Home Page of Dave and Helen Damouth

You think you're free. You're cruising along, sipping a mai-tai under perfect skies... but back home trouble's brewing. Your mail is being returned to sender because your old friends who promised to take care of it are now chasing dreams of their own. Annoyed creditors are calling a disconnected number and there's a problem with your tax return. That stuff may seem remote and irrelevant, but the next squall that has you running under bare poles may have more to do with dollars than millibars.

Taking off on a cruise without establishing a home base connection can be as devastating as taking off without inspecting your rig. Sooner or later something's going to break. So before you decouple completely, you may want to establish a solid communications link back home.

For many people, a home includes a house with a physical address and phone number. It's a lifestyle that makes post office workers, insurance companies, and creditors comfortable. For the rest of us, home is where we drop anchor and our address is as unpredictable as the breeze that fills our sails. To get the best of both worlds you must present the illusion of stability while traveling... but this isn't as difficult as it sounds.

First, define your needs. Many cruisers want their mail forwarded when they arrive at a new port; others want to receive messages from loved ones by voice mail; a growing number want to communicate electronically; and everyone wants that check deposited when it comes in. Once you know what you want, the remaining task is choosing who's going to do it.

A seemingly obvious candidate is a friend or relative. This is OK if you're only traveling for a few months, and you remain in the U.S. Anything longer or more remote can be a pretty big responsibility. Sending packages to foreign ports requires filling out waybills, customs declaration forms, manifests and choosing the right carrier. "Uncle George" may have more important things to do than chase down your package that should have made it to Anguilla. Years ago, one of our friends failed to forward the Visa bill - the missed payments stayed on our credit report for seven years! So think twice before asking a friend; it's a lot more work than they may be willing to handle.

In the last two years my partner, Steve, and I have traveled 40,000 miles around the U.S. In a year and a half we will begin cruising full-time aboard the Microship. Since our lifestyle is nomadic, we need to find a new home base before we start traveling again. This launched a new research project what types of commercial services are out there, and how much do they cost? The companies advertising in the back of Cruising World received our first inquiries; others were found in traveling publications such as Trailer Life and Coast to Coast; still more were collected online or by word of mouth.

Our research is summarized in the accompanying table. For each company, we list the fees, basic service packages, and special features - but before entrusting your business to anyone on the basis of price alone, spend some time on the phone with the more promising firms to discuss your specific needs. And don't overlook the importance of a good personal rapport, since they may become your key link to life you haven't completely left behind.

Deciphering the Data:
Most of the data is self-explanatory, but a few notes may be useful...

Processing Fees (Column E) cover the company's cost of setting up the account and sending the necessary materials to you. If you're planning to use the account for more than one person, they may charge "associate fees."

Postage Deposits (Column F) pay for the postage and packaging the company spends to forward your mail. (The US Post Office requires them to affix new postage.) The deposit will depend on the volume of mail you expect to forward. When your deposit falls below a certain amount, they remind you by sending a post card or automatically charging your credit card. Once you quit the service, any remaining deposit is refunded.

Mail Forwarding fees (Columns H and I) are charged one of two ways a low monthly fee and up to $5.00 per shipment (sometimes parcels cost more); or a higher monthly fee for unlimited service. These fees do not include postage, but they provide the flexibility for those who have a small or large flow of mail.

Often companies tailor their service to fit your cruising style they can send your packages daily, weekly or monthly; or wait to send them when you call with a new address. They can save you money by sorting your mail, throwing away junk mail, holding magazines, and shipping only when you need it.

Answering Service (Columns J and K) Telephone messages are often transcribed by hand - you can expect to pay an average of $2 each. If you don't call in to check messages, they mail them to you. Call-in times are often during office hours, but some have 24 hour operators.

For a little more privacy you can get your own "800" number and voice mailbox. You'll be able to leave your own messages and won't be restricted to retrieving them during business hours .

Other Services (Columns M - Q) What sets one company apart from another is largely a function of your needs - fax machines, secretarial services, free business cards, bill paying, accounting, spare parts, email access, and so on. Use the table as a starting point, but don't hesitate to ask for additional services if you don't quite fit the mold.

Six of the companies interviewed offer additional services for cruisers Blue Skies and Cruising Services can get you supplies and provide storage of items at a minimal cost. If you're on the west coast, Mail Call can help you re-supply; St. Brendans Isle has a full service ship chandlery and can make local yard arrangements; TOCO specializes in canvas working; Voyagers' Service offers VHF, SSB, and satellite communication links.