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gonzalo4to · 12-09-2012, 12:09

Hello folks, first of all.

I have a crazy adventure idea, and I want to know how possible it is to complete this trip.

My friend and I are planning to buy a boat off the coast of New Jersey. We live in Panama, and we plan to sail the boat back to Panama. We have never sailed before, and therefore do not possess any license whatsoever or any certification (I want to know if this is important).

The boat is a 27 foot Sailboat with an outboard engine attached to it.

Please help me on this one, and tell me if this is possible or not. If it is, what do I have to do?

terrylad · 12-09-2012, 12:25

You don't need any certification. You do need to know your rules at sea, navigation, weather prediction, and a hundred other things, many of which can be learnt along the way. You will need navigation charts, a VHF radio, compass, GPS and a plan for the trip along with provisions, ownership papers, passports, water and spare fuel.

The sailing part is pretty easy. Just ask around, go out sailing with an experienced skipper and practice working the boat. By the time you've sailed down the US coast you'll have most of what you need to know.

It's been done, it is a real adventure, and it can be a hell of a lot of fun. But it can be very hazardous if you're not prepared. Good luck. Get going....

belizesailor · 12-09-2012, 12:33

Almost anything is possible, but a day sailer with an outboard would not be my choice for this trip. Might want to consider putting it on a trailer and driving back to Panama.

**sarafina** · 12-09-2012, 12:46

For real???

Dude, buy a boat in Panama, plenty there and cheaper than in the states. Learn to sail the thing fer heavens sake and THEN plan an adventure. The current plan is pretty bass ackward!

Some times doing things the hard way makes sense, but in this instance? Not so much!

Mistakes at sea can have pretty permanent consequence!

Is that great pub, Drakes still over by El Cangrejo? I miss their planters punch!

gonzalo4to · 12-09-2012, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarafina

For real???

Dude, buy a boat in Panama, plenty there and cheaper than in the states. Learn to sail the thing fer heavens sake and THEN plan an adventure. The current plan is pretty bass ackward!

Some times doing things the hard way makes sense, but in this instance? Not so much!

Mistakes at sea can have pretty permanent consequence!

Is that great pub, Drakes still over by El Cangrejo? I miss their planters punch!

Sarah: Now its called La Rana Dorada, but its still there!

So would you say this trip is possible or not?

**sarafina** · 12-09-2012, 13:51

Possible? Yes. Smart? No.

If you get out somewhere and have a system failure or an unexpected weather event you could find yourself in a world of hurt.

Now admittedly even experienced sailors can get in trouble, but I figure you should get the best odds you can on any recreational endeavor.

Get a boat there. Sail the bay. Sail to Taboga and have a Taxi and spend the night on the hook. Learn to navigate out to Las Perlas and back. Sail up to the Azuero and back stop at Coronado on the way and row in for scallops from the village there.

Get to know what you are doing.

Then plan something wonderful. Sail thru the locks and spend time in Isla Grande, head on to San Blas, amazing diving there. Head out into the Caribbean, skys the limit.

But walk before you run. Right now it sounds as if you don't even know how to crawl!

You wouldn't head out on a cross country road ralley with out even a learners permit would you?