Life Aboard 'Victoria Rose'
"No matter where you are in the world,
when you go below...... you're home"
when you go below...... you're home"
Life Aboard 'Victoria Rose'
Copyright © 2009 by Steve Abel & Associates, LLC · All Rights reserved
"No matter where you are in the world,
when you go below...... you're home"
when you go below...... you're home"
The Basics:
First, our boat is designed and equipped for 2 main purposes: to be reliable, seaworthy, and comfortable transporation; and second, to be our home. She excels in both areas. Information about the design and equipment such as sails, electrical gear, ground tackle and such can be found on 'The Boat' page. This page relates to living aboard.
A quick overview of our living quarters:
We've included some answers and commentary for some commonly asked questions:
So, are you retired, working as you cruise, or independently wealthy??
No, don't have time, and I wish. The 'responsible' thing for us to have done was to continue working until we reached retirement age. Our oldest son has called us 'irresponsible'.... quitting our jobs in the peak of our earning capacity. We should be preparing for retirement. But we're adventurers.... we can go back to work later. We want to cruise while we're still young. This is a window of opportunity for us. We hesitated at first, but then came across this quote:
That was it, we're off. Timing was right with the kids being on their own and we don't need to assist with care for parents. What we find interesting is that close friends have described our actions as 'just like something you guys would do.' We've always been willing to take risks and try new things and new locations. So we rented out the house, sold the car, kids got most of the furniture, and we packed a few items away in a storage unit. And left. Not to say that we may find that cuising isn't really for us at this point... and may return to work.... but the idea is to remain flexible. So, we're semi-retired, not working, and broke. But having fun.
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What did you do to prepare to cruise?
We had this dream in mind when we bought 'Victoria Rose in 1998. Since then, we've been reading and dreaming about crossing oceans and visiting new lands. We've tried to perfect our sailing skills and spent a couple of years outfitting and preparing the boat. We've attended seminars on cruising and offshore sailing. We generally have the mechanical skills to make most repairs ourselves. And after 25+ years of marriage, we've generally learned to get along with each other. We also spent time getting 'our house in order'- meaning eliminating junk mail (as much as we could), got all our bills and statements 'on-line', and did a lot of research on what it would take to cruise. In all, we focused and prepared for a couple of years before we took off.
Besides the great books on cruising that are available, we found the following 2 documents to be valuable:
http://www.downwindmarine.com/downloads/cruisingdownwind.pdf
http://www.svfelicity.com/articles/milkrun.doc
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What about your family and friends? How do you communicate while cruising? Do you get to visit?
Our longest absence, so far has only been about a year. So here's what we know so far, and what we plan.
First, while we love our family and value our friends, life moves on. We keep in contact and share events. But we can't always be at home and immediately available. Once we came to terms with that, we figured how we'll keep in touch and visit.
While underway or at anchor in more remote locations, we use a radio based e-mail system. We keep our family updated as to our location and we receive news from them. When we have regular internet access, we send longer e-mails, share pictures, update our website, etc. We've opted to keep our cell phones, and we installed an amplifier and arch mounted antenna for longer range. We were off the coast of California when our youngest son called... to let us know that our 4th grandchild had just been born. We also use Skype, an internet based phone system when we have internet coverage. It works just like a regular telephone, except with a bit of delay in the transmission. It's really inexpensive (like $.02 a minute from anywhere in the world), so phone calls home are also the norm. We've considered a satellite phone, and may add one in the future. If we need to send mail, we give the stamped envelope to another cruiser who is heading to the States. We receive our mail from Brian via Fed-Ex packages.
Our plan is to head home to visit once a year or so. And to have friends a family come a visit us.
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How do you pay bills and 'conduct business' while cruising?
Pretty easy. Before we left, we tried to 'opt out' of getting junk mail... to minimize the low-interest credit card offers and other junk that clogs the mailbox. We put everything else on automatic bill-pay through our credit union. Income is via automatic deposit. We hired a property manager to take care of our house. All of our bank, credit card,and investment statements are via e-mail. Our son Brian, was generous to allow us to use his home address to receive whatever mail is left over. He has 'power of attorney' so he can handle most of the issues that arise and can manage our bank accounts. He sorts through the mail and forwards items that he thinks we may want or need. Items needing attention quickly can be scanned and e-mailed to us. When we visit an internet cafe, we can download info and balance our books. ATM's are prevalent all over, so we take cash withdrawals in the local currency. We've only been doing this for about a year now, and so far it seems to work fine.
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What about food, water, and other supplies?
Food is the easy part. People everywhere need to eat. First, we made the big mistake that many cruisers make.... we overstocked at Costco and supermarkets before leaving the US. Every cabinet was full, the freezer and refer were loaded, and our waterline was about 6" higher. In Mexico, there are super-mercados in most larger cities, and small 'tiendas' with fresh veggies and fruits in the smaller towns. You can trade for fish, or catch them yourself. We had to get used to different brands, different cuts of meat, and buying items in 'kilos' rather than 'pounds'. But very easy.
