Last night, I don’t know what time exactly, I made dinner as usual. It was raining and I knew it was coming as the howler-monkeys make a racket before the rain and stop once it arrives. They help me tell my time. 
I got to thinking about the cost of my dinner? Maybe a dime in rice, another fifteen cents for two slices of tomato. Perhaps a nickels worth of balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt & various spice and I’m eating a fresh fish & lobster dinner for about thirty-five cents? Truthfully I think that is on the hi-side. We do have to add a little cost for the lifetime price of my spear-gun, but on the hi-end I’m still making a fresh fish & lobster dinner for under fifty cents. The rice, tomato, and balsamic vinegar are all “luxury” items in my opinion and I enjoy them, however my carbohydrates could easily be replaced by breadfruit which is readily available from a tree or other local fruit or veggies. The knowledge that the world provides my nourishment, for free, is a welcome realization. The most valuable cost of my dinner though was the time I had on the reef. I hunted an ocean trigger for about half an hour, however he was too savvy, they are my favorite of all fish to eat. And I explored two new reefs. I must have been in the water for 2-3 hours as I was quite cold when I got out, good times!
In the mornings I usually have oatmeal or fish & chips (potato). Eggs if I’m lucky these days. The little jacks under splendid make a good breakfast fish. After I declared mani-sayta (no money) to myself, I shifted gears from minimalism mode to extreme minimalism. Sounds like a good TV show concept?
When I was in the Las Pearlas Islands they were shooting an episode of survivor and I came upon a kid who told me I had to leave the area as he was on survivor and was supposed to be alone. I took a little offence from him telling me I had to go “excuse me”? He was starving sitting on a rock which was covered in mussels, “what a dip-ship” I thought! “I haven’t eaten in over 3 days” he told me. I was in the area to harvest mussels for dinner. I advised that he eat some and not tell anyone. I wished I brought a lime and hot sauce to leave on the rock behind my appearance as I could easily burn a memory he would never forget. I pointed out that their “tribal counsel” was being held on Contadora-island just a hundred yards from a restaurant and bar. Maybe extreme minimalism wouldn’t be such a good TV concept as fresh fish & lobster dinner wouldn’t fly with the audience?
Time is on my side. I’ve now given up mechanical time for a few weeks and it’s really grand. My sleeping, eating, and hunting schedule has changed and I feel much closer to my life, it’s hard to explain or to put into words. I cheated last night and looked at the clock as I was gearing up for bed. I was uploading some charts to my GPS as I wanted to update coverage for the San Blas. I’d look under the blue tape on my clock but that is taboo! This was the last thing I was doing before sleep. When I was done I navigated my way to the time screen and it was only 8:28pm. I instantly thought it was too early to sleep and stayed up for a few more hours. I even had more energy and wasn’t tired anymore. Did my brain release some chemical to keep me awake because time told it to as a programmed response by looking at a clock? Little to say I didn’t have a great nights sleep and woke to a neighbor knocking on my boat and feeling guilty for waking me. I suppose it was around 9am? One peek at the clock threw me out of sync.
I believe nature knows what is best for me and I really want as little as possible to do with the clock anymore. I will hunt, eat, and sleep when my body tells me to. I will shower when the rain comes and listen to the jungle and look to the sky for my time.
I’ve converted every light on Splendid to warm-white LED and I love it. I went to linton-island one day in search of a coconut for a lamp fixture & to add to my rice. I made a cockpit light out of half a coconut and an LED cluster. As many of you know husking a coconut takes some effort. The monkeys watched me husking the coconut from the trees and after I drank its water and started nibbling on the fruit they came and sat with me for a snack.
There are many other sailboats around me, jet skies on the weekends, and the sounds of the occasional car and bus on the shore. I’m looking forward to going to a special anchorage of mine in the San Blas and spending some time alone. I have a predisposition for seclusion and look forward to this time. I usually get it by sailing alone but as my boat work has stolen this time from me I’ll combine the two for now.
Another thing that has come as a result of giving up the clock is I’m spending MUCH more time with my guitar. This is a good thing as it brings me peace and happiness.
