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What to do?

7K views 70 replies 32 participants last post by  Stiche 
#1 ·
Hey, life is getting pretty boring, so I decided to buy a sailboat and sail around the world. I know the people here are really smart and could give me good advice on a couple of questions I have.

Only sailed a few times, but I have read a few books (that Slocum guy was quite a dude, we already have stocked up on thumb tacks) and lurked on Sailnet for a time, and figure it can't be all that hard based on what I read here and I have lots of time to pick up experience as we go. I sailed once on a friend's Hunter sailboat, I think it was a 42 footer and really liked it so I think I will get one of those. Can't afford anything that fancy and it is only for my girlfriend (she's a bit afraid of the idea right now, but will get used to it I am sure), our two year old twins and the Rotteweller so I was thinking about a 30 foot Hunter, so bought one for $7000 that I can fix up. I got maybe another $3000 to pour into the project (this sailing is pricey for sure) - that will mean we will have about $400 a month for a cruising budget which should be enough since we live simply and can fish a lot.

We will leave from around the Chesapeake in June next year and go to the Caribbean, I hear that things in Haiti are real cheap and that diesel fuel in Venezuela is almost free. Then we will sail to Europe and go through the Red Sea to India - always wanted the adventure of visiting some of these exotic spots. From India we will head to Australia and then around South America (heard the tolls on the Panama canal are really high so this way should be cheaper (money is tight, right).

Anyway, to my questions, budget is tight. The boat came with one anchor (12 pound Danforth the owner called it) and about 6 feet of chain (not sure what that's for, may take it off) and 100 feet of that stretchy yellow rope. I thought I might want a bigger anchor, maybe 20 pounds since I got the family to take care of, and another 100 feet of rope. Same time I thought I should have a gun to take with me since some of these foreign spots can be mighty dangerous. Problem is I can't afford both ever since that foreigner got into the White House and the economy fell apart, so which one should I buy - anchor or gun???

While you are at it, maybe you could tell me what type of anchor is best and what type of gun is best for cruising (is one gun enough, what about one for the wife too if we can get a deal)?

Also, should I go in 2013 or wait a couple of years in case the climate gets warmer and the sea level rises - hey, more ocean to sail on, right? OK, I was kidding about global warming, aint happening. BTW, if you think the world is going to end next week don't bother replying. I am not buying the anchor (or gun) until the January sales anyway - wouldn't want to waste the money if the world ends like the Mayans say it will. That's why we are not buying Christmas presents until the 23rd.
 
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#52 · (Edited)
What to do?
Well.... Captain, I am getting bored too.

I think you are trying to put the Cart Before the Horse...

Why do you need a gun or anchor? You need to put your boat at the finger dock just like everyone else. Sitting on dock and connecting to Sailnet and enjoying the view for a few years to earn your due, when there is no current and wind, you can venture out the harbor with your motor. If you want to go thru Kent Narrows or god forbid Knapps Narrows, make sure you plan ahead like a month earlier and let the local Lions to guide you thru. The friendly folks here will even give you their 24/7 phone number. This is not becasue they think you were a moron, they are just stand up guys with special knowledge. :). They care about your safety and there were no hidden agendas on their part, honest.

If you have not settled for a boat yet, make sure your boat is smaller and older than others. Don't even think about buying a production boat, get a old boat from a company who has gone out a businesses for a few decades. The big porthole and wide cockpit are a big NO NO when come to sailing. You need tiny porthole and a pigeon hole cockpit to be safe. Can you imagine in a heavy sea, the wind will ripe the big window apart. In a roomy cockpit, you could be drown in there. Only buy what they have is the Key.

One more thing, before you sail, please submit an application to Sailnet committee for approval. They don't want you to endanger other people or their boats. If you follow the rules, you will be fine. :p

Hope this helps!!! :D
 
#54 ·
More great advice for a smooth journey:
-- Don't forget to paint all of your bananas with a solid layer of Vaseline to preserve them longer.
-- Make sure you have enough red, white, and green electricity for your nav lights.
-- Discount-stores offer inflatable rafts for as little as $20; these are a huge savings compared to over-priced "life rafts" sold in boat stores. Just don't forget to throw in a bag of pretzels and a six-pack of beer for your "abandon ship bag".
-- The best way to get a good night's sleep at sea is to have a nice wide foredeck berth, where the extra motion near the bow will rock you to sleep.
-- Set your cockpit up with plugs in the drains and a pump that will fill it with water so you can take baths often. You can heat the water by lighting off flares and dumping them in.
-- If your boat's "lifelines" (not the palm reader ones in your hand) look a little old, vinyl-coated clothesline makes a great upgrade replacement.
-- For countries in the middle east, Christian tracts and religious literature are a great way to make friends with port officials and get things done faster.
-- Port officials in Singapore, however, really love to receive Penthouse magazines; they'll unlock all sorts of doors for you.
-- Don't bother getting any local money in countries you visit; the REAL money from your own country is so much better and more appreciated.
-- You can make lots of lifelong friends in other countries by telling them how to fix their countries.
-- Sometimes foreigners pretend they don't understand you, but they'll straighten out if you talk much louder and point at them more.
-- Pesky officials will quit making problems for you if you simply remind them that your rights are better than theirs and you know how to use all of your automatic pistols on board.
-- Swimming from your boat in the middle of the ocean is lots of fun; in salt water your body is so buoyant that you won't need to let down a swim ladder.
 
