Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 24-09-2015, 15:29   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Sf Bay
Posts: 140
Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

Hi, long time lurker here, first post...

I've been daysailing in the SF bay area for about a decade, but haven't been able to arrange my life for cruising. However, the wife and I have decided to quit our jobs in July 2016. We would like to fly somewhere, buy a sailboat and cruise roughly August through December. I've been researching a bit where to go through reading these forums as well as some guidebooks, but was wondering if I could solicit some opinions.

First, about us:
- currently own a Cal 29, which we plan to sell
- Plan to budget about 60 to 70k for the boat purchase (hoping to get a good portion of that back by selling the boat at the end of the cruise)
- extensive day sailing experience in the SF bay
- only limited offshore experience, only off California coast (but enough to know it is enjoyable)
- early 30s
- Wife is not a fan of overnight sailing yet, would be willing to do a few longer stretches between waypoints, but in general we're looking for mostly daysails between anchorages
- not necessarily looking for the lowest budget cruising locations, although we certainly don't mind saving money by going somewhere cheaper.

The window we're looking at is of course hurricane season, so that would seem to limit the more prudent choices of location. So far my top locations include:

- Southern Caribbean (ABC islands, trinidad are obvious choices, but would you add in Cartagena and San Blas islands to this? The islands in Venezuela I think might be above my risk threshhold wrt pirates, from what I've been reading)
- Sea of Cortez

What other locations would you recommend looking into, that might be a good location to step up our sailing experience for our first cruise? Also, any places specifically that might be good to buy/sell the boat? I would plan on going through a broker for simplicity.

My hope is to buy a boat that is nearly "turn key" and hopefully only need to spend at most 2 weeks provisioning it. Is this realistic with the right budget?

Is my boat budget realistic if we're looking for something 35 to 45 feet, middle of the road in creature comforts?

I welcome any comments, thanks!
jrau18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-09-2015, 17:21   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 21
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

I have been pricing boats in Panama, there are some bargains to be found. Panama is generally a nice place for Americans; same currency, many folk (not counting thousands of U.S. and Canadian tourists and expats) speak English. Good provisioning, good prices, good (although personally haven't got to this stage myself yet) cruising (I'm told.) While vigilance is needed, security concerns are fewer than many other places. I'd steer far from Venezuela, and I'm personally skeptical of Colombia (friend was kidnapped and ransomed there, unrelated to cruising). No hurricanes, but it isn't the dry season in Panama during the months you are considering either. If Panama isn't enough to hold your interest, Costa Rica is a nice place too (on land anyway, my cruising experience is likewise limited).

Price wise your budget seems reasonable for a used monohull in decent shape. Is 35 to 45 not way more boat than two people need though?

It seems to me boats sell at a time of their choosing, not the owner's.

Hope it helps. Fair winds!.
Markusik is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-09-2015, 21:02   #3
Registered User
 
zboss's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On a boat
Boat: 1987 Cabo Rico 38 #117 (sold) & 2008 Manta 42 #124
Posts: 4,172
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

It may not sound glamorous but try the Chesapeake. Its a GREAT cruising ground in a safe body of water surrounded by history plus lots of places to "get away from it all".

Go into Annapolis, buy a boat, sail around the chesapeake for the summer and in the fall start heading south on the ICW. When you get to wherever you end up in florida put the boat up for sale.
zboss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 06:03   #4
Senior Cruiser
 
GordMay's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,085
Images: 241
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, jrau.
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"



GordMay is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 06:16   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Abaco, Bahamas/ Western NC
Boat: Nothing large at the moment
Posts: 1,037
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

I strongly suggest you charter for at least a two week period and see how it goes!
Tingum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 07:12   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Alameda
Boat: Bluewater 40, Cal 20, Bayliner Avanti
Posts: 274
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

Forget Colombia and even Panama.. go straight to BVI.. be careful! a lot of used boat was used for charter.. but it's a good starting point specially because during December prices are low.. good luck!
__________________
En medio de la noche, sigo siendo luz...
garrobito is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 08:00   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 48
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

Read my post sept 20 General Sailing Forum August California Cruising. There is a lot top do from Santa Barbara to San Diego and historically the weather has been good though they say El Nino may bring more rain this winter.

Peter Beale
peterbeale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 08:15   #8
Registered User
 
Miz Pea's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Boat: American Boat Works 43
Posts: 60
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

It is hurricane season from June through the end of October. Have you considered buying a boat in the Prince Edward Island, Canada, area, sailing and exploring up there until October, then heading via the Atlantic for Chesapeake Bay, and then in November heading down the east coast to Florida and the islands?