Speaking of minimalism. I just had to post a picture of the ugliest, most loved dingy in the world. Some French friends of mine built this about 10 years ago and have been rowing it ever since. She may be a little soar on the eyes but she has never deflated or left them stranded due to a faulty engine or lack of fuel. They lived and cruised on a little 26’ steel boat and recently moved up to a 36ish, but they kept their little ugly dingy.
I love this life and walking my path. There are many philosophies to life/cruising. None are better or worse than the other. Many sailors have a predisposition for speed, or lots of room & modern comfort (multi-hulls). I believe some people may really need the 
structure of the clock and are the backbone of an evolving eusocial society. Some like spending lots of money, and others like myself seek to live a simple life on little. The point is to find your center and what works for you. When your soul smiles you will know you are on the right path and have found the (your) philosophy that works best for you. Once you have embrace it, keep it close to your heart, and live your life by its time.
Two days from now, tomorrow will be yesterday. Don’t waste the most valuable asset you possess, time, as it is truly irreplaceable and we only have so much of this priceless commodity.
Peace, love, and time!
– Alex
This was posted on the last blog but I wanted to make sure the link was here. A informative video on Daylight Savings Time:
articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/05/daylight-savings-time-and-the-need-to-get-rid-of-it.aspx?e_cid=20111105_DNL_art_2
Also, I’m getting some white smoke when I innately put my engine under load which goes away. I want to flush my crankcase. I’ve done this with straight diesel on my old volvo, but if anyone has comments or suggestions, please voice them.
I have always considered trigger fish to be one of the tastiest myself Alex. I have caught many off of Morehead City, NC bottom fishing. Your less than 50 cent meals sound awesome!
Trigger is my favorite too. Not too many in Tennessee though. Wade
Minimalism as an idea has been in vogue over the last 5 + years. Google the search term “minimalism” and you will see thousands of entries, as compared to only a few hundred several years ago. You (and many others) have made a conscious proactive choice to be a minimalist and are living this lifestyle. I am convinced there are those who believe in the advantages of living lightly but for whatever reason feel great personal “resistance” (me included) when faced with the prospect of completely upsetting the apple cart, quitting everything we know, selling a lifetime of accumulated crap/clutter , and downsizing to just the essentials. For most us who resist making a well-considered thoughtful strategic plan to gradually downsize, streamline, liquidate, and simplify our life, I believe strongly that this choice will be made for us in the near future. Minimalism will be thrust upon us, thanks to a forthcoming structural and systemic collapse of the U.S. and Western Europe.
As for those of us living in North America, our biggest threat isn’t a rag-tag group of cave dwelling terrorists living in middle east, nor is it global warming, it’s the gross national debt (as of Oct 2011) of 14.8 trillion dollars (70 trillion dollars unfunded liability of the U.S. government, which includes Social Security and Medicare), it is the “off balance sheet” deficit which is destined to swamp our ship of state without radical cuts to entitlements and aggressive austerity measures. Some say we can grow our way out of this problem, but we cannot – it’s different this time – we would need GDP growth to average over 20% for the next twenty years to pay off this obligation, and historically that kind of GDP growth has never been seen. The federal government is lying to us. We are far worse off than we are being told by our government officials, and most folks have their heads in the sand as it relates to just how bad things are. They think things will get better – because in the past they always have… right? Not this time!
The cushy land-based life that most of us enjoy now could very well be turned completely upside down in the next few years by the coming economic armageddon. This “forced minimalism and austerity” may leave us no other alternative in the future but to live, just as you do, Alex, as minimalist.
Bottom line … Alex, I think you are on a far better path that you even realize yourself. I doubt you were thinking 3112 days ago that you needed to buy an arch (a boat) that was a self contained eco-system (off the grid) in order to survive a coming economic flood, but that is exactly what you’ve done. I doubt you were thinking eight years ago that you needed to insulate yourself from a economic and social system that was not sustainable and would eventually collapse – but that is exactly what you’ve done. You have long touted the many advantages of living lightly and simply on a boat as an antidote to the westernized over-burdened, out of balance, soul-crushing lifestyle most of us lead, but lets not forget, that it is also is a way of life that insulates us from the negative effects of a likely modern day depression.
