Why cruise where you cruise?

[Recy]

Originally Posted by slug

I only choose middle income countries with good geography

Middle income countries are always the best price quality formula

Developing countries get old fast ...corruption , squalor, dynamited reefs , garbage in the sea , no public services and expensive

That was an interesting thought do you have any examples what you consider middle income countries.

[slug]

For instance Argentina is in the middle

Brazil is a mess, most of South America is a mess

Household decoration consists of steel bars over windows and razor wire

I just walked down the street to a pharmacy to buy a toothbrush and stuff.. the curbs were full of garbage , hypodermic needles spent bullet casings

38 caliber this morning

Or on the other side of the Baltic are good middle income countries

Or Croatia, Montenegro Greece ... in the middle

Turkey , the Black Sea countries aren’t too bad

Even Russia, if you can deal with the officials isn’t bad

The main characteristic of middle income countries is a well educated population and acceptable public services

[ScruffyII]

I love reading these posts. It's fun to imagine all of the wonderful places there are to sail and the community of sailors that share their experiences.



We are located in the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY. Our boat is on Seneca Lake and we dock it at Sampson State Park. Seneca is 26 miles long and 3 miles wide at it's widest birth. It takes me about 20 mins to drive from my home in Watkins Glen, NY to the park.

I learned to sail on a wooden 'K' Boat at a summer camp named Camp Cory when I was 10 years old. Now, at 60 years, my GF and I enjoy our leisurely stints up and down the cliff-lined shores, which are scattered with gorges and large waterfalls.



Our boat is new to us so this a good place to get my sea legs back. The lake can be deceiving since storms blow in very quickly and the lake can get really choppy at times but all-in-all, the weather in the spring, summer, and fall offers a lot of fun.

[Pegu Club]

Originally Posted by ScruffyII

I love reading these posts. It's fun to imagine all of the wonderful places there are to sail and the community of sailors that share their experiences.



We are located in the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY. Our boat is on Seneca Lake and we dock it at Sampson State Park. Seneca is 26 miles long and 3 miles wide at it's widest birth. It takes me about 20 mins to drive from my home in Watkins Glen, NY to the park.

I learned to sail on a wooden 'K' Boat at a summer camp named Camp Cory when I was 10 years old. Now, at 60 years, my GF and I enjoy our leisurely stints up and down the cliff-lined shores, which are scattered with gorges and large waterfalls.



Our boat is new to us so this a good place to get my sea legs back. The lake can be deceiving since storms blow in very quickly and the lake can get really choppy at times but all-in-all, the weather in the spring, summer, and fall offers a lot of fun.

Hey, Scrufffy, I’m a Rochester guy, did a lot of bicycle riding in the finger lakes, beautiful area to be in and sail in, brings back good memories of my youth

Fair winds,

[robert sailor]

Originally Posted by slug

For instance Argentina is in the middle

Brazil is a mess, most of South America is a mess

Household decoration consists of steel bars over windows and razor wire

I just walked down the street to a pharmacy to buy a toothbrush and stuff.. the curbs were full of garbage , hypodermic needles spent bullet casings

38 caliber this morning

Or on the other side of the Baltic are good middle income countries

Or Croatia, Montenegro Greece ... in the middle

Turkey , the Black Sea countries aren’t too bad

Even Russia, if you can deal with the officials isn’t bad

The main characteristic of middle income countries is a well educated population and acceptable public services

For those that like to travel either by aircraft or even sail your list of countries is decent. We have done lots of travelling and even to this day our favourite country was Turkey.

Here's the downside of your idea, at least to our lifestyle. We used to sail all year but we are now down to 6 months and because we live on beautiful Vancouver Island we want to be there in the summer, family time and we are both very active in General Aviation and summer months allow us our flying time each year.
So my wife will not sail in areas that can't grow palm trees and she likes to dive so we need to be in warm tropical climates. That pretty much removes all your choices. We have cruised extensively in the South Pacific, North Pacific, Mexico,Mediterranean and now the Caribbean so it doesn't leave a lot of choices.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Oh I dunno. You make it sound pretty great. Actually, it sounds like you and I would get along famously. And I could probably acclimatize to warmth and sunshine -- at long as it's not over 25C!


