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Sailing off...

15K views 65 replies 33 participants last post by  156680 
#1 ·
I'm at a point where I have few, if any, strings left. My job is going away. There are no kids at home. And I want to see more of the world by water.

I've done day sailing and a few weekends. I want to take off and escape it all!

Any pointers?
 
#31 ·
Boat should be the last thing. First make friends that own boats, sail for few weeks and see if you like it. Boat is a prison cell :) or paradise depending on the crew more than anything else. There are always boats that look for crew members for certain legs. I had a friend who was begging me to cross Atlantic with him couple of times - now I wish I did it. Next year I should be in his shoes - that's why I am doing website for my boat and will make it popular among friends and friends of friends - to make sure I am not drinking morning coffe to a mirror.
 
#32 ·
First of all Welcome. As one that has been here on Sailnet for awhile, this can be a great place to learn things big and small. I encourage you to use the search engine first if you have any questions. Over the years some great information from present and past members. However, you can always ask again, and an answer shall be provided. You can always ask me in private and I am sure Donna as well.
I might have missed where you live, but Paul's suggestion is a real good start. I too started out with a Tanzar 22 which I raced for 3 years before moving on to big boats. A person can learn more in one season racing that 10 years cruising in boat handling.
I would caution on crewing OTB (Other Peoples Boats) unless you know them or are recommended too.
I live on a Hunter 36 alone, sail her alone and go to the Bahamas on her. It is a good size boat and easy to sail. She is my escape away from the crazy world so I do understand.
Once again welcome here, and if you need to just ignore some of the more "forward" replies. I try to monitor them and if need too have them deleted from this forum.
 
#34 ·
Priceless! Now where are all the single women who are like this?? Maybe you can give me some pointers on finding them? ;) If I ever had a wife or girlfriend tell me something like this, I would buy us the biggest, nicest Beneteau you can lay your eyes on no matter if I have to break the bank or not. Name that yacht "Paradise Bound", then we would set sail and find our paradise. :cool: See, the problem I have is I am really into sailing and kayaking and any woman I am with would really have to enjoy doing this stuff with me. You are another proof they are out there.

Well at last there are many here who can provide lots of advice. I have only done day, overnight, and weekend sailing so I am in the same boat as you but I have an Oday 22. Hey you ever heard that song "The Climb" by Miley Cirus? Look it up, it's pretty cool and may inspire you to keep your dreams going. It's all about the climb so keep climbing just as that song will tell you. Well good luck to you!
 
#35 ·
Priceless! Now where are all the single women who are like this?? Maybe you can give me some pointers on finding them? ;)
All in the timing, friend, all in the timing.

(And let her pick out the boat. There's a pointer. :D )
 
#36 ·
Since you have already owned a small keelboat and likely have a reasonable amount of experience - I would suggest you jump in right away.

My other reccomendation would be to charter for a minimum of 2 weeks with a couple of friends, perhaps you charter for a month and have your friends come for one week shifts.

If that works - then you'll know what you will want in a boat
 
#37 ·
The suggetion to charter a few different boats might be the best way to start. Then you can get into a few different sizes, figure out the size, style of boat you like then jump both feet forward into a boat and enjoy!

Marty
 
#38 ·
Thank you for all the great suggestions - especially the reading suggestions. They are all great.

sailguy40 - there are plenty of women around with every interest and desire you're looking for. I've often found many men's expectations and unwillingness to compromise often gets in the way of them finding out what's available, even when it's right in front of them. You don't always have to climb. Sometimes you only need to reach out with an open hand.
 
#44 ·
I hope you can pull it off and get away for awhile! Too many people can't seem to let go of the imagined security of jobs and housing. I know first hand; I prepared the boat (c&c Wave 26 / shoal draft) to go with my wife for a one year (open ended) cruise in the Bahamas, and when it came time to actually go, she could not let go, how sad. It took a toll on the relationship and in the end I sold the boat and swallowed the anchor, a bitter pill indeed. All this after ten years of preparing and garnering experience. God speed and Fair winds to You!!
 
