A “Next Chapter” – Afloat
Category: Adventurous retirement
By John Andola
May 15, 2018 — Just days from my 80th birthday, I am engaging in a major life style change. One that brings both serious stress for the present and potential promise for the future. Leaving our rental house of seven years and ridding our lives of tangible connections with past life, George and I are embarking on an adventure that will literally bring us to the next chapter in our lives. Literally, because we have commissioned the building of a new boat which we will live aboard full time, and that we have named Next Chapter.
At 35 feet, Next Chapter is ten feet longer than our treasured Grumpy Old Men, which we hope to sell within the next couple of months. But more about the new boat at a later posting. Here the focus is on the physical and mental transition through
Comments on "A “Next Chapter” – Afloat"
Staci says:
Hi !!
Just wondering how you deal with things like residency requirements, medical insurance coverage, personal autos, etc.
Sounds like a great adventure!!
RichPB says:
Definitely a major life style change, but apparently not a totally new enterprise for you in that you already have a significant (small) boat on which you have experimented with this new life. I assume that provides you with significant confidence in this new move despite age and the change in "stability" or home base.
You mention "so long as we are healthy enough to care for ourselves and each other". At 80, that's potentially a big deal and again I assume your health has been good thus far. Do you have thoughts on how long you think you will pursue this plan? What options are there in the event of health changes? Could you, for example, add another health aid/caregiver to your crew? Would you continue "at all costs" or is there some point that you say "change again"? As a long range planner, these are some things that I would want to be prepared for and I suspect you have a "contingency" plan.
All the best of luck and fair weather for you!