Actually, it's not so much the warmth as the humidity that kills me. Usually on a boat there's at least some breeze to keep the moisture down. So even I can manage some warmth.

Mike

I'm a bit like you - I enjoy cooler weather much more than hotter. We've just spent more than two years in the tropics and you get used to it. There is always a cool breeze on the boat and the nights cool down (we were in the Marquesas and Polynesia - 30 degree C at night - 35+ during the day). Friends came to visit us and suffered under the heat - we easily hiked up and down mountains.
'As one said - it really is unfair - you've gotten accustomed to this heat - christ you're not even sweating!

[robert sailor]

We are tropical animals, very adaptable but still tropical.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by carstenb

I'm a bit like you - I enjoy cooler weather much more than hotter. We've just spent more than two years in the tropics and you get used to it. There is always a cool breeze on the boat and the nights cool down (we were in the Marquesas and Polynesia - 30 degree C at night - 35+ during the day). Friends came to visit us and suffered under the heat - we easily hiked up and down mountains.
'As one said - it really is unfair - you've gotten accustomed to this heat - christ you're not even sweating!

Yeah... 35C sounds way too hot to me. But I have lived in areas like that before, and I know I'd eventually acclimatize. It really is more about the humidity than the heat. This goes for both hot and cold. Makes a huge difference.

[NormanMartin]

We cruise New England mostly from Newport, RI well into Maine. Although I live on Cape Cod, I don't really recommend it, much of the coast is too shallow. Deep places on the Cape are here: Nantucket is expensive and worth it especially if you like upscale cruising. Martha's Vineyard is beautiful and quiet. The Elizabeth Islands are a treasure. P'town is too wacky.

Once in Boston there is deep water and a billion different harbors. It is the jumping off place for a Maine cruise. A major attraction to that area is that quiet anchorages abound, many near good ports for provisioning and shore side entertainment. The downside is maybe the short season, June through September is best. Pro tip: sail as far East (downwind) as you want to cruise and harbor hope back. The prevailing SW makes the reverse a chore.

Narragansett Bay is stunning and deep. From Newport you can easily re position to the Caribbean via Bermuda.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by ScruffyII

I love reading these posts. It's fun to imagine all of the wonderful places there are to sail and the community of sailors that share their experiences.



We are located in the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY. Our boat is on Seneca Lake and we dock it at Sampson State Park. Seneca is 26 miles long and 3 miles wide at it's widest birth. It takes me about 20 mins to drive from my home in Watkins Glen, NY to the park.

I learned to sail on a wooden 'K' Boat at a summer camp named Camp Cory when I was 10 years old. Now, at 60 years, my GF and I enjoy our leisurely stints up and down the cliff-lined shores, which are scattered with gorges and large waterfalls.



Our boat is new to us so this a good place to get my sea legs back. The lake can be deceiving since storms blow in very quickly and the lake can get really choppy at times but all-in-all, the weather in the spring, summer, and fall offers a lot of fun.

You know that reminds me of how much there is to explore in our own back yard. I have about 5000 miles on the track at Watkins Glen, but never made it to the state park until last fall.

Few weeks ago took the family to Manhattan for a long weekend, my second visit. Despite numbered streets it was still more confusing to me than the area of Sukkumvit and Rama IV.

Rendova, Kolombangara, Seghi, Tetepare; Suva, Nadi, RaKi RaKi; Funafuti, Moorea, Tongatabu and Ha’apai; Majuro, Kwai, Arno; etc etc. last year we turned left leaving home port (we ALWAYS go right, everyone goes right) and found a fine beach and secluded bay three miles away. How funny- an undiscovered bit of paradise 30 minutes from home.

[ccannan]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

We live in the Canaries and Martinique, and we cruise in the West Indies (aka Caribbean).


Caribbean has warm water to swim, anchorages to be alone, supermarkets to stock up. Sun to sunbathe and wind to sail guaranteed. Rain to fill our tank. The Internet to work.



Interesting places to trek. Interesting cultures to study. Interesting people to meet.


And Clement Creole Shrubb at roughly a third of its price in the EU.


Canaries have nice local people and moderate climate.



Easy choices for us.


Cheers,
barnakiel

Sent you a pm.

[Lihuedooley77]

Good question....

What draws us to a cruising area....

