anyone want to help me buy in florida ?

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by Arjen

Ok never mind guys, Ill get help from real people instead of those who think they should behave like assholes because its internet. Maybe see you all sometime in the future, its a small world after all.

Most don't intend to offend. Please understand that your query is very common and often the poster will not accept good advice. Some have even proven to simply be trolls, having no other purpose than provoke an argument. As a result, several of us have become jaded.

If you are sincere and willing to hear the truthful answers to how to achieve your goal, I would encourage you to hang around. If it has to be your way and you don't have any experience to debate your opinion, it isn't worth it for any of us.

Hope you stay and learn. Your call.

[hellosailor]

"We get at least one per week. "
Kinda like a sixteen year old showing up at NASCAR and announcing he wants to drive next week, do they have any red cars available 'cause he doesn't like green?

Arjen, sailing is like poker. A very simple game that anyone can play but it really helps if you get some practice before you enter a high stakes game. In this case the stakes are your life, or at least your entire investment, and if you have to ask whether you need a satellite phone for a 30km crossing...that begs some very basic questions, like why don't you know VHF radios are used for this, not expensive satphones?

There's nothing wrong with not having a clue, we all start that way and on the right day we're sometimes still clueless. But you're tackling a huge and risky project here. Do you have any idea of how to document and title a boat? Yes, there are paperwork issues to be dealt with. No sailing experience? That may be a problem, you may have to get liability insurance before marinas will let you dock.

And even if some kindly soul goes out looking and says "This boat is for you!" that does you no good if you're not there to put up a cash deposit for it, the seller wants to sell it--not wait a month or two weeks for you to come look and see if you're interested.

If you're still with us, this is not to discourage you or to call you names. But this is only a simple project if you are willing to concede up front that your boat may be a total loss, your investment may be a total waste, and your lack of experience may very well be fatal. The sea is not a kind mistress, it is unforgiving. Even two kilometers off the beach.

Better to take a shoreside job, become a dock rat working at a marina or boat club where you can get some sailing experience for a couple of months, and come up the learning curve safely.

If you really want to plunge in, look at Yachtworld and Craig's List, and start making calls two weeks before you plan to arrive, asking people what they can find for you. Be prepared to send money if they find something, and be prepared to lose it if the deal goes wrong.

[mikieg]

arjen. proceed sir. remember that this is an ancient craft. sailing was conquered long before there was electricity much less every conceivable gadget on the planet said to take the risk out of sailing.
i have noticed that most will tell you to wait till you find the perfect boat, or become an america's cup racer, before you jump out there.
sadly, i followed this route. and i lost 10 years before i took the plunge. that was 25% of my life!
if we always listened to all the reasons why "we cant" or "we shouldnt", no one would ever do anything!
WDSchock makes very valid points. i happen to know this guy of whom he speaks.
i love all the people that insisted that i get "sailing lessons". and every time i ask them where they got their lessons from, not a one has ever answered that he ever indeed pursued lessons!
get out there and get started. you are wasting precious time!

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

If you are sincere and willing to hear the truthful answers...

He's pretty well proven that he has no interest in truthful answers. He wants someone to tell him to just go out there and do it. He doesn't want to have to waste his time actually LEARNING anything before he sails off into the deep blue. Some of the answers were worded a little harshly, but almost all of them boiled down to "you need to slow down a little and learn a little before you jump into the deep end." Seriously. Is that such an awful answer to his questions? No, actually, that is darned good advice for any newbie. This is what he NEEDS to hear, but it is not what he WANTS to hear.

Okay, Arjen, so go and do it. But when you run into problems that are entirely your own doing, because you decided to call people names instead of listen to the good advice you were getting, please do not call the Coast Guard, or anyone else. Putting yourself in danger is your own prerogative. When you call for help, and thereby put OTHERS in danger because of your own unwillingness to learn... Well, who's being the real A-hole then?

[fadentime]

Arjen: There has been some very good advice given to you already by members of the site so read it over & think about ALL of it. Your starting price will afford you only small sailboats that are in any condition to sail & they won't work for what you are trying to accomplish. That being said, I'm retired & have been sailing since 1975 on everything from "sunfish" up to & including my 35" schooner. (I'd be happy to sell you that BUT you better bring your tool box as she is on the hard awaiting the spring & a complete hull rebuild!) IF you find a suitable boat while your in Florida I'm available until May 2012 to show you the ropes & at least start you in the right direction. The majority of my sailing has been on Lake Ontario (google "The Great Lakes") But I have also sailing the ocean & gulf around Florida on family charters since about 1985. Please feel free to contact me thru the Sailnet site if you are interested in my offer. I'll be in the Orlando area next week BUT without a computer. Call me: 315-532-4417

Good Luck: Shon

[mikieg]

wow. shon's first post! a damned good gesture never the less. it sure would have been nice to have someone offer to help me get going when i first looked into this. sure woulda saved me 10 years!
it was baptism by fire to say the least!

