Help me with the "Perfect" boat

[CalebD]

Dude,
You did not say which branch of the military you were in over in old Irak. I have a buddy from high school who was a merchant marine for some time (still is with the MSC) who has been across most of the oceans in ships (not sailboats). It is one thing to be cruising along in perfect conditions in a sailboat with 6 - 8 seas and a steady trade wind versus being in the same vessel with huge and confused waves crashing around you. It is much safer on a ship with plenty of people to help out. That is how the Navy and CG does their job: in ships with a full complement of crew.
Granted, if you could afford a nice 50+' sailboat you could cruise across oceans but there would definitely come a time when you were wishing you had bought a farm instead.
I love your spirit and the exuberance you bring with it and no one here wants to take anything from you for your sacrifice if you have been in Iraq in the military. We all want you to have fun and be safe but this means starting out a bit more simply. There is a bit to learn along the way and the sea and weather do not give a crap about how much you may have sacrificed for your country.
My advice is to start with something smaller in your own area and try it out and just downsize your ambitions a tiny bit until you get the feel for how much boat, how much bad weather and how much expense you can handle. Hell, when I was in my twenties I wished I had a Hobie cat, but that ain't you is it?
I could probably sail to FL from NY in my Tartan 27' but that is not really in my plans.
I mean no disrespect and I wish you well but boating (especially bigger boats) means pretty big boat bucks (and egos).
Good luck.

[sailingdog]

Not really, but some of us have a higher tolerance for N00b questions... even really basic or clueless ones.... I am not implying that this question is either...but it may be.

Originally Posted by tdw

And we wonder why Alex ran screaming from the room.

[Tidykat]

Hey Guys,
Is finding the perfect boat like finding the perfect mate?
I kinda gave up on that and am looking for well I'll say a good boat, atleast one that will work for me.
I thought i wanted a 40' catamaran, but after some research, I realized that she is not for me, at least not now.
No matter the relationship, we all have to either work at it or give it up.
And on that note I hope that you find the boat that will give you the best experience.
good luck.

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by Tidykat

Hey Guys,

I thought i wanted a 40' catamaran, but after some research, I realized that she is not for me, at least not now.



good luck.

What is not to want in a 40' cat?
Unless it is a 42' cat!

[Tidykat]

Originally Posted by therapy23

What is not to want in a 40' cat?
Unless it is a 42' cat!

I couldn't at the moment afford one, plus maintainence on any 40' boat can be hell if you don't have the experience, time or money, hence the search for the perfect sail boat, relationship, continues.
Although I think I have found my dream boat.
And I stress, I THINK, because she is a project boat, a 1965 Grampian Classic 31, and I am on a shoe string budget, hell maybe a G string, when she is done with me.