Let’s hope we all have the courage to follow your lead (and Noah’s) and get our “ship” together before it’s too late.
– Contrarian
Contrarian
It’s not the first time in human history this has happened, nor will it be the last. Greed and living above our means is what gets us every time and always leads to war, despair, death, and the dark side if you will. The governments and media control so much of our fate but we just need to open our minds, turn off the television, and think for ourselves. I’ve heard so many other American cruisers & expats say “we need a civil war, we need our constitution back, blah, blah, bah, kill, kill, kill” and it’s true. But the war indeed needs to be civil (civilized), and non-violent. It needs to be fought with boycotting, self sacrifice, decency and focused on the philosophy that more is better. In a nutshell I believe it to be minimalism that could change our path for the good. I just don’t believe it will happen but will live my life accordingly.
I forget the name of the movie about the Mayans that Mel Gibson directed. It was about a simple jungle family that was captured and enslaved by the Myans. It opened with a quote saying something like “no great nation is completely conquered until it has destroyed itself from within”. I laugh when I hear people say the real war is the one coming with China as China has already won. The world is choking on cheap crap & technology and can’t seem to stop buying it. I’m guilty of this too. I ordered my LED lights from china. I kept looking at them with amazement and thinking “how can they produce this for so little, how is it possible, it’s too god to be true”?
When I was in Tokyo I was amazed to see how the Japanese work, talk about eusocial. Euscial species (Ants, bees, wasps, and the African mole rat) all work together as a species to build/produce things that one ant, one bee, one wasp, or one mole rat can not build on their own. This is a very unique behavior. It makes the species incredibly powerful. Ants constitute 50% of the insect mass because of this. In my humble opinion western man, myself included is eusocial and I believe as a species we are becoming more so with every generation. This is the transition between indigenous man and western man. Interesting thing about eusocial species is they don’t raise their own young, they all in a sense get sent to school. I must say I don’t like the idea of being part of the collective.
When I watch a lot of time-laps film it kind of blows my mind to see the way man works at a higher speed, or in a different time.
Is it all for the better of our species, the technology, the burning of the fossil fuel, and the building, building, building, and super consuming? I guess I’d unwillingly have to say yes as it is our nature and we are doing it for some greater reason? Perhaps just to learn from our mistakes?
I remember hearing about minimalism when I was quite young and thinking why? I want to grow up to be rich and a famous film maker, both my parents were actors. My grandmother was a famous opera singer and many writers & artists in the family. Although I did follow that path for a while it just didn’t make sense to me.
I was chatting with a friend who was saying I should go get my coast guard captains license, he has his 100 ton. However If I was going to become a “licensed” captain I’d do it through the RYA (Royal Yacht Association) and get my Yachtmasters license. It is however much more expensive to get, however the training is much better. He was recently on a job making 6k a week. I’d be happy making an additional 6k a year? If I had more I think I’d get too fat?
If we could all pull our shit together and start only asking for what we need and enjoying small luxuries like the occasional Coca-Cola or seeing something like balsamic vinegar as a luxury much could change n the world, and I think your right, this is a pill you (we) will have to swallow one way or the other. It will be a much easier transition if we choose to adopt this kind of thinking as opposed having it thrust upon us. The only thing for sure is we will evolve from this behavior (super-consuming).
Perhaps the concept to only seek what we need will come into fashion before people are starving in the street and we truly will be able to work together for the ultimate good?
Anyway, I’m babbling and its time for me to do some cooking. I bought a local chicken (head & feet) for $3.00 and will make a nice stew which should last a few days. I was lazy today and didn’t shoot fish.
Lobster, Fish, Rice, and Tomato’s in Canada $59.99 plus 12% tax
Lobster, Fish, Rice and Tomato’s on Splendid… PRICE LESS
Pardon me do you have any Grey Poupon?
Curtis, sorry no grey poupon, but can I offer an exxtra lobster or two instead?
