info for first buy

[CaptKermie]

I think you should buy a easily resellable practice boat first and get a better feel for what you are getting yourself into before buying the sail to the carribean boat. The Georgia Strait and Puget Sound offer years and years of exploring islands and spectacular scenery, you may never want to leave once you start exploring. I have only been out sailing these parts since 2003 and I still have only a portion covered with no desire to leave. I sail out of Point Roberts and live in S. Delta, $2300.00/yr for a 30' slip in Point Roberts. Victoria sounds expensive, but the weather is milder there. You don't need a blue water boat for these protected waters, I do quite well with a 26' MacGregor and I get all through the San Juans & Gulf Islands with plans to go further north & south over the years, and it will take years. Leave the caribe for charters and get a boat suited for this venue.

[Livia]

We've been sailing and living aboard for a few years in Sidney and Victoria and would be happy to chat, just PM us.

[HaydanDrock]

The more I read the more I realize that I need to learn, I have signed up for a beginner cruising course, so that will be my first test.
If I do really enjoy it, I plan on cruising around Vancouver island for a couple years of practicing, and hopefully I like the area as much as you Capt. And I will be asking you some questions Livia so watch out
But I think a ship like the Mcgreger is a little light for me in my time of learning, A would love to get a contessa 32, but that is way out of my beginner price range, Just for information sake, is there a NA ship that is comparable to the contessa?

[sailingdog]

Good luck on the course, and I think you'll find that is a good place to start.

[Faster]

Haydan.. Sorry I missed this thread when you started it.. Welcome to Sailnet. After a few years in Ft Mac I can see why Victoria is on your radar. Your schedule will give you plenty of time to do some dock-walking to get an idea of what's available.

Generally speaking moorage is pretty tight in Southern BC. Other than smaller more remote locations like the Sunshine Coast, your best bet might be the new marina in Ladysmith on Vancouver Is. - and none of it's inexpensive. 30 feet and under slips are easier to get than 35 and up.

As for your plans (which may well change after a few seasons in BC.... it's hard to beat) the first 1000 miles or so will likely be the most uncomfortable. Think layers of clothing and gear even in summer, unpredictable weather and few all weather hidey-holes. It's an incredibly long way to Panama too... after which is the hard slog to windward across the Gulf of Mexico. This would be quite an accomplishment indeed, esp solo, and I'm not sure a couple of seasons around Vancouver Island is going to make you ready for it.

That said, it's do-able obviously, given enough time, personal fortitude and lack of bad luck. It would be quite an adventure.

Trucking to the East Coast or Texas will knock a lot of time off, and the real costs may not be that different once you factor everything in (Trucking to Galveston, I believe, is near half the distance to Miami). Still leaves you with a challenging sail eastward to the Island chain where you can enjoy the island-hopping reaches.

Anyhow, best wishes to you and your plan.

[HaydanDrock]

thanks everyone for responding, Would you have an idea of the cost of transporting across the country. I did a small amount of looking and I came up with around 10k, but that seems very high and can't be right.