Buying a sailing boat and heading off for a year or two

[Puzzles]

I think I must be having a midlife crisis. I thought it was a third life crisis but when I crunched the numbers it turns out it would definitely be a midlife.

Me and the missus are feeling like we could do with a change and we both have a bit of a sense of adventure. If Starlink works reliably enough, I could work part time from the boat, which would really make a huge difference. It would be great if we can keep connected.

I've had a quick look at a couple-of-year-old Lagoon 42s and they seem like a pretty nice option for living aboard and going a long way.

I know it's probably a stupid idea, we barely know which way up a boat goes, so obviously we'd need to get some proper training in first, but it would be great fun. I assume

Has anyone here actually done anything similar?

[dundarach]

I appreciate it's a boating question, but why on earth would you want to live and work on one.

If you can bugger of for a year or two, don't.

Take 3 months off each year and spend those months not working and relaxing on the boat, which you then don't have to live full time on.

Bit like my mate who moved to the states and realised the thing he hated about the U.K. was working, he was just as miserable.

[Zetec-S]

Absolutely nothing useful to contribute but following with interest.

Last week I entered a bit of a rabbit warren, looking at various boats thinking it might be nice to take one out along the south coast and anchor up somewhere for a weekend when the weather is nice. It then progressed to looking at multi-million pound yachts and fantasising about winning the lottery and cruising the med

I have absolutely no experience (other than as a passenger on the Wightlink ferry), but started wondering what controls (beyond common sense) are in place, if any, to stop someone with no experience buying a yacht (obviously powered rather than sailing) and heading across the channel?

[Puzzles]

dundarach said:

I appreciate it's a boating question, but why on earth would you want to live and work on one.

If you can bugger of for a year or two, don't.

Take 3 months off each year and spend those months not working and relaxing on the boat, which you then don't have to live full time on.

Bit like my mate who moved to the states and realised the thing he hated about the U.K. was working, he was just as miserable.

I probably should have added I work for myself and it s somewhat enjoyable. I have a manager and supervisors who look after the day to day stuff.

Edited by Puzzles on Tuesday 1st September 13:49

[WH16]

Starlink works very well deep sea, and if you are close to land you can usually pick up a reasonable mobile signal.

If those are your only concerns then go for it.

Oh, and read this first https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167105.Survive...

[Puzzles]

Zetec-S said:

Last week I entered a bit of a rabbit warren, looking at various boats thinking it might be nice to take one out along the south coast and anchor up somewhere for a weekend when the weather is nice. It then progressed to looking at multi-million pound yachts and fantasising about winning the lottery and cruising the med

Haha yes this is so true! You go a little bit more expensive, a little bit more expensive and then before you know it you re at least 10 times above your original budget.

We did think about a canal trip around the UK but maybe that’s one for later.

[Simpo Two]

Zetec-S said:

I have absolutely no experience (other than as a passenger on the Wightlink ferry), but started wondering what controls (beyond common sense) are in place, if any, to stop someone with no experience buying a yacht (obviously powered rather than sailing) and heading across the channel?

None I think, which is quite surprising when you consider how tightly-regulated every other aspect of our lives is. Getting away from (most) rules and regs is one of the nice things about boating, though you'd be a fool to go to sea without first learning the essentials of boat handling and navigation, RYA exams etc.

[Puzzles]

WH16 said:

Starlink works very well deep sea, and if you are close to land you can usually pick up a reasonable mobile signal.

If those are your only concerns then go for it.

Oh, and read this first https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167105.Survive...

Thank you and will order that

[Dean4200GT]

Zetec-S said:

Absolutely nothing useful to contribute but following with interest.

I have absolutely no experience (other than as a passenger on the Wightlink ferry), but started wondering what controls (beyond common sense) are in place, if any, to stop someone with no experience buying a yacht (obviously powered rather than sailing) and heading across the channel?

As Simpo said, in the UK, a private individual can just get a boat and head out to sea, with no training or qualifications.

Insurers might want to see a certificate, many ports / harbours will want proof of competence depending on the size of the boat, and you do need a "boat licence" for anything commercial.

However in many countries you do need a certificate of competence they recognise to enter.

