How to make possible what seems impossible
Introduction by Director/Port Captain Dee McClure
With winter now formally having arrived in the Great Lakes, we’ve all probably considered some seemingly wild thoughts of selling the house and moving to a full-time, year-round exploration of life on our boats.
Perhaps cruising to exotic locations such as Scandinavia, Barcelona, the Aegean Sea, Belize, or somewhere else: “Oh, the adventures we’ll have, and the people we’ll meet!”
But is it realistic? Definitely yes! It doesn’t have to be a dream. The main questions are, what type of cruising are you really thinking about, and what are you really suited for?
In the linked article, GLCC member Dick Stevenson walks us through the realities of cruising as a lifestyle.
Since 2002, the Stevenson's have been exploring the world and share their experiences with those considering taking the plunge! The article (click here) was first published in the Voyages Magazine by Cruising Club of America (CCA). The article is provided with compliments of Dick Stevenson and CCA to support and promote cruising.
And if you need more reinforcement, check out their website with pictures from their cruising adventures at https://virginiastevenson.smugmug.com/
Enjoy!
more on wandering widely and safely
PermalinkHi Bill,
I think your “key things to remember” a great reminder of fundamentals: I would add: keep the keel down and the crew on board. And, yes, your writing indicates a similar approach and appreciation to cruising: always nice to have company.
And, thank you for the kind words and happy to have you use the article in your class. Please acknowledge that the Cruising Club of America (CCA) supported this work and first published this article in “Voyages”. Many similar articles, especially on Safety at Sea issues, can be found on their web site (https://cruisingclub.org/).
There is another article of mine that might be of interest to the course participants: “A Key Approach to Offshore Passage-Making”. It was first written for the US Naval Academy publication, “The Helmsman” but has seen continued life in SAIL Magazine and elsewhere. Although directed at offshore passage-making, I believe it provides a nice “head-set” for any skipper and crew out for more than a day sail.
If interested in a copy, feel free to contact me at Alchemy128 (at) gmail.com.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Great Article, Dick
PermalinkHi Dick -
I sincerely appreciate your writing and, as you know by now, we're of a very common mind on much of what you write about. We didn't start our distance cruising as early as you did, and for eight years we installment cruised, about six months on board and then six months back home at a time, so our experiences, while somewhat similar, are a actually quite different. The installment arrangement worked well for us. As you know, we're now back on the Great Lakes, cruising under power for the first time in our lives but still cruising.
In a few months I'll be doing a new teach of my "Distance Cruising and Overnight Passagemaking" class for GLCCSchool. Could I have your permission to offer your article as a download to my course participants, which will include both GLCC and non-GLCC sailors?
Keep on keeping on ... and never forget that there are only two key things to remember when cruising: keep that stick pointing up, and keep the water outside the boat :-). Fair winds!