Contemplating

[crazycarl]

Spent several hours looking over a Pacific Seacraft Orion today. The same boat I looked at last Friday, but this time I brought my wife along.  We left still not convinced we need such a boat, but then as she was at the salon, I sat across from the harbor looking at all the visiting boats headed south. After talking with several sailors from Canada, the irge to cruise set in. The Orion would be the best choice for a sail to Bermuda or the Carribean. I'm not sure what is keeping me from "pulling the trigger". 

[fried fish]

You only live once, and you're not getting any younger.....

[MarshHen]

I delivered a Pacific Seacraft from Charleston to Fort Lauderdale years ago.  I don't think you could ask for a better offshore boat.

[kickingbug2]

ive seen you and you are not getting any younger.

[crazycarl]

ive seen you and you are not getting any younger.

Or thinner 😮

[brackish]

For the fourteen years I've owned my current sailboat, it has been berthed at Bay Springs Marina.  It is on the "Great Loop", and invariably everyone who is doing the loop stops there as it is the only Marina on an absolutely stunningly beautiful lake.  I've talked with probably a hundred people coming through and have never heard any of them say boy this was a dumb idea. Certainly not the kind of cruising you are talking about but some relevance.

If you have the time, get a bareboat in the BVI, and spend a week on a similar size boat cruising from island to island to see if you and spouse can tolerate live aboard conditions longer term.  Won't replicate a long passage but you'll learn some things.  if I could have many years back, I would not buy an expensive boat that requires expensive care to sit there idle most of the time, I would have done bareboats all over the world.  I doubt the cost would exceed ownership, particularly if you value your time spent on maintenance. Maybe just own a camping day sailor to scratch that sailing itch. A retrospective opinion of course.

Most decisions that end with action are reversible, and educational.

[passagesfromtheheart]

I'm pushing 60 and, as others have noted on this thread, none of us are getting any younger. This past summer and fall, I made four trips up to Lake Superior to boat shop and to go sailing in the Apostle Islands — something I used to do during the summers growing up -- something that has always had an extremely sacred place within my heart and soul.

Spending time on Lake Superior reignited a fire within to realize my own 'big water' sailing dreams all the more — and I finally came to understand that, for me, Lake Superior is my ocean — my inland sea, if you will. What started this summer, initially, as a vacation destination, and a place to find a larger sailboat to bring back home to our local inland lake, quickly transformed into a call-to-order to make my big water sailing dreams come true.

We found our new boat and, after quite a bit of hemming and hawing, we decided to just go for it and berth her up at Lake Superior this coming season; this, rather than trailer her back home down south. This was a big decision for us to make as the drive to Lake Superior, where we are keeping our new -to-us Com-Pac 25, is a minimum of 8 hours, each way. With a farm full of animals to care for, getting away for extended periods of time is tough for us — and that's an understatement. But, as the saying so appropriately goes, we will never know if we don't try. So try we must — or as Yoda would say —  "there is no try, only DO" — we cannot wait for next season to start! If it proves to be too much for us to manage, we always have the option of bringing the boat home to our local lake.

In my mind's eye, as you describe, I can envision you watching those other boats departing for adventures at sea and, as such, feeling the urge to cruise. You could bareboat, for sure, and this has numerous advantages, of course. But, I admit there's something very special (speaking, personally, for me) about being the proud steward of a beautiful, seaworthy vessel capable of taking me to faraway — or nearby — adventures.

Having said the above, though, it's always good to have options. And re: the Orion (which I think is an amazing boat, btw), if you're not "feeling it," it also could just mean that there is another boat that's out there waiting for you guys.

Fair winds.

[crazycarl]

I've never felt passionate or nostalgic for an inanimate object. I couldn't tell you where my wedding ring is. 

The Orion does "tug" a little at me. I toured one back in 1988 and decided then and there that was the boat for me, but I've always been practical. I buy things that will do the job they're intended for and nothing more, so I'm also looking at a 27' Island Packet.  It's only 3 1/2 hours north, and $15k cheaper.  It will get me to the Bahamas and back for a lot less, although slower.  The IP has a lot roomier head too. Much better for the wife.
Each boat has it's merits.

         

[passagesfromtheheart]

I've never felt passionate or nostalgic for an inanimate object. I couldn't tell you where my wedding ring is. 

The Orion does "tug" a little at me. I toured one back in 1988 and decided then and there that was the boat for me, but I've always been practical. I buy things that will do the job they're intended for and nothing more, so I'm also looking at a 27' Island Packet.  It's only 3 1/2 hours north, and $15k cheaper.  It will get me to the Bahamas and back for a lot less, although slower.  The IP has a lot roomier head too. Much better for the wife.
Each boat has it's merits.

         

The Island Packet 27 is another favorite of mine and a very fine vessel. Twenty-some years ago, we almost purchased an Island Packet 26 out of Tom's River, NJ. Can't go wrong with either the Orion or the IP.