I have read quite recently (actually, in the lastest issue of YM) many ‘interesting’ things about ‘cruising life’. I have put this term in quotes for a reason, as I do not believe you can call a life a year long escape from what we all call ‘modern’ or ‘developed’ world. Of course, they mentioned these freaks who do not want to come back, these anti-social human beings (or maybe water-beings would be the better name?) - but JUST mentioned...
Few days later I witnessed a discussion between sailors from all walks of life - divided by similar issue. How much it would cost? It started several months earlier on an internet forum as question about costs of circumnavigating the globe - but was resurrected recently by new questions, touching the issue of long-term cruising in general.
Why I am writing about all of these? Because for me it was like a trigger to quite different thoughts - about question of choice. When I read these lines in the YM, quoting budgets bigger than I have to live on in London I feel pity for people who cannot imagine that one can live much simpler, much cheaper life and be (probably) much happier. I would not raise this topic at all if not for a simple fact, that they actually started with a budget of £1100 (!). And when I am reading the line ‘(...) The diet on board will be restrained...(...)’ - I am wondering if they ever lived a REAL LIFE.
Same with this forum discussion. I am not judging these people, absolutely not! At least as long as they do not judge me, that is :) I understand - they made a choice and they live with it. Or are they?
When I choose to build a boat, I knew what it means. I knew I will leave my lovely flat and move back to a small room rented from my employer. I knew I have to cut my bills as much as I can. And to work even more hours than previously, despite the fact that I have to find another tens of hours every single week for quite some time to actually work on my boat. But I knew that and by deciding to do so I agreed to face consequences of this decision.
Annie Hill, the crew of “Hannah” and many others - they understood their choice. They knew they are choosing poor, simple life. And they acknowledged that there are others who would not be willing to go this way. On the other hand, the other side seems to be unable to see that it can be done cheaper.
I would not raise this subject even so. But these people claim that this way is the only way! (do not confuse it with a popular - for some unknown to me reason - TV series) Even more - they claim this is the cheapest way... They mentioned that “many people manage to cruise far and wide on less than £40 A DAY (!)” - but £40 a day actually means £1240 a month! In these comparison even Pardeys, cruising with money in a range of £500-£600 a month should be treated as living on a very tight budget...
It is where it comes to one’s choice and, what is in my eyes even more important - to understanding what we are actually choosing. I remember one statement - “but now I have family, I cannot ...” (and put what you cannot instead of dots). I understand. But why does such person claim that he would have chosen to cruise, but his situation does not allow him to do so? No, this person has chosen family life on land (and believe me, it IS possible on a boat as well) - but instead of being happy with these choice and accepting the consequences of this choice he will moan about being unable to cruise... Hm, he would be probably unhappy in this cruising life I think.
It is why I call these cruising for years on a proverbial ‘shoe string’ CREATURES OF CHOICE. They know (and always knew) their choices and they have chosen with full knowledge of consequences. And they decided they are happy to live with these consequences.
Unlike so many others. It should not be a surprise to me as so many people around do not want to be responsible for their actions - but it still amazes me.
If you want to follow these few (and I am sure there are many others!) who know what the deal was, visit them at:
Hannah
Annie Hill
S/Y Andante
Enjoy! And come back for more!
Hi, I've copied last post from the main page to have some content to work on. As you see - you can comment on this blog, you can do many things you cannot do on the main site. But this one is supposed to be for short comments 'from the field', not for long analysis. We will see...
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