[outthere09]

Hi,

My name is Tammy and I am brand new to this site.

I am buying a boat to live on and cruise. Yeah, the cruising part...I live in Florida and will probably want to go from the ICW to Miami and then Bahamas, to get my sea legs. I have never single-handed but I'm up for the challenge.

I'm looking at a Westerly Falcon 34 tomorrow...1986

Anyone got any feedback on this particular vessel, in terms of seaworthiness, personal experience?

Thanks for any and all replies and advice.

 

[PBzeer]

Welcome aboard Tammy.

 

[xort]

Tam

What sort of sailing experience do you have?

Have you looked here: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/buying-boat/48177-boat-inspection-trip-tips.html

There are two books out on surveying sailboats. Surf Amazon, they are good resources.

Also, the book 'twenty small sailboats to take you anywhere' has some good info. Maybe 'DrB' will send you mine when he's done, if you like.

Welcome to sailnet

 

[outthere09]

Thanks!

Hi Xort,

I'm actually a terrible sailor as I always had a 'captain' running things. But did Great Lakes cruising on 30' and 42' monos and then crossed Atlantic from S.Afr to Caribbean on a cat..the girly run as it's all downwind.

So I've been 'out there' and I know what that means. For now, I want to get a boat that gives me the option of going where I want to go. Looking at 34-36' as best size and would prefer cutter rig, or ketch. Being in Florida, there are lots listed.

Yes, I just saw the 'best' book and will pick that up today as more food for thought. There are just a million combinations of rig, hull, etc. to consider so this is really going to be fun! I have a six-month max time frame.

I'll keep you posted...and thanks!

 

[xort]

Don't sell yourself short, crossing the Atl is a big deal, even if it was the 'girly run'.

Six months max might seem like plenty of time but that will go by FAST. We took 2 years. LOTS of junk to wade through, and a few brokers that will slow you down too.

Get at least one of those survey books available on amazon.

 

[PBzeer]

Tammy, the first step is knowing how you'll use the boat. Not how you hope to. Not how you want to. But how you actually think you'll use it. Though hope and reality may be the same, it most often isn't.

 

[outthere09]

Thanks for writing John! Yes, and my timing is a bit off too as six months puts my right smack into hurricane season! That being said, I plan to move aboard ASAP and get up to speed on the boat and systems, sailing it(!) and then head to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Eventually further. Sounds ambitious I know, but maybe I can do it. So I'm really looking at boats for that purpose, enough tankage, optimal rig, proven bluewater experience and up-to-date electronics so I don't have to shell out the last of my fortune on them. Got any ideas? I'm going to look at a Westerly Falcon 34 this week that seems pretty good.