Our First Boat at Age 50

[waterworldly]

Today we closed on our business, a full 15 months since the first post on this forum. The house and all the belongings went in Jan 06. After a brief vacation, the boat search starts in earnest. Thanks to all for the inspiration and information to keep the dream alive. We WILL be cruising soon.

[anglooff]

Congratulations, the hard part is now behind you and the fun part can really begin....Enjoy!

regards

Alan

[lannen]

The first time in my life that I ever stood under canvas was when I raised it by myself on my newly purchased 40' boat.

Just take it slow (although it is kind of hard to make a sailboat go fast), use common sense, and watch the weather carefully. It's a great deal of fun.

Remember: Experience is something you get just after you needed it...

[waterworldly]

Patience was a talent I aquired many years ago, it was what kept it all alive over the last 5 years.

[Joli]

You'll do fine, learn at a pace you are comfortable with and have fun.

Amels are nice boats.

[waterworldly]

Got the boat in October, a 52 footer. Nice condition. Spent time and money in November finishing up outfitting, refitting etc. Took a few lessons and practiced in December. We are now in the Bahamas enjoying life. IT CAN BE DONE, but you GOTTA GET OUT THERE. Don't listen to nay sayers, IT CAN BE DONE. Don't let armchair weekend seasonal sailors scare the crap out of you IT CAN BE DONE. If you wait until all is perfect, YOU WILL NEVER GO.

[Factor]

Good on you guys - yes in a perfect world you would follow all the advice that followed your first post, but sometime you just gotta get out and do it. Well done.

[Amgine]

Congratulations Waterworldly! You two are an inspiration.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by waterworldly

IT CAN BE DONE. If you wait until all is perfect, YOU WILL NEVER GO.

Let me hear those words again! If you wait till all is perfect you will never go!

Congrats! Hearty congratulations

At least you and I have a real chance to drop the pick in the same idilic bay


Mark

[James S]

Good for you...congratulations.
Got any pictures of the boat?

[mickmul]

Wow! Haven't been on the forum for a while but got your news this morning! Well done!! I hope you have many lazy days in the sun, and many happy miles under the keel! Fair winds to you both and good luck!!

[waterworldly]

Thank you for all of your kind words, they have been most inspirational over the last two years. Here's the boat anchored off Cat Cay in the Bahamas, about four weeks ago.

[Spammy]

waterworldly,
Bravo! You went for it! I read this thread for the first time today. I understand the sense of prudence behind the posts suggesting starting with small boats and working up. We did not do that. Our first boat was a 25' keelboat, and now we have a 42' boat. The most challenging thing to learn was backing it into a slip with a crosswind. We do that with ease now. We began on lakes, and now are on saltwater. NEVER took a "learn to sail" course. I read voraciously, and had read for some 10 years before getting the first boat. I would not advocate it for others, but I am self-taught. Best of luck in your travels, and I hope we meet sometime on the water!

[MarkJ]

Great looking boat!! Is that a hole in the bottom?? LOL JUs jokin'!

Looks terrific


Mark

[waterworldly]

I just thought I would post an update now that time has past, and perhaps provide the push some will appreciate. It is now over 6 months since we shoved off. In that time we went to the Bahamas (Bimini, Berry Islands, Nassau, and the entire Exumas) and back, making landfall in Fort Lauderdale. We are now up the east coast, doing it via the outside and the intercoastal. At this moment we are in a tranquil anchorage in the Chesapeake, heading up to NYC for the summer, with plans to come south after hurricane season. We have sailed almost 2000 miles and are now fairly seasoned on piloting (the intercoastal demands it) and short outside passages. While it has been hard work, it is totally worth it. We plan to come back south in the fall and continue on to the US Virgins. At any rate, GET OUT THERE. It can be done, and if you follow common sense and have been well read, it is possible. One thing we did learn is to trust ourselves and our instincts and our boat. We have seen many "seasoned" cruisers make very elementary mistakes, and attempt to give us awful advise. By the same token, we have met many very helpful and giving cruisers as well, but you really need to be informed so you can learn who is full of crap and who really knows, because there are lots of both out here. Time on the water is no replacement for good judgement and informed decisions. Thanks to all who are supportive, it was really helpful during the first stages of our transformation from landlubbers to blow boaters (gotta love that term!).