[lawson08]

Hi all, (caution: newbie)

I have some small experience sailing a Laser and loved it. Soon we may be moving to FL. and I''m thinking about getting involved in sailing seriously.

Now I read about people who live on their boats and/or let people hire them and their boats for custom cruises. What are the dangers/experiences that anyone here knows about the following:

- When docked, are boats easy to break into? Do things often get stolen? Or for that matter, can''t the theif just sail your boat away?

- Are there still real-life pirates in the caribbean? Is there any naval force that can be counted on for assistance?

- How do you know the people chartering your boat aren''t smuggling drugs back with them? Or psycho killers?

- Do many of you carry firearms? What are the laws and juridictions covering guns on boats?

Just wanting to know how scary it is out there... Thanks.