Most of the folks on boats tend to be cruising couples. There are a few families cruising and certainly single-handers. But the challenges for couples aboard make interesting stories. In many cases, sailing (or cruising for those trawlers) seems to be the man's dream and the woman goes along. This doesn't always create the best of environments. One party isn't 100% on board or happy much of the time. This tends to be the case particularly when kids or grandchildren are in the picture. Those boats tend to be what we've termed "commuter cruisers." People who spend some part of each year aboard - usually in the same general cruising area (the San Blas, Eastern Caribbean, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Honduras/Belize) - and then leave their boat someplace for several months and head "back home." Some of these folks have been doing it for decades this way and it seems to keep both parties aboard happy.
The full time cruisers stay on their boats year-round and often cruise a greater range of water. Many are on a multi-year plan, or a slow circumnavigation and stay and enjoy a cruising territory for as long as their interests last. In these cases, the dream seems to belong to both the man and the woman. They make a commitment to the lifestyle and each other about cruising.
Now, living in a small area (in our case we have a 42 foot by 13 foot boat - and that's the dimensions on the outside!), often without the option of just walking out the door and getting away, can sometimes be daunting. The full time cruising couples we've met are some of the most connected and happy people we've met. They seem to be strong individuals yet a great team because they have this mutual dream.
A few stories: one couple has been aboard for well over 20 years. They originally raised their family aboard a boat (at a dock) until the kids were high school aged. After the kids had grown and left, they went back aboard to do more cruising. He gets sea sick. She won't go swimming. Yet they love being on the boat and enjoy the lifestyle.
Another couple is traveling from Europe and they crossed the Atlantic. They both love snorkeling and diving. They have grown kids back home and yet seem completely happy aboard experiencing new countries and cultures. They like moving slowly - settling into an area and enjoying what it has to offer. They luckily can also do some inland travel to explore some of the countries where they sail. We've met many couples who do this - leaving their boat in a safe place for a few weeks and then trekking inland to ancient ruins, waterfalls, rainforests or cities.
One couple we know that is in the process of circumnavigating spent years building their own boat. They sold everything they had - house, cars etc and took off when the boat was "finished." They've sailed through the canal and are on their way to the South Pacific. It's amazing - he doesn't even like fish! Plus, they both get a tad seasick - but they have the dream of taking the boat they built themselves around the globe and are a cool couple.
There are as many stories as boats out here and whether someone is sailing full time, or part time - they are doing it together.
For the record - this is as much Barbara's dream as it is Michael's.
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