dreams, hopes, and reality

ryanjenkins · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009

I need some experienced and educated help.

I am a 24 year old college graduate in the albany NY Area who is looking to start live aboard sailing. I am right on the hudson (which i understand can be terrible to sail) but time is not of the essence and making a quick trek through the hudson out to the ocean is not a worry. I can limp along with the current when it is in my favor if the wind along the hudson is really as terrible as i am told.

My goal is to leave the hudson, get out to the ocean via NYC, and then stop and anchor all along the coast until i get up to Maine where my father has a small house about a mile from the ocean.

my budget is limited, around the 5,000 dollar range. I know this isn't much, but would boats like older cal25's and Tanzers be suitable for this kind of voyage? Remotely experienced locals are telling me that i need a 32+ boat and should be spending over 13,000 dollars on a boat....

does anyone have any kind of suggestions or help for me, motivational or not? I am sick of the work grind already despite having a high paying and challenging job. 9-5 is not for me in the least bit, and it is draining away my excitement for life.

is this even a remotely feasible goal? No is an alright answer. i admit my experience is limited to day sailing as a youth, but i feel the ocean and solitude calling and i want to get out there and feel alive again.

solidarity,
ryan

smackdaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009

Hey ryan, welcome to SN dude.

There's tons of info on here - as well as many, many salts that will talk you through just about anything.

While you're waiting for some responses you can start poking around in this thread: The Salt's Corner Table

It's a thread with some of the best info to some of the most asked questions around here - including yours. And you can see who some of the go-to guys are.

Enjoy.

ryanjenkins · #3 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009

thanks a bunch, must have missed that in my search!

JohnRPollard · #4 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009

Ryan, Welcome to Sailnet!

Without getting into specific makes/models, there's no reason why a properly designed and equipped 25-odd footer can't make the trip you intend. However, this is somewhat on the small size for long-term living-aboard.

Also, just be aware that low-cost boats often come with high-cost maintenance and other issues. Often times the better value is in a somewhat higher price range than the bracket you're looking at.

Although not directly analogous to your situation, you might also want to peruse this thread, to get an idea of some of the considerations and realities involved in fixing up an older boat on a budget, etc: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-r...-cruising.html Just make sure you read through to the end.

And don't hesitate to keep asking questions. We're happy to help where we can.

joethecobbler · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

completely do-able, however you must be at least ten percent smarter than the equipment your working with.
just read everything you can get access to and judge for yourself your comfort level and take it as it comes.
If your looking for someone else to tell you you can do it,that is what you will hear and find. If your listening for someone to tell you it cannot be done, you will find that more easily.
there are as many answers as there are questions. And Sooooo many different tolerance levels among sailors.
Some cannot go two days at anchor and others never tie to a dock. Some think $30-100 a night for dockage is a "deal" others consider it a complete waste of money. You will find out quickly which camp you fall into once you get underway.
Safety is the watchword take you time and head the weather. the North atlantic is a harsh ocean comparetively.
good luck.

ryanjenkins · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

jon, thanks so much.

It is geat to hear remotely positive feedback as i am surrounded by armchair adventurers who think me sailing out the hudson to NYC alone is a completely absurd and impossible act. It is hard not to get discouraged.

Do you have any suggestions on good reading for cruising/sailing in general? also any motivational sea stories would be great to have as well.

thanks again!
smooth sailing,
ryan

CrazyRu · #7 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

As motivational source I'd suggest
Atom Voyages | Voyaging Around the World on the Sailboat Atom with James and Mei
Trip is completely do-able.

There are two sailboats suitable for the trip on local craiglist
O-day 22 a bit too small for living, however is big enough to make a trip
O'DAY 22FT SAIL BOAT W/TRAILER
O-day 25 is big enough to live on for short time
Sail Boat

ryanjenkins · #8 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

thanks Ru! motivation is key.

now to start finding boats... since i am ont he hudson it seems like there aren't that many to choose from. Would you guys suggest as deep a keel as possible considering i want to be somewhat oceanic? I found a sloop22 in pristine condition for a GREAT price but it has the much smaller kep and i am worried about that out just off the coast, not to mention it is a 22 and i would feel a lot better with a 27 or 28.

wind_magic · #9 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanjenkins

my budget is limited, around the 5,000 dollar range. I know this isn't much, but would boats like older cal25's and Tanzers be suitable for this kind of voyage? Remotely experienced locals are telling me that i need a 32+ boat and should be spending over 13,000 dollars on a boat....

does anyone have any kind of suggestions or help for me, motivational or not? I am sick of the work grind already despite having a high paying and challenging job. 9-5 is not for me in the least bit, and it is draining away my excitement for life.

Hey Ryan,

It's possible as is, but ...

Have you considered staying put a bit longer ? Consider this - if you leave now you will have to cut your expenses to live on the amount of money you are talking about, of course, so if that is the case, why not go ahead and do that now and continue at your high paying job for a while to build up a cruising kitty ? You don't have to change a single thing about what you are planning to do, same boat, same destination, same perspective, the only difference is it takes a little longer and you have some cash'ola in your pocket when you leave. You may find you have more motivation and excitement if you have a set departure date and a plan, and you could even get the boat now and live on it if you wanted.

Of course all that goes out the window if you start purchasing extra gear, planning to get a bigger boat, and all the rest, that is how people end up with marina queens that are tied to the dock that never actually leave to go on their cruise.

CalebD · #10 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

Get and read the 'Eldridge Tide & Pilot Book'. There are many wonderful wind, tide and navigating tips printed throughout this book.
The 'Cruising Guide to the New England Coast' has a chapter that details all the marinas on the Hudson as well as along the Atlantic coast.
We got our Tartan 27' for under $5K but have put much more then that into it over the years.