I gotta admit, it does freak me out a bit.

pistonbully · #1 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

So many of you know that I "Just want to sail away". And for the most part it all sounds very very good. Living in a small place with minimulism being a part of my daily life, sounds ok. Saving my $$ and quitting my job is ok. Leaving my town and all my friends, is ok. But the one thing that freaks me out is being out in the middle of all that deep blue all alone.Not that i am afraid of being lonely, just being on my "Own" and relying on my own knowledge, Sometimes I come to grips with it and tell myself that it's no big deal. But sometimes I think about it or watch a youtube video of a boat bobbing around on some big swells and get a little spooked! I'm gonna do it regardless. I'm not one to back down from a challenge but man it's a big pill to swallow.

It really gets me when I look at my over all goal of sailing basicly from Chesepeke to the US virgins and try and get some work about a year into my trip. I look at google earth and see all that space between say st croix and Florida and think " Crap that's far!".

Just curious while i'm on this subject. I'm working out ETA's on this trip.. would you say that maybe Baltimore to florida on the ICW would be about 6 weeks on a 28 ish footer?

If you had a small inboard diesel or a small outboard gas pushing said boat how much would you expect to spend on fuel getting down the coast to florida? I know you can sail some of it (ICW) but not all.

I'm starting to think it might be a lot cheaper to just start around florida to begin with. But I wanted the chesepeke to gain knowledge of sailing.

Thanks guys,

mostly just venting here.

tdw · #2 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistonbully

So many of you know that I "Just want to sail away". And for the most part it all sounds very very good. Living in a small place with minimulism being a part of my daily life, sounds ok. Saving my $$ and quitting my job is ok. Leaving my town and all my friends, is ok. But the one thing that freaks me out is being out in the middle of all that deep blue all alone.Not that i am afraid of being lonely, just being on my "Own" and relying on my own knowledge, Sometimes I come to grips with it and tell myself that it's no big deal. But sometimes I think about it or watch a youtube video of a boat bobbing around on some big swells and get a little spooked! I'm gonna do it regardless. I'm not one to back down from a challenge but man it's a big pill to swallow.

It really gets me when I look at my over all goal of sailing basicly from Chesepeke to the US virgins and try and get some work about a year into my trip. I look at google earth and see all that space between say st croix and Florida and think " Crap that's far!".

Just curious while i'm on this subject. I'm working out ETA's on this trip.. would you say that maybe Baltimore to florida on the ICW would be about 6 weeks on a 28 ish footer?

If you had a small inboard diesel or a small outboard gas pushing said boat how much would you expect to spend on fuel getting down the coast to florida? I know you can sail some of it (ICW) but not all.

I'm starting to think it might be a lot cheaper to just start around florida to begin with. But I wanted the chesepeke to gain knowledge of sailing.

Thanks guys,

mostly just venting here.

Piston, the Womboat goes through around one litre an hour at five knots. She's running a 24hp diesel, 34' loa. 28'er will use no more than that so its not going to be ruinously expensive.

pistonbully · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

k, Good to know..

Minnewaska · #4 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

No need to be alone in the middle of a boiling ocean until you are ready to be. Pick your weather. There are also many places to layup between FL and the virgin islands: all of the Bahamas, Turks and cacos, Puerto Rico........

WanderingStar · #5 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

Practice and experience will build confidence. You may be wary each time you reach a new level, but it's the only way to do it. "Experience starts when you begin".

imagine2frolic · #6 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

It's one step at a time. First learn to sail, and go from there. You are freaking out about nothing., I believe it's more dangerous to drive around the S.F. Bay Area than sail on the ocean.

Also I would spend my time in the Bahamas. The BVI is nice, but not much compares to the Bahamas..........i2f

Minnewaska · #7 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

Also I would spend my time in the Bahamas. The BVI is nice, but not much compares to the Bahamas..........i2f

I find the Bahamas to be fairly spread out, while the BVIs have numerous destination sails <3hrs. However, some of the out islands of the Bahamas can really feel like exploring, with very limited services. You will routinely find residents that have never left those islands, or possibly only to go to Nassau if someone was in the hospital.

imagine2frolic · #8 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

I find the Bahamas to be fairly spread out, while the BVIs have numerous destination sails <3hrs. However, some of the out islands of the Bahamas can really feel like exploring, with very limited services. You will routinely find residents that have never left those islands, or possibly only to go to Nassau if someone was in the hospital.

To me that is part of the charm. I spent a month in the BVI between to different occassions, and 4 seasons in the Bahamas. I like the fact you can have the remoteness, or choose lots of social interaction.

. Anchoring on top of eachother is not my iidea of fun, but for some it is ideal......i2f

pistonbully · #9 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

I know I tend to over think sometimes and sketch myself out ( I blame youtube for this) but then I calm down start going over the plan and it's back to business..

I am happy to say however that I told my brother and sister and they were both much to my surprise very supportive.They both thought it sounded like something I would do, lol. I just have known them to sometimes think i'm nuts. I thought this time they might of signed me up for the looney bin.

Yeah, i do plan to spend as much time as I can making my way south. I'd love to get through the VI's just after winter make some job contacts and be able to go hide out somewhere for the hurricanes in the spring (Prbly rio dulce or somewhere closer/cheaper/safer? maybe port of spain or other) .. I'm sure I will figure that out as I go.. and then idealy if I like it I will head directly back to the VI's for a solid work season to restock the kitty then duck out for more travel/adventure as the next hurricane season starts to come around. I'm sure by then I will know where I want to go next.

pistonbully · #10 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

There are also many places to layup between FL and the virgin islands: all of the Bahamas, Turks and cacos, Puerto Rico........

Oh for sure, Sorry I think I miss wrote in my original post. I plan to hit ALL that good stuff on the way down. I will be day sailing only.. And taking as long as I can to do it safely.