vs 2" people on a sailboat. On the larger boat, the admiral can be the second person without problem (basically to steer the boat while raising/lowering sails and anchor)

Personally, I would not confine myself to a small boat if I wanted to disappear for a year. I would just hop to place to place on an airplane :)
 
Mike,

The trawler yacht is the best way to go. I have friends who have been living on a 44' trawler in S FLA for the past 8 years and regularly go up and down the east coast in the summer.

I have had extensive time at sea. I have learned (painfully) that it doesn't matter if it is a sailboat, a trawler, or a nuke. Any boat, sail or power, that is going to be a home for many months needs to be able to have private spaces for everyone. Sometimes you (or the other person) just needs to get away. That is a dynamic that can be overlooked on a week, or two, vacation. So bigger is better and chunky trawler yachts will give more private space.

Part of my cruising time has been under sail. Sailing in a cruising situation takes skill, knowledge and physical stamina. Do you want to make the first six months of your trip the bottom of the learning curve? Riding out a 30 knot wind and 8 foot seas after both of you have been awake for 24 + hours is not the place for on the job training.

If a sailboat is the dream, than factor in the cost of an experienced sailing captain for the first six months.

Sorry to sound like a wet blanket.

Henry
 
All good points, that's why i'm asking. Get some opinions from those with a bit more experience than myself. Not having experience with either is my problem. The one conclusion I've come to is... this isn't going to happen next year. Need lots of prep time, not just deciding and learning a vessel, but all of the other stuff like
1) money. when I look at the numbers and realize that this "adventure" will cost me several years of work to make up for the expense. That's a big pill to swallow.

2) Career. or lack of it when I get back to reality. I've spent 15 years building up my business and a 2 year break might be the end of it, or at least a very big gash.

But i'm young, I've got the money, Strong, and most important is I have a girl that is more than willing to share the experience with me. The things that concern me the least are stamina, fear, hardship, trials, and pain (like ripping off a toenail kind of pain).

So i'm going forward with an open mind and enough humility to quit if it isn't working for me.

This first step is sailing experience. I've done some looking around and found several sailing schools/vacations down south. 7 nights on a 50' learning, relaxing, overnighting and coming away with some "certificates". I think this will give me an idea of what sailing and staying on a boat like this is like. Then it's time to find a trawler type vacation. This should keep me busy during the winter. Then I expect to fully enjoy another season on my 280 (in a new location) next summer and re-evaluate the whole thing.

In the meantime, I encourage everyone to buy apple stuff. You know, to help fund my midlife crisis adventure because the stock is going up up up up. Also buy boats with Cat engines cause I have a lot of stock in that too.

Keep the words of wisdom coming.....
 
TurtleTone said:
2) Career. or lack of it when I get back to reality. I've spent 15 years building up my business and a 2 year break might be the end of it, or at least a very big gash.
Click to expand...

If you can get this “glitch” figured out, please, please let me know how – because I’ll be right behind you.
 
Mike,

Extended crusing requires a high degree of self sufficiency. You'll have to have multiple spares for every system, multiple sets of major and Minor repair items and endless amount onf consumables. You won't find the spec'd fuel filter for a Cummins in Tuxpan, Mexico and and would have to import it which can take a lot of time and endless importation issues. Get into some islands or other Latin American Countries ... you'll get a lot of shore time you didn't want if you don't have what you need, and the knowledge to fix it, rebuild it or do with out it. Just because the owners manaul says ther eis a dealer/service point in a country doesn't mean they will actually come to you or be interested in making the repairs you need.

Yes, you can rebuild a Alternator ... IF you have a rebuiild kit and the tools to press bearings. Repairing a bad valve stem, a new head gasket? A blown oil pan gasket? Yes you can rebuild a starter ... if ..., but No you can't rebuild a propane bottle regulator.

The World Cruiser has to carry a lot of stores ... alot. Transiting the Canal alone will require a lot of extra gear, just for the transit, or you can rent it and return it on the Atlantic and return on the Pacific end ... i.e. (4 lines 300 feet or more just an example).

