Embarking On A New Journey

[sailingtofree]

So i spent two years in Key West and then came out west, while i wasi n key west i learned lots about the freedom to be in the water and on it all the time, i got to pilot and ride on many watercraft of all different sizes,

Long story short i am planning on going back to key west (im currently above san francisco) and thinking of doing a sail back to key west, which would mean a pacific atlantic transit by the way of the carribean and the gulf of mexico, as this is just an opening post i just wanted to introduce myself to the community

A little about me

Im a 36 year old technology company owner, i also have a 30% ownership in a thriving adult entertainment company, so i am looking to buy a boat somewhere on the coast of california and then make for the central american coast,

I have trained in outward bound when i was younger and have plenty of water experience but have never "owned" my own boat before, Im looking for something in the 22-30 ft range and probably would go alone but might take one crew member to help with watches,

I am a highly trained individual with survival experience and military training, I am also trained in all types of rescue and ocean rescue, i have maine guide certifications, an a whole hosto f other things to contribute, plus im a super fast learner, i also have lifeguard training and have a respect for the ocean and her power

My plan is to brush up on skills, outline a boat , buy the boat, make it seaworthy, and provision it, I plan on making the transit starting in July in the hopes ill make it into the gulf of mexico before hurricane season comes back to the area.

Once i make it to key west ill most likely sell the boat for a bigger one for a liveaboard or go ashore for awhile

I hope i am welcome here and value all sorts of positive input, an undertaking like this will include many questions along the way!

BTW while not over sea i have taken many cross country journeys, i once traveled from Fort Kent Maine To Key West Florida, on a little scooter, quite the adventure!

All aboard for a crazy adventure

Captain Jay

[carstenb]

Welcome aboard "Captain Jay".

Well it's a plan (i've read your other thread). Not sure what your ocean rescue training is (coast guard?, Boats US? US Navy?), but I suspect you will need to learn quite a bit about sailing.

As the saying goes "learning to sail is easy - it takes a weekend, learning to sail well takes a lifetime"

If you have no experience, the trip down the west coast of the US/central america, through the ditch and across the carribean to Key west is something like 7-8000 kilometers (roughly 4000 nm). I haven't bothered to measure this on a map)

Figuring an average speed for a small boat at say 5 knots (fast for an <30 foot loaded to the gunwales with food, water and spares) - that leaves you 800 hours sailing non-stop (in a straight line - can't be done). Assuming you accomplish that, 800 hours is 32 days, plus a week or two waiting to get through the ditch. So figure 45 days (can't be done).

A much more realistic timetable is 6 months (still hurrying like hell), whihc puts you in key west at christmas (if you leave in july)

Great to have a plan - but perhaps you need to be a bit more realistic in this endeavor.

carsten

[zboss]

I think if you can assure us that at least some "adult" videos were going to be shot on the vessel, you won't have any problems finding competent help from the sailing community.

[youngson]

I'm not sure if you have decided on a model of boat yet but in your size range id recommend a contessa 26 or a albin vega 28, both well proven, small, seaworthy ocean cruisers. Have fun!

[sailingtofree]

I did want to drop by and thank everyone for the support, After much review and even further considerations factoring in all areas of this journey i have changed my sights.

I would love to go on this trip and i have every confidence in my survival and tenacity as well as the unique skillset i have harnessed over the years to make it without issues, and what a journey it would have been

I figure what better way to learn about the real boating then to build one with my bare hands, so i am hanging this project up for a year to raise 100k from funds that i have in my company alotted for certain things.

After such time i will journey overland to florida where i will build a houseboat from a blueprint i am now constructing, then spend some time on the water with it, before selling it or just buying another boat to accompany it!

I am excited by the change of direction and know that in florida i will find a sailboat at anytime i wish, there are many there,

For all you cruisers out there keep cruising!

[sailingtofree]

Originally Posted by zboss

I think if you can assure us that at least some "adult" videos were going to be shot on the vessel,

been there done that, filmed a movie in the florida keys on a abandoned island and aboard a awesome sailboat, i still have visions of the girls grabbing the mast with their long fingernailed hands lol