I’d gladly pay you Thursday for a Lobster today? Oh i forgot you don’t live by time. You wouldn’t know when Thursday was. too funny
Alex,
So did you decide to get a trap or are you spearing the lobster also? Not to mention, that is not a red lobster is it?. I have also wondered if you came across and conch and if so have you discovered any pearls? I hear there pretty valuable if you can sell them… looking forward to hearing your thoughts..
Steve
The lobster is red after I cook it?
I’m still spearing the lobster but I’m planning on building some traps. I found collapsible traps on ebay I want to buy one. I think they are pretty cheaply made but I will order one when I can to study the design. Collapsible would be cool for carrying on the boat. Once I have a good design I can make them from stainless and will produce 4, or 5. I always have the idea to stock up and can a bunch of lobster but it always goes as fast as I can catch them. I’d like to change that and have some in reserve.
Conch is great and I love to make ceviche from it.
I have come across pearls in the Las Pearlas islands from harvesting mussels. I don’t now how valuable they are? I also have 8, or 10 black pearls from my visit to the Ahi atoll in the Tuamotos. I hit a rock coming into the pass and nearly lost Namaste. Well, at least it felt like I did, she has a very strong hull. The next day I was taking to a local fisherman and told him my story of the rock. He said everyone hits it. A few days later a big benetau hit it and sank. He told me that his farm was just next to the rock and he wished he had a marine radio to contact boats n the pass. I went below and produced a marine radio, the squelch didn’t work but transmitted and received fine, it was my backup. The next day he returned and gave me a handful of black pearls. I gave some to my female friends and kept some for myself. I noticed in Tahiti they were going for 500-800 each, I’m sure elsewhere much more. But value (money) is like time, it’s only is as valuable as we make it. Paper isn’t “worth” so much to me, a nice lobster dinner is, or perhaps having a black pear in my hip pocket to give to a lady friend. Lobster at $50.00 a plate? Many would have to work 3-5 hours for this. Personally I’d rather spend a few on the reef. A good way to weigh value vrs time, eah?
This was forwarded to me today. I have mixed emotions about posting it but I think it’s on the right track, kind of? I like it because I really don’t want to see people buying disposable garbage my the millions this holiday season.
Christmas 2011 — Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods – merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Think about these ideas instead:
• Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
• Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
• Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen?
• Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
• There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates.
• And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.
Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
• How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
• Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
• My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
• OK, you were looking for something more personal. Think about your local artists and crafts people . . . paintings, photography, sculptures, jewelry, pottery, hand made sweaters and scarves.
• Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.
• And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
• Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community.
• If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
How else can you help?
•Forward this to everyone on your mailing list
•Post it to discussion groups
•Throw up a post on Craigslist in the “Rants & Raves” section in your city
•Send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments
This is a revolution of caring about each other. Isn’t that what Christmas is about?
PS: this plan works for birthdays, anniversaries and any other gift giving occasion.
Back to the world of Alex:
First of all let me say I strongly believe in a balanced world economy and evolving towards a borderless society. I know it sounds like a contradiction but I also believe as much as we can we need to live locally (within a few hundred miles) and press upon the point we should be eating and supporting our immediate community, local farmers, local wineries, bakers, butchers, artists, and stylists regardless of their skin tone. We are a brotherhood of mankind and not “us” and “them”, everyone should be welcome at our holiday table. Secondly this does not point out that you should feel as free to buy gift certificates from your local Chinese, Korean, or middle-eastern restraints, as you should, let’s not loose our manners and forget what “American” means. And helping promote cross-culture and diversity is a really,really, good idea, especially to show our children. To me this doesn’t mean give your money to the white guy, it means give your money to the American to help support our unique multi-cultural, and ethnically diverse society which includes all nations of the world. This responsibility is exclusive to America and is what sets us apart from all other nations of the world, We (Americans) are about freedom for all who seek it, in my opinion our most valuable ideal, I am proud of this.
It does point out not to support mega chains such as Cosco, MacDonald’s, and K-mart which I totally agree with! Let’s not make one guy or family too fat! Spread the Love.
