Original left for reference below...

Todd, I'm sure there will be hordes following, or even simultaneous to, me
in commentary, but I'm not optimistic about your chances.

Your wife's not likely to want to do what you are if you're on a boat, from
what you've said. The rest of the stuff, while it might take a great deal
of work to get to the point of actually being able to cast off safely, can
be done, and on your income, you have a wide range of possibility for ample
funds, depending on your chosen lifestyle and the size of the vessel.

The catamaran vs monohull debate rages here from time to time, but I'd make
an observation on current events to the effect that there's an awful lot of
upside-down and sunk catamarans and trimarans in Granada right now. While
there's also many monohulls sunk or damaged, so far as I was able to see,
they're all basically upright or leaning against the shore, not upside down.

My advice would be to take a captained charter with you and your wife. If
she doesn't "get it" when everything's being done for her, in likely the
safest conditions you could find, it's not likely to get better with more of
it.

OTOH, if you and she find you love it, you can move toward getting some
sailing time under your bottoms and do some bareboating (charter your own
boat for just the two of you) to see if it really will stick.

After that, if it does, you're off to the races. I can say, for our
purposes, that if we had 42k to work with each year, it would make our lives
a great deal easier - but we're going to do it, anyway!

L8R

Skip and Lydia


--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig
http://tinyurl.com/384p2

"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a
clear night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize
that you are quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to
you that in the general scheme of things you are merely an
insignificant speck on the surface of the ocean; and are not nearly
so important or as self-sufficient as you thought you were. Which is
an exceedingly wholesome thought, and one that may effect a
permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly appreciated
by your friends." - James S. Pitkin


"Todd" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I am retiring from the Air Force in 5 months and am looking for a new
life.
I haven't traveled near as much as I would have liked in the Air Force and
am looking forward to traveling/exploring until age/health concerns
dictate
otherwise. Buying a house and settling down just doesn't sound appealing.

I have considered RVs for traveling throughout the US, Canada, and Alaska.
I
also have a two seater Cessna airplane that I use to explore. I really
loving flying, but what I really like about it is the traveling/exploring.
After considering sailing, it seems better than buying a house, RVing, or
flying. I know everything has it positives and negatives.

Of course, I don't have any experience with boating/sailing (except for
being on a few small boats on lakes), and would like to ask a few
questions.

1) If the boat is paid for, what is the cost range to cruise full time?
What would the life style be like at the lower end of the annual income
range? To be honest, my retirement income will be $42,000.00 a year. Is
this way to little, adequate, or not nearly enough?

2) I have noticed that not all sailboats are considered suitable for blue
water sailing (for one reason or another). Does that same thing apply to
catamarans? If so, what are some suitable boats for blue water sailing?

3) My wife hates the water, sand, and hot weather. Is there any chance
that she will end up liking cruising? Any of you with spouses/significant
others that thought they would hate it, but ended up loving it after they
gave it a try?

I have a thousand more questions, but these are good to start with.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Todd