[classicaholic]

I might be a bit wary about a catamaran unless you just plan to pootle around the Med, not really a very viable ocean boat although some people do it, The long term mooring costa in a Marina for winter will also be double - Oh and of corse you will look silly to proper sailors!!

[Puzzles]

Haha yeah I did see the fees are much more, I don t mind looking like a joke. Ha.

Surely the stability and space helps?

Any alternatives? I’ll gladly look into

Edited by Puzzles on Tuesday 1st September 16:43

[Simpo Two]

Puzzles said:

Any alternatives? I ll gladly look into

A nice week on the Broads

Living and cooking in a small space, boat handling, freedom of the wild blue yonder (sort of) - but no tides, currents, sails, rigging, sandbanks or supertankers to worry about. Work up from there...

[Richard-D]

Puzzles said:

We did think about a canal trip around the UK but maybe that s one for later.

I think you have this arse about face. Give the canal trip a go first, It's far cheaper and has way less requirements/barriers to entry.

You should also do the big adventure. Don't be a boring person who does nothing, it's not good for you.

[zasker]

Could a couple of friends doing this at the moment, finished in the army, sold their house and bought a boat. Long term plan to sail around the world but currently learning the ropes in the med. Have look at Sailing Clewless Crew on YT

[SpeckledJim]

Lucky bugger. Learn to sail and get it done.

(In a yacht, not a catamaran)

[Chris Stott]

classicaholic said:

I might be a bit wary about a catamaran unless you just plan to pootle around the Med, not really a very viable ocean boat although some people do it, The long term mooring costa in a Marina for winter will also be double - Oh and of corse you will look silly to proper sailors!!

Whilst you'd probably not want to venture in to the Southern Ocean in a Lagoon 42, plenty of similar boats do the ARC every year.

Cats are increasingly popular for cruising/liveaboard as there's so much more living space than a mono... they aren't nice for beating upwind, but those are conditions anyone would try to avoid when pleasure sailing!

OP... plenty of YT content to watch. Sailing Vagabond and the like... people who live/lived afloat full time.

[PushedDover]

Starlink is very good offshore. But the rules are changing in prices:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z-KNgyMkOd0

Youre as well hooking up to the Mobile networks and a router aboard.

A catamaran to call a floating home / moving villa and trial of locations and alike sounds great.

[loskie]

And call her Dignity

[MB140]

WH16 said:

Starlink works very well deep sea, and if you are close to land you can usually pick up a reasonable mobile signal.

If those are your only concerns then go for it.

Oh, and read this first https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167105.Survive...

I believe starling have cracked down on the use of non marine subscriptions being used on boats. There starting to geofence them.

Might work if your close to shore or in a marina but once away from land it might not work. Unless you pay for a marine subscriptions (I.e, loads of money).

Maybe have a look at a few couples that do this on YouTube, maybe stay away from the ones that clearly glamorise it and show you nothing but drinking cocktails at anchor. Thats about 10% of your time, the rest is boatwork unless you have the funds to buy new / nearly new or can pay someone to do it for you.

Get used to being at the mercy of the weather. Where are you planning on doing this and when.

I’m not knocking it I learnt to sail in the RAF about 30 years ago and have loved my time at sea. But it’s not all sitting drinking bear. Just be aware of what it actually entails.

There is a reason the acronym boat = break out another thousand. Because it’s true. Unless you’re doing it like wind hippy sailing or wildlings sailing.

Just be sure what you’re getting in to.

It’s my dream to retire on a boat, having done some long passages and having my coastal skipper quals I’m under no illusions. I’m married and there is no way my wife would put up with the life.

Best of luck if you go for it.

[Puzzles]

Thanks for all the replies. It’s super encouraging and gives me a lot to think about.

Wed obviously need to do some training and gain experience.

The next few years would be the ideal time as we don’t have kids yet.

Simpo Two said:

A nice week on the Broads

Living and cooking in a small space, boat handling, freedom of the wild blue yonder (sort of) - but no tides, currents, sails, rigging, sandbanks or supertankers to worry about. Work up from there...

I ve done a couple of canal boat holidays and it s good fun, I like seeing parts I don t usually see, and there are some stunningly beautiful places.

It s on the list to do more.

Edited by Puzzles on Tuesday 1st September 23:40