Advise to those moving aboard?

[JEFryar]

el,
I too thought your questions were interesting and to the point and was looking forward to reading many and veried answers. To my surprise I read the rather rude exchanges.
My suggeston is to post your thoughts and let us all sift through them and decide the value and merit of each without having to post each of our CV''s. I for one find enormous value in speaking to people of all levels of experience.
Good sailing, JEF

[marsh025]

El, As a person who is going to be a "newbie" member of the liveaboard community within the next couple of months, I was very interested in your questions. It was one of the most important questions with respect to the liveaboards posted on this board for a long time. There were some great answers that will be of help to me when I move aboard. I think that Dancy8888 was trying to say sorry. Let''s all loosen up a bit. I thought sailing was supposed be full of fun people? Nice topic!!!!!

[jefteck]

Regardless of experience, doesn''t everyone have something to bring to the table? Isn''t it true that when we help each other, everyone benefits? Just a thought. Fair winds...

[captchetco]

Handiest thing is an inexpensive "flexible grabber" The kind where you push one end and little claws extend from the other. I use it nearly daily. Removesdog hair from the cockpit drains and my hair from the shower drain, retrieves items dropped in the bilge, holds little things like a third hand. Cost about $4.00.
Biggest problem is recurring small leaks and condensation drips. For everyone found and stopped, a new one appears within a month.
For living aboard in port, an adequate 120v electrical system. For sailing, Sail the weather not the calandar.

[FTHOMSON]

Cannot live without: A good 12 volt system
Biggest Pain: My 12 Volt system. :-)
Wish List Item: A desal plant.

Newbie or not newbie? Hmmm... I was first exposed to sailing in the summer on Lake Winnipeg when I was about 10. Sailed for a couple of seasons and drifted away from it until age 38. Saile a couple of weeks a year with my friend who owned a boat. Chartered a boat in Greece two years ago then bought my own. Weekends and holidays spent sailing. Leaving on a cruise in May.

Yup. I''d classify myself as a newbie. But d*mn I''m having fun learning!

[sadie14]

Attitude is the most important aspect of living aboard and cruising and only you can control yours.

Remember, it''s supposed to be fun. (But not at anyone else''s expense-be considerate and aware that noise carries.)

Be open to change (your changing, the weather changing, your neighbors changing), be flexible in your body and your mind.

All the other stuff really will fall into place.

Also, adults tend to think they should be able to do something new on the first try. It''s not true, we still have to learn how to do some things. Give yourself a chance to learn.

[BoatBum001]

Thanks for the all the worderful posts to read. I has been a long winter and these help. I will be living aboard my 34'' hunter in march at Pensacola. Rod and Reel marina.
Tex