Reading some of the Great Loop trips and having done a partial trip I'm convinced I want to give it a college try.
That said so far it's been pretty clear that the spouse is not interested. She's not much into boating, but loves the beaches, traveling, sunsets, relaxing...all the fun things around boating.
Myself...if I could quit work and live on a boat I would. Heck if I could grow gills and live in the water I would. I've done parts of the loop - Jax to Vero; Big Pine Key to Naples Fl. Some of the best experiences of my life.
Honestly I'm not wanting to force her into anything, but I am looking for ways to ease into it. She's not a city slicker but she's not a hard core FL Cracker either. She likes wine and the comforts of home, but has been known to go camping in FL in 90 degree heat. So she can be a Cracker when she wants to be.
My current boat (2670 Glacier Bay) does not have A/C, but like a TC it can be worked out. The queen size berth is plenty ample and the head is a plus for women. The helm/cockpit is not fully enclosed. So I have a hard time seeing going for 2 weeks at a time - but it should be doable for a week or less to start.
That said I figured I would start small and cruise from Tampa to Bradenton, Bradenton to Sarasota. She's a bit freaked out about being on the hook - so I promised Marinas to start.
So...all that said any additional thoughts/hints on getting her on board. I get that I can't force it, but it would be great if she would go for a week or more. She gets that I'm going to do the Great Loop, Bahamas, Fort Jefferson - with or without her (perhaps in segments), but I'm going to give it a college try.
I get the excutive summary of the above is "Did anyone's significant other go from 'No Way.' to 'That was fun'?"
That said so far it's been pretty clear that the spouse is not interested. She's not much into boating, but loves the beaches, traveling, sunsets, relaxing...all the fun things around boating.
Myself...if I could quit work and live on a boat I would. Heck if I could grow gills and live in the water I would. I've done parts of the loop - Jax to Vero; Big Pine Key to Naples Fl. Some of the best experiences of my life.
Honestly I'm not wanting to force her into anything, but I am looking for ways to ease into it. She's not a city slicker but she's not a hard core FL Cracker either. She likes wine and the comforts of home, but has been known to go camping in FL in 90 degree heat. So she can be a Cracker when she wants to be.
My current boat (2670 Glacier Bay) does not have A/C, but like a TC it can be worked out. The queen size berth is plenty ample and the head is a plus for women. The helm/cockpit is not fully enclosed. So I have a hard time seeing going for 2 weeks at a time - but it should be doable for a week or less to start.
That said I figured I would start small and cruise from Tampa to Bradenton, Bradenton to Sarasota. She's a bit freaked out about being on the hook - so I promised Marinas to start.
So...all that said any additional thoughts/hints on getting her on board. I get that I can't force it, but it would be great if she would go for a week or more. She gets that I'm going to do the Great Loop, Bahamas, Fort Jefferson - with or without her (perhaps in segments), but I'm going to give it a college try.
I get the excutive summary of the above is "Did anyone's significant other go from 'No Way.' to 'That was fun'?"