So, in my humble opinion, I think it should be added that extending the hand of friendship and supporting our culturally diverse America is the ticket this season.
Perhaps we should take all the tax money we owe the IRS this year and spread it among our local communities so it doesn’t get turned into bullets killing other human beings?
Also perhaps buying and restoring a used bike instead of buying oil changes and supporting petroleum products could be added to the list? Gifts that support minimalism like wine & cheese making kits, bicycles, or better yet sailboats attached with 10 year cruising kitties.
I don’t think the local hard working Mexican or green card deficient neighbor trying to make a better life for his family should be excluded from what we have. However passing-on buying the television is a must. If you don’t have much money to spend this holiday season I’ve found the answer. Personally I think smashing your neighbor’s television might be the best gift of all and cost you nothing but a little time and the use of a hammer or winch handle, what do you think?
Ho, Ho, SMASH!!!
Alright maybe not?
But lets all think about that 20% GDP we need, eah?
Perhaps we can pull ourselves out of the hole by taking a little responsibility?
Hey, agree with most of what you are saying. But as far as the “non-green cards” we should share with, I have to disagree. When you sail to another country, do you just forget customs, coming and going as you please? No. I have read enough of your blogs to know that isnt the case. These non green cards are “illegals.” I am all for people living the American dream but they should do it LEGALLY! Our borders should be protected…that is the one of the founding fathers purpose for government. I have nothing against other nationalities, except when they start of breaking our laws from day one. Next, as far as the multi-cultural thing goes, the U.S. is made up of immigrents, which is great. But, in the past people assimilated to the culture of the U.S. which made for a certain amount of unity. Now we have people refusing to learn English. I think in the end it will detrimental to the country. In other words people should be American Irish not Irish American…etc. Thats my take. Some things we can at least all consider. By the way salt water baramundi is one of my favorite. Do they have those in Panama? Sail far and eat cheap!
Joel,
That’s fine, we are all entitled to our opinions.
Personally my loyalty and internal compass point towards morality and not legality. American ethics of “welcome” and immigration laws have changed dramatically from that of our forefather’s views and been brutally basterdized in recent generations by copious helpings of greed and pork. As we live in a state of marshal law and are for all intensive reasoning are living constitutionless, bringing up the wishes of our forefathers seems a bit moot to me?
As a country we consume so much more than our fair share (I don’t want to get into numbers as they make me sick) and this leads to much distress, poverty, sickness, and heartache in other parts of the world. If you come to Panama I can walk you through Colon so you can witness the aftermath of our footprint here, its heart breaking. Perhaps it would be a good place for a week charter?
I have traveled much and I can guarantee you other countries see us as we see China, and we need to take responsibility for this, and I am embarrassed by this. Bottom line is we take too much and this will quickly lead to our collapse. This is just my humble opinion as I am nobody but a singe man sailing the sea. But beating down a man for trying to make a better life for his family is wrong no matter which way you slice it regardless of what kind of card he has in his pocket. I don’t care what politician tells me its okay, it is most certainty not. Let’s aspire to be gentlemen, and not soldiers or politicians. If you were on the other side of the boarder with your family, your opinion might change quickly, no?
As Americans regardless of the fact that we are suffering a recession/depression I don’t think we have so little that we can’t offer a hand, meal, or few bucks to a neighbor?
PS
I was just stamped into Panama for 11 months for $10.00. All of my other international cruising friends are extended the same hospitality. The most difficult countries for me to travel in are the westernized countries (French, English, ect). I can’t even think to go to the med because everything has turned into business, hassle, and red-tape, even the ability for me to anchor.
As I’ve stated in the past and outlined in the declaration of human rights. All men have the right to travel the world. My passport is not a luxury item, nor should any mans be. It is simply a document reinforcing our human right to travel.
The fear (of our own borders) and structure is what s leading us down the eusocial path and it seems a grim fate for mankind to me.
As for baramundi I dont now. dont know the names of a lot of fish, something I actually need to work on but I know how they all taste and the best ways to prepair them :)
Rainy day today no fishing. Had home made corn tortillia with Tomatoe, onion, and Rajas. Pretty yummy, probably spent about .75 on dinner tonight.
