Well, I'm in my early 50s and planning to set sail next spring. This year is a "get to know the boat", do some local cruising and fit her out for the longer term (oh and finish my medical treatment).

I separated from my hubby three years ago (or rather he b****ered off with my friend!). He wasn't interested in sailing (one flotilla holiday was enough to put him off for life). Within two months I was out with my brother sailing in the Caribbean - supposedly as a "recuperation" holiday, but completely got the sailing bug! Started to dream about the liveaboard life and a new man to do it with...

We sold our marital home (divorce settlement) early last year and I was faced with a big decision... buy another house, go back to work to support the lifestyle, and continue looking for my "prince" with a boat.. or... sod the house- spend some of the sale proceeds on a bluewater boat and make plans to go off anyway, prince or no prince.

As it happened, I met up with a new friend through sailing who has also just got divorced. She too had dreams about a man and a boat. Several late nights and bottles of wine later, she decided to join me on the journey. She's going to rent out her house- the boat lifestylewill be supported in part from her rental income and part from the remainder of my savings- and we also plan to develop our artistic talents and set up a floating art gallery. Maybe also massages, refloxology etc. but time will tell!

BTW, We have had lots of discussions over what happens if and when one of us does meet "the man with (or without) the boat"- we resolved that we needed two completley separate cabins and that we'll just have to be discreet- but trying to plan for every eventuality is silly... otherwise we'd never get on with it.

Anyway- bought the boat (and rechristened her "Wild Bird" - she was called Fair Game, but ... two women on boat called Fair Game... ??!!). We're just getting to know her...having great fun, and just starting to move things aboard with the intention of partly living on her from the summer... then off next spring.

(PS. We'll wave at you, Centaurpipedream- hope to come and wave off the boats starting the Jester Challenge on the 31st- have a friend also doing it.)