So I bought a boat...

[MrReedatsea]

I posted previously that after 25 years as a middle school science teacher and wrestling coach, I've taken a year-long sabbatical to go sailing. Last weekend I traveled to Marco Island for a professional survey and sea trial on a 1989 O'Day 322.

There were a couple issues (including being towed back to the dock at one point) but long story short, we've reached an agreement and I'll close on March 28th. I'll then have 10 days or so to sail her around in preparation for heading to the islands in early June when school lets out.

Again, what could go wrong?

[Lizzy Belle]

Woohoo, congratulations!!

[MrReedatsea]

One side note: The boat's sail are brand new! When the owner bought them the others were still in such good shape that he had them completely reconditioned. Therefore, I have a complete second set of great sails that I'm not really sure what to do with.

Thoughts?

[Lizzy Belle]

Keep them - cruising is tough on sails (and everything else) and having a spare set won't hurt

unless they fit my boat, then it's best to mail them to me! much cheaper then storage (:

[Tayana42]

Congratulations on your new to you boat. I hope she will carry you safely on many adventures.

Two sets of sails can be a good thing for long distance long term cruising but on a small boat coastal sailing or island hopping space to store them may be at a premium.

May I ask why did you need to be towed in during the sea trials and what was your thinking to go ahead with the purchase?


S/V B'Shert

[skipmac]

Congrats Mr Reed. You have officially joined the ranks of the boat crazy. Enjoy!

[Dave22q]

As I read it you are taking delivery on a used boat and plan to start an extended cruise after 10 days of local sailing to acclimate yourself. What could wrong? The answer is lots. Surveyors are not perfect, many faults are hard to spot but you will learn. Best of luck on your adventure. You might consider staying in shore until you have more experience with this boat.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

What could wrong? The answer is lots. // You might consider staying in shore

You can stay on / near shore for years, and still lots and lots can (and will) go wrong when you finally leave.

I know, we are supposed to prepare for so long we're lucky to be healthy enough by the time we have the perfect boat, all the bells and whistles and learned to sail the oceans while never leaving the marina

But that's not the only way, just one way of (not) doing it.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Keep them - cruising is tough on sails (and everything else) and having a spare set won't hurt

unless they fit my boat, then it's best to mail them to me! much cheaper then storage (:

Actually, Lizzy, I was thinking his extra set of sails might fit the boat I was looking at yesterday.

MrReedatSea --- If you drop those off in the Memphis area, I'll be happy to buy BBQ and beer for our meeting.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by daw_two

MrReedatSea --- If you drop those off in the Memphis area,

Free sails, yay! But I called dibs

All kidding aside, tho: selling even brand spanking new sails won't put enough money in your pocket to buy new sails with when you need them.

So if you can store them somewhere (and chances are pretty good you can), I'd definitely do that. When you come back after a year of cruising, you'll be happy you still have them - if not sooner.

PS: and remember: cruisers can walk on water to get to free gear, a good deal or even a pot luck, so be careful

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Free sails, yay! But I called dibs

Free? I didn't imply FREE. I'm buying the BBQ and beer. He might have a BIG appetite and thirst. I can be a gambling man, so I am betting that I could come out with the long end of the stick. HA.

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

All kidding aside, tho: selling even brand spanking new sails won't put enough money in your pocket to buy new sails with when you need them.

True !!!

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

PS: and remember: cruisers can walk on water to get to free gear, a good deal or even a pot luck, so be careful

EDIT: What's this PS stuff? Is that allowed after someone has already replied to your original message?

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by daw_two

EDIT: What's this PS stuff?

Postscript. Like an afterthought.

Editing a message is fine too, on this forum you can do so for 30 mins after posting (or something close to that amount of time). I'll usually say something like "on edit" in that case (if relevant).

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by MrReedatsea

One side note: The boat's sail are brand new! When the owner bought them the others were still in such good shape that he had them completely reconditioned. Therefore, I have a complete second set of great sails that I'm not really sure what to do with.

Thoughts?

Keep them... in a storage locker.

[MrReedatsea]

We left the dock and five minutes later the engine sputtered and died. Turns out there was a crack in the fuel cap and apparently Florida had it's share of rain last month so there was water in the diesel. After an hour or so a mechanic showed up, diagnosed the issue, and rigged a small fuel can to the motor and we were on out way.

The sails really do take up a lot of room. There is a main sail, a jib, a genoa, and a light drifter in a sock.

Is the shelf life of stored sails indefinite?

[Cheechako]

They will last a long time. to avoid heavy creases, if I was storing them I would restow them by folding outside of the current creases loosely and rolling them instead of folding as much as possible. Not a huge deal.