[SimpleTruths]

Good day folks.

I wanted to throw something out there which has undoubtedly been discussed prior but something on which I wanted to gain the perspective of those wiser than me.

My partner and I are working towards our sailing goals of a circumnavigation. I have always been around the ocean, her not so much, so for her birthday last year I sent her on her RYA competent crew to test the waters if you will. She got the bug and it looks like we are game on. We have also bareboat chartered in the Whitsundays to see if it might be a lifestyle we like.....it was.

I have been saving hard for the last 3 years and have put aside lets call it $80k, we have no kids and no debt. We are currently based in Australia but from the UK. Our plan was to spend some time travelling this year then on our return to Australia buy a boat, live on it and get to know the boat while bringing her up to speed and saving a cruising kitty before setting off, this will add about 3 years to departure due to working towards Australian permanent residency.

I have just seen a Marieholm 32E for $30k, it has just completed the 2014 ARC so has a load of new gear and is currently cruising in the BVI said to be in step on and keep going condition. Seems like a solid boat, Swedish built, Long keel with cutaway forefoot. New sails, recon diesel, wind pilot etc etc

I am in no doubt I have limited sailing experience, but I can sail a boat, I can read a chart and im pretty confident in anchoring, I am more concerned that I do not know how to fix a diesel engine, but I have a practical attitude to problem solving and am aware I don't know very much.

I reckon if the boat is in the condition it is said to be and I have cash, a deal could be struck for less money and I would have approx. $50k for 2 years cruising.

So do we keep our conservative sensible plan and hope life doesn't get in the way before it comes to fruition or do we take the leap, fly to the British virgin islands and potentially start our dream?

 

[aeventyr60]

Go for it. Your only young once.

 

[titustiger27]

I am no where close to doing something like this (and it isn't a goal), I have read lots of cruising books (kind of memoir type things) and in the end it seems that cruising is all about boat repair.

I guess the first question would be how good are you or your partner at repairing things? Otherwise the labor to fix things on the boat could eatt up the 50k pretty fast...

That said, if you only get a year in and run out of money.. how bad is that?

 

[westsailpatti]

What kind of Diesel ? For us over the years we just learn to deal with the little beast . Like right now we are over heating . Last time we over heated it was simple , it was the raw water intake . This time that is not the case . We are going down the line as they say , start with the intake and go down the line . Some things to look for on the Diesel , how many hrs. on it , is it raw cooled or fresh ? Is it a lump of rust ? I would higher a mechanic to look at it . If you had to put new it would be roughly 10k-12k . Not counting labor .

 

[mbianka]

Yeah the Diesel is the Iron Pig that seems to eat most of the money. They are pretty reliable until they aren't. My diesel died at 1900 hours suddenly after a leaking head gasket sprayed water onto one of the cylinders and cracked it. Up until then it was a real workhorse. Most engine problems are not that major and can be easily taken care of with a couple of good diesel books and a parts and service manual. But, it might be a good idea to set aside some money for and engine replace/rebuild/repair at some point. Even regular maintenance like oil changes can add up to some $$$ depending on your location. But, also remember it is a sailboat and the engine is auxiliary propulsion.

 

[PorFin]

Good day folks.

...

I have just seen a Marieholm 32E for $30k, it has just completed the 2014 ARC so has a load of new gear and is currently cruising in the BVI said to be in step on and keep going condition. Seems like a solid boat, Swedish built, Long keel with cutaway forefoot. New sails, recon diesel, wind pilot etc etc

...

I reckon if the boat is in the condition it is said to be and I have cash, a deal could be struck for less money and I would have approx. $50k for 2 years cruising.

...

If this is the boat you are thinking about buying, how much is it going to cost to have someone sail it to Oz for you? Or are you planning to keep it in the BVI and visit it periodically?

 

[newhaul]

If this is the boat you are thinking about buying, how much is it going to cost to have someone sail it to Oz for you? Or are you planning to keep it in the BVI and visit it periodically?

Sounds like he wants to buy thiis boat and jump off the dock at that time with it

 

[PorFin]

Sounds like he wants to buy thiis boat and jump off the dock at that time with it

I don't think the seller is gonna wait for 2-3 years to sell her...

OKAY, I'M SEMI-LITERATE. I just read the OP more closely, and I see where I completely missed the "we want to chuck it all NOW and not waste the additional years in Sydney."

So, please accept my apologies.

 

[ajoliver]

Go for it. Don't mess with Mum Nature. Look for weather windows. You biggest danger is a schedule.

 

[capta]

I'm another one for; "just do it". You hardly need 50k for a couple of years cruising on a small boat like that, if she surveys out well. You could cruise the Antilles for at least a year to hone your skills then set off for OZ.
Don't let all the naysayers scare you off. Worst case scenario and the engine does pack it in, there are plenty of yachties around here to help you get er going again. Anyway, it's a bloody sailboat, ain't it?
We sailed 2 months with an unreliable engine, sailing everywhere anchor to anchor, from St Lucia thru the islands to St. T. on a lot larger and more complicated boat than you are looking at.
As a matter of fact there about a half dozen boats on the market right now, down this way in the 25 to 30k range, all of which look like they would survey out nicely, up to 42', I believe. Take your pick.
Good luck and I hope we see you sailing about, soon.