Tomorrow I must fish for a few days.
Who is runescape gold (poster above me)? Looks like someone hacked us.
Sounds like you need a fish identification book for Christmas. I can bring it in February or sent it now. Which do you prefer? I just bought the Cruiser’s Guide to Fishing for myself. I want to know a little bit before I come down to visit and help you.
How are you doing on camera supplies, accessories and stuff for the film? Did you ever get that underwater set up? Are your batteries lasting? I ask for purely selfish reasons. I want you to be able to instruct me on the use of all of this stuff when I come down. I am excited about learning to spear fish also.
Chuck,
I sent you off an email. I deleted the runescape comment above you, every once in a while the matrix sneaks into my code and posts ads in the comments section trying to sell more cheap crap. The bots are getting tricky these days.
I have a fish book but it’s for Pacific and Australian waters. I can usually find what I’m looking for but the truth is I’m lazy. I know the fish, how hey act being hunted, how they taste, and the best way to cook them, I just don’t know the names.
I’ll have you bring down a gopro HD, and perhaps you can get some shots of me spear fishing. I can do most of all my filming myself but I haven’t figured out the underwater tripod yet. I will make a mount for the gopro to go on my spear gun to capture some kill shots. Just get out of Afghanistan safe : )
Joel,
I hope I didn’t offend you, we all have the right to our opinions. I just so strongly believe in helping others find their freedom regardless of paper. Profiting on the distress of others in anyway only builds a box around ourselves which keeps us sailing circles in the bay if you know what I mean. It’s a self defeating prophecy and burns our own freedom. Fences and boarders work both ways and keep things in as well as out.
No us & them.
Enough of politics, it makes me so low. Today I’m a hunter.
A big crab for dinner wityh a side of snapper ;) Was in the water most of the day trying to kill a grouper that was toying with me,.
I spun the prop tho and am confined to the boat. Looking forward to a rowing/sailing dink.
A big crab for dinner wityh a side of snapper ;) Was in the water most of the day trying to kill a grouper that was toying with me,.
I spun the prop tho and am confined to the boat. Looking forward to a rowing/sailing dink.
No worries! Not offended. Love your blog. Enjoy reading your thoughts and opinions. I usually dont say much about these sort of things, but I guess out of all the issues this one is probably the most important to me. I, like you want everyone do well and succeed in life. The snapper and lobster sound awesome, im jealous! Joel
Joel, cool! Speaking our minds and standing up for our beliefs is welcome here.
Another funny thing about time. I usually don’t take the big crab they have here, or anywhere or that matter because I usually think the work to meat ratio is out of proportion, i.e. too much work for the meat. I took he time eating one of the big crabs yesterday, sooooooo good!
I spun my prop yesterday and trying t fix it with some screws, arrrgggg!
Well I must say the absence of the clock has become normal and welcome. My relationship with time has also inspired me to re-evaluate my relationship with the cell phone and internet.
Doing just a little research on the internet this morning typing in the words “cellular” and “cancer” brought me here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2569116/
What I find really alarming is 46% of US children (age 8-12) have cell phones and are being exposed to this microwave-emitting technology, If you have children you may want to read this.
Also when I think of traveling my first thought is “will I find internet”, this must change?
From now on the cell phone is staying off unless I need to make a call or I’m expecting one. I also need to figure out a balance of my zeal for the internet freedom from it.
These are two of my goals this month.
I have not seen a day dry enough to paint for a few weeks. Luckily the dry season is coming early in the year.
I watched a great documentary last night, “Coral reef”, IMAX reef = COOL! The sad reality that an estimated 60% of the reef will be dead in my lifetime due to ocean warming is tragic. I may live in one of the last generations where a man can sustain himself by living and hunting on the reef?
Time to turn the internet off and focus on nature : )
Cheers
The Tayana 37 for sale on Ebay just sold for $19,100.00 . This was an amazing boat for some one wishing to explore the globe. What is this world coming to when one can get a Tayana 37 for $19000.00?
woot, nice deal fr sure!!!!!!!!!!!!
