I've been watching this thread with interest because I'm planning the 'sell here and buy a 45 footer in the Med' option. With a view to getting it back here eventually after the Med, Atlantic and Pacific crossings. I'm thinking that will take 4 or 5 years in total so I'll be late 60's at the end of it. Then we'll cruise the east coast of Oz until fitness and agility mean we can't any longer.
My two cents supports the go now philosophy. Lots of long-term cruisers give that advice, go as soon as you can. You're unlikely to need less drugs to keep you healthy in five years time. The Europeans have doctors and hospitals, you just need to buy the insurance to cover you, that's a necessary cost and I don't believe it will get cheaper if you wait either.
I'd agree it can be hard operating in a foreign language too but English is pretty widely spoken even in little towns and google translate helps.
My wife and I have done 8 charters in the Med over the last 5 years or so and it's very different to cruising here. My experience is in Greece and Italy and 200 miles is a very long way there. We've normally only covered that distance in a week and that's when you've only got 1 or 2 weeks to look around (1 night per anchorage). If we're there full time it will be a much slower pace. There are a lot more people so a lot more towns and harbours and the next anchorage will likely be 10 or 20 miles away maximum, could be just around the next headland or to the next island.
Obviously, the passages (Atlantic & Pacific) are more significant undertakings but there are rallies you can join for both of those. I joined a yacht club with a cruising division a few years ago and we're getting to know people who are willing to help as crew for those longer stretches. I'll be willing to help them when I've retired.
The EU boat market is just so much bigger than the Aussie, means more choice and also reduces price. I also like working on my boats so I'm thinking I have 2 seasons cruising in the Med to get her set up the way I like and be ready to head out into the Atlantic. Lifting out for the winter is pretty normal over there so we'll be back for Aussie summers and to see the kids etc.
We're going as soon as we can, we're not getting any younger.