It's hot as hades in Florida in August and September, so I prefer to go where it is cool in the dog days of summer. We plan to spend next summer on the Great Lakes. If we like it, we will decide to either pilot the boat back to Florida, or possibly winterize it in anticipation of returning for the following summer.
Miz Pea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 09:22   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Sf Bay
Posts: 140
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Markusik View Post
It seems to me boats sell at a time of their choosing, not the owner's.
Ha, too true!


Quote:
Originally Posted by peterbeale View Post
Read my post sept 20 General Sailing Forum August California Cruising. There is a lot top do from Santa Barbara to San Diego and historically the weather has been good though they say El Nino may bring more rain this winter.

Peter Beale
Thanks for the idea. I should have mentioned we plan to make a few trips to the islands out of L.A. area. I've done two trips out there in the past and really enjoyed them.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Miz Pea View Post
It is hurricane season from June through the end of October. Have you considered buying a boat in the Prince Edward Island, Canada, area, sailing and exploring up there until October, then heading via the Atlantic for Chesapeake Bay, and then in November heading down the east coast to Florida and the islands?
I hadn't considered that, that is an interesting idea, thanks!
jrau18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 09:48   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Des Moines and the Lesser Antilles
Boat: PDQ 44i
Posts: 290
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

First choice: Virgins and Eastern Caribbean. Second choice Abacos/Bahamas. The weather is better in the Eastern Caribbean. I don't recommend Trinidad and Tobago as a cruising ground. Tobago is lovely, but a long way from Grenada. The Grenadines are super fun. The French islands are wonderful. The Spanish, US, and British Virgins are a good place for beginners. Have fun.
doublewide is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 10:30   #11
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Sf Bay
Posts: 140
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

Quote:
Originally Posted by doublewide View Post
First choice: Virgins and Eastern Caribbean. Second choice Abacos/Bahamas. The weather is better in the Eastern Caribbean. I don't recommend Trinidad and Tobago as a cruising ground. Tobago is lovely, but a long way from Grenada. The Grenadines are super fun. The French islands are wonderful. The Spanish, US, and British Virgins are a good place for beginners. Have fun.
You recommend those areas even during the later summer months?
jrau18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 10:49   #12
Registered User
 
Cheechako's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

The problem is you are smack in the middle of hurricane season. Add to this that you have to learn how to keep up to speed on weather constantly... and it worries me a bit. With all the adjustments to coping with living aboard, getting to know a new-to-you boat etc... it's a concern.
The other issue is outfitting/repairing/updating a boat in a place you are not familiar with.
The Bahamas and or Caribe fit's your situation well, but I would look to do it more Jan-February thru June or something like that. Few overnighters required on the Thorny Path south from Florida.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard











Cheechako is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 11:24   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Boat: Seaward 25
Posts: 294
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

You might consider starting in the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands then,after spending a couple months there, work your way down the coast, ending up in southern California or even Mexico. The San Juans are great in August and September and are good places to get your feet wet so to speak.
canyonbat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 11:34   #14
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Sf Bay
Posts: 140
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

Quote:
Originally Posted by canyonbat View Post
You might consider starting in the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands then,after spending a couple months there, work your way down the coast, ending up in southern California or even Mexico. The San Juans are great in August and September and are good places to get your feet wet so to speak.
Thanks, I had toyed with the idea of the San Juans. Good to know it is a good place to build up some more experience.
jrau18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2015, 11:43   #15
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 71
Re: Beginner Cruising Location for August Through Dec?

Agree with Chesapeake as your cruising area. Aug is hot but still ok. Sept-Nov is best sailing season. Bottom is mud, so no reefs to encounter. Anchoring is easy. This is a great (and safe) location to hone your skills. Either sell the boat in the Bay, or take ICW to Florida and sell it there...but be prepared for a delayed sale. It may be possible to do a long term charter. Lots of boats spend too much time at the dock. Start looking now. Make Caribbean your destination AFTER you build your skills and confirm your enthusiasm. Btw, $60-70k would buy a decent J-105 ... Good for Ches Bay and easier to sell, I'd u decide to buy. Good luck!
bluewaterbill is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cruising

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Crew Available: Nov/Dec - Flexible on Location jpeterson Crew Archives 0 30-09-2012 21:26
My Sailing Adventure - Through the Eyes of a Beginner Medicjumper Our Community 14 15-10-2011 09:29
Any Cats in Bonaire - Dec 13 to Dec 22? peter.bomberg Meets & Greets 5 02-08-2009 07:42
August 19 - an August event... skipgundlach General Sailing Forum 1 18-08-2007 21:23

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:22.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.