The wannabes finally have a plan!

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Here's how I determine the largest boat I can handle.

Take the heaviest sail on the boat, usually they main. Put it in a bag and try carrying it from the deck to the forepeak and back. If you can't do it then the boat is too big.

as you age the boat is going to have to shrink with you

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

as you age the boat is going to have to shrink with you

Naw. I plan to hire you on as deck ape, galley slave and general boat gopher. Let you do all the heavy lifting.

[ka4wja]

Brookie,
Congrats!
I'm glad you've been able to come up with a workable plan...

To be honest, I hadn't been following your boat choice / cruising plan....only your questions about Marine Electronics...


And, FYI, my words from last summer still hold true...
Please be sure to re-read this posting...

Re: Have to haves and wants

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1766411



Fair winds..

John

[chuckr]

Nice plan -- a number of years our plan was about the same - but we bought the boat early and sailed on weekends in Biscayne Bay to get to know the boat a bit.

First boat size -- We sail a Jeanneau DS40. When we started we wanted something between 38-42' - Knowing what we know now it would be between 40 and 44' - We have put a lot of miles under our keel in the past 8 years and for us this is a great size.

Your idea of some coastal stuff first is a great idea and we constantly tell people to do that and include the Bahamas as it is easy cruising but requires a bit of skill and you really get to know the boat and what you need for long distance cruising. We did the coastal/Bahamas thing for 2 years and on year 3 we came back to the Cheaspeake and spent a bunch of money to upgrade her where we found we need stuff

By the way a boat does count as a second house for tax purposes - not sure if you entered that into your calculations.

Good luck with the plan. You are where we were about 13 years ago when we bought SoulMates and we took off 8 years ago.

[brookiesailor]

Thanks John,

It was good to read over your response again and keep that info fresh in my mind.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[CarlF]

A great way to narrow the boat choice is to take a few trips to places cruisers congregate and talk to people on their boats. Find a marina with lots of masts and walk the docks looking for couples like you They are likely to be just a few years ahead of you on the same journey and will know just what you are going through.

All cruisers are suckers for a compliment about their boat. Just start the conversation with "That's a nice boat"

You're also likely to make friends who you'll meet later cruising. Print some boat cards to hand out

You can find these people in the spring and fall in large numbers along the ICW. Also, plan to go to the Annapolis boat show in October. Go to some of the seminars and hang out near boats you like. You'll quickly meet some owners who can tell you far more than any sales guy.