[chef2sail]

I say let him go......Darwinism at it best

 

[deltaten]

Perhaps fly to the intended destination and buy/rent a smaller, inter-island capable daysailer? Or just paddle around the Big Island for a month. Mostly, ta find out if ya like it and secondly, to gain the experience. ONce the uncertainty is gone, figure a longer sojourn next season

 

[fordo]

The OP stopped posting on this thread 3/7, the first day. Anyone know what happened?

 

[Dean101]

The OP stopped posting on this thread 3/7, the first day. Anyone know what happened?

Maybe he went on with his plans. Lot's of directions that could have went.

 

[floridajaxsailor]

foolish idea

-JD

 

[HDChopper]

I'm 23 years old. My girlfriend and I are bored and looking for a tropical adventure.

I've come up with a few ideas but the one I'm most seriously looking into the feasibility of, is buying a sailboat and spending like 6-12mth just cruising down the Bahamas; gaining more experience along the way and heading further South towards the Turks & Caicos, Dominican, Puerto Rico, BVI's, St. Lucia, etc..

SO, the two biggest questions I have are:

- Can I find a comfortable, used sailboat - qualified for the trip - for under $20k, all in?(preferably closer to $15k).

- How long would it take/what would I have to do, to learn enough so that we could safely embark on the initial journey from Florida to Grand Bahama?

I'm thinking I could spend a solid month reading and researching the basics of sailing, then buy the boat in Florida and spend another few weeks/month practicing and learning on the water with someone locally. Then be ready to hit the 'road' with my girlfriend and our dog. Is this at all accurate or am I dreaming?

I'm a very optimistic person and although a bit naive perhaps, I'm pretty confident I can do this given the right advise and guidence.

Thanks so much for any and all input!

Cheers,

Owen

Shure you can !
I decided I wanted to fly so it only took a year to build my first lightplane and researched & read everything on flying & Bernoulli's theorem, then flew it !
Had a great time and liked it so much I built 2 more after that had Real Fun for years & Never had a pilot license ...

BUT I am shure 99% of other ppl in the world would of DIED doing the things I have done in my life .,, (I really believe that because I have meet Thousands of ppl & most belong on Jay Lenos Jaywalking bit!)

 

[boatpoker]

It ain't rocket science ... look at all the idiots who do it.

I've told this story before but I think its worth repeating. I surveyed a Catalina 47 in 2004 for a fella who had never sailed before. He bought the boat, spent two weeks loading it up then left the dock (singlehanded).

18 months later I got a email from him in having a great time in Trinidad. A couple of years later he came back to Toronto, bought a trawler and headed off for the loop.

He were'nt no rocket scientist but his momma didn't raise no dummies either.

A little knowledge, a little common sense and a spirit of adventure will take you a long way.

 

[Minnewaska]

Shure you can !
I decided I wanted to fly so it only took a year to build my first lightplane.....

BUT I am shure 99% of other ppl in the world would of DIED.....

Directionally correct anyway. While amateur built aircraft comprise 10% of the US fleet, they account for 20% of fatal accidents. Also, 10% of amateur built accidents occur on the aircraft's very first flight. Data just released by the NTSB last year.

I am a huge supporter of homebuilts and the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), but the amateur builders can do better.

Their proposed solution is better education, particularly on power systems, which are the most likely to fail in this category.

I think the same can be said for those that venture offshore without experience. Get as much education as you possibly can.

 

[JulieMor]

The OP stopped posting on this thread 3/7, the first day. Anyone know what happened?

Having just browsed through some of the posts, it's possible some of the comments turned him away.

As for sailing from Florida to the Bahamas, the shortest route is from Lake Worth to West End. It's about 65 miles. From there you can cruise the coast of Grand Bahama Island. You don't have to go far to find a harbor.

And as you gain confidence and experience, you can decide your next destination. As long as you plan well, pay close attention to the weather, and take your time, I think anyone with little experience can make the voyage safely. You just have to think safe. But certainly, get to know your boat first, then at least get an experienced sailor to come on board with you and teach you the basics before you go.