Why do I discuss this? Because I believe you will have to sacrifice a lot of creature comfort in your design choice to get the freight capacity you'll need.
 
I agree that self-sufficiency is important, and for that spare parts are essential. However, getting parts in remote places isn't as difficult as it was years ago. Also, I don't agree that creature comforts have to be sacrificed to carry spares.

Most cruising sailboats have a lot of interior space for humans and equipment. You just have to choose one that will meet your needs, and get creative in how you stow gear.
 
yes spares. It also seems like a lot of trawlers are single engine, until you get to the bigger sizes.

I'm learning about space management on my 280. we've clocked 73 days so far this year and as you know the 280 is right on the crack of being able to pull it off for several days at a time. The longest was a week without getting supplies and boy was it tight in there. Garbage was the biggest problem. We've learned to buy stuff that has a small garbage footprint because there just isn't anywhere to put it and after 2-3 days, an empty can of sardines starts to smell pretty bad.

My other concern is my dog and issues taking her to other countries. I've seen video of people taking their dog so I know it's possible, just not sure how much paperwork needs to be filed to make that happen.

What about a boat like a sport fisher or a MY as alternatives to a trawler? Are they just not as sea worthy? or is it more of an ecomony issue?
 
Those guys really know what they are talking about. Almost any Blue water cruiser has heard of them. They might just be what the 'doctor' ordered.

http://www.mahina.com/

If you need more websites, let me know.
 
Ok, i've been doing some number crunching, thinking, reorganizing my finances.

I think I may have found an answer.

My first problem was my business. Solution is to take it on the road with me. Since the majority of work I do it unattended, I can do it anywhere if I have an internet connection and access to fedex or ups. If I focus my efforts on more unattended work, I should be able to make up for part of the work i'll loose. If I get a 2 stateroom trawler/cruiser, I can convert the second room to do my work. I need about 20-30amps of power to run the equipment.

I can rent out my NYC apt and clear a good chunk of money every month, combine that with my investments and I can easily live off the money including the income from working without tapping into the principles of any of the investments or apt.

There are some problems in there like (what happens when i'm not able to get on the internet or send out packages). How clean is the power of a gen pumping out 30amps for 8 hours straight. how to save up enough money to buy the boat to begin with, hahaha. small details I know.

If I save very aggressively over the next year and put all of my investment to work towards the goal of buying a suitable boat, I might be able to pull it off.

What other things am I not thinking of?
 
Marine Satelite Internet access is standard equipment on cargo ships these days. It is pricey, but if it allows you to continue your business it might be worth looking at.

For general electronics (no AC/Heat) you might consider a battery bank and an inverter to keep the load off the genset.

Henry
 
Maybe I missed it, but besides having the right boat you will need to fit it out. Someone mentioned spares, but you will need to go through the boat with a surveyor and rebuilt any system that is suspect as well as buy the tools, spares and manuals to perform routine maintenance and emergency repairs at sea.
 
Yes that's a given. The boat has to be able to make it and I have to be able to work on it. I'm sure it will take some time to work out the kinks and do trial runs to make sure I have what I need before I depart.

The more I think about it, the more I think the working from the boat will, well, work. Right now it's key that it does work or I'll find myself a long way from home running out of money.

One moment it's a failed dream, the next it's a brilliant rebound, what comes next I have no idea.
 
I just picked up a copy of Power Cruising Magazine which is packed with resources & boats that might be worth a look. I saw an ad for www.ocens.com which has satellite phone solutions for communication (voice/email/web) which may give you some ideas about that end of it (it caught my eye because they have solutions for the Mac and I'm guessing you're a Mac guy).
 
Turtle
There was an article recently in one the magazines I get. I believe it was Fortune Small Business. The guy was doing what you are thinking, and I just thought of it when you spoke of working on the trip.

I will see if I can find info.
 
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