The minamlists will prevail, moowhohahaha
Hey! How come all those great Tayana deals are sooo far away. I watched the bid countdown which didn’t move for hours and was sooo close to biding it wasn’t funny. If it was in my backyard I wouldn’t hesitate but… boo hoo hoo, I’m not (such) a minimalist…….yet!
Brain zapping mobile phones are a terrible and frightening thing. Even wireless home phones are just as bad (got rid of mine years ago and got the old wired rig). Amazing how people ignore the facts over convenience. Electromagnetic waves are zapping us constantly from everywhere. I’ve heard of people building bedrooms with no electrical currents in the walls so they can sleep zap-free. Of course a boat would suffice!
Iwannatayana!
P
Here s a Midshipman 40 fr 50k (a lot of boat)
http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/core/listing/boatMergedDetails.jsp?boat_id=2202660&ybw=&units=Feet¤cy=USD&access=Public&listing_id=2345&url=
And a Tayana asking 35k, maybe offer 1/2 ?
http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1976/Tayana-Cutter-2384438/United-States
Luckily it has some dry rot in the mast which is a good buying point. You culd fx it or re-rig it wth alum spars?
Hi Alex, I been watching some also & that Tayana needed some tlc,I been looking at boats alot in the past year or so & it really is a buyers market,that boat needed some cash & work from what I could see.. It`s funny some boats that should be really nice are just plain rough, a real shame some are getting so neglected or used up for whatever reason, lack of money & getting sucked into the (matrix) thing I guess.. There are some deals out there but you got to be ready to comit.. like the guy that had the cash for that gulfstar,man thats a big jump but once he was on the boat I bet doors would open & he could find a place to keep it so he could get it ready to cross the big pond– but he has to comit to it!! I don`t think he is ready, I am or at least I think I am,but my pocketbook is not,working on it,getting all my ducks in a row , selling out my places & will be out there soon,kinda funny I tossed my clock a while back..been interesting. Really hard not to look at it before I go to bed.. How long & how do you keep a lobster? In the live trap? That would be so cool to just pull up the trap & WALA … Now thats lazy fishing,works for me.. How about a fish trap?
Alex,
Would you consider a 30 Morgan to be a blue water boat?
Well, I have something exciting to share, and need advise. :)
I was interested in the gulfstar 50, and looking at the logistics (mainly moorage).
However I bid on the Tayana 37 too, in a lonely impulse of delight, after seeing it here on your site Alex. Well, interestingly the winning bidder, has not followed through, and it has fallen to me at 19000 . I have today to decide.
I was thinking I should contact the marina to see if there any outstanding bills, but anything else I should look for?
I am ready to go and have the cash (but not much more). I would need to travel to Puerto Vallarta from Washington state next week (probably drive to take tools). Its definitely taking the red pill or down the rabbit hole. I am at the crossroads of a new journey, with the excitement that entails, but want to move wisely.
Any thoughts? I am going to look at a local tayana 37 right now, to refresh my memory of them and place it in greater perspective.
Thanks for any help or advise!
Mark
Mark, WAHOOO!!!!!
My only advise is, If I were you I’d have my ass in PV by the time the sun came up, get out on the first flight and get the lay of the land, talk to the marina, and have your checkbook in hand. Personally I’d want to see the boat, it’s a boat, everything is fixable and you cant beat a T37 hull for 19k, everything else in my opinion is gravy. Do you have any idea what it would cost to build a hull of that quality today, in material cost? Nobody does it anymore because it is not cost effective. My buddy Roger Olson was building 28′ Bristol; Channel cutters, selling them for 350k and loosing money.
I dont think its time to screw around, take the red pill with a shot of tequila if you know what I mean. If you need any advice please feel free to contact or call me, I will help you any way I can.
Charlie,
Many people cruise on the Morgan 30’s, I’m not a fan of them but if it falls into your lap??? BlueWater is a funny term, it does not really mean anything. You can rerig the boat as you see fit and make it as strong of a boat as you want. A sound hull is the key and a surveyer can help you with that. I believe the hull is solid glass and not cored?
