And CW is the best definition in my mind of contemporary cruising, the total immersion lifestyle in it's hayday a couple decades ago. The dream was to make cruising your life. Few did it of course but it helped send many of us off for cruises of various length, and a few are still out there. And CW wasn't the first but they helped grow the dream I think.

I have two teenagers now, one in college and one about to be. They grew up sailing and I think kids like mine have the potential to want to do some cruising. But who are they're inspiration these days? People my age in big boats that are like space stations compared to the boats they sailed as kids?

Even if they could make sense of the finances (I don't see how), will they be looking for a lifestyle like many of their grandparents who followed an exodus out of the "system" to live off the land on an old farm or buy a simple boat and live the life of the Pardeys? How about the new dwindling cruiser in a space station?

I'm quite certain I've raised two sailors (I hope) but I have my doubts I've raised two cruisers.