I Have a Plan, but Lots of Questions to Go with it :)

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by sww914

We all didn't know how to sail at some point and we're all still learning.

Speak for yourself!

I sailed out of the womb single handed, tying bowlines one-handed, 3 reefs in the main, steering with my feet while I flew the spinnaker with the other hand -

Haven't needed to learn anything since -

[YOGAO]

Hmmm....You are just like a fox, but with more syllables

The "plan" is basically pretty sound noting (as others have), the 15 or even 20K is going to result in any or all of the following: small, old, project.

As far as where to move (beyond where the job takes you), concentrate on the Chesapeake Bay (Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA) or LI Sound/Cape Cod Bay (NY, NY to Boston, MA) in that order. Once there, I would try and find someone to sail with (volunteer to be crew) and then act like a sponge. Then, as your funds allow take some sailing courses and look for a boat to live on.

Fair Winds,
Mike

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by YOGAO

...........As far as where to move (beyond where the job takes you), concentrate on the Chesapeake Bay (Norfolk, VA to Philadelphia, PA) or LI Sound/Cape Cod Bay (NY, NY to Boston, MA) in that order...........
Fair Winds,
Mike

I don't understand this restriction. There are many viable sailing locations on the US East Coast outside these and the places suggested above are all limited to a "sailing season". Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[slomotion]

The best place in the U.S. to buy and/or sail a boat is Florida. But, Florida is not the best place to earn and save money.

[YOGAO]

CaptForce,

You are correct in saying they are not the only ones and yes, they do have a "season".

However, the areas I suggested are perhaps the ones with the greatest concentration of sailors, sailboats and sailing schools.

Fair Winds,
Mike

[Kit-renard]

I've just signed up for a few intro sailing lessons that start next week. Granted they are on a large lake and not the ocean, but it's a start. I plan on staying where I am for a while, it will be easier to save money where I am because the cost of living is pretty low. As much as I want to run off to the coast tomorrow instead of waiting, I'm sure I'll have a much more pleasant experience if I wait until I have some money to back me. My 20K budget is after one year of saving, if I end up needing more money I'll just have to suck it up and save for two years.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Kit-renard

I've just signed up for a few intro sailing lessons that start next week. Granted they are on a large lake and not the ocean, but it's a start.

Good for you

As I said before, don't discount a lake as not "proper" sailing. Indeed some challenges particuler on lakes that are greater than ocean, especially more sudden increases in wind speed from the land due to temperature changes - but all good experiance and opportunity for learning hands on about wind / weather, that is also applicable for later coastal sailing.................and beyond.

Just a thought on the sailing dinghy front............how about building one? A million plans to choose from, albeit buying s/h is always cheaper - but your later yacht will need some sort of dinghy..........choose carefully and you could start equipping the big boat now Could even go foldable.............

Seahopper Folding Boats



would make stowing onboard easier, as well as transporting to the coast...............


(I saw one of those a few months back at an auction - unfortunately (?!) I couldn't wait for the lot but looked impressive and very well thought out).

[skipmac]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this in the thread so far. If they did and I am repeating then feel free to ignore this comment.

Learning to sail on a small boat is actually a very good thing and can make a better sailor faster. A small boat reacts instantly to any inputs, whether changes in wind speed or direction, sail trim, steering, etc. So anything you do right or wrong you can feel it and see it, right away.

On a larger boat the size and weight masks the subtler details so harder to get that real seat of the pants feel. But the small boat skills you learn will transfer quite well to the sailing aspects of a larger boat. Other things will be quite different, like all the systems, maintenance, docking, etc. but you will at least know how to move the boat.

Skip

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Good for you

As I said before, don't discount a lake as not "proper" sailing. Indeed some challenges particuler on lakes that are greater than ocean,

many olympics sailors sail on lakes.

[Kit-renard]

I really like the folding dinghy idea! It would be a good start so far as owning a boat goes and easy portability is a big plus I don't want to have to move anything big. The main boat I'm going to be learning on is 20 feet but if I get my own dinghy I'll bet I can talk my instructor into giving me a few pointers on it. What makes me the most excited though is that even if it's just a dinghy if I own it I can go out on the water as much as I want! Just being able to sail is more important to me than the boat, especially at this stage!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Kit-renard

What makes me the most excited though is that even if it's just a dinghy if I own it I can go out on the water as much as I want! Just being able to sail is more important to me than the boat, especially at this stage!

The smaller the boat the bigger the voyage

I'd be surprised if a lake did not have a dinghy / racing club aroundabouts - worth getting in touch with.

See you at the Olympics in 2012

[Kit-renard]

Yikes! Those Seahoppers are almost $2,000! Let me know if you know someone selling one used.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Kit-renard

Yikes! Those Seahoppers are almost $2,000! Let me know if you know someone selling one used.

.............and willing to sail it over

Yeah, not cheap those - welcome to the world of boats

But the folding concept used by a few designs, from ready to go to paper plans............maybe worth a Google or two. But on something this specialised (i.e. not widely sought after and maybe hard to resell) s/h could be a real bargain.............if you can find one.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Kit-renard

What makes me the most excited though is that even if it's just a dinghy if I own it I can go out on the water as much as I want! Just being able to sail is more important to me than the boat, especially at this stage!

Sometimes I even follow my own advice. sometimes

Am in negotiations for a Mirror Dinghy:-



Mirror (dinghy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
OMDA - About the Mirror Dinghy


Over 70,000 built since the early 60's (including in USA) - so at all prices / conditions. And still going strong as a Class.

In your shoes I would go for one that although complete needs some TLC (built in Plywood - so examples left for a few years will deteriorate - and be priced accordingly , otherwise with very modest - but regular - maintanence will see me out )..........I suggest a TLC example not just for low cost but to give you some hands on experiance of fixing boat "stuff" - worthwhile in itself to pick up some skills but will also help in being able to judge 1st hand the work / time / effort needed for that "bit of TLC required" on your next boat. before you write that cheque...........

[svcambria]

A little bit of um, er, Dutch uncle advise - you should get to a convenient coast and sail on the ocean with someone to see if it suits - "they" say that sea sickness is terrible (don't know 'cuz I never had it) but if you do suffer from that it would be wise to find out how badly and what you could do about it sooner rather than later. And experience secondary stuff, like living in a small space, always in motion, a place for everything and everything in its place, etc etc etc...

Michael