While out of port, we have a watermaker on board, so keeping fresh water has not been a problem. In port, we would use the local water for showers (we isolate two tanks for 'local' water), and buy bottled water for drinking.
Getting other supplies... such as repair parts can be interesting. We carry the book 'Spanish for Cruisers', so we have the translations for most parts on the boat. If you can find the parts, the prices are usually significantly higher that at home. For some boating parts, while in the Sea of Cortez, 'Downwind Marine' in San Diego has been fantastic. They have good prices, and will send parts/supplies to you via other cruisers.
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What about medical and dental care? Emergencies?
Before we left Washington, we got our physicals and all dental work up to date. Our physician and dentist provided us with prescriptions for medications that we may need to have on-board... antibiotics, mega-tylenol, etc. The reasoning being that we could obtain medical advice via radio, but we needed to have supplies on board. We contructed 4 first aid/medical kits: drugs, regular first aid stuff, mega-injury stuff, and a kit for Buddy (our dog). We have medical reference books in our library, as well as electronic versions (computer discs). This is in addition to the regular 'stuff' kept in the medicine cabinet (bandaids, advil, nyquil, immodium, etc).
We visited the doctor once in Mexico, and services were fine. Cindy had root canals and crowns done in Mexico... great service and care, and really good prices.
So in all, we made sure we were healthy before we left; stocked up on 'emergency stuff', and have used doctors/dentists while cruising. So far, no major injuries or illnesses. And we carry medical insurance (see our 'links' page).
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How do you sail long distances with only two of you aboard?
Well, we take turns. One of us is always awake and on watch when underway. For us, after 6 p.m. or so, we stand 3-hour watches. Steve's a 'morning person and likes to watch the sun rise. Cindy is a 'night person' and will stay up late. So, we try to accomodate our natural styles into the watch standing duties. We also need to make sure that we get enough sleep, so we don't get exhausted. So on a nomal evening, Cindy will nap from 8 until midnight, while Steve is on Watch. Then Cindy takes over until 3 a.m. Then Steve is on until 6 or 7... then he naps. During the day, we're both usually awake... but might take naps if we feel like it. It's important that each of us can handle the boat alone. We usually reef the sails at night, so adjustments won't be needed. The 'off-watch' person sleeps in our 'sea-berth' in the main cabin, so it's easy to call for assistance if needed, yet that person is out of the traffic lane so quiet time is accomplished. So far, we've only entered new anchorages or ports during daylight- as we try to time our previous departures or speed underway to allow for this.
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Don't you get tired of each other?
Yes. OK, just kidding. Underway, we don't see each other that much. Think about it. One of us is on watch, the other is sleeping or attending to other tasks. Our conversations usually occur at watch changes, and they usually consist of our current location, weather/seas, current sail combination, any other boat traffic in our vicinity, etc. In port, we're often outside and socializing with others, or working on the boat. Our boat is set up so we can 'get away' from each other from time to time. We also sail with who-ever has the more conservative approach. If one wants the sails reefed, we do it (Cindy says "reluctantly"). If one is uncomfortable with the weather predicitions, we stay put. We operate as a team aboard. So no, we don't get tired of each other. Actually, cruising- so far- has brought us closer together.
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What's the lifestyle like?
This is a hard one for us to explain as we're still pretty new at this, but after a year.... it's best described as 'great'. First, the boat really is home. We're comfortable aboard and have everything we need.... maybe except a washer and dryer. So when we want to retreat, we go below.... and we're home. We can listen to music, watch a movie, or just sit and relax. We still have our Sunday brunch and large Sunday dinners. The new part that we're enjoying is meeting fellow cruisers. We've had potlucks dinners, cocktails, and deserts with many other boats. The people we've met have been fantastic. What we find interesting, is that even though we are all 'on the go', we've run into familiar faces at several stops. So far, we've enjoyed each location and the people we've met. At times we get tired of rough overnight passages, but they always seem to open up to new wonderful places. Now, its not all white sand beaches, exotic locations and drinks with little umbrellas in them. "Cruising" is often described as "fixing your boat in exotic locations." There's a lot of truth to that. As we sit here for our third day at anchor waiting for sea conditions to mellow out a bit... today Steve gets to go to the top of the mast to check the connections on our VHF radio antenna. Yesterday we did some re-wiring. We've 'gotten' to rebuild pumps, maintain the engine, fix water leaks, and tend to sails and rigging. But, we don't have to mow a lawn, pull weeds, or shovel snow. I guess, in short... the lifestyle is slower and more social oriented. We have to be self-dependent, yet we have found the other cruisers and locals to be extremely helpful. We wonder why we didn't do this sooner.