And to the cost of the boat, Cap'n Fatty circumnavigated the globe twice in a $3,000 boat. But he'll be the first to tell you that price left him with enough money to purchase a lot of safety equipment. Of course, you have to know how and when to use it too.

 

[caberg]

These folks did almost exactly what the OP is proposing (i.e., had never sailed before, bought a boat, took about a month to learn, and then went from FL to Bahamas).

The Slapdash | No Fixed Address

Then went on to circumnavigate... In a 34' cat.

And they're certainly not the only ones. On the other hand, I'm sure there are some who will spend their entire lives on coastal and inland waters, and denigrate anyone with less experience who proposes something like the OP.

 

[azguy]

I would get to Florida and get into a live aboard situation so you can work, sail and get to know the local waters....Then a year from now "go for it"

 

[Flybyknight]

I mean this with all due respect.
No! Forget it.

 

[drhoward20]

what is guntholing

 

[cherev]

I skipped to the end of this thread, so this may already be covered. Never go into a risky endeavor without personal experience (gradually acquired), or instead, without hiring an experienced person to guide and help you.

Take a keel-boat sailing course, take any instruction that a local boating association or college offers, and practice lake sailing. Then bare-boat sail on chartered boats in sheltered waters like the BVI. Then do some more charter sailing on more open waters such as those in the Caribbean. You might try crewing on a boat delivery or two.

Finally, now that you have some idea what you're about and what you'll need, then look at buying your very own hole in the water. The charters will be fun, even if you decide it's just too much of a culture shock.

 

[jameswilson29]

Take a keel-boat sailing course, take any instruction that a local boating association or college offers, and practice lake sailing. Then bare-boat sail on chartered boats in sheltered waters like the BVI. Then do some more charter sailing on more open waters such as those in the Caribbean. You might try crewing on a boat delivery or two.

I, too, endorse this plan. By the time you have completed these courses and charters, you will be so experience rich and cash poor that you will be unable to buy anything that could possibly get you in trouble.

 

[wannabsailor]

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism sponsors a series of escorted boat cruises to The Islands of The Bahamas annually, for the benefit of newcomers who want a buddy boat for the crossing. The cost is minimal and includes a send-off party and Bahamas Welcome party.
These Flings are usually during the months of June thru August.
For more information on Fishing and Boating in The Islands of The Bahamas, contact Bahamas Sports and
Aviation at (800) 327-7678 or (305)932-0051.
Go For It!

 

[meuritt]

The original buyers of my boat, way back in 1972 bought the boat, hired a french captain to sail them across the English Channel and teach them everything they needed to know in three days, including celestial navigation. Then it was off across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal where they lost the boat (blew off its mooring, the boat survived because, obviously, I own it now) in a Cat5 hurricane. They were not aboard.

There is no need for training at all, but a good load of dope to dull your judgement might help.

 

[jameswilson29]

There is no need for training at all, but a good load of dope to dull your judgement might help.

Apparently, the same advice holds true for posting on this forum.

 

[Frag]

Hi Owen,

You are young and full of energy. Go for it. Be prudent and you will be fine. I wish I would have done this when I was your age. I started to sail last summer, and I just wish I started before. I am having a similar plan ...

I am answering your question straight here:

- Read “The Annapolis Book of Seamanship”
- Do ASA 101 to at least ASA105
- Meet people in local club and crew their ships for racing. Lot of friendly people in this community. You will learn a lot from them.
- Talk to someone who did that trip. I mean really talk to him…face to face. There is a good chance you will meet those in the same clubs.
- Prepare the ship and make sure you have all the safety equipment in case things go bad.
- And go. You can do it.

Who risk nothing get nothing. You are the adventurous type. Enjoy it.

Steph

 

[Minnewaska]

....Who risk nothing get nothing.

Right. I only wish that applied to the economy as well.