10 days to see if wife likes it

[Tom Gorham]

Hello
I am interested in retiring in 4 years and go cruising. But my wife is not crazy about it. So we thought we should try it out via a short time frame first. I am a teacher so my holidays or time frame available is the summer months July and August. We would be looking for a 10 trip to see how she goes. Having trouble finding any companies or people that might be willing to do some sort of charter like this. Anybody with some contacts, it would be appreciated. Thanks for your help.

[Tom Gorham]

Sorry i forgot to say it would be a catamaran

[barnakiel]

Try Moorings or Sunsail. They have charters throughout the West Indies and elsewhere.

b.

[Pelagic]

Welcome to CF Tom.

As an intro focussed on your wife, I would second BVI as a user friendly...short day sail... charter spot.
You can also avail of off season rates and quieter anchorages during your time frame.

Remember to tell her that cruising life is about 85% at anchor or marinas, exploring new cultures, then short hops to new places..... So keep this trip realaxed and balanced with shore side fun ....rather than to focus on just the sailing.
Good luck!

[Rustic Charm]

Welcome to CF.

I'd second dry hiring rather than crewing. I hired a 14 day in Queenslands Whitsundays to see if both I and my wife would take to it. Whilst my wife had a good time, it still didn't sell it to her. Me on the other hand it just resolved in me not to 'hire' again, but to buy my own. Which I did.

[S/V Antares]

West Indies or tropics in general are not great venues in July and August. Do the BVI on Easter/Spring break.


Or....Just go to vegas for a week and tell your wife the girlfriend loved cruising and see if she kills you or joins you.

[S/V Antares]

Re previous post....Sorry Tom, No Harm intended.

Where are you located?

[a64pilot]

Make sure you have a generator and AC. Many will deride me for telling you that as they hate the noise, but I doubt you'll sell her on anything as your laying in puddles of sweat trying to sleep.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Tom Gorham

Hello
I am interested in retiring in 4 years and go cruising. But my wife is not crazy about it. So we thought we should try it out via a short time frame first. I am a teacher so my holidays or time frame available is the summer months July and August. We would be looking for a 10 trip to see how she goes. Having trouble finding any companies or people that might be willing to do some sort of charter like this. Anybody with some contacts, it would be appreciated. Thanks for your help.

I am surprised that you are having trouble finding a charter. There are bazillion places to rent a boat.

Is it qualifications, locations?

Are you looking to be a guest on a boat or are you looking to skipper a boat?

[Tom Gorham]

No problem. Enjoy the good humor. She would probably kill me. We are located in Calgary, Alberta

[Tom Gorham]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

I am surprised that you are having trouble finding a charter. There are bazillion places to rent a boat.

Is it qualifications, locations?

Are you looking to be a guest on a boat or are you looking to skipper a boat?

I have found a few. This is why i am not sure that i am looking in the right places. I am looking to be a guest. Qualifications and location dont matter a whole lot.

Tom

[Tom Gorham]

Originally Posted by S/V Antares

Re previous post....Sorry Tom, No Harm intended.

Where are you located?

Always enjoy humor. Located in Calgary Alberta

[maytrix]

Sounds like you simply need a crewed charter. You could charter with any of the major charter companies and just hire captain. There's also some companies that offer cabins.

[svfraidknot]

there are a number of catamarans that do day sails and week end cruises her in the bay out to toboga and the perlas islands .. check them out online in panama rep of panama .. if you come you are welcome to spend a few days on mine moored here in the bay

[svHyLyte]

With all due respect, a week or 10 daze on a crewed charter boat is about as far removed from "living aboard and cruising" as one could get and still be on the water. While the experience might be fun and enjoyable, it will tell you nothing about living aboard where something that might be a minor inconvenience on a charter becomes a major issue in daily life (akin to a burr under one's saddle). I suggest you take a look at a couple of books such as Debra Cantrell's "Changing Course" and Tom Neal's "All in the Same Boat" as a starter followed by a couple of Liz and Andy Copeland's (of Bagheera fame) books. Your better half might also want to attend one of Liz Copeland's and Sarah Curry's Women Cruising seminars, which are very worth-while.

FWIW...