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Saturday, October 17, 2015

Escape Vehicle



My lovely wife takes politics a bit more seriously than I do. That's not to say I'm apathetic. I do vote, but mainly because the local bozos are in a position to affect my day to day life. On a national level I suspect my vote is not worth anything compared to the interests of those who actually run the country.
My lovely wife, bless her heart, is less cynical than I am.

With that as a bit of background, my lovely wife is a bit more concerned about this years crop of presidential candidates than usual. We are registered Independents so we take a hard look at the contenders from both parties. Isn't it a shame that with all the people in country the size of the United States this is what we have to choose from?

You know how some people are always going on about if so and so candidate is elected they'll leave the country? It's all talk as they never leave. Instead they just belly ache and complain all the time. Frankly, it would be nice if they'd leave -or at least shut up.

Well, my lovely wife is seriously thinking about leaving the country for a while. We've taken steps to make that a bit easier, like finally getting our passports. She's not thinking of going to Canada, like so many people threaten to do. Unlike most Americans we actually follow what goes on in Canada. Living in Northern New Hampshire, Canada is a hop and a skip away, plus I've family there. While Canada is a kinder and gentler place than the US, it has plenty of problems if its own. Besides, it's not all that easy to get in anymore. It's easy to visit, but they'd kick us out after 6 months.

My lovely wife has asked me to look at more capable boats. Instead of thinking in terms of a boat we could live on for weeks or months, now she's thinking months and years. She wants a boat in which we can leave the country if necessary. She's serious, so I've got to be serious too.

We've been looking at boats that sail well and are easy to maintain. If it's going to be a long term bug out vehicle, those qualities are even more important. Fortunately, we've got all winter to find a good boat for us. This being Florida, there's a lot of boats for sale. Eventually we'll find one that serves our needs at a price we can afford.

-Sixbears




13 comments:

  1. hi. was told that after the sailing 'season' is over some marina owners buy at rock bottom prices the sAME BOATS THEY RECENTLY SOLD TO INEXPERIENCED BUT MONEYED PEOPLe WHO DISCOVER THat THE SEAFARING LIFE IS NOT FOR THEM.
    IF THIS IS STILL THE CASE IT MAY BE A WAY TO GET A BIGGER BOAT FOR A REALLY AFFORDABLE PRICE.
    sorry about caps.
    also read a website somewhere said if you have parents from a foreign country you may be able to get passports for that country. then through that get p'ports for countries friendly with that of your new passport.

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    1. The seasonal boat flip is much more common with power boats. People think it's just like driving a car. It isn't, of course, so they get disillusioned quickly. People who sail tend to more research.

      However, Florida is full of people who thought they might want to sail around the world. They sail down the coast just fine, but discover they can't make the jump across the Gulf Stream. Many of these boats end up for sale. FL also has a lot of elderly who want to pass on their boat to someone who'll take care of it and keep it going.

      I don't qualify for another passport because of family. There are countries that basically sell passports, but they are looked at with some suspicion around the world.

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  2. I do like your lovely wife's thinking... yes you will need a rather bigger more substantial boat... I'll look forward to greeting you in New Zealand in the foreseeable future then...

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    1. It's not beyond the realm of possibilities. There are old boats out there in reasonable condition that could do the job for not all that much money.

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  3. Checking out the marinas wouldn't be a bad idea. Do they allow a "test" sail?

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    1. A lot of marinas have boat for sale. Often they are stuck with them when people stop making slip payments.

      I've seen a number of people offering a few lessons to go along with the boat.

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  4. That IS taking politics seriously! Sometimes, I just wish the Lord would take us believers out of here and just "let the games begin."

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    1. I'm now looking at boats capable of crossing oceans. Maybe not in comfort, but ones that can do the job.

      Far be it for me to tell the Lord what to do.

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  5. My young neighbors, 35’ish, had bought several homes before the housing boom and had perfect financial timing when they sold them at the peak of pricing! They sold everything they owned, cars furniture etc including all the real-estate, then bought a 35 foot catamaran (that they talked about it for several years) and set sail. They said and I agree the cat sailing platform with it’s large, stable, comfortable main living room area makes a lot of sense for a coastal cruiser, full time, live-aboard situation. I could see myself in one and with all the islands and shore line of North and South America could be happy for years. I don’t know if I’m up for true blue water sailing, but time would tell and if so, Tahiti here I come!

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    1. A good cat has its advantages. Very good in shallow water. Unfortunately they aren't really in my budget. It's possible to get a lot more mono hull for a lot less money.

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  6. you know, a russian family got in trouble because the wife was sick. he went ashore in new england and was thrown in jail because he had not got some sort of official paper.
    we contacted the russian embassy in new york. hope they were able to help him.
    make sure to have all the papers for every country you pass in case of need for supplies or doctors.
    safe than sorry.

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    1. Every country has it's own challenges and official nonsense. It's just something I'm going to have to learn to deal with.

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