Click for Burger Click for Delta Click for YF Listing Service Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Glendinning

Friends think my wife and I are crazy

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by YachtNewbie, Dec 3, 2013.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. YachtNewbie

    YachtNewbie New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Ventura
    Perhaps my friends are right; but, my wife and I have decided that we are going to spend our retirement as live-aboards on a motor yacht.

    I have never owned a boat or piloted one in my life. Not a large motor yacht. But I believe if we don't jump into something with both feet, we will never really live. So we are bound and determined to do just that.

    In a few short years we are selling the house and using those funds to purchase a boat cash. I've decided that the best choice for us will either be a Jefferson, a Tollycraft or a DeFever in the 55 to 65 foot range.

    Am I crazy?

    P.S. I've been lurking in the forum for some time and enjoyed reading members experiences and advice. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people in this forum. I plan on writing a diary here and do a book of my experiences when I reach this stage of my life.
  2. CaptCook

    CaptCook New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2013
    Messages:
    123
    Location:
    FLL
    If it is your destiny, so be it. You still have "a few short years" to think it over and maybe try it before "jumping into something with both feet".

    I don't think it's crazy as long as you know what you are getting into (annual cost, accidentals, resale value, etc).

    It's always nice to have a Plan B in case you change your mind down the road. ;)
  3. Savasa

    Savasa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    Messages:
    167
    Location:
    Iqaluit, Nunavit, Canada
    Welcome aboard. Of course you're crazy. Do it!
  4. YachtNewbie

    YachtNewbie New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Ventura
    I think the plan "B" is to die on the boat. :)

    The way I see it, the annual cost is still there with a house. I am skeptical about some of the maintenance figures I have seen; but our retirement income of about $10K a month should more than adequately cover our expenses don't you think?

    The best thing about this plan is getting rid of all the STUFF that accumulates in one's home and start LIVING instead of shopping and accumulating.

    I can't think of a better back yard than from a Marina in SoCal. Starting the day with a morning kayak; then coming back for hot coffee and breakfast. Ending it with a fine wine or cocktail watching the sun set on the horizon. Planning trips to Alaska and Mexico and the grand voyage of them all...the Panama Canal.

    I'm ready to start now!!
  5. YachtNewbie

    YachtNewbie New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Ventura
    Thank you! I guess joining a yacht club would also be in order to learn from and find people to share the adventure with?
  6. CaptCook

    CaptCook New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2013
    Messages:
    123
    Location:
    FLL
    It sounds like a great plan. I'm still waiting for the cash flow similar to yours to embark on my own retirement adventure down the road. We may meet at Panama Canal in years to come. :)
  7. YachtNewbie

    YachtNewbie New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Ventura
    We'll raft up and party like its 1999! ;)
  8. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2013
    Messages:
    734
    Location:
    Curaçao (CW), Hollywood (FL) and Amsterdam (NL)
    With all these travel plans, 10K won't even cover your fuel expenses...
  9. chuckb

    chuckb Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2011
    Messages:
    199
    Location:
    Maine
    Fuel expenses

    I beg to differ... of course it depends on the boat. A single diesel displacement 50' trawler burns maybe 3 gph for a 9 kt cruise. Assuming the average day is 8 hours underway (yes there will be 24 hour a day passages, and days with near zero fuel burn) we're talking say 25 gals per day. 30 days equals 750 gals, at $4/gal equals $3000. Granted these are rough ballpark numbers... even if we round up to $5K that leaves lots of funds for rum and lobster.

    Now if you want to get run up on a plane with twin diesels, then you better own an oil well... but for a laid back retirement... who wants to do that all day long, 30 days a year? :rolleyes:

    That said, the wrong 60 foot boat can eat $100K in a blink of an eye for maintenance disasters...:D
  10. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Make it happen. My wife and I are absolutely crazy but we're the happiest couple in the world. Now we don't live aboard but the key is following our dreams. I was calculated, a reasoning person, careful, conservative, thought over feelings, until the day she walked into my life. She taught me to let my heart and soul lead the way. Now, that doesn't mean without thought. What it means is when you know the dream, figure out how to get there. It may not be exactly as you initially planned. The boat might be different, the body of water might be. How much traveling may change. So make new dreams as you figure out financially and logistically how to make it happen. But let the dreams lead the way and the details make them happen rather than starting the other way around and never recognizing the dreams.

    Right now I'd suggest together you have a list of "What do I need to do to make it happen?" The work toward the goal. Before some luck and fortune came our way, our dream was retiring early and probably on the Tennessee River, spending most of the time cruising. We saved money well because we always knew what we were saving for. We didn't forgo enjoyment. We just stayed in the house we were happy with and didn't go for the new country club development on the water at many times the price. We waited on exotic cars. We waited ten years before our first vacation splurge. We were always so happy vacationing on the lake in the summer and with our adopted family over the holidays.

