What We Wished We Had Known Before We Started
"Boy, if I'd only known then what I know now," is the wish of all adults thinking about their youth, and of most cruisers more than a month into their voyage, thinking of before they left.
After six and a half years of sailing around the world in Dolphin Spirit on top of twenty years of sailing, five years of planning, one year of searching for the right boat, and three years of real preparation, we think we now know what we should have known before casting off.
Actually, we thought that we had most areas well covered. I was an experienced coastal sailor, we subscribed to all the cruising and sailing magazines, read all the books by Slocum, Roth, Pardy, Hinze, Dashew and others too numerous to mention, bought every cruising guide published, got our Ham licenses, attended Medicine at Sea, weather forecasting, engine maintenance, and refrigeration courses, learned celestial navigation, went to every cruising seminar, and were on first name terms with every marine, boat, engine and sail related shop and technician within 50 miles of the marina.
Towards the end of our circumnavigation, in Mexico, we were asked what we wished we had known the most. Carole and I immediately said, in chorus, "That we would survive." The wonderful time we had would have been even better had we known that. Statistics demonstrate that cruising is safer than driving on the Los Angeles freeways (what isn't?), but that is cold comfort as you cast off the dock-lines and face a twenty day passage across the Pacific to the Marquesas, or set off up the Red Sea.
We went through hell provisioning in the last weeks before we left. Canned meat, soup, fruit and vegetables, pasta, dried fruit, beans, peas, flour, rice, tooth brushes, tooth paste, bath soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, and the list went on. Did we have enough? Had we thought of everything? Where are we going to put it? How are we going to find it again? We still haven't found that jar of Grey Poupon, but have survived anyhow. We ate the last of the Costco purchased spaghetti in Italy, almost four years later.
All our reading indicated that the US was the last place where we would be able to find all sorts of foods and staples. In fact, at every place we visited, there was at least one store where we could buy canned goods, flour, rice, meat, vegetables and fruit. The prices may have been higher for individual items than in the US, but when the costs of storage, spoilage and wastage are factored in, the real price difference is negligible.
We wished we had known that the locals at every place we visited would treat us so well. During a visit to the US Embassy in Singapore we noted there was a travel advisory warning not to visit every place we had spent the last year in, and every place we were about to spend the next year visiting. We had no problems other that being arrested by the Secret Police in Sudan.
We thought that all cruisers were good guys, eco-friendly, party happy, and ready to assist one and all in times of trouble. That impression, generated through inhalation of SSCA bulletins, cruising books and magazines, lasted just 19 days, to our arrival in Taiohae Bay. The already anchored yachts ignored us, other than to ensure that we didn't anchor too close.
To be fair, we had arrived just after one of those "Round the World in Eighteen Months" had left. This group had completely alienated the locals and the other cruisers. The formation of cruising friendships didn't really begin until Tahiti, by which time the "Class of 96" had begun to sort out and stratify. Boats with the same cruising rhythm tended to be in the same places at the same times. The westward flow of boats became lumpy, as groups formed and began to move together. After French Polynesia, the separation became even more pronounced, one lot going to Samoa, another to Tongs, another to Hawaii.
Crew
Believe all the horror stories you read. No matter how good a crew person is you will want him/her off the boat in three weeks. The only exception we found was an Australian boat with a male captain and two young, good looking, female crew, who were both exceptional sailors.
Radio Nets
It was possible to spend the whole day, microphone in hand, on one SSB/Ham radio net or another, filling in spare time on VHF. The father of them all is the Pacific Maritime Net, which tracks boats from Alaska to New Zealand to Mexico and the Philippines.
Each cruising group sets up its own net. Ours was the Hope To net, begun by "Hope To" and carried on by other intrepid controllers as the previous one moved out of range. Then there are the sub-groups such as the Australians in Bora Bora. In each port there is also a local VHF net for weather, chat, advice, and sale and trade items. It becomes very difficult to finds a free frequency.
Related Tags: vacation, boating, travelers, recreation, cruising, sailing, getaway, sailboats, world travel
Lawrence Pane circumnavigated with his wife and young son, and his expertise in the areas of sailing, cruising and travel, expressed through two books, numerous magazine articles and very popular seminars, has informed, assisted and entertained a wide audience of sailors and non-sailors. Visit Chasing Sunsets to enjoy the photos, buy the books, and check up on coming seminars. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Top Things to do in Rabat, Malta
There are plenty of things to do in and around Rabat when you travel to Malta. 5 star luxury in your - 4 Sightseeing Highlights of Malta
Malta is a country with many things to see and do, as you will realise when you go on your Malta 5 s - Vacation Rentals - Something For Everyone!
There is no shortage of information on the vacation rental. I've written several articles on the top - Vacation Rentals - a Few Facts
Most everyone has some knowledge of the vacation rental. What I'd like to do here, in the confines o - Exotic Vacation Rentals
Travel is an adventure. In fact, that is why some us travel. Not for the relaxation, not for the cha - Vacation Rental Vs. Hotel
And the winner is….Well, read this, then decide!First, the ubiquitous hotel. Swathed in branded name - Tropical Vacation Homes - Investment or Destination?
Buying a vacation home for investment may be a great idea in these troubled economic times. Be certa - How to Choose a West Rim or South Rim Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
If you want to take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour, you must choose between the West Rim and the Sou - Albuquerque Downtown Hotels Discounts, Deals and Reservations
Providing their guests with the best possible service available, Quality Inn & Suites in downtown Al - Hotel Suites Albuquerque - Online Reservations and Specials
Located in the center of the beautiful and historic town of Albuquerque New Mexico, Clubhouse Inn &
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Brazil's Tourist Attractions
Despite its popularity, Brazil is largely unknown to a lot of people. Other spots around the world h - Visit Ancient Persia, Greece, and North Cyprus with Clearchus of Soli
Tour the Hellenistic remains of Soli in North Cyprus with Clearchus, a student of Aristotle. As he - Exotic Trips - Vacation In Venezuela
Venezuela is a favorite vacation destination. No wonder! For instance, Venezuela is home to the worl - Some Advice When Buying A Travel Cot
A cot is a piece of furniture that is used for babies, infants, campers and travelers. Baby cots are - Marriott Hotels Varied History and An Overview of Properties
Marriott International was established in 1993 when the Marriot Corporation split into two different - Holiday In Cape Town
If you are interested in one of the top vacation destinations in the world, Cape Town may be right f - Hawaii Honeymoon Vacation Packages: Why You Should Purchase One
Are you about to be married within the next year or two? If so, have you started planning your honey - Cancun Weather
Cancun is one of the most well known tropical destinations in the world. Because Cancun is located j - Golf Lovers: Save Money With Hawaii Vacation Golf Packages
Are you one of the millions of Americans who enjoys playing the game of golf? If so, there is a good - Old Town San Diego
The Old Town San Diego Park serves as a way to recreate life in both the early American and early Me