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Rsmith3 · 18-03-2014, 06:32

Hello to all,

As stated above, I'm new to the forum and completely new to sailing. Here's a little background info so those that choose to answer my questions will know where I'm coming from. I have spent my entire life around the water and boats. I currently have an offshore center console and a small skiff. I do a lot of fishing and diving off the Alabama Gulf Coast. Due to my profession, I have attended a few Coast Guard instructed boating courses and water survival courses. I say things just to give some back ground information and NOT to appear to know anything about sailing. I highly respect those that cross the open sea and those that just sail port to port. Those are skills that I would love to learn. I'm currently in a 5 year process of achieving my goals. As most would advise, I'm reading everything I can on sailing. I'm scheduled to attend a Bare Boat Course at Blue Water Sailing School, Ft. Lauderdale later this summer. I also have a local friend that I'm going to be sailing with this summer around the bay. My long term goal is to island hop around the Keys, Bahamas and Caribbean. At this time, I do not foresee making an open ocean cross although anything can change. The reason that I have a five year window is I am planning on paying upfront for my vessel of choice. I have saved half of the money I anticipate on spending (I think!). My timeframe can speed up if the right boat comes along. I just do not like financing and I do not want to pay slip fees plus a boat note.
This is where I have a few questions. I would like to purchase between a 36 and 40 ft vessel. I have been doing some research and looked at Hunters, Pearson and Cape Dory. I know there are many more those are just the ones that I have been advised on. I welcome any advice, constructive criticism or suggestions. Any advice on boats is certainly welcomed. Thank you and I look forward to learning from you all!

**GordMay** · 18-03-2014, 06:38

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Rsmith3.

**HappyMdRSailor** · 18-03-2014, 06:47

Welcome to CF Rsmith!

You are exactly on the right path!!!

(well... "one" of the right paths)

Do your course, then start sailing on a few local boats.... I think that if you sail too much before hand... You might not be as focused and would likely lose a lot of information from the course...

There are TONS of great CFr's down your way.... The crew section here is a great resource...

Re boats... your mentions are good... BUT.... go sail first... find out what you like/hate/can't live without.... Lean towards what fits your eye and pleases you... then do your research and ask specific boat questions when you're ready...

(ps doesn't mean you need to stop asking now...)

OldFrog75 · 18-03-2014, 07:08

Welcome to CF.

There are a million ways to skin this cat. My advice, for what it's worth, is to get the textbooks for your Bareboat course as soon as you can and really study them. They will throw a lot of information at you during the week long course and it will be to your advantage to have already studied the material beforehand so you can concentrate on what you're doing on the boat and not have the additional burden and worry of trying to memorize 300 pages of text so you can pass the written exams at the same time.

Good luck and keep us up to date.

Southern Star · 18-03-2014, 07:53

Yes, welcome to CF! Seems as if you have a good plan. In terms of the right boat for you, some sailing experience will help you narrow down your choice. It really depends not only upon your intended itinerary, but the anticipated size of your crew and your budget.

Brad

**HappyMdRSailor** · 18-03-2014, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFrog75

Welcome to CF.

There are a million ways to skin this cat. My advice, for what it's worth, is to get the textbooks for your Bareboat course as soon as you can and really study them. They will throw a lot of information at you during the week long course and it will be to your advantage to have already studied the material beforehand so you can concentrate on what you're doing on the boat and not have the additional burden and worry of trying to memorize 300 pages of text so you can pass the written exams at the same time.

Good luck and keep us up to date.

+1

(which in CF speak is: "I strongly believe in the above statement")
Or what member Wotnotme would say.... "wot he said"