I am waiting for the ladies to chime in. I am too, it would be great to hear the other side for once
This reminds me of my favorite boat name story: George REALLY wanted a boat, his wife Ruth wanted nothing to do with it. He begged and pleaded for years...til she finally said, "ok, you can buy a boat, on one condition: that I never have to set foot on it or even see it." George agreed...He named the boat Ruthless. They've remained happily married.
Have you asked your girl friend WHY she wants nothing to do with boats?
It may be that she's seen too many couples whose relationships/marriages couldn't survive 24/7/365 togetherness...it doesn't even have to be 24/7 togetherness...I've known a few who were happily married for 20 years while he was on "the road" five days a week, ended in divorce within two years after he was promoted to a position that kept no longer required constant travel. She may be unwilling to be out of her extended family's reach for long periods. Or she's seen too many movies about boating catastrophes or just really serious blows in heavy seas, and is terrified by the thought
Or she envisions boating life to be claustrophobic. For me, a "live aboard" boat, would have to have a professional crew of 3, one of which is a gourmet chef, and room for the baby grand.
Have you ever asked her to join you in your boat search? It's ok if your hidden agenda is an attempt to change her mind, but you can position it as just wanting her input about decor and creature comforts.
If convincing her to try it even for a weekend is a lost cause, there IS middle ground: you can cruise for 2-3 months/year without her...you see see a lot of the world 2-3 months at a time. She might even agree to meet you at some your exotic ports of call if she can fly over and back.
So it doesn't have to be all or nothing...there is room to have it both ways if you both really want to.
--Peggie