How quickly things change....

[SlimRick]

Just over 12 months ago I bought my first "proper" boat. I was living in land-locked Sheffield and rarely managed the journey from home to North Wales where she was moored. I'd been settled with my girlfriend of nearly 10 years and our son (my step son). I worked in Sheffield in a reasonably well paying job as an IT Manager for large company.

Fast forward to today and I've been separated from my girlfriend for 6 months, and in that time I've handed my notice in at work, told the landlord of the house I've been renting for 4 years that I'm leaving at the end of September, secured another job much closer to the coast and will be living aboard from the beginning of October.

Whilst it's not a "cruising lifestyle" as yet, it's either the beginning of one, or one hell of a mid-life crisis

I plan on living aboard and working full time for a few years, and should be able to save enough to complete my early retirement fund in 5 years when I hope to cast off the mooring lines and travel further afield.

The journey starts next week with a trip from N. Wales to her new berth on the Bristol Channel, then back to work for 3 weeks in Sheffield before starting the new job.

I thought I'd start a new thread so I can look back over time and see how reality matches up to the expectations.

[kotachi]

All I can think of to say is good luck to you sir!
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CBT done - 24/03/2012, theory test done - 03/04/2012.. Mod 1 done -26/06/2012, Mod 2 done - 29/06/2012. Current steed: Cage.
Suntan Sid said: "Look at it this way, your employer wants to pay you the minimum amount, it thinks it can get away with, and extract from you the maximum amount of graft. Ergo it's your responsibility to ensure that karma is restored and you do as little work as you think you can get away with, for the maximum amount of money."

[P.addy]

Just curious, with living abroad...assuming you are going to be using the boat 90% of the time...what happens with post and the like?

[SlimRick]

Post will either be delivered to my work address, or to my parents house and I'll pick it up when I visit.

[Islander]

Best of luck to you and a big thumbs up for grabbing life by the 'nads and doing it your way

[Polarbear]

From living on a canal cruiser, I can say it will be a complete culture shock. It's one thing to take a weeks holiday on a boat, another to live on it.

At the time I did this there was no high speed phone internet and the only communication I had with people was text and speak on a mobile. I had the radio and a small B&W TV.

I felt really really cut off from everyone and used to spend much more time in pubs just to try and have a person to talk to.

I found all really hard, and I'm not a gregarious person by any means. Maybe it would have been better with mobile internet, I don't know.

Summer was bad enough but winter, ffs i was bloody freezing. I either used a fortune in fuel keeping the diesel heater working or a stupid amount of calor gas keeping the stove on to heat the boat.

I'm not trying to put a downer on what you are doing, just telling you how I found it. Good luck and I hope it all goes well for you
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Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[SlimRick]

The boat's pretty well kitted out for liveaboard - it has a diesel heater, shower, TV and xBox. It will be based in a marina with WiFi, showers and a laundry so I'll not be without the comforts of home.
Damp in the winter is the only concern at the moment, but with a dehumidifier running it should take care of things.
I lived on a small cabin cruiser many years ago on the Thames near Oxford and really enjoyed it - winter was hard though especially when the showers freeze up!

[Tonka]

Good for you and thanks for sharing!

Let's face it what's the worse that can happen? You don't enjoy it after a cold winter and decide to do something different again? Like everything, there'll be good days and bad days, but the best bit is you're following your dream and doing something for you with a plan in mind.

It's all too easy to get stuck in a rut and watch life pass you by.
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[P.addy]

What do you need to be able to take your boat anywhere? Say one day you say... OK I'm in Cornwall, I fancy visiting Spain. Then from there saying, South Africa sounds good.

I assume by default a passport but any specific licences etc?

[Omega]

Good luck! Have you got any pics of the boat?

[Kradmelder]

Sounds like a great plan and you have no ties!
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[J0Al1]

When will you see your step son?

[SlimRick]

[SlimRick]

[Andy_Pagin]

[SlimRick]

[Kradmelder]

[Fisty]

Where on the Bristol Channel??
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[P.addy]

[J0Al1]

[SlimRick]

[SlimRick]

[Fisty]

[Irn-Bru]

Best of luck
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[SlimRick]