Is the cruising life for you?

John Jilderts reckons he has a fair idea of the attributes and character traits it takes to make a successful cruiser. Here he shares some of his observations. Find out if you have what it takes in our spot quiz.

In more than 20 years of cruising my wife and I have been asked many questions about our lifestyle choice. If you are considering a cruising life, then perhaps I can help with a few answers.

What's it like on the water?
Travelling by sea is like nothing you'll ever experience. There'll be bad days but the good far outweigh them. The Chinese have a saying that pretty well sums it up: yin and yang. Opposing forces Ð good and bad. I believe that if you have too much good luck be prepared for the bad. And vice-versa.
You'll see and experience some fantastic things on the water. Amazing wildlife, glorious sunrises and sunsets and a oneness with nature. These are priceless. Seeing them on TV can't compare with the sense of wonder and awe you get from actually being there. I can't put into words my feelings about what we've seen over the years.

What are the people like?
The people out here are the same as those on land except we live our lives in conditions of perpetual motion. They are like people everywhere Ð mostly friendly but some you'll like and some you won't. You'll receive a lot of advice along the way (most of it well-meant) and eventually you'll learn what's useful and what's not. It's a bit like life anywhere.
With the innovations in communications life is similar to living in a house except that it's not as easy for visitors to walk up to your front door. Unless you live in a marina. Marina living, by the way, is loved by some and hated by others. The lack of privacy is one reason often quoted by those preferring to anchor or moor out. However, the convenience of stepping onto dry land without need of dinghies as well as being handy for stocking-up often outweigh other issues. Most boats will spend some time in marinas at some point. Marina amenities allow for longer showers than you probably could have on board because boats have limited water-carrying capabilities. Even before the water crisis, showers on board were much shorter than what is recommended for households today. It's always been customary to wet down, turn tap off, soap up, turn tap on, rinse off. Yachties were the ultimate water conservationists long before any water crisis.
I've noticed when meeting people "testing the lifestyle" that they try it out for a short period but overwhelmingly they know after about 12 months if they love it or hate it. The problem is that if you love it it's like a drug. You soon become addicted and find it hard to ever leave.
There are those who like to cruise on their own while others prefer cruising in company, but this need not be a barrier to meeting others if you remain open-minded. Sadly, many people travelling in groups shut others out. They appear Ð whether knowingly or unknowingly Ð to discourage newcomers into their tight clique, making the unwanted feel very uncomfortable. It is unfortunate that this unfriendly practice is becoming more common. In the past, everyone in an anchorage was encouraged to visit or join in a barbecue onshore. You knew you would be made welcome. We have met so many new people, many of whom are friends to this day. Remember Ð a stranger could be a friend you haven't made yet.

Will my partner like it?
Getting a "yes" answer is more likely if you don't drive your boat too hard in rough conditions. Be considerate. Don't try to prove to them how macho you are. Go out in light breezes until they get their sea legs. There's a better chance (although not an iron-clad guarantee) that they'll enjoy themselves. This makes it much more enjoyable for you both. There's no award for being an idiot. I've seen a friend take his wife to Lizard island to show her its beauty and instil in her some of what he enjoyed, but when he drove his boat back into strong headwinds he destroyed what he had achieved in his attempt to prove to her that he could handle a boat. He certainly proved that and ended up single-handed.

Will we fit in?
I don't think I've ever seen a boatie who can't fit in because nature hates a void. There are all sorts out here from the corporate type to the yachtie bum. I remember the first time I sailed into Cairns a strange man lived on a yacht. When I asked someone about him I was told, "Oh him, he's a psychiatrist who's dropped out." We didn't call them "sea changes" back then. I've seen people who've had sex changes, and people from every lifestyle I can imagine but the vast majority are normal (if that concept truly exists).
In answer Ð "yes, you will fit in," but don't believe all the BS that will be tossed out because it is the same as on land. People will tell you anything to make you think on their level.
One thing that seems to have died in boating is the concept of what goes round comes round. In the past if you helped someone they never owed you a favour, they owed it to someone else. In this way we had a community that helped each other. It was one of the great things in the old days when blown in by bad weather that there would always be someone nearby or on the other end of the radio to discuss any problems that might have arisen.
That brings me to another point. If you think that nothing will ever go wrong on a boat and that it's all "sundowners at five" you are deluding yourself. Things do go wrong. Mechanical things don't belong in salt water and require a lot of maintenance to remain in that environment, but this becomes part of the life if you take the challenge. But don't forget yin and yang. You will have your sundowners at five. You will see the lovely sunsets, the mystical misty sunrises and so many more wonderful sights. Appreciate them.
Many people remain in marinas dreaming of going somewhere someday but never do. For some it's the dreaming that's important. The best comment I ever read was by a delivery skipper: "Paradise is in your armchair reading a book and dreaming because if you go anywhere Ð no matter how beautiful or exotic Ð over time it becomes the same. That is to say the "norm". You no longer see the beauty. Paradise is in your mind for nothing ever goes wrong there."
If you decide to go cruising the rewards are immense and beyond your dreams Ð just not every day.

