just go --? find work to reprovision???

[madcuddlar]

Ok.. So I have a boat. 24 foot Morgan. I have a crew LOL 20 year old daughter. When we are both skilled enough sailors, how feasible/realistic is it to JUST GO!!! I mean sail out of San Francisco head south down the west coast past baja california, thru the PANAMA Canal and into the bahamas. Can we possiblly hope to find odd jobs to support our food and boat maintenance bills. Does anyone do this presently. I DO REALIZE THE ENORMITY OF THE QUESTION, it is pretty general.. but I have to start somewhere.. at THIS point I MAY be only naive

[madcuddlar]

sorry I put this in the wrong spot apparently

[Freesail99]

Many years ago I owned a 24 ft. Morgan. I got caught in storm in it while off shore. After almost losing my life and the boat and as soon as I got back to shore, I kissed the ground and sold the boat and never looked back. It is a boat I wouldn't take anywhere other then a nice inland lake. My .02 cents anyway.

[madcuddlar]

ROLMAO.. fair enough ok. so 1st observation: When finally sailing out of the inland lake,, be in A BOAT OTHER THAN MY MORGAN 24. Thank you freesail 99. your input might have saved a life or two. Just so we are all on the same page though.. I am a long ways from shoving off on this pipe dream and didn't think my current boat was the cloud to take me anyway. Although I am hoping it is going to prove itself worthy of teaching me some rough sailing skills...

[WanderingStar]

If you decide to just go, keep enough money aside for tickets home. Read "Voyaging on a Small Income" by Annie Hill.

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that working in foreign countries without proper permits is a good way to get arrested, thrown in jail, have your boat confiscated and have other generally bad things happen.

What many people who are out cruising do is fly back to the US to periodically replenish the cruising kitty. Not many people can find a way to finance their travels while traveling.

I would highly recommend you pick a smaller boat, rather than a larger one, as the costs of voyaging and cruising on a smaller boat are generally lower, to a point. I'd point out that making that boat as self-sufficient as possible in terms of electricity, water, etc, is also a good way to help make cruising the boat long-term more feasible. Marinas are expensive—anchoring out is not. The less time you spend in marinas, the better off it will be for your cruising kitty.

Also, in terms of self-sufficiency, having the skills to do most, if not all of the repair, maintenance, modifications to your boat will be an asset that will serve you well when cruising. Often, you can barter such practical skills to other cruisers who are less adept at such things. Having the tools, skills and ability to make basic repairs will make cruising much easier and less expensive.