The latest cruising news from the Northern Hemisphere and the world.
|
28 Nov 2016 |
|
| |
  A life's work
 | | Buying the right boat for you and all the things you want to do with it. John Curnow © |
I have to say; there I was sitting in a renowned brokerage, talking with a friend, when one of their appointments showed up. He thought I was deeply concerned about something, but in truth I was just staring blankly out into the universe. Straight through him, in fact. It did afford us the opportunity to start a conversation, and what ensued was absolutely magic to my ears...
He, we'll just call him Tim, came and sat down next to me, and then his wife, let's say she was Billie, also joined us at the table. They were ahead of schedule, which was to go and look at a lovely 50-footer, a couple of bays over. I know she's a pretty boat, because I had seen her just the day before, and I told them as much.
So whilst their broker made arrangements for the preceding appointment that was now over an hour late to swap positions with them, we got to talking. And what a great story it is. They had been planning for, and subsequently reviewing, the grand global escapade when the retirement came about. So far, they had invested three years into research, viewing, testing and establishing their platform. They might have been over that phase, but they were sticking to their guns waiting for the other elements to fall into place.
An early, but planned obsolescence from the engineering based job Tim had been performing for a long time was part of the master plan, as too was selling a development property in this booming market. So selling up was how a lot of it was going to be paid for, and they might have now had some haste due to tedium, but that was not interfering with the overall objectives.
 | | Hiring a marine surveyor could be the single most important task to manage when buying a boat. BoatUS Press Room |
A lot of that is due to what Tim did for a job. Safety was a prime directive for this couple that would take to the seas, mostly on their own, with others lobbing in, here and there. Sounds pretty familiar, huh?! Tim talked a lot of redundancies, and I offered that you still needed to be au fait with basic seamanship, rather than purely rely on automated systems.
He seemed to appreciate that, and like anyone, he was on a budget, even if it was super-healthy. He had dreamboats, they had wish lists, and they were also very much aware of reality and what that would buy. As the discussion unfolded, Billie talked about different brands and what they stood for, Tim explained that there was no rush to get anywhere and cocktail hour in great anchorages was high on the priority list.
Yet above it all, the one thing I thought was tremendous, that crowning glory, was that even though they had some experience, and had no real desire to be out in bad weather if avoidable, they were going to skill up before taking off. Their plan was to spend 12 months in the area where they found their ‘right boat' and go sailing, growing ever bolder as they got to know it, and just as importantly, themselves. So well done to Tim and Billie for their prudence, foresight, and understanding, as well as determination and courage. May you have the grandest of expeditions around this here globe! It will be true recompense for your life's work...
 | | A mass start for the ARC Cruising Division on the 31st edition © James Mitchell / WCC |
OK. In this newsletter you will find that we have tales for you on the ARC Rally, Jon Sanders' 10th Circumnavigation, the Race for Water cat that is out to make us have less impact on the very oceans we love, celebrations at sea and many a port you make, the South Pacific, the importance of paper charts, and other elements of seamanship. So you see, there are tales, lessons, inspirations and history to regale yourself with. Please do enjoy... We're loving bringing you the best stories from all over the globe.
Now then, are you out there plying the seas and got something to say? We'd love to hear from you via editor@sail-world.com – In the meantime, do you love being on the ocean? Well remember to love them back too. They need our help. Now more than ever! Until next time...
John Curnow
|
|
|
|
|
|