Ahoy, When do we set sail!

[BrightEyes]

My wife and I purchased a 1985 Seidlemann 37 about a year ago and are planning to cruise the caribben next winter!

Any body got any crusing gear for sale let me know.

Cheers!

[smackdaddy]

Hey bright - welcome to SN dude. And congrats on the new boat!

[Cal28]

Brighteyes

Welcome ..

Purchased a '67 Cal 28 six months ago .. and had no sailing gear whatsoever ..
I would highly recommend the following .. in order of success for us so far:

First and foremost .. identify exactly what you want .. down to specs .. prices (new and used) .. functional condition you require

Then .. utilizing your list check the following -

1) Craigs List .. (every day under boats)

Not only will this identify what is for sale commonly .. it will also give you a ballpark used price .. (note .. for more exotic/expensive items .. make sure you also check other localities .. Miami/Ft Lauderdale .. San Diego .. etc)

We've purchased a like new Norcold 3 cu ft 12V/110V refrigerator for $50 .. an 8 ft porta-boat with motor in excellent condition for $400 ... self inflating PFD's with harness for $20 (again in excellent condition) .. as well as enough Froli system to do the V-berth and rear quarter berth and then some ...

2) Local yacht club swap meets

There seems to one almost every week here in the San Francisco Bay area on Saturday mornings during sailing season .. again know what you are looking for and ask ... get there early (just like garage sales .. the best merchandise goes usually before set-up/start time ..

We've acquired everything from a free hand held 12V spot .. to a Webasco in-line pump for $10 .. drummel tool for $6 .. numerous small items for $1 (dry bags .. plastic gas containers .. etc.) .. to a complete Sharp 13" TV/monitor and DVD player with speakers and sub-woofer for $50 (now mounted in the V berth)

3) Specialty consignment shops

Perhaps one of the most useful places .. check them out in your area for quality items .. reputation .. We have an excellent one here in the Bay Area and have found everything from teak thimble rails .. a factory refurbished depth finder to a complete functioning AutoHelm ST 50 radar system for $300 .. better shops also seem to keep 'want lists' .. but make sure you always call/visit on a regular basis to insure they know exactly who you are .. and what you want ..

4) Other sailors .. in your marina and out

Networking and letting others know what you are looking for ..

We're currently finalizing an even up trade of a Johnson SailMaster 6.0 HP longshaft for a 9.9 .. both in good condition .. he wants a smaller outboard .. we need abit more power ..

5) Thrift stores/resale shops

Yes .. even here you can find what you are looking for ..

Our two large oil-lamps cost $10 apiece (and roughly $2 in chain to mount) .. Sharp Carousel II microwave (perfect fit) $5 .. Cuisinart coffee pot $2.50 .. from a local Salvation Army store .. the 4" memory foam queen sized matress (for above the Froli system in the V-berth .. cut to fit) was $109 from Overstock.com .. tropical fabric for the comforter in the exact color scheme .. $38 at local fabric store (winter half off sale) ..

Hope this helps ..

Enjoy the Caribbean .. I'm on my way there in 4 years and now .. 4 months .. not in the Cal 28 .. perhaps a 34 .. or maybe a small cat ..