Chuck wrote:

> > That's pretty high on my list of dreams for retirement.  Living where
you
> > do, I would think it would be great to have the ability to cruise the
> > islands, diving and relaxing.  I don't think it gets any better than
that.

> Pretty high on mine too but has to be a big enough boat to handle the
> Carribean and small enough that I dont have to come back stateside to get
it
> maintained. Then of course there is the problem of getting a mooring spot
on
> Cozumel.  You practically have to kill someone (so that you can buy their
> spot from their heirs.)

There is no such thing as a boat big enough to handle the Carribean at it's
worst, at least not any such thing that I can even dream of, even if I do
win the lottery.  If you're handy, there are plenty of boats that you can
cruise in for extended periods without returning to the U.S. for service,
but they all require maintenance.

I didn't see all of Cozumel when I was there, but it does not strike me as a
place I'd care to have a cruising or even a dive boat unless I was operating
a dive service.  There's not enough places to get away to, to make it worth
while for me.  Given the normal current, diving from your own boat isn't
easy unless you have friends willing to stay aboard while you dive and, for
whom you're willing to stay aboard when they dive.

All the diving I do from my own boats is anchored and moderate depth or
securely tied to a mooring buoy or wreck.  I try to avoid current since I
know I have to return to my boat.  It's not coming to get me.  I expect
that, health permitting, I'll tour the Bahamas, beginning with Grand Bahama
Island and working my way down the chain to South America.  If Cuba ever
opens up to traveling Americans, I'll probably plan a trip to the Caymans as
well.

Lee