An anonymous comment on Going It Alone

A friend who would prefer to remain anonymous provided these insights on our topic of Going It Alone:

"I'm not sure if I'm classed as a single handed sailor as i have a female crew with fur aboard.

I don't prefer to be alone, but i guess that in some ways I'm more comfortable to be that way.

Yes it would be nice to meet someone that fits into the space that is available in my life.

But then considering the space and weight that they would take up on my little boat, another pair of AGM batteries would also suffice.

As for loneliness, i have found that you can be lonely with someone in your life too, so its just a personal thing that the individual has to deal with.

Guess the only thing that i really miss is the ability to share some of the lovely things i have seen and some of the varied moments that come to mind.

Would i crew with other people? while i have my own boat most probably not, at least not without being shanghaied.

Would i accept someone on my boat, the right person yes, but then therein lies the problem, as i don't have jack sparrows compass.

So in the mean time i smile, i live and i sail and search."

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A MoFi reader on Going It Alone

An anonymous MoFi reader provided this comment:

"I sail by myself because it isn't going to stop me sailing because I am single. Not saying I wouldn't like someone to sail with me but I have been single for a long time and don't know if I could handle someone sailing with me full time. If they were very experienced probably easier as I would see it as equals, but if they think they know sailing and think it is a male thing to be the lead then I would have issues. I like my independence and if I make mistakes, they are my mistakes. My work does make it harder as well being in Africa but even if I was in a normal 'world' I think I would struggle."

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Kettlewell Cruising on Going It Alone

Kettlewell (Kettlewell Cruising) provided this observation regarding our topic, Going It Alone:

"I'm not usually a singlehander, but of the many I've met I would guess that 90% of them were hoping to run into just the right person to share their trip with. And, when I ran into them again later many of them had hooked up with someone."

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Bob on Going It Alone

Bob a/k/a deckofficer had this to say on our topic of Going It Alone:

"Well Suzanne it went like this. The guy that was 1/2 into the boat was a real estate agent and kept delaying our departure for the close of escrow on the last property he sold. It kept dragging out until I finally said "You can ride the Green Turtle (Baja Bus) down, I'll meet you in Mulege. I just happened to really enjoy sailing alone."

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Kelley Moving Aboard Answers

About you:  WE HAVE A SEAFARER 34 CB. WE'RE FROM BROOKLYN, BUT ARE CURRENTLY IN CAPE CANAVERAL FL FINALIZING OUR REFIT. I'M 29 AND MY MAN IS 30. WE HAVE 2 DOGS WE'LL BE TAKING WITH US. MY BOYFRIEND IS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, BUT MY FIRST SAIL WAS ONLY LAST MAY. I'VE DONE A LOT OF LEARNING IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS!

Why did you decide to try living aboard? Why now? WE LIVED IN NYC AND WE HAD ENOUGH OF THE WORK HARD PLAY HARD MENTALITY. WE WERE READY TO RELAX AND ENJOY OURSELVES A LITTLE MORE. AND, TO EXPERIENCE THE SIMPLICITY IN LIFE

What's your long-term goal for living aboard? (as in, are you planning to cruise somewhere? just hang out in a marina and save money for a year or two? something else? and how long do you think you'll live aboard?) WE'RE PLANNING ON SAILING THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN TO SETTLE IN COLOMBIA. WE'LL BE OPENING AN ECO HOSTEL WHILE WE LIVE ON OUR BOAT.

How long have you been planning or preparing to move aboard? ABOUT A YEAR 

What's your target move-aboard date if you're still in the process; or when did you move aboard if you're already there? HE'S PRETTY MUCH LIVING ON BOARD WHILE HE WORKS ON THE BOAT, I'M AT MY MOMS FIXING SAILS AND DOING CANVAS WORK. WE HOPE TO BE FULLY MOVED IN IN ABOUT 3 WEEKS

Who have you told about this dream? EVERYONE! And what kind of response have you gotten? SURPRISINGLY EVERYONE HAS BEEN SUPER SUPPORTIVE

What has been your biggest challenge so far? MONEY

What are you most looking forward to? WAKING UP TO NOT A SOUL AROUND, EXPERIENCING NEW CULTURES, BEING ABLE TO SEE STARS (NOT SOMETHING YOU GET IN NYC)

What was your biggest fear about what you were getting into? PIRATES, A BAD STORM AND HOW I'LL REACT 

What kind of land ties do you expect to retain? I HAVE AN ETSY SHOP (KGUDAHL.ETSY.COM) THAT I HOPE IS ABLE TO MAKE ME SOME MONEY WHILE WE SAIL

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Tim & Kathy Moving Aboard Answers

Why did you decide to try living aboard? Why now?
- We decided to retire early and see the world. Moving aboard was jst the first step towards prepping the boat

What's your long-term goal for living aboard? (as in, are you planning to cruise somewhere? just hang out in a marina and save money for a year or two? something else? and how long do you think you'll live aboard?)
- Saving money to go cruising. Hoping to get in 4-5 years before returning.

How long have you been planning or preparing to move aboard? What's your target move-aboard date if you're still in the process; or when did you move aboard if you're already there?
- Moved about 10/2010. Planned for about 10 months. mostly boat shopping and selling our previous boat.

Who have you told about this dream? And what kind of response have you gotten?
- My wifes family thinks I brainwashed her. It was actually her idea. 99% of our friends know and support us.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?
- Hard to say. I would say prepping for storms.

What are you most looking forward to?
- Simplifying our lives and getting rid of a lot of material junk possessions.

What was your biggest fear about what you were getting into? What actually happened? Was it as bad as you feared?
- We very always very optimistic. Dont remember any huge fears.

What kind of land ties do you expect to retain?
- All of them until we throw off the lines

Has it changed you? Do you feel different from your land-based friends?
- Not really. We are still the same people. We have always been adventurous.

Anything else you want to share that I haven't asked?
- It is a lot easier than most people realize. Although we did it when we had the financial resources. Many do it looking for a cheap way to live.

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