Hey, life is getting pretty boring, so I decided to buy a sailboat and sail around the world. I know the people here are really smart and could give me good advice on a couple of questions I have.
Only sailed a few times, but I have read a few books (that Slocum guy was quite a dude, we already have stocked up on thumb tacks) and lurked on Sailnet for a time, and figure it can't be all that hard based on what I read here and I have lots of time to pick up experience as we go. I sailed once on a friend's Hunter sailboat, I think it was a 42 footer and really liked it so I think I will get one of those. Can't afford anything that fancy and it is only for my girlfriend (she's a bit afraid of the idea right now, but will get used to it I am sure), our two year old twins and the Rotteweller so I was thinking about a 30 foot Hunter, so bought one for $7000 that I can fix up. I got maybe another $3000 to pour into the project (this sailing is pricey for sure) - that will mean we will have about $400 a month for a cruising budget which should be enough since we live simply and can fish a lot.
We will leave from around the Chesapeake in June next year and go to the Caribbean, I hear that things in Haiti are real cheap and that diesel fuel in Venezuela is almost free. Then we will sail to Europe and go through the Red Sea to India - always wanted the adventure of visiting some of these exotic spots. From India we will head to Australia and then around South America (heard the tolls on the Panama canal are really high so this way should be cheaper (money is tight, right).
Anyway, to my questions, budget is tight. The boat came with one anchor (12 pound Danforth the owner called it) and about 6 feet of chain (not sure what that's for, may take it off) and 100 feet of that stretchy yellow rope. I thought I might want a bigger anchor, maybe 20 pounds since I got the family to take care of, and another 100 feet of rope. Same time I thought I should have a gun to take with me since some of these foreign spots can be mighty dangerous. Problem is I can't afford both ever since that foreigner got into the White House and the economy fell apart, so which one should I buy - anchor or gun???
While you are at it, maybe you could tell me what type of anchor is best and what type of gun is best for cruising (is one gun enough, what about one for the wife too if we can get a deal)?
Also, should I go in 2013 or wait a couple of years in case the climate gets warmer and the sea level rises - hey, more ocean to sail on, right? OK, I was kidding about global warming, aint happening. BTW, if you think the world is going to end next week don't bother replying. I am not buying the anchor (or gun) until the January sales anyway - wouldn't want to waste the money if the world ends like the Mayans say it will. That's why we are not buying Christmas presents until the 23rd.
Only sailed a few times, but I have read a few books (that Slocum guy was quite a dude, we already have stocked up on thumb tacks) and lurked on Sailnet for a time, and figure it can't be all that hard based on what I read here and I have lots of time to pick up experience as we go. I sailed once on a friend's Hunter sailboat, I think it was a 42 footer and really liked it so I think I will get one of those. Can't afford anything that fancy and it is only for my girlfriend (she's a bit afraid of the idea right now, but will get used to it I am sure), our two year old twins and the Rotteweller so I was thinking about a 30 foot Hunter, so bought one for $7000 that I can fix up. I got maybe another $3000 to pour into the project (this sailing is pricey for sure) - that will mean we will have about $400 a month for a cruising budget which should be enough since we live simply and can fish a lot.
We will leave from around the Chesapeake in June next year and go to the Caribbean, I hear that things in Haiti are real cheap and that diesel fuel in Venezuela is almost free. Then we will sail to Europe and go through the Red Sea to India - always wanted the adventure of visiting some of these exotic spots. From India we will head to Australia and then around South America (heard the tolls on the Panama canal are really high so this way should be cheaper (money is tight, right).
Anyway, to my questions, budget is tight. The boat came with one anchor (12 pound Danforth the owner called it) and about 6 feet of chain (not sure what that's for, may take it off) and 100 feet of that stretchy yellow rope. I thought I might want a bigger anchor, maybe 20 pounds since I got the family to take care of, and another 100 feet of rope. Same time I thought I should have a gun to take with me since some of these foreign spots can be mighty dangerous. Problem is I can't afford both ever since that foreigner got into the White House and the economy fell apart, so which one should I buy - anchor or gun???
While you are at it, maybe you could tell me what type of anchor is best and what type of gun is best for cruising (is one gun enough, what about one for the wife too if we can get a deal)?
Also, should I go in 2013 or wait a couple of years in case the climate gets warmer and the sea level rises - hey, more ocean to sail on, right? OK, I was kidding about global warming, aint happening. BTW, if you think the world is going to end next week don't bother replying. I am not buying the anchor (or gun) until the January sales anyway - wouldn't want to waste the money if the world ends like the Mayans say it will. That's why we are not buying Christmas presents until the 23rd.