#45 ·
I took my gal to the Annapolis sailboat show. We toured some beautiful Island Packet vessels. Roamed around some of those monstrous cats with four double and queen births and enough exotic wood and doodads to put a penthouse condo to shame. I then asked her, could you see yourself living on one of these beautiful vessels. Her response, "Spending some considerable time on one yes, living on her, no". Ha I had my answer, living aboard, full time cruising is not and will not be in the cards in this relationship. Now comes the hard part...
 
#49 ·
Just to clarify; I'm still married, 40 yrs. on April 8, 2012. What is still difficult for her to comprehend is, that it was about being together, enjoying life, never to escape it. I believe it was "Jimmy" that said "it might come as quite a shock, but you can't really own that rock, it's just a waste of time". Sail on, sail on sailor!
 
#52 ·
Sailorgirl,

If you'd like any information on Jacksonville or North Florida sailing in general drop me an email. I have been living aboard and sailing the North Florida area for about 7 years now. There are plenty of places to get on boats in the area for both casual sailing and racing. If there is anything I can help with let me know.

captainPeppers at hotmail dot COM

Take care...

Peace,
Matt
 
#53 ·
Hey Matt, is your offer of info on NE FL sailing open to other sailnetters in the area as well? We're visiting St Augustine right now ... :)
 
#55 ·
Findacrew will get you aboard a crusing yacht if you want some cruising intro.

If you are set on some Caribbean liveaboard time might I suggest buying something in one of the islands between Trinidad and St Maarten.

EG something like this

Getting from mainland USA to the Eastern Caribbean will be a real hard slog single handed in a small boat, going the other way is easy sailing.
 
#57 ·
imagine...waking to fresh fruit served on the foredeck of your private catamaran. stretch your mind and body to some light yoga as the sun crests the volcanic mountaintops. i applaud your attitude.
sometimes, when you lose yourself, you find the key to paradise.
come join me aboard my 44 foot catamaran in the spanish virgin islands.
capt. dave
 
#60 ·
i've dreamed of sailing into the sunset since i was 17. i'm headed down to the islands feb 7th for a week with some friends (2 guys, one, possibly 2 girls). we're trying to work out all of the details as we speak but if you can make it that would be great. if you send me a private message with your email address i can give you all of the details with pictures.
capt. dave
 
#64 ·
I'm a bit over 4 years away from retirement. I did sail a bit when a teenager and messed about a bit in my 20's with some canoe sailing :( that didn't work out to well lol. Long story short.

We bought a 22 foot project boat 2 years ago. 1) I wanted to get a grip on how much it would cost to restore a boat. 2) Now that the work is done ( at double the estimated costs ) we will use it to hone our sailing skills and navagation etc. Hopefully when the time arrives and we are able to find a 30 footer we'll be ready for our adventure in the caribbean until the batteries expire. Failing that then we'll take the current boat down and live a beach bums :D

c_witch
 
#65 ·
Hey Sailorgirl, I haven't read all the posts, but enough to get the drift, so to speak. You've got a dream. I think that's wonderful. I had one too, nearly 20 years ago. I was a novice sailor then. My husband and I sailed in a race from S.F. to Hawaii in our own boat with others. We then left on our own for 2 years through the south pacific. Years later after relocating to NZ, we left to professionally crew luxury yachts for a number of years. It took us all over the world, and put many bluewater miles under our already seasoned belts. We're back now and look forward oneday to do more cruising.

It started with a dream. Good on ya girlfriend.

My suggestion is this: How about crewing on a yacht destined for...somewhere? Look on this forum and others. You seem very willing, and this type of experience will give you a good idea if it's really a dream you wish to pursue. Of course, it will help you if you have taken some courses on seamanship; or if you're comfortable with the experience you already have, great. Be upfront with the skipper of your skills/short comings.

Where you are, perhaps crewing for a boat going to the bahamas would be a good start? Not to mention fabulous scenery!

All the best to you. Don't get too lost in the detail of it all at the moment....just give it a try first to see if it fits.

All the best - and have fun. That's what's life is about.

Aloha,
Leilani
s/y Amazing Grace
 
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