Advice Please

[mommabear]

Hi, I've got a question for all of you experienced sailors out there. My 22 year old son, who lives in Chattanooga, TN, is deciding to trade his old car for a sailboat. (He has another car to use.) His plan is to drive the car to Ft Myers, FL, trade for the boat, and then sail the boat from Ft Myers to Destin, FL (because our family has a house in that general area, and because it is closer to drive to, than Ft. Myers, when he wants to use the boat in the future). I don't know much about it (the boat), except that it is large enough that a family of four has been living in it, and that it is supposedly worth about $5k. My main concern is for his safety. Specifically, he has not had much (any) sailing experience, other than maneuvering a small catamaran once or twice in Choctawhatchee Bay near Sandestin. His father and I think there is a very good chance that this could be life endangering to attempt such a trip without the proper experience. I've looked online, and am not finding whether this is a "reasonable" route to take, even for an experienced sailor. Also, wondering what weather he would most likely run into in October. Any thoughts?

[sarafina]

A boat that is asking 5k and is big enough that a family of four living on it is little better than a wreck in all likelyhood.

A novice sailor sailing a badly equipt boat anywhere other than the bath tub is a bad idea.

Get an experienced sailor to look the boat over and deem it fit or not and then help your son sail it.

If you don't have a friend with any sailing experience then dump the whole idea.

[Lucky Larry]

In addition to what Sarafina wrote; October is the height of hurricane season.

No seaworthy boat that could fit four people on it for a day sail is only worth $5,000.

[skipmac]

Could be very helpful if you could find out what kind of boat. Can you ask him the brand name, model, length, that sort of thing?

[sarafina]

Hi Momma Bear,

Here is what your son needs ; -)

Perfect starter boat and in your area.

1978 Catalina 22 Sailboat with Trailer