Planning to Return

[Subtandard]

My wife and I cruised full-time from 1975 to 1984. Starting on a 22-foot Westerly which is where we got the moniker "substandard cruisers". We are planning to return to cruising in 12 to 18 months, as soon as we can sell the house, etc. Our first passage will be from the North Sea to the Black Sea by way of Vienna. I have created an interactive map of the route at North Sea to Black Sea Inland Routes. If anyone has tried this I would love to hear from you.

So what has changed in cruising in the 25 years we have been away?

[GordMay]

Welcome aboard, Sub.
"GPS" ... and costs.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and Welcome aboard Sub!
I stopped living aboard fulltime in '84 when I let go of my Mariner 35 wood ketch and moved aboard a Navy Cruiser.
Gord hit the nail on the head by saying GPS. I'll add Chartplotters and mention that the oceans are a bit dirtier.
kind regards,

[Pblais]

So what has changed in cruising in the 25 years we have been away?

Technology mostly. It's cheaper now even if not really cheap. I think you'll fall into it easy enough. There are those that feel technology does not make cruising hard enough and that you don't have to want it as much or work as hard. I would not be one to agree in the slightest. People are still people and they present the most trouble or opportunities as you seek you will find. So That part is probably good. All your old instincts will come back and serve you. Global communication crosses boundaries more. Some things are more the same yet not like they used to be. If you could cruise in 22 ft boat I really don't see that you have anything to worry about.

I looked at your trip and I think you'll find sections vastly different from each other some in a good way. A lot of heavy commercial use vs much less so.

What kind of boat were you considering? I have friends that did the narrow boat canals and had a spectacular time. It's a different style of boating but you can show up in very small tows and be right at the center of things easy. Lots of old world locks and low tech hydraulic engineering. That is something I would like to do too.

[anjou]

First you have to get to the north sea and thats half a world from you.

[Subtandard]

Originally Posted by Pblais

What kind of boat were you considering?

I am looking for something in the 32 to 38-foot range. Daft should be less than 1.8m. It would be nice to be able to step the mast(s) by hand but not a requirement. After making the cross Europe passage we intend to live on the boat for a long time.

I like the old Westerlys because I know them. I am sure there are a lot on other, newer, designs that are as good or better. I still need to learn about them. The plan is to begin actual shopping late 2010 - unless the house sells faster than I expect.

[Subtandard]

Originally Posted by anjou

First you have to get to the north sea and thats half a world from you.

Anjou,

Yes, it is a long way from California to the North Sea. Since we do not have the boat yet, we will do our shopping in the UK and France. We plan is to spend a winter fitting out then hit the canals in early April 2011.

I have never planned anything this far in advance but I need to reduce my possesions from a house and all the associated to just carry-on baggage.

[maxingout]

The advantage of starting your cruise in Europe is that you won't be tempted to take stuff from your house and put it on the boat. It will be much easier to put only the stuff on board that you need for your trip since your boat is going to be overseas. Not a bad idea.