He said he was retiring, not retiring in poverty with a big chip on
his shoulder.

"Charles Momsen" wrote:
I get your point exactly there Doug, however you seemed to have missed mine.

Glad you got my point... but I don't think I missed yours, not at all.
In fact, given the length & tone of your reply, looks like I nailed it
precisely.


JL may not have an MD as a wife to financially carry the load

Plenty of single lady doctors around who would like a partner. Many of
them love sailing, or other outdoors puruits.
They tend to be very very picky about long-term choices though.


... he may find that spending most of his time in a
30' fiberglass cocoon doesn't promote good health or vigorous exercise.

Duh. It doesn't really... and that's true of any cruising vessel
regardless of size. One cannot go for a long walk in the woods aboard
a 65' Swan, for example.

This is one reason why passagemaking doesn't appeal to me personally.
But travel by sailboat has it's rewards, for sure.


... How
many times does one see a fully decked out boat, a few years old, that some
retiree is selling because they found out they don't like sailing (once the
novelty wears off) or they suffered some physical injury (like a blown disc
from hauling an anchor the wrong way) or their health is failing?

I don't see *any* boats for sale that meet my own standards. Not brand
new, not used. Quite frankly, one of the biggest barriers to cruising
is that very very boats are actually designed & outfitted for it. So
most cruisers work on their boats, do some upgrading, and then go
anyway. Or work work work on the boat until they get sick of it &
quit.

As for health issues, especially as one ages, that is a great point.
Go now, while you are able! And take care of your back, it's the only
one you'll ever have.


.... JL talked
about unknowns and uncertaintity regarding liveaboard and my advice was
weighted towards the possibility that he wanted to remain retired at a
standard of living acceptable to him.


And of course, you know exactly how much disposable income he has,
what investments, medical benefits, etc etc.


A "value" boat does not imply poverty
in the least

A well-chosen boat does not have to be expensive, either. However,
proper equipment *is* expensive which is why you see so little of it
on older cruising boats. Heck one could spend $20k just rewiring one
of the 'plastic classics' from the 1960s & 1970s. This is why I said
that maintenance & upgrades were more important than the brand name.


..... Expenses become a factor in the whole context of JL's
life which only he can determine himself.

So why are you trying to push your own penny-pinching attitude on him?



..... If you find my
financial conservatism offensive, I would suggest that you look inward to
find the source of the problem.

Oh, were you being "financially conservative"? Buying and then selling
a boat is very expensive, I can't think of a better method to throw
away a couple tens of thousands of dollars. That's why I siggested
waiting until he had some experience with a variety of boats to find
what he might like & find practical for his own fancy.


.... It was your great circle trip that expenses
were logged down to the penny, schedules were kept to the minute.

Really?
You give me too much credit. Our schedule went more or less by the
month, other than navigation.
Our expenses were tallied no more accurately than I always keep my own
books, and not "to the penny" unfortunately. I budget my time
according to my priorities, and I spend some time on finances but
don't obsess. Why are -you- obsessing over other people's finances?



.... Several
here commented on your rigid, miserly bent.

Let me guess... it was you, Saltie/BB, and Bubbles. All failures at
sailing and cruising who backstab anybody here who displays some
degree of success. Surpise surprise!

However, let me say in parting that I don't wish you ill, I hope you
find some contentment in actually GOING SAILING.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King