Inexperienced, but in love with sailing. Please help

[M_cam]

Hi everyone. I'm new to sailing and new to the site. I'm 37 years old and I'm just getting into sailing. I've been around fishing boats all my life so I'm no real stranger to the water. My girlfriend and I have decided that after a few sailing trips with some friends who are live aboards that sailing is the life for us. We are now in the market to find our dream. I have been a fultime RVer for 8 years so the transition to a live aboard cruiser will be easier for me than for others. I've done a lot of research on different boats and I've found sail net to be a great source of experience and information so any help would be great. After looking at MANY vessels, visiting a number of shows, and connecting with people who have lots of experience in full time cruising, I have gotten a better idea of what we are looking for but my list of questions have grown as well. I thought that I had decided on a Catalina 470 however, I really like the idea of a quality swing keel in aluminum or glass. The turn on is the ability to more easily preform maintenance by beaching and exploring shallower waters as well. I am extremely interested in the Ovnis and Boreals but they are just priced out of my range so far. We are in the process of starting an Internet business and will be cruising the blue waters. I'd like to say that we will be circumnavigating the globe but hey, sailing is about not making plans. (to me anyway) I invite you to please share with me any experiences,tips,and suggestions.

Mike

[WanderingStar]

Welcome aboard. Your RV and fishing experience do help. It's very hard to recommemd boats, everyone has different likes and needs. I have no experience with production boats (I confess that all of mine have been wooden!). Usually people start small and work their way up. As adults I don't suggest you start with a dinghy. I do suggest you start with a used, modest, coastal cruiser to see how much you like it. Keep us posted.

[DonScribner]

Mike,

There isn't a boat out there that isn't loved by some and hated by others, both for very sound reasons. For me, I love Catalinas. My dream boat is a Catalina 30 around 1986. I know . . . dream big, right? Per Wandering Star's suggestion, think about a 27 footer for a couple of years. Take long weekends and live on the water as much as possible. In 3 or 4 years, if you're still in love with sailing, move up to the 40 footer. Keep in mind that the bigger the boat, the bigger the bill. At $100/ft slip fee, that's $400/month for a spot in the water. Add in haul/launch, winter storage and upkeep, there's a heapin' helpin' of paycheck missing. For some, that isn't that much, but for me . . . . We are trailer sailors for a reason. At any rate, welcome to the asylum!

Don

Maine

[vega1860]

Welcome to SailNet

Originally Posted by M_cam

sailing is about not making plans. (to me anyway) I invite you to please share with me any experiences,tips,and suggestions.

Mike

Well, you can make plans, we always do, but they never seem to last much past casting off the stern lines

Originally Posted by DonScribner

There isn't a boat out there that isn't loved by some and hated by others, both for very sound reasons. (snip) Per Wandering Star's suggestion, think about a 27 footer for a couple of years. Take long weekends and live on the water as much as possible. In 3 or 4 years, if you're still in love with sailing, move up to the 40 footer. Keep in mind that the bigger the boat, the bigger the bill. (snip)

Maine

Yup. That was my plan - start small and move up to a forty plus. 22 years and many thousands of cruising miles later I am still sailing the 27 footer. Never saw the need to move up. Ya never know.

[M_cam]

Sorry I haven't replied sooner. I thought I had this set to email me when someone posted. Anyway, I thank you all for your input. Any suggestions are welcomed. Keep in mind I will be bluewater cruising within the next year. I have some friends with 36' and smaller boats so I am getting a little experience there. I am currently putting together a sizable list of "must sees" for my trip to the Miami boat show.