so I've done it!

[bestfriend]

Yes, she will definitely be fun to sail. You have bought a boat that is a tried and true fun racer/day sailor. Bare bones down below, but you said you can handle that. If you plan to set up systems in it, it will be easier for you as a novice because its all out in the open.

[camaraderie]

Tom...so you are planning on going from Melbourne to NYC in your new J24?
That's great. Should be quite an adventure. Keep us posted.
There's an excellent review here:
http://www.boatus.com/jackhornor/sail/J24.asp

That may prove helpful as you prep for your trip. What size outboard did it come with?
Good luck with her!!

[sailaway21]

There's a lot you can do on this boat, if not sail it safely to South America. Although you could ship it there for the cost it'd take you to sail it there. You can certainly become a much better sailor on a quite agreeable sailing boat and you can probably live on it given your willingness to be cramped. And it's a lot better than the boat you didn't have. Please keep an open mind to the suggestions presented here. We're not in the dream smashing business. We are, for the most part, willing to give you good objective advise based upon experience. And we really like to see things turn out well for people.

I guess the sailing school went well and you've got a boat. Previously you mentioned perhaps crewing on a few boats. What's up with that? It still sounds like a good idea to me.

[TomScanlan]

Originally Posted by tonic

I think he's got you guys.

I'm not sure I know what that means, but I'll fly with it.

[bestfriend]

Photos! Post some photos if and when you can.

[TomScanlan]

Originally Posted by jimmyb116

Do enjoy and learn its a great boat for day sailing and racing around the cans one beats me regularly but don't go to sea in it ! I watched one sink 2 years ago after a knock down on wed night racing fortunately there were plenty of us around to help.

Everyone is saying it. I really am interested in reading more about the capsize and sinking and/or not righting. I don't disagree that is is very possible with the j/24. I'm just interested in learning about what went wrong so can help avoid it in the future.

I went on a race a couple of weeks back and saw a very fast cat (can't name what it was, but was around 36') break apart in safe waters. I'm curious about what the fatal flaw was, but haven't heard back yet. In general, I'm curious!

[TomScanlan]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Tom...so you are planning on going from Melbourne to NYC in your new J24?
That's great. Should be quite an adventure. Keep us posted.
There's an excellent review here:
http://www.boatus.com/jackhornor/sail/J24.asp

That may prove helpful as you prep for your trip. What size outboard did it come with?
Good luck with her!!

I actually read that review before buying the boat. Currently this one has a 4hp outboard. After leaving the dock once, I'm really not sure it is needed on a regular basis. I'll keep the outboard and run it occasionally, but sailing out and into a slip was amazingly easy in good weather.

It is very bare at the moment. Zero extras besides spare sails and anchor. I'm staying at a marina for at least the first month to get comfortable with the boat, and do some below deck changes.

I am keeping a blog of sorts, though it has been dead while boat shopping, at http://tompscanlan.blogspot.com/. As I go, I'll try to keep that updated, even if I can't gush on sailnet about the fun I'm having

[sailingdog]

Congratulations on the purchase and moving aboard. I'd agree that a J/24, while a great day sailing boat and good for racing around the buoys, is probably a very poor choice for any type of cruising, even limited distances, due to some problems inherent in the design.

There are several boats in that size range that would have been much better choices IMHO, like the Olson 25, which are also relatively "sporty" but are much more suited for cruising and living aboard. It would make sense, given your goals, to look at something like a Pearson Triton or Ariel, Albin Vega, or something a bit more forgiving in the conditions you'd probably face crossing to Latin America.

[bestfriend]

Originally Posted by TomScanlan

As I go, I'll try to keep that updated, even if I can't gush on sailnet about the fun I'm having

Gush all you can! Especially with all the summer only sailors on here!

[TomScanlan]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

There's a lot you can do on this boat, if not sail it safely to South America. Although you could ship it there for the cost it'd take you to sail it there. You can certainly become a much better sailor on a quite agreeable sailing boat and you can probably live on it given your willingness to be cramped. And it's a lot better than the boat you didn't have. Please keep an open mind to the suggestions presented here. We're not in the dream smashing business. We are, for the most part, willing to give you good objective advise based upon experience. And we really like to see things turn out well for people.

I guess the sailing school went well and you've got a boat. Previously you mentioned perhaps crewing on a few boats. What's up with that? It still sounds like a good idea to me.

I am still really curious, because I'm new to this, is there a reason besides the capsize/sink risk of this particular small boat to not take it to south america? I haven't done any research on that leg of the trip yet, so almost anything will be news to me.

I like your phrasing I don't have a willingness to be cramped, just a budget and time line to be cramped. And it is better than the boat I didn't have Great post by you!