Some middle-class Americans have sold their homes and taken to living on board their sailing vessels. During these "Bidenomics" days, it's hard to own both. For those, who can afford it, who wouldn't make the more glamorous choice of the two? After all, living on a sailboat may have been a boat owner's retirement dream, so why not go ahead with it now? Keep the job and the boat. Sell the home and put more monthly investment into the dream. Only problem now is that it's a much more dangerous world out there and it must be a consideration.
The current issue of People recounted the sad story of Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry, who set sail from Virginia in November with 100 others, as part of an armada headed to the Caribbean for the winter. This happily married couple with grown kids, sold everything for the adventure. He was retired and she could do her financial work from anywhere ... even from their catamaran, "Simplicity" in some exotic spot. They berthed in the gorgeous waters around Granada. All was going according to plan until Feb. 18, when they and Simplicity dropped off of the map.
A week or so later, about 80 miles north, Simplicity was found abandoned with evidence of a bloody struggle inside the cabin. By Feb. 26, even though no bodies were found, the Royal St. Vincent Police declared them "presumed dead". The couple always claimed safety to be a priority. They kept handy a "panic basket with mace and an air horn", but no gun? It makes no sense.
When there are no children around, a gun (hidden close by) ought to be part of the "panic basket" inventory ... whether on land or sea ... whether at home in the suburbs or berthed in idyllic Caribbean waters. Stay safe out there!
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