    Read about those who live aboard and cruise with all different levels of income. You'll find it can be done and enjoyed in many different ways. But I'll tell you this, knowing what you're building toward sure makes the bad days at the office a lot easier along the way.

    Those who knew me before Belle wouldn't recognize the man writing this. But she taught me how to be happy and enjoy life. Not recklessly. I'm not encouraging that. But not scared to dream.

    The details will come along the way, but if you start letting your dreams influence your current decisions it will amaze you. Yes, we can now afford boats we never dreamed of. But had we not been so blessed we'd still be working toward our dream. Would have been years later, smaller boat, different body of water, more frugal living, but it would have been enjoying the water together.

    She had already followed her dream. It was of college. Friends had new cars, she drove her old. Friends took extravagant vacations, she went to the park. I was amazed at what she'd saved when we met at her age. She ended up with more degrees behind her name than anyone I know (although she never puts them there). She always knew she was going to do it.
  11. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I agree with Olderboater, BUT I'd recommend buying something a lot smaller for now. A 55-60' trawler is a heck of a lot to learn in maintanence, keeping it clean, and operating it for someone who has no boating experience. Chances are nobody will insure it for you as well. I'd recommend getting your feet wet for 2 years on a 40' that you find comfortable before taking the leap to a 60'. Not to mention you'll get a better idea of expenses etc......Maybe even rent a small apartment also to store some of your stuff and maybe spend a night or two off of the boat if the mood strikes you.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Best from the Crapps's

    GO FOR IT ....QUICKLY....
    Nobody's getting younger or healthier.
    Fuel and dockage is not getting cheaper.
    Think about every move well but jump for it.
    It's been over 12 years since we got together (wife 3), 10 years onboard. We finally have my work shop and personals down to 2 mini warehouses.
    The largest hurdle you will have is getting rid of your STUFF.
    The money I could of saved in keeping our stuff in storage would of paid for several weeks more a year cruising (if I had the vacation time).
    Now I'm not working for a big company, Lots of time and minimal income. Ah, the trips I could of had.
    You can always get an apartment or room if das-boot leaks.
    The STUFF will be hard to get rid of. The sooner you do, The faster you can start getting aweigh.
    So, When you get to the east coast, look us up,, the name is easy to remember,
    Ralph & Josie Crapps

    PS. Keep us all up to date in what you do;;;;
    We like to watch..
  13. YachtNewbie

    YachtNewbie New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Ventura
    $10k per month equates to $120k annual before taxes. These travel plans span my retirement.

    Fuel at $3.45 per gallon and a fuel tank of 1,200 gallons comes to $4,140.00

    So you save for six months and do your long distance cruising.

    Make sense?
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    How far do you think 1200 gallons gets you? Do you consider 300 miles long distance cruising?
  15. YachtNewbie

    YachtNewbie New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Ventura
    My insurance company insures a house that would cost $850 to $1 million to replace. I'm also a licensed private pilot. Although I haven't talked to my insurer about it, my intent is to hire a professional to learn how to pilot and work the boat until I'm confident on my own. it just didn't make sense at this time in my life to buy small, then the difficulty of selling and buying again. I see this as a one shot deal. If it doesn't work out, sell and get an apartment.

    I figure if I can learn to taxi a plane with my feet, take off and land it, I can certainly learn to dock a 60 footer.
  16. YachtNewbie

    YachtNewbie New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Ventura
    At 10 Knts burning about 15 gallons per hour; about 800 miles.
  17. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Oh, don't can de plane boss. I've pushed a 182 from time to time.
    If you have one, keep it. If you don't, join a rental club.

    If your NAV savvy, you can still apply three dimensional thoughts. Just in a different situation,,, EVERY LANDING...

    Did I mention,,,, Go for it...
  18. YachtNewbie

    YachtNewbie New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Ventura
    Learned in a 172; flew 182 to maintain high performance ratings and a 172rg for complex.

    I never owned; only rented...but I understand navigation, magnetic declination and how to use a radio. ;)
  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Yep, 182s.
    Oh, you don't have to wear a tux on marine radio.
  20. HTMO9

    HTMO9 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Messages:
    1,670
    Location:
    Germany
    Can a pilot learn to pilot a boat ?

    Sure he can ! You would not believe how many boaters started flying first.

    Seamanship is Airmanship at 10 Kts !!!!! :D

    And the 182 Skylane is the best single engine aircraft, Cessna ever built.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.