Getting Discouraged

[Kenomac]

There are doers and dreamers and armchair sailors. I figured I'd get some flack for my prior post, but still figure it's great advice for a novice just getting started and setting out in the North Pacific where the water is really COLD.

Right now I'm sitting here in Menorca high and dry under our enclosed cockpit while the wind is blowing a driving rain at over 45 knots. I'm not wet or cold, in fact, I'm in the marina because I looked ahead on my ipad and saw this one coming. But had I been out in a local cove, my oversized anchor would have held; and if I'd gotten into trouble, the VHF radio and rescue equipment would be very important to us right about..... NOW.

Things happen and the ocean is very unforgiving to the unexperienced novice. 'Just a thought.

I'm not trying to be a downer... Just plan for the unexpected and you'll be fine.

[boatman61]

Ahhhhh.. tail end of the Tramontana's huh... no worries mate... come mid April you'll be smilin n sailin again.. Enjoy..

[ArtM]

It's all good equipment to have, no question about it, but you certainly can do what the OP is suggesting without it.

The greatest concern was the NWP sailing, but it seems like she understands the additional risks there.

My idea of a "must have" list?
Good swimming ability
Patience and common sense
A self-inflating sailing vest on any boat where the boom is at head level or below
A sound boat, well maintained and suitably outfitted for the planned conditions

The last is very different whether you are in the Gulf of Mexico, or in the Arctic Ocean

[armido]

Boatman6,

Use whichever you prefer. I used neither of these, but if I was to choose I'd go for the boom tent at anchor and an umbrella under way. Can you visualize why? I wonder.

No, my boat has a sturdy boom gallow over which the back of the cover fits with an overhang stopping just above the tiller. The front of the cover is open and snaps onto tubing matching the boom gallow contour and is suppotrted by uprights attached to 1 1/8" stanchions. The sides are low enough to shelter from a setting sun but open at the bottom 1' above the coaming to allow for air circulation. Made of the kind of plastic 'tarp' sold in most hardware stores for less than $20 for an 10x12. Use it underway too.

armido

[atoll]

having sailed on $700 dollar boats,$7000 dollar boats,$70,000 dollar boats,$700,000 dollar boats,$7000,000 and $70,000,000 dollar boats one thing i have noticed the sea allways looks the same............only the owners perspective is different..........

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by armido

Boatman6,

Use whichever you prefer. I used neither of these, but if I was to choose I'd go for the boom tent at anchor and an umbrella under way. Can you visualize why? I wonder.
No clouds...