 

[norsearayder]

Your burning daylight,buy it now and get it on

 

[smurphny]

It always sounds great to say "Just do it'" and it is usually right. I agree that you only regret the things you didn't do. But, one difficulty many do not consider is whether they really want to be on a boat for a long duration. Try to envision the reality of being aboard 100% before committing.

For the Iron Genny, get two service manuals; one, the service manual from the manufacturer. It will give you more than you need to know as far as the minutia of every component. Then also get one written by an American publisher. It will not be as detailed as the tech manual but will be much more clearly written than the one from the foreign manufacturer. Diesels are NOT complicated but do require a basic understanding of how they work in order to diagnose problems. Both manual types have troubleshooting tables which can be helpful.

 

[TomMaine]

Good day folks.

I am in no doubt I have limited sailing experience, but I can sail a boat, I can read a chart and im pretty confident in anchoring, I am more concerned that I do not know how to fix a diesel engine, but I have a practical attitude to problem solving and am aware I don't know very much.

I reckon if the boat is in the condition it is said to be and I have cash, a deal could be struck for less money and I would have approx. $50k for 2 years cruising.

So do we keep our conservative sensible plan and hope life doesn't get in the way before it comes to fruition or do we take the leap, fly to the British virgin islands and potentially start our dream?

I have friends from the EU circling the Atlantic, now into their 4th year. They are very skilled sailors but were new to cruising and boat ownership upon embarking 4 years ago.

BTW, this fear is likely typical of all of us as first time boat owners(that will DIY engine maintenance). Most of us become more confident after dealing with 'good' engines.

$$- They chronicle all expenses down to the pence. They have some income from property back home, which they cruise on. 22k(+-) USD/year, is their limit of comfort on staying solvent. A real figure-it includes ALL costs they incur while living and cruising(no children-40's)

Almost zero-restaurants, dockage, mooring fees, always on the go- cruisers. Frugal shoppers, they enjoy simple(cheap) food that can be kept onboard long term and subsist on anything they can harvest onshore or out of the water.

It's a good life, but they stick to their budget!

Their worst demon- The Diesel Engine. Very bright folks, they understand the diesel(after daily involvement), but not enough to feel comfortable or totally secure in the vulnerability a breakdown represents(world class sailors, it's still their most important piece of gear-you need it). Anything beyond simple maintenance requires hiring or finding the skills.

They could afford to replace it but that cost(better part of a years funds), would likely be a game changer for their present cruising. A few large repairs along the way, have been costly.

I wouldn't let a lack of diesel skill stop your dream. You're wise to know what you don't know(a great skill-hard for some to learn).

Just prepare and address this problem realistically. Look into the diesel engine for sale on the boat, carefully. Get help with it until you feel comfortable with it.

You don't want to be haunted on your cruise, by a chunk of iron.

 

[Minnewaska]

$22k per year for a cruising kitty and zero restaurants? My kitty will have to be much bigger. Food is the primary reason my wife decided to come along.

 

[aeventyr60]

If they can get past the Canal then the diesel engine becomes less of an issue, it's kinda what the trade winds are all about....1k a month should see them just fine across the Pacific, not to many many places to stuff your face on big gulps, macs and the rest of the western fixation on cheap ez fast food big ass diets....

 

[krisscross]

If your engine quits, you just have to sail harder. Go now before you change your mind.

 

[titustiger27]

Could he install oars like the sailboats of the 1700's?

 

[newhaul]

I don't think the seller is gonna wait for 2-3 years to sell her...

OKAY, I'M SEMI-LITERATE. I just read the OP more closely, and I see where I completely missed the "we want to chuck it all NOW and not waste the additional years in Sydney."

So, please accept my apologies.

No worries here we are just hoping dad lives to make the sail to Alaska next summer and to mexico next winter I tend to read and reread the wanna jump off posts to see what they claim to be the block to doing it dads was legitimate mom couldn't do long periods away from land so he waited 55 years to do his trip.

 

[TomMaine]

$22k per year for a cruising kitty and zero restaurants? My kitty will have to be much bigger. Food is the primary reason my wife decided to come along.

Ha! There's a can of worms for sure. Is one persons cruising kitty - and the freedom it allows them, another persons gilded cage?

Absolutely. There's no minimum $ to cruise, and no maximum.

 

[capecodda]

I so want to say to the OP, yea go do it. I want it to work for them. The OP post sounds thought out.

Yea, like Mini I'd need a bigger budget for cruising, but many do not. So if we get by that one, I'm worried about the boat's condition and what it costs to make it right.

Every used boat we've owned (4) required more work than we originally anticipated. Cost more than we budgeted to run. And was worth every penny of it

But yea, look, all we got is time, you may run out of money, but all of us eventually run of time.

Go