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What's it like with a dog aboard?
You'd have to be a dog owner, a person who your dog is really part if the family to understand why we'd even consider bringing Buddy with us. So far,having Buddy aboard has been good. He's mellow, doesn't complain, and is really low maintenance. At first, he would get nervous when heading out to sea, and he would get a 'happy pill' to help take the edge off for the first few hours. Now, he's adjusted. He gives us the opportunity to take long walks on the beaches, when otherwise it would be easier to sit aboard. He stays aboard (down below in the cabin) if we want to go into town or visit other boats without him. So far, the only negative we've experienced is that sometimes we really just want to sit aboard at anchor... and not go ashore. With Buddy aboard, it isn't fair to him... although in some rough weather... just has to suck it up and sit aboard with us. He'll be adopted out to another family this summer, in that it isn't really fair to him to travel for 3-4 weeks at sea and then be quarantined when we reach the South Pacific. But meantime, he shares the new discoveries, beaches, and towns. And he's also made friends (both people and dogs) at each of our ports of call.
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Any suggestions for those of us who might consider going cruising?
Yes. Do it. One can always come up with several reasons why they can't go. Our excuses for not going: our kids are raising their families and we want to be around our grandkids, we were 'at the peak of our earning capacity' and preparing for a comfortable retirement, we were comfortable in our home and lifestyle, we enjoyed spending time with friends. Plus there was the fear of the unknown. But once our decision was made, we found it all doable. One of our delays was that 'the boat isn't ready'. Well, we found that the boat will never be ready. Sure, we had all of the safety equipment, new rigging, and all systems were in good order. But a lot on that 'to do' list of projects haven't been completed. We're still plugging away at them (and adding more), a over a thousand miles from home. One other thought. My belief is that the relationship with your sailing partner has to be solid, and both need to share in the dream. We've met a few 'single' cruisers who's spouses abandoned ship somewhere along the way. And we've met more (who share the same dream) who apparantly have significantly enhanced their relationship.
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Can we come visit?
Of course. Friends and family are always welcome aboard. Just let us know that you'd like to visit at either a certain time or a certain location. Our itinerary is flexible, yet dependent on weather windows. In other words, we may not be able to say that we'll meet you in so-and-so on a specific date. We can narrow it down (more than likely) to within a week... so you'll have to be a bit flexible. Be prepared to live in, what is best described as, a floating travel trailer. You'll have a comfortable bed, but it's also the table/settee during the day. Be prepared for relaxation, beach walking, snorkeling, or exploring a new town. Cocktails on deck or on the beach, barbeques, and meeting new people. So seriously... if you're interested, send an e-mail.
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| • | Forward is our bed- almost king-size V-berth. We splurged and purchased a latex foam mattress with an inch or so of memory foam. Directly overhead is a hatch... we can lay in bed and see the stars. This cabin also has a dresser and lots of storage. |
| • | Behind the 'bedroom' is the 'head', the bathroom. We're fortunate to have a full separate stall shower in addition to the toilet, sink, and more storage. |
| • | Next, aft in the salon, on the port side is the dining table and setee- which when folded out is our 'sea berth'. This is the center of the boat (less motion), and is secure for sleeping in rough seas. Behind the seat cushions is our 'pantry' for canned goods. A wine locker (of course) is built into the center of the table. |
| • | Aft of the table is the galley; complete with refrigerator and freezer, 4-burner propane stove with oven, microwave oven, sink, and storage. |
| • | Forward in the salon on the starboard side is a hanging locker and our propane fireplace. Next is our settee (couch) with storage behind. |
| • | Aft of the settee is the 'entertainment center'. We have an LCD television (with outside antenna), DVD player, VCR, and stereo complete with satellite radio. The TV doesn't get used much, but it's nice to plug in a movie on a rainy evening. |
| • | Aft of the salon area is the Navigation Station, which also functions as our office. Here we have our computer (connected to WiFi), telephone, radios and navigation equipment. Unless we have an internet connection, we send and receive e-mails through our Sideband radio. |
| • | And finally, behind the Nav Station is the 'hole'. Every home has one. The big closet (or garage) where 'stuff' gets stored. Ours has a couple of sails (in big sailbags), extra line (rope) that we haven't gotten around to splicing, varnish and scrapers, sewing machine, and boxes of miscellaneous 'stuff'. When Buddy was aboard, we also kept an extra couple of bags of dog food here. |
| • | Just about every cubby hole and space is used for storage. We keep beer and gatorade (and fresh veggies) in the bilge area. Spare parts and repair kits are under drawer cavities. The space under the 'hole' is crammed full of extra hoses, tools, and engine parts. |
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"You can always make more money, but you can't make more time."
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