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Thanks all. And I appreciate the comments regarding naming our sailboat, although I believe Onward may be somewhat biased in his suggestion (although its a great name, and certainly applicable)! DW and I thought long and hard about selling our home and moving from the area where we have lived...

Ready to set sail Update: DW and I just returned from South Beach, FL, where we celebrated our 25th anniversary. While there, we drove up to Dania Beach, where we signed the contract to purchase our new Leopard catamaran, which will be delivered from the factory (South Africa) by mid-April...

+1. IMO, that's the first consideration, and as important as knowing the financial stability of the insurance company through whom you purchase your annuity, should you go that route.

Thanks LauAnn. Its aggressive, but we're excited!

jclarksnakes, Thanks for the update on Thunderbolt. As for the shallow coral heads, a few years back I flew a C-210 from Florida to San Juan, landing in the Caicos for fuel. Lots of things in the water to look out for, including a light twin aircraft a mile or so off the runway, whose on-board...

Hi imoldrnu, Thanks for your comments regarding my plan! As you know from talking to your BIL and niece, living in third-world countries, and running businesses there, present real challenges, but offer great (intrinsic) rewards. As for DW and me, we hope to do as many other full-time...

Hi MichaelB, Medical coverage extends through the USVI. Also, cost effective policies covering accidental injuries and med-evac are available through Divers Alert Network ("DAN", BTW, you don't have to be a diver to be a member; worth checking out if you travel) and American Express. Thanks...

Obgyn65, thank you for taking the time to read my rather lengthy plan, and for your comments. This site is an excellent resource; although at the end of the day, our decisions are our own to make, IMO, it's always worthwhile to listen to those having knowledge and experience in the FIRE arena...

Hi roninop, Sounds like you and your DW have put considerable thought into this move and, by all calculations you have done with FIRECalc and Fidelity, you're set to go! Thankfully, there are many who comment on this site who, beyond offering encouragement, offer great insight. Speaking with a...

Hi boatfishandnature, Thanks for your comments, and congratulations on moving into ER! As a boat owner, and given your username, I'm sure you appreciate all that the boating lifestyle offers; given your ER, now you'll really be able to enjoy the time on your catamaran! Although I've only...

Hi Milton, Actually. its not complicated at all. Vessels engaged in chartering which are flagged outside the Territory may pick up and drop off PAX in the BVI up to seven times; if PAX are picked up outside the Territory, crewed-charter operators may operate within the BVI an unlimited amount...

Hi Utrecht, After 2+ years of research, boat shows, chartering similar models in the Caribbean, and speaking with owners, we have decided on a new Leopard 48, Owner's Version. This model was recently introduced in 2013, and replaced the Leopard 46, a very popular cruising cat (both for the...

Hi Seabourne, DW and I will comprise the crew. We will only accept up to four charterers at a time (five, if one is a child), so we are not targeting large groups. Most privately-owned and operated cats in the Caribbean cater to up to six guests, with larger cats (>58') usually being...

Well, Ronstar, if those two hours on your pontoon boat with your DW can include either a sunrise or a sunset, it can be as beautiful and romantic as being anchored in the Carib. Our earliest and fondest memories were made while sailing on Lake Monroe, in southern Indiana. We're fortunate to have...

As for me, I agree with others who have said that the inability to predict inflation over time is reason enough to maintain a balanced portfolio, which grows more-conservative as one ages. When I hit 80, depending upon my portfolio's worth, I will certainly re-think the "all cash" (or SPIA) option.

heeyy joe! I wish it were a 3-hour tour (but one with a happier ending)! The "term" in term charter is typically seven nights, eight days (or longer if guests' so desire). So, although most charterers are really nice folks, who have saved all year for their vacation on a luxury catamaran...

Hi jclark. I hear lots of favorable comments from other boaters about Thunderbolt Marina, so we're looking forward to tying up there for a few days and visiting Savannah. Thanks for your comments on our plan.

You are right about that, NanoSour. We are tying up a lot of capital in our floating home, and operating a crewed term charter requires long hours and a lot of team work. But, we know the challenges that await us, and haven't been able to think of anything else we'd rather be doing after ER from...

Thanks Sarah. And we're looking forward to sailing to Charleston Harbor and Savannah, as we spend some time shaking down the boat on the Atlantic coast before heading to the Caribbean.

Thanks, Midpack. It was my DW who insisted many years ago that I buy a sailboat, being that we spent most vacations nearby marinas, just to walk the docks. Sailing has been an activity we've thoroughly enjoyed doing together; looking forward to our weekends on the Chesapeake is what gets us...

Thanks, REWahoo. And you are correct; its only a loss or gain when you sell. I was fortunate to have both the time horizon and income to withstand the market uncertainty throughout 2008.

I’m not sure that at 61, I can boast of ER later this year (hopefully, August), but being that my DW is 54, and will be retiring along with me, perhaps that combination will qualify for consideration! I have followed this forum for some time, and have been both informed and inspired by others...