#56 ·
I still don't understand why one would want to sail around the world since you are already here, however, It seems to me, if you just hug the coast line real close it would be a lot safer. As I look at my atlas, I see you can practically drive to England from the East coast of the states via Nova Scotia, a short hop to Green Land, Ice land etc. I don't sea any place on my Globe that has a very big distance of open ocean from a Land mass if you follow the contours. like all the white colored land on the top and bottom of the planet. Why all these big ocean crossings are so popular I can't fathom. Look at the Pacific, just cross from Siberia to Alaska, I hear you can see one from the other. Saftey first at sea I say.
 
#57 ·
FANTASTIC ADVICE!

I don't know why hugging the coast never occurred to me on my circnav. Now that I think about it, why the hell does everyone take the longest open ocean route by following the equator? Crap on that. I'm going to do it north / south. I figure you can hug the coast of north america until it becomes south america. jump across to antartica and sail around to the other side, then jump up the coast of some island like australia for example. You can do this all the way up the back side of the globe and over the top, arriving back in nova scotia.

Now that i see you can circumnavigate by coastal cruising, my Morgan 22 should be just fine. I have a bimini, so that will catch rain. I can poke a hole in the top and let it drain down into my water bucket, just as an emergency backup in case three or four cases of gatorade don't make it.
 
#58 ·
This is a humbling thread. I didn't know how much I didn't know I didn't know or misunderstood. It is back to square one. 50+ years of experience on the water and I have been doing so much either wrong or the hard way.

Thanks to everyone for this education. Jack, can I get a certificate for reading all this vital stuff?

Down
 
#69 ·
Thanks to everyone for this education. Jack, can I get a certificate for reading all this vital stuff?

Down
Sure - how about a 2-pack?
 
#62 ·
In general it doesnt work if you are crossing oceans.

When i came accross the Atkantic last time I didnt see a contrail for three weeks.
I got to thinking about it and worked out the first contrail would be London to Barbados. I dropped a waypoint on my course and amazingly a week later i looked up and saw a contrail! I rushed down and it was EXACTLY on the Waypoint!!!

(Ok, it wasnt ON the waypoint, but it was crazy close :))
 
#64 ·
those contrails are CHEM trails, bro. why do you think you want to follow them so badly? because they are using brain control on you, man.

I've been using Capt Aaron's advice for like two days now. He said to pound the corn into tortillas, but I don't like mexican food so i pounded the corn into Doritos. Bro, I'm golden for this coastal circnav.
 
#68 ·
Here are some more advanced "wise" tips:
-- Your government-issued "TWIT" card allows you to work in any country and can be shown to pirates to chase them off; it's also good for discounts of up to 50% at West Marine.
-- Remember that Atomic 4 gas engines are only compatible with inexpensive alternators and blowers from auto parts stores or junkyards.
-- If you have an Atomic 4, you can improve fuel mileage by removing the backfire flame arrestor so the engine gets more air.
-- If you go over the side for a mid-ocean swim in calm weather, leave the sails rigged in case you need to make a quick getaway.
-- The best place to watch a sailboat race is with your boat tied up to the "leeward" or "gybe" marks. To be more festive and in the spirit of sailboat racing, fly some random signal flags while you're tied up to the race mark.
-- Keep a couple of screwdrivers and a vise grip or pipe wrench next to your boat's compass (the numbered card thingy in a glass) so you can make quick adjustments to it.
-- Sails with a big belly in them are the best, because they can hold more air.
-- The best material for amateur boat building is aluminum; it's not only strong and light, and dead simple to weld and shape, but is also compatible with all other metals, unlike mild steel. Those who really lack basic skills, though, could try making an aluminum boat with a reinforced-concrete deck house.
-- When entering a foreign port, the black flag with the skull and crossbones must be flown, above and along with the country's flag turned upside down, until you have checked in with the authorities. Only after checking in are you allowed to turn the country flag right side up.
 
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