Dreaming big!
When was the last time you’ve really exercised your creativity? I can tell you this, for the past several days, Rebecca and I have done little but. I’ll admit that for some time, we’ve been operating on autopilot. Of course, we were working to restock our cruising kitty but we had no definite plans, and none of the energy that goes along with them. Things are different now. Now we have a goal, and are working hard to make it a reality, in one form or another.
Let’s talk boats. The question has already been asked, what boat are we going to complete our next adventure on? Recently we had the chance to meet Tasha Hacker of Turf to Surf fame in person and during our brief dockside conversation, she shared her thoughts on boats. Thoughts that we tend to agree on. Unlike many people who choose a boat for life, to us, a boat is and always has been a vehicle. A vehicle to help us achieve our dreams, but a vehicle nonetheless. There are sports cars and snowmobiles, tractors and trains. Each vehicle was designed for a specific purpose, and so are boats. We’ve proven that ZTC is a fantastic boat for cruising in the tropics. She was not designed for Patagonia though. So, to that end, once we’ve recommissioned her, we plan to list her for sale so that some other fortunate cruising couple can enjoy all that we have here. That leaves us shopping for another vehicle though. One that, if not designed specifically for high-latitude sailing, will carry us safely in the areas we hope to visit.
Just as we did back in 2008, we’ve spent hours and hours scouring Yachtworld and other online listings, searching for just the right boat at the right price. With our unfortunate change in work status, and with it, the loss of income that we were relying upon, we’ve had to change our search criteria a bit, or get more creative! Which brings me back to the first paragraph in this post.
I know that we’ll have no trouble finding a boat to complete our journey. There are plenty of smaller, relatively inexpensive, seaworthy boats out there. But what about sharing our dreams with someone else, or multiple people? Go now, go small and remain debt free vs. work to acquire our new dream boat and share the experience with others first hand… that is what we’ve been pondering. Just for fun, this is our new dream boat. Who wants to come sailing with us?
Could you imagine yourself here?
I think it would be hard for me to go from a catamaran to a monhull. Could you share the reasons you are changing?
How long is the line so far of people calling dibs on ZTC? 😉
Well – my next adventure (not in my own boat) is South America to South Africa via Antarctica – two months in Bark Europa (see http://www.barkeuropa.com) so I guess my ideal vessel right now is a 56m three masted square rigger.
Sounds cool, Sarah.
Hermosa elecciòn, sin dudas un barco para el sur!!!
Buenos vientos y mucha agua bajo la quilla del nuevo barco!
Darwin
P.D. en español para que vayan practicando 😉
Muy bien. Gracias!
Waw , I hope you get your dream boat so we can enjoy your adventure from behind our screens!!!
Didn’t find any second hand on the net… maybe it is really a dream,,, 🙂
Cheers,
That’s what os amazing. I contacted the manufacturer and since 2009, they have sold 30 boats (I think). Aside from one that was let go for medical reasons, all of the others are still in the hands of the original purchasers! That is a huge testimonial for customer satisfaction.
What? There’s no going back to one hull after you’ve been living on a cat! What about an older/cheaper seaworthy cat like a Pivilage?
What do you mean “going back?” We’ve never owned a monohull.
Interesting thoughts, small vs large and sharing the experience. Would love to look at the possibility of sharing/using your experience as that would be totally in our wheelhouse but unfortunately not till 2017.
You never know, Scott. Stay tuned.
So funny, that’s actually my dream boat! you can really go anywhere in a boat like that.
the boreal or perhaps the garcia exploration 45!
http://www.garcia-yachting.com/site/voilier.php?id=39
sadly, i’ve only got my coastal skipper designation so far – years of learning to go before i get my dream boat 😐
good luck!
You don’t need learning to get your dream boat, you just need fat wallet.
John over at Attainable Adventure Cruising introduced me to the Boreal. Looks like a great high latitude boat!
Are you convinced you need to go to a metal hull, though? The cost is considerable. I think a fiberglass hull would still be plenty sufficient if you don’t have spare cash to burn.
That is where I first heard of the Boreal.
Do we need a metal boat? Definitely not. I just really like that one.
We saw 2 of these new Boreal Yachts at the dock near the factory in Treguir France when we pulled in there with Distant Shores II in 2011. Very Nice!!
🙂
Does the ICW go down that far 😉
Sorry to hear you parted company with one love, hope things work out for you guys
Ha!
All will work out, for us anyway.
A Valiant 47 is a good choice. Plenty of room for spares, gear and toys, very seaworthy, a true bluewater boat and reasonably priced these days. Several have circumnavigated including Mark Schrader’s Lone Star in the ’86 BOC round the world race.
I’m not familiar with that but I’ll look it up. Thanks.
Hi
Since you got to know the Leopard 46 intimately would you consider the 46 to circumnavigate? Some delivery skippers still prefer the 46 over the newer Leopards.
Definitely. Unfortunately, it’s way out of our price range.
Love the 38-50 foot monohulls. A lot of choices. Not on FB much anymore Mike but am still tracking u two. I know whatever u choose it will be an educated decision.. Good luck
Thanks, Doss.
Exciting!
If you haven’t read Dallas Murphy’s book “Rounding the Horn” yet, do so. It will surely cement your desire to head south.
I’m sure you know of AAC, and the archives there are definitely worth a read before deciding on a high latitude boat. I get many more good design data points from there than I do from the official ABS, DNV, etc. class rules! (John is frequently waxing ecstatic about the Boreals too, but they’re far, far beyond our price range…)
I’ll look for the book. Thanks.
I’m so excited to see what you guys get up to next! And thanks for the mention 😉
You’re very welcome! 🙂