Actually, there are several factors, great winds for sailing, people with welcoming attitudes, beautiful scenery, fun, and not too crowded, and the less cruise ships the better, or work around cruise ship skeds.

Plus, fun things to do, peaceful anchorages, reefs for snorkeling or diving, and moorings available if possible or good holding ground.
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Our fave over 34 plus years was the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. Close proximity of many different islands, super fun times, good snorkeling, and lots of feel good, and great sailing winds.
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Also Australia, and sailing the whitsunday islands, Diving the great barrier reef and coral sea on board the Spirit of Freedom, a 120 ft luxury live aboard dive boat. White water rafting the Tuley River, class five of five. Loved the fun Aussie people. and enjoyed the peaceful anchorages, and of course the many critters on land , and in the sea.
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Another fave was Ireland, and this was a motor vessel , ( two different two week trips ), up the River Shannon, from to Portumna in the south, up to Carrick on Shannon.
And after being on the river , we added in partying in Dublin and touring that city.

Beautiful ranches and scenery, cattle, sheep, horses, and very friendly villages and marinas, plus touring castles, hiking, and of course , partying with the fine Irish people in the pubs, singing songs, dancing a jig, and telling a story.
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Tahiti, the anchorages ranged from peaceful , quiet and beautiful, and when we ran into cruise ships in the lagoon at Bora Bora, and their mobs , we found a wonderful anchorage off a Tapua motu, where we were the only ones there , and could dink out to the barrier reef, for snorkeling with sharks and sting rays, and then the live and beautiful living reefs with loads of colorful fish and marine life.
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There have been many other islands and cruising grounds, but those were our all time favorites . They all varied from each other, yet fullfilled our dreams , and we fell in love with the people as well as the islands.

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Now, this was bare boating, and our choice of areas to cruise for a couple of weeks, and many places we returned to.

But, we were drawn back over and over again, due to the islands, the people, the beauty, the fun, and the natural treasures and their adventures.

We wanted to see and experience many different cruising areas, and were able to do that through bare boating, but wanted to share or favorites with you,

As full time cruisers, you can spend months in any area that you wish, but those that were our top cruising grounds . And why we enjoyed them so much.

We also paid attention to the best time of the year, and stood clear of hurricane and typhoon seasons . Yes, we were surprised a few times, once was near hurricane force winds at Gustavia Harbor, St. Barts, but we handled that, and it was all over the next morning.

I think, if we were going to go full time cruising, our first selection would be the Caribbean. Then thru the canal, to the South Pacific Islands. But, that lifestyle is what we enjoy, we really do not care for tall buildings, casinos, super masses of humanity,
cruise ships disgorging up to 5000 people, mobbing a beautiful beach and beach bars.

We also do not care about cold, lots of rain, or the frozen tundra . But that is us.
And why we enjoyed our style of mini cruising, and experiencing several different cruising grounds . Fond memories and we loved every minute .
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And yes, that original spark of sailing the south pacific was first ignited after reading Tom Neals, LOG OF THE MAHINA.....my dream was to sail those many special Pacific islands and relate to the people. Those dreams were realized but just in a different way than full time cruising. However, there are a lot of areas that we missed that full time cruisers would be experiencing.

I certainly admire those nautical weavers, who have cast off the yoke of mainland stress and just flat headed out to their marvelous adventures in paradise.

The Cruising World is out there, just waiting for you to explore.

[charliehows]

I'm gonna court the opprobrium of my countrymen by waxing lyrical about the gorgeousness of the southwest Pacific - yes, I realise the main body of observers on here are nth American and European and no-one down here is...enthusiastic about encouraging the "let's see how quickly we can ruin paradise" effect, but with a sort of last Frontier thing fairly quickly disappearing anyway, I don't think a few extra cruisers will make much difference. I'll shut up now before someone comes over and opens my seacocks.

[Mike OReilly]

Very nice guys/gals. It's great to hear the joy people have towards the places we choose to cruise in.

[gamayun]

Amazing places! In this time of Coronavirus sheltering-in-place and also stuck at the dock needing to replace a fuel filter as well as still trying to decide whether to keep my business running, this is either a brilliantly inspiring thread for those on the brink of leaving or a psychologically tortuous one for those who just aren't quite ready to jump off that ledge. Arrrg!