I've been around the block, but not the globe.
Gone eastward from the U.S. to Singapore and back, never been on a boat in the Pacific.
Did those trips on a Navy ship for 22 years.
I've been around sailnet for 6 months.
I've been around sailboats for 5 years. After retiring from the Navy (former USMC, former USAF) the Admiral and I hung around the blue ridge mountains where I grew up a couple years, then went sailing one day and found a hobby we both liked.
Bought a 1969 Grampian 26, sailed it all winter, gave it to a local youth sailing club the following spring and bought a 1986 Hunter 31. Did a couple bareboat BVI trips on catamarans, sold the Hunter and bought a brand new 2007 Gemini 105Mc Catamaran last May (2007).
We live and sail on the Magothy River, and mid to northern Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis Md.
Since I sail a Catamaran and most mono sailers think they are ugly, I have a
ugly cat as a avatar, with my face photoshopped in by Giu (Alex).
For the rest, read the posts
Chuck