New to sailing

[Shellylenawilson]

Hi

My fiancee and I are planning on buying a sailboat within the next few weeks. Our plan is to trade it in in 7 years and then be live aboards and sail across the Atlantic. Does anybody have any tips on how to do this without fear and successfully??

Shelly

[CapTim]

Hello!

Here's my first piece of advice: buy cheap! if you buy cheap, you can sell cheap, and still not loose anything. If you buy expensive, you might _still_ sell cheap and now you are sad puppies.

Also, a few questions come to mind... like.. do you know how to sail? Do you plan to keep it in a slip, or is a trailer important? Do you want to race or camp? Do you want to keep everything new, or is an older boat workable? Do you have to finance? Are you going to get insurance? Do you have any applicable skills, such as mechanic/welding/sewing/cooking/carpentry/gelcoat or fiberglass repair/etc that might be able to help with deciding what condition of boat to purchase? Where will you be sailing the first boat? Do you expect kids/pets/other to be part of the deal? How much money do you want to spend? Are you willing to travel to get the boat, or do you want a local purchase? Boxers or briefs?

Anyway, that's a couple that come to mind.

Welcome to SailNet!

[Shellylenawilson]

Hi

Thanks for the quick reply- we have no experience as of yet. We are planning on getting an older 26 ft- to learn the basics over the next several years. Then possibly a 35 ft. catamaran for costal cruising in the caribbean. We plan on taking many courses, charting, engine repair etc...