Boat dreams

[mkrautha]

Okay, am a complete newbie so I am still in the dreaming phase of boat ownership.
At 24 this is my extended life plan:
1) finish graduate school in the next 9 months.
2) Get as much sailing experience as possible while I
3) Stash cash at every turn until
4) I can sail and
5) have enough money to buy a relatively small used boat (around 28''- 30'') that I can
6) live on and sail alone... a boat that
7) has headroom enough for me at 6''2 and
8) is seaworthy enough for sailing anywhere.
9) I can get for under 15K.

I realize this is a long list, and I have a long way to go in order to realize these dreams. In the meantime I love nothing more to read up on boats and sailing, as well as puruse online classifieds and Sailnet.
Anyone have any suggestions boats I might want to consider (I do realize I''m jumping ahead of myself, but it never hurt anyone to look and dream), as well as good ways to get more sailing experience. I am signed up for some lessons, and from what I understand, crewing is a good way to learn.
Thanks.

[Stede]

mkrautha,

I admire your spirit and setting of goals. I''ve always been goal oriented,and have found that it keeps me focused. You do have your work cut out for you to achieve the items you''ve mentioned. I think you have a good plan, but if I may, I''d like to offer one suggestion.Once you learn the basics of sailing, you might want to consider purchasing a small day sailer if you live close to the water. You can usually pick one up used for around $1K. If you decide to go this route, get one that has both a jib and mainsail.The experience of working and trimming two sails will be very valuable to you later when you upgrade to your 28''-30 footer. As you''ve already realized, you need to spend as much time on the water as you can. Good luck!

[JeffC_]

Stede has a good point: a daysailor that can be stored in a garage or backyard, and adding a trailer hitch to your car can get you in the water and along the learning curve with a minimal investment (that you can recoup later if you don''t smash the boat) while all that "stashing" of money is happening.

A dinghy is an excellent way to learn the basics of sailing, with minimal investment.

Great plan. Write it in pencil, and make the necessary adjustments as you go.

[mkrautha]

Thanks for the advice and the encouragement!

[Orban]

I haven''t a clue as to what I am doing. I have never set foot on a sailboat but dream of sailing costal waters when I retire in 4 years. I plan on going to a keelboat school next summer and maybe a cruising school following that.
I would like to know how I could learn the names of the equipment of a sailboat.
Old men dream dreams!
Orban Hallum

[jbanta]

Orban
Before I bought my boat I arm-chaired sailed for 12 years. I found that Capman''s on Ploiting is a great teacher. Then there are several monthly publications you can get.. I know it''s not to popular but I like SAIL mag.

Email me if you would like to talk I love anything to do with sailing even being told off by the guys around here

jbanta@sailnet.net