Ever had a change of career? What motivated you to do that?

[SwitSof]

I've also returned to school of sorts as I want to captain our own large boat. So I've been taking courses on the many aspects of owning and piloting a boat locally and in international waters. More work on systems this winter.

What about having a self-sufficient boat? You can use solar cells for the power and hot water I suppose?

 

[Unforgiven]

What about having a self-sufficient boat? You can use solar cells for the power and hot water I suppose?

Yes there are many new possibilities as technology applies to systems. I read about a very smart and simple system for fresh water. Most larger trawlers and cruisers have a hardtop of some sort. A larger hardtop with a lip around the edge can collect a substantial amount of water from rainfall if it's set up right.

So this couple had on their 42 foot boat, 4, 150 gallon stainless steel water tanks built in to the boat. When it rained, four drains on the hardtop allowed for rainwater to be directed to the tanks or over the side should the tanks be full by four hoses. They cruised Australia through Indonesia via the Java Sea and into the South China Sea and up to Thailand. Not even remotely short of fresh water. That's with a couple of showers a day each and the usual fresh water needs. They even helped others out with freshwater who didn't have the storage on their own boats.

A very simple system, that doesn't breakdown and works above expectations.

In the news, a solar powered catamaran just made port in Florida that crossed the Atlantic on solar power alone. At an average of 5 knots an hour, it made it from Spain to the Caribbean and then on to Florida and the only petrol it used was for cooking. No sails, no gas motor just electricity made from sunshine.

This is something I would like to incorporate into my boat. Though with complex systems comes more opportunity for something to breakdown.

 

[sanctus]

I had a change of career, and it has been so many different things for me, fulfilling, demanding and sometimes puzzling.

I really did not have much of a choice, as it were. In fact, I fought against the inward tug of God for years until I finally gave in and did His will.

In doing so, I have discovered my true purpose in being on this planet.

 

[Curiosity]

That was very courageous of you. My best friend was starting to volunteer and doing research with battered women in Japan cause her major at that time was sociology and anthropology-related and she couldn't continue cause she didn't have the heart. So what she told me she by then could understand how strong these women must be to take the decision to leave things behind cause there are some who couldn't.
And now you're sharing your experience with others so that's very good of you. Bon courage!

SwitSof Thank you... This is a really interesting topic - makes for a good read and I love to see what other people are finding in the way of life goals which give them satisfaction.

I wanted to tell you there are many males who have experienced battering - the word got out about my group and the men just started showing up - first one - then three - and now we have had seven although some only come sporadically - nobody was more shocked that men are battered as well - and have few resources to get help - plus the societal restrictions on them retaliating against their batterers - who are considered fragile in comparison.

It is difficult to absorb the cruelty and passion involved in this behavior - especially when it is mixed with love or adoration - and often leaves me wondering how people connect in the first place.