So what about the storms?
So what? If possible, avoid them. Tuck into a sheltered spot and explore, read a good book or visit that other boat that's anchored nearby. They probably don't bite. I've never met anyone who was bitten by a boatie!
A bit of commonsense goes a long way. The best skippers try to be in shelter during bad weather. That's not because they can't handle it. They can and will if necessary. These are the people who I'd trust in bad weather because they've learned the lessons that nature teaches us. Far better to relax in port than having the stress of handling a vessel, not to mention the stress on the boat, in bad conditions. If you are caught in a storm, sail conservatively. Bear off so it's not so rough, look for shelter and if it's safe to go in do so.
If planning to sail offshore pay attention to weather forecasts. These are a lot better than they used to be. If in doubt, find someone you trust and ask them to show you how to read those lines and squiggles on the weather chart. Remember that your gut feeling is usually correct. If you aren't confident, sometimes it's better to wait a day than to get caught out.

How much experience do I need?
We all start somewhere, don't we? Yacht clubs are good places to get experience. Sailing triangle courses can turn you into a good sailor, but do you need to know all the terms and how to get that sail tweaked just right? I don't think so. If your spinnaker tangles is it necessary to know it's called a Chinese wineglass or do you just need to know it's tangled? The fact is that once you understand the principle of how the wind works on the sails everything goes quite easily. You can always learn the rest as you go along, if you feel the need. Sail conservatively until you are confident. With roller reefing common these days it's easy to reduce headsail. Everything about a boat, whether power or sail, revolves around size and weight. Some people will disagree with me but if you get anything moving from a semi-trailer to a boat it needs a distance to stop. This distance increases with weight. The most common problem I've seen is people not understanding the basic principle that stopping distance increases with speed, the same as a car but you have no brakes on a boat. However, you have reverse gear to stop you if necessary.
If someone offers help, accept. Having someone with experience take you out on the water can boost your confidence but don't get overconfident.
We all make mistakes from time to time no matter how experienced we are or claim to be. There are some simple ideas that make life easier for all concerned and show you are thinking, eg when docking it pays to stop the boat and see whether the current or wind is in control when you take it out of gear. All good mariners do this Ð you just may not notice because with experience they have learned to feel what's happening before the boat comes to a stop.
In short Ð the only way to learn is get out there and do it.

Can you afford to cruise?
Yes, but you may have to compromise. People often ask what it costs and the old answer was everything you have, but with super this has changed. It costs what you are willing to spend and what sort of lifestyle you want. It's a bit like asking that question of someone from an upper-class suburb and someone who is down-trodden. The responses will be different. It's all about compromise.

What about the pirates?
Having sailed through Asia a lot we are often asked this question. What if I asked you about the burglars and murderers that I hear about on TV every night? Should this scare me off living on land? Of course not. Knowledge is what keeps us out of trouble. Learn where the supposed pirates are operating. Incidentally, they appear to be more interested in ships. We have little value to them. I know people who actually spread these rumours to deter a lot of boats from visiting their favourite areas. Perhaps the real question should be, "What is a pirate?" Someone tried to steal our dinghy in the Brisbane River at midnight. Was he a pirate? Someone tried to rob our boat and entered it at midday at an island off the Queensland coast. We saw him from shore and notified the police, who dealt with him. Was he a pirate?
I hear the same stories all over the world, so it seems that they are considered a pirate in a third-world country and a thief in a western country. I admit that there are some individuals who would not be pleasant to meet, but Ð again Ð knowledge is the answer. Sort the BS from the fact. It's hard but it's worth the effort.
My final advice is to treat everyone with respect, and you'll receive respect in return. Most people on this planet are good and just need the opportunity to prove it. Just say "hi" and be friendly.
Boating is one of the best lifestyles around. Try it.

AUTHOR'S BIO..
John has been around the water for 30 years. He and his wife, Rosemary, began cruising in 1984 in their first monohull. A second followed a few years later and in 1993 he launched Sokari, the catamaran that he and Rosemary had spent two years building. Semi-retired, he still likes to drive charter boats and does the occasional boat delivery.

Put yourself to the test!
FUN QUIZ
1. How do you handle yourself under pressure?
a. I keep my cool and remain calm.
b. Initially I panic but I eventually pull myself together.
c. I curl up in the forepeak with a bottle of rum and wait for someone to come to my rescue.

2. How practical are you?
a. I'm a bit of a jack of all trades and can handle most things.
b. I can afford to call a professional to fix the problem.
c. I'm not very handy but I can always con someone into fixing things for me.

3. Do you consider yourself to be the
a. Captain
b. Bilge rat
c. Just along for the ride

4. Have you considered what sort of boat you want to buy?
a. I've researched it very carefully and I know what I want.
b. Not really but it will depend on my bank balance.
c. They're all the same, aren't they?

5. Do you know how to sail?
a. Yes, I've been taking lessons and sailing regularly at the club.
b. No, but I will be taking friends who can sail, on our first trip.
c. What's to learn? Don't you just point it in the direction you want to go?

6. Have you discussed this lifestyle change with your partner?
a. Yes, absolutely. We make all decisions together.
b. I intend to when I find the right boat.
c. No, why should I?

7. How well do you and your partner communicate?
a. Very well. We think alike.
b. So-so.
c. I'm selectively deaf.

8. Is your partner happy with this idea?
a. Absolutely.
b. She's a bit nervous but I think she'll be okay.
c. No, but I reckon she'll give in eventually.

9. How will you support this lifestyle change?
a. I have investments and we'll rent out the house.
b. I've got some savings and I will work if I run out.
c. Haven't given it any thought but she'll be right, mate.

10. Do you know what an isobar is?
a. It's a barometric pressure reading.
b. Isn't it something on the weather chart?
c. Isn't it where you buy Snowcones?

Mostly A's: You seem to have a good grounding (in a good way) and will enjoy the cruising life.

B's: You need to improve in some areas but you'll get there.

C's: Perhaps you should buy yourself a pushbike.