[TQA]

Originally Posted by jameswilson29

Lovely vessel...you trying to make it difficult for him to score in the Caribbean...

C'mon it is not that bad. OK except for the cushion covers. A goodwill sewing machine and some fabric will soon fix that.

It has a newish Yanmar, skeg hung rudder, serviceable sails and will do the job. Even comes with dink and outboard.

[fadentime]

Yes, I've been there myself ! You would think that after this long the "fires" would burn out. My gesture was made in all sinceirty as I too have walked in those TIGHT shoes one or twice in my life !.

Being retired & driving my wife crazy was fun for the first couple of months but just like marraige even the fun get old after a while. It's been two years & right now I'm between projects since it WINTER in upstate New York. A two or three month sailing tutorial in the Keys wouldn't break my heart or the bank at this point.

My biggest consern is that Arjen may not take into account the advise that the Sailnet members have given him. Yes, some are too BLUNT but all in all their opinions are "on the money".

As for my first post, yes it was. I had to sign up in order to make my offer. I've been a member for a while but the site won't give me my old password & I can't for the life of me remember it ! This is a new & unused email address so the I could register AGAIN !! Later: Shon

[Arjen]

Ok, im still here (someone PMed me that i should see some of the newer posts)

I really like the poker comparison, because in fact, and now probably some are not gonna believe me. That is one of the things that gives me my confidence. As i said earlier, electronics (and computer science) is my field of study. But its not my work, after 1,5 years of boring work i promised myself never to work for anyone else again and started my poker carreer. I bought some books, started and made a living of it since then. My philophy in life is to just go and do things and when you believe in yourself, you will succeed. It has worked for me so far. So thanks for the encouraging comparison.

And of course, i do know that VHF is for short distances and satelite for long ones. That was the whole issue and my post was a sarcastic reply. Sorry if that was not clear to everyone.

Believe me, i do not disregard the advices given here completely. First of all, i will not give my friends on statia to much hope that i am gonna end up there anytime soon. I do believe that this carribean round trip i am thinking of is a bit too much for a start (within the time i have before huricane season at least) and maybe i better start circling around some bahamas islands first and hope to end up in rio dulce before the huricanes come in. (I dont feel like going to the north US because i do intent to spend summer in europe and marinas in the US i assume are a LOT more expensve then in rio dulce)

For the budget thing, as i said, my budget is flexible and i already kept it a bit low because it is to be my first practice boat. I am aware that buying a boat is only the first bit of expenses. I was very hopefull that 10k would buy me a sailready 30ft, but you guys are telling me its not. So while of course i am stubborn and still have a little hope remaining and i will search for it, i am ready to face the fact that i wont find it. And the replies here made me think about this and decide that i will be critical not to buy a crappy boat that is gonna give me a lot of unexpected problems that i am too inexperienced to cope with (of course i will always meet some unexpected issues) and rather choose for a smaller one when needed.

I also see someone write about people looking for me at boats while i am not there to make a downpayment. To clarify, that is not at all what i was asking about. I would very much like it if someone could be there when i am there to help me in person. (29th of January) To go to boats that seem interesting to me and point me out what is good about those boats and what not. That is what i need most now.

And fadentime, i cannot send you private messages as a new member, but i may use your phone number when i arive in florida (and first buy a local prepaid since my own phone wont work on this continent) Thank you.

[Arjen]

Little update:

Had some delays due to stolen passport. This is gonna keep me in florida for at least 3 weeks till a new one is arranged. At least i got time to look for boats now

I have seen a Kelt 7.60. (27ft) It looked good for as far as i can judge, but it really is a bit small really.... So i do hope i'm gonna find a little bigger one.

Tomorrow i will see a Columbia 32 and a 36 Morgan. I was told it is in pretty ok condition, except for the fact that it has no engine and outboard could be fitted onto it. I am hesitant and it really may be a bit too big anyway, but looking at it never hurts of course.

I am more eager though to see a 33 Rawson that is for sale. This seems like a favorite to me. It should be sturdy, full keel, 6"4 headroom, and well equiped. It is out cruising right now though....

What do you guys think about this ? Could the rawson be a good choise, or can i not expect a boat like that to be in good condition for 10k ?