New Beginnings

[ElizabethVS]

I was introduced to sailing by my ex, who had a sailboat when we met. I fell in love with sailing, and we always talked about someday cruising full time. Well, after 8 yrs he decided to go cruising without me. I lost the relationship and the boat. I have been seriously been thinking about getting my own boat and renewing the dream alone. I'm certainly nervous as all my sailing was with the ex, and I haven't met many female solo sailors. I would love any words of wisdom from anyone who has made a similar leap.

Elizabeth

[Adelie]

Let's start with basic questions about where you are at now.

Sailing experience? Did you drive much? Did you make recommendations about sail changes? Did you dock the boat? How big was the boat?

How handy are you? Do you own tools? If so what kind and how much?

What's your budget to buy and outfit the boat? (living and cruising costs extra.)

Where are you? Where do you want to sail out of? Which coast do you want to set off from and more specifically where on that coast?

Where to you want to go? Are you looking to cruise extensively or liveaboard and occasionally take several weeks or months off to nip around the Caribbean or Baja?

Any really strong preferences to start with? (full/fin keel, mono/multi, spade/skeg/attached rudder, sloop/cutter/mizzen rigged)

[fjwiley1]

Welcome aboard Elizabeth......be patient, you'll enjoy this Forum....

Life is good if you Keepa Smilin...


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[barnakiel]

Hi,

I think you are on the right track. You can. And whatever you cannot, you can learn to, can't you.

Stick with it.

Beware of docks full of old male good for nothings: these will try to detract you. They may be trying to tell you how you do what you do is not the way to do. But do not listen to them. Harbours are full of them and their well docked boats.

And the oceans are vast and beautiful, and they will accept you the way you are. No asking, no patting.

Here some links you may like. You can contact them all and ask, the extra slant of wisdom from fellow female sailors may be worth a lot.

Cruising on Speedwell of Hong Kong

eva7seas | Sailing as a lifestyle

Home

"So, what's the mission? Chase the dream, not the competition"
(Heard on America's Got Talent)

Cheers,
Fair winds,
barnakiel

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Elizabeth.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Elizabeth...

Welcome to CF !

All depends on what appeals to you... If it's solo, there are a thousand+ stories of women going it alone... You to can do it...

If it's with a partner... You could probably be on your way cruising within a couple months.... There are tons of people (male and female) looking for crew/partners to share the dream...

[oldragbaggers]

Welcome Elizabeth.

If you were an active sailing partner and not just a "passenger" you probably have more knowledge/skills than you think and a good base on which to build as you go. There are many women out there who are captains of their own ships. Whatever you do not already know you can certainly learn.

And with all due respect to Adelie, the answers to her questions really have no bearing on the main topic of the post, which is, can a woman captain her own boat and cruise alone. The answer, depending on the character, resourcefulness, and determination of the individual woman in question, is a resounding yes, regardless of the answers to any of those other questions.

If you are lacking in the confidence maybe you should get yourself a smaller boat, a fin keel Catalina 22 is an excellent, forgiving, easy to handle boat, (or something similar) to build your skills and confidence on.

There is nothing about being captain of a small sailing boat that makes it a strictly male endeavor. Why should a decision made by an ex-partner get to deprive you of your dream. Go for it!!

[oldragbaggers]

Elizabeth, you might find this blog called "Sailing On Single" encouraging. It is written by a lady who decided to carry on cruising alone after her husband passed away. She admits that he was always the captain of the ship and she didn't know if she could do it starting out, but she's doing it now and happy she decided to try.

Sailing on, single-handed

[fungod]

Hi Liz

I am a west coast sailor and have met many gals that are making their own way with their boats. They start simple with a used boat to gain confidence and move up from there. On possible solution to consider: a partnership boat. I am the lead partner of a boat in SF and we have a wonderful newport 30 that brings us much joy. There are 6 of us and we pay only $100/month to own and maintain the vessel. With this idea you can learn more about the care and feeding of a boat as well as honing your skills. It's a great way to start and make sure this is the path you want to take. Contact me for more partnership info. fungod at gmail

Good luck!


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[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by ElizabethVS

I would love any words of wisdom from anyone who has made a similar leap.

Elizabeth

Just take it one step at a time as you did when sailing before.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, fungod.

[Terra Nova]

Check out Women's Sailing Association.

[Delancey]

Check out "Women Who Sail" on Facebook. Best of luck. Life is short. Live your dream!

[onestepcsy37]

I personally know two women who can and have captained their own boats, and do it as well or better than many of the male sailers I know. Good luck to you.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Howdy!

Women sailors often do better when there are no men aboard.

Here is one sailor that I find amazing and inspirational too!

You should watch some of her video clips from her race around the world (singlehanded). She did great! A wonderful sailor, full of spirit.

http://youtu.be/UrG0cFQxiRs?list=UUK...NphD9nTz1-QZIQ

Sam Davies

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-D...12138698811863