youngbuck trying to start cruising - Page 7

jzk · #61 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

First of all, screw all of the naysayers. If you have a dream, just come up with a plan on how to make it reality. Just take the time to put together a logical, safe plan.

How about becoming a Diesel mechanic? Take some classes, get your certifications or whatever. This might be a way for you to finance your cruising booty along the way. Split your time working, earning, and gaining experience with fixing up your boat.

camaraderie · #62 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

Living...Kitty Hawk Kites? One of the guys that teaches kiteboarding there lives on his sailboat here . Should be a fun summer for you!

Livinondreams · #63 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

camaraderie, its funny you mention that. A couple years ago I took kiteboarding lessons from the guy at kitty hawk kites. I wonder if its the same guy? And kitty hawk kites is who I am probably gonna work for this summer.

Stillraining · #64 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

I will stick with my origional statements of 20K minimum and 10K in reserves...It always costs more then you think it will...

I went back and reread your origional post...your desires were to take a break from it all and only work to supplement your wanderlusts...I didn't get the impression you wanted a job while living on your boat somewhere...maybe Im missing somthing ....You stated, and I partially quote "cruise all over the world" ...This is the basis of my min. funds needed in my opinion...You wanted a world cruiser I thought... not a coastal or ICW harbor jumper...

You will have to define between the two more firmly to make proper decisions..as one is vastly different from the other..

I own a fantastic boat for its designed purpus...Trying to make it into what it is not would cost me 2 times what its worth..and it might be an abortion when completed...and would take years to complete part time...
neither of which sounds fun or a good Idea to me..

Another 20K is not hard to put togather with the seeming work ethic you appear to have...It is just as easy to learn the systems of a ready to go boat as salvaging one from a bare hull and you get to sail it while your doing it...Piecing togather a boat is more expensive then buying all the pieces in place..( I have resurrected two boats,,I will never again ..lost money and time both times..and I new better the second time.)

I have mixed feelings on the School issue..I was not the student you are..It was all I could do to C my way through school..so collage for me was not the thing to strive for...and a little more maturity was in order before my collage stint which was sill short lived...However, I know of far more people never returning then going back..for what thats worth...as some one stated "Life happens"...this pertains to collage plans just as easily as to wanderlust plans...

If you just want to harbor jump and vagabond around I say go now with what you have..get it out of your system and return to school as planed..But if crossing oceans is really your plans ...then I say buckle down a little while longer...earn more...learn more.....and yearn more...You will still be only twenty in two years...20K richer and have a nicer/safer/proper boat...

Good luck in all you do...

Edit; All the people telling you to screw the naysayers and go now...are also suggesting getting certified in this or that ...Last time I checked that takes time and money...so whats the diffrance..

Livinondreams · #65 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

diesal mechanic does sound like a good way to pick up cash along the way, and it would also increase my pay at my shop at home with more certifications. Sounds like a win/win, the only problem is it takes a while to go to a trade school for diesel training so it would be adding a lot more time before for casting off. I do understand that all this isn't going to happen right away, as my dad always told me "rome wasn't built in a day" but I would like to have the boat within the year and be prepared to leave by the next. And if I am working during most of this time I should have some money to make it happen.

Newport41 · #66 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

Don't let these old farts crush your dreams. Let me do it. Let me re-phrase that. Let me touch on reality. Can you get out cruising while your young? YES. Should you? YES. Just because several of these old farts here couldn't manage to anything else with there lives but follow the pack to school and a family doesn't mean they should be telling you to. Having said that, you better have a plan for your late 20's so that you can have an established life to raise a family in (some day you'll want one) when you get back. Let me put it this way. Go now or go when you're 55. And let me in on something I've learned about 55 year olds. They're afraid of everything. Allow me to re-phrase again, afraid or to wise to do the stupid fun things you can do at 18.
Now for a little more reality. 10k...not enough. I started to plan my trip when I was 20. I'm 25 now and I'm leaving in September. It takes more time and money than you think. It doesn't take that much more though. At your age being uncomfortable is not a big deal. I've decided that I want to be comfortable. Thus, we have a 41 foot boat with basic but good quality gear. We've also bought new cushions, re-varnished, new headliner, all new wiring ect,ect,ect. So, we are well over the 50k mark. You could, however, do it for much, much less. Seeing as I've been through the research this is what I would do:
Buy an alberg or vancouver or some other small capable boat. Pay special attention to the standing rig, engine, sails because you can't afford to do anything about them if they need replacement.
Buy 2 $150 handheld gps
Budget (if not included on boat) for good ground tackle, radar with poximity alarm, self steering gear (wind vane).
Go to your parents and use the phrase "mommy I'll be lost at sea if I don't have a life raft and a EPIRB" Bam! theres those two off the list.
Go to a port or dockyard and get some sea captain to give you old sets of charts
Keep your electrical system VERY simple.
Buy everything used and install it yourself so you can fix it and kick your own ass when it breaks.

Good luck

Stillraining · #67 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

Says your stupid to start crossing oceans without starting with new standing rigging..on a 27' boat thats only the cost of a new 10 hp outboard...

A professional rigger is lying to you if he says he can date or accurately assess your rigging by his eyes alone..HE CAN ONLY SEE THE OBVIOUS to trained eyes..

sailingdog · #68 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

You don't need RADAR... and you will need a fairly hefty electrical system to support RADAR if you have it.

I'd second replacing the rigging if the rigging is older than say 10 years, especially if anything is even the tiniest bit questionable on it.

Livinondreams · #69 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

stillraining, that is correct. I do want a world cruiser but I figure with my budget I am going to have to stop along the way to earn some money for repairs and so on. The school thing is kind of a long story,I was far from interested in going to college and my highschool grade averge was a C. Throughout my last year in highschool I had no plans of college. I already had a good job working on cars that I was quickly excelling at. My parents just really wanted me to at least try to go to college, and I ended up getting accepted. So here I am now sitting in my dorm, in fact I just had an exam at 12 ha. I understand that a college education betters my future in some ways but I also know many people who are happily living with just a highschool education. I like I said, I can always go back. But for right now,sitting in a classroom just isn't my thing. But traveling the world,now that is something that just isn't taught in a classroom. I know that I can make this happen, if it has to be more then 2 years before I take off then so be it, But only if I know that I did all I could during those two years to try to set sail. I figured that replacing the rigging would be necessary, wouldn't that be a hell of a story....... boy leaves dock to sail around the world,as soon as sails are raised the mast collaspes ha

Livinondreams · #70 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008

I was wondering about the necessity of radar, I hear of people just doing short naps throughout the night so they can be able to keep a safe watch. Or just sleeping during the day and staying up at night. I also hear that in a small boat,even with a radar reflector that many ships still don't see you on their radar.