Two women, one boat, in the Med?

[redvalaria]

Hi!

Newbie here, I used to cruise the Med with my ex. We spent 7 really amazing seasons in Greece, Turkey, Malta, Italy and Tunisia. I am "reasonably good crew" even by my picky Brit ex's standards! So, my question is this:

My new spouse and I have been talking about renewing the dream and retiring in a few years to cruise. I have the experience, she has the mechanical know how. What I don't ever remember seeing, though, was a female couple in all my travelling about. I am quite comfortable with who I am (now, it was a long battle for me!), but since I was a typical M/F duo at sea last, I am not sure what kind of welcome I can expect.

Anyone got any first hand experience with what its like to cruise as a non traditional couple? I'm not in a closet, but I am not likely to paint my boat with rainbows, either....

She brought this up and I had never even thought of it...so....any words of advice?

Thanks!

[goboatingnow]

whats to ask, do it.

dave

[Normanby]

I'm with Dave, go for it and fair winds to both of you!
Genders are a complete non-issue.

BTW, what's a "Preparedness Corrdinator" (your spelling)?

[bobofthenorth]

What cares what anyone else thinks? You'll be a long time dead. So if you want to cruise, get out and do it. There was a F/F boat came through Cowichan Bay about a year ago. I don't recall it being any more of a topic of conversation than any other transient vessel that comes through, but even if it was, so what?

As far as dinner invitations go, if we find you interesting company in the anchorage we'll invite you onboard. If you're hostile, standoffish or we're just not in the mood then we won't invite you. Your sexual practices won't enter into the decision.

[goboatingnow]

my uncle was a marconi man in the British Merchant Marine , post war, He tells a good story of Norwegian boats who often had female radio operators . Men would row across with piles of radio spares, best maintained radio rooms he ever saw!!


one must use every advantage one has!
Dave

[Mimsy]

You might try getting in touch with Pip and Sarah through their blog- Roaring Girl is for sale | Roaring Girl

The few times we have exchanged correspondence they have been very friendly and helpful.

[redvalaria]

Normanby:

I work in field of emergency response. We do a lot of work with plans and planning for disasters, both man made and natural. Any wonder I want to get back on board?

Thanks for the thoughts. It never occurred to me it might be a problem, but my girl has not traveled the world and asked, so I thought a bit of due diligence was prudent.

Thanks!

[Whaubner]

I have also found boat people to be pretty accepting of all interesting people that pull into a harbor

[chuckr]

we just arrived in the med - well close as we are in la lina - but have been out 6 years and met a few f/f cruisng couples as well as a few m/m cruising couples -- one of the beauties of this lifestyle is if you are out here you are always one of us -- it takes a bit to cut the dock lines so come join the family and you will find you will be welcome

OHHHHH - we are trying to get in touch with the marinas in Tunisia and only monastir replied any thoughts on any of them as we they don't seem to reply to emails?

just our thoughts and opinions
chuck patty and svsoulmates
in la lina

[redvalaria]

Chuckr:

We never pre arranged. We stayed at the marina in El Kantaoui, just pulled in. That said, we only stayed a few weeks before hitting the seas again for Lampedusa, Italy (which we loved more than should be reasonable). I loved Tunisia and would happily go again.

thanks for the heads up...glad to see the sailing community is as wonderful as I remember it!

[JPA Cate]

Furthermore, people will respect both of you for your skills. In some out of the way places, female skippers come as a surprise to the male local officials. But I've never heard of any maltreatment of a F/F couple in my 25 yrs. of cruising.

However, there are some places you might go where you may expect poor treatment as a woman. A friend of mine with a lush figure spent the entire transit of the Suez Canal locked in the aft cabin because one of the pilots could or would not keep his hands off her. The whole situation was pretty awful for her and her husband. FWIW

[kmaz]

Cruising itself is an alternative lifestyle and in my experience cruisers are very warm, educated, non-judgemental types. You'll both be very welcome out here.

Welcome aboard!

[atoll]

you will never be short of chivalrus southern european men offering to tie your lines and take you out to dinner!

[redvalaria]

atoll:

now you see, you start that thread and we will end up back on the "guns and cruising" hell that I followed so intently for weeks! LOL

[Normanby]

Originally Posted by redvalaria

Normanby:

I work in field of emergency response. We do a lot of work with plans and planning for disasters, both man made and natural. Any wonder I want to get back on board?

Thanks for the thoughts. It never occurred to me it might be a problem, but my girl has not traveled the world and asked, so I thought a bit of due diligence was prudent.

Thanks!

Ah ha!
Yes indeedy, on board sure is the tonic...