WOOT, YOU GO MARK!!!!!
Oh Red Pill for sure. We’ve been swimming against the tide ($$ wise) for 3 years now, getting no place. We are in Oregon, where the boats are either getting ready to sink in place, or they are WAY to nice to afford. It seems the closer we look towards Canada, the nicer & more expensive they get. Those Canukes really take pride in ownership, and it shows. :)
I’m from Clearwater Beach, Fla, so I know the scene is there in spades. We’ve been sitting here in Portland, dreaming, shopping, and pitching ridiculous ‘owner holds the note’ offers for 3+ years now. No one goes for it, but I’ve got to try eh?
– So like you say, Red Pill time. Instead of struggling to stay alive and dreaming of the day we will be able to afford a boat, we are going to jump in both feet first and figure out later.
In March we are moving to Fla, buying a crappy 25′ $4,000 boat, and move on to it straight away as fast as safe. So instead of throwing away money on rent ($600 for a crappy apt in the crappy part of town), and dreaming of something that will never happen, we are going for it. $**# it!
Even if we stay slip side, the rent is halved, and the total cost of living is MUCH cheaper in Fla. Not to mention finding a job that pays tips is EASY there. Once the boat is ship shape, we will be on the hook. It’s the only way we can figure to accomplish this.
We’ve ditched everything except Internet, her car, and our cell phones. We’ve cut everything else out. I even have gone (almost) totally vegetarian because it’s cheaper to eat tofu & greens than it is to by 100% beef hotdogs (sad). Plus a long long list of other things we have changed, given up, or done without.
I have to say that you Alex & the PBS blog have been my greatest ally in convincing my fiancé that this is not a ‘bat sh*t idea’ (her words), but a viable and attractive alternative to being corporate fodder and legislated robots just going through the motions of life without actually living. The amount of cruising blogs have exploded since 2003, but PBS keeps it real, no retirement funds, no dividend cheques, no savings from a life behind a desk. Just a dream and some balls.
So I guess the short version is, THANK YOU ALEX, and thanks for giving me tangible proof that it can be, and more to the point it should be done.
One day soon I WILL be sharing a bottle of fine hootch with you.
Shoot! Jerry (boat owner) just contacted me, and he took another deposit. I talked to him earlier today and he emailed “call me tonight”. I still have the offer to “Buy Now” from ebay available from him as the last to next bid (gives you 2 days to respond). Well disappointed, but on to the next boat.
Its red pill for sure. Wife and I really discussed it today. We have been moving towards it for a couple years, now that the kids are 3 and 2 it seems perfect.
Love your blog, and that people share those boats here.Thanks so much the advice Alex.I will use it on the next one.
Wow! Great posts…
I haven’t been up for a week or so and this is great to see everyone jumping or about to jump on a boat and go. Go where? I’m guessing where it’s warm. It was 84 here in SW Florida yesterday and we have a cold front moving in today. They say tomorrow will be 81 with NE winds 15 to 20… What a bummer, eh?
Alex, you’re doing your job. Keep it up and enjoy every precious moment. I turn your site on to a lot of my charters and they love what you’re doing too. So the readership should go up and DVD sales also.
Send me a banner and I’ll put it up on the page. I’m pretty proud of you and what I see here.
Sail on everyone… Sail on!
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Le,
Good for you. I was laughing with a friend the other day, being happy just isn’t that hard. Living this way is not for everyone, just certainly 4 me and obviously some others.
Mark, that is too bad you really cant go wrong with a T37 hull. Please let me/us know what happens with it.
I’m stuck in a hostel in Panama city. I came in to see a buddy from California who was passing through. We had a good time (food, drinks, laughs) last night. I was going to head back today but got caught up in stuff and for some reason my headlight is out and it was too late to drive back without it. I almost trashed the bike on my way here. I was driving along in strong wind & rain and the next thing I knew I had a HUGE (7+ foot wing span) vulture stuck between me and the handle bars. He tried to take off and got tangled up with me coming down the road, not a good experience.
Aside form that life is grand :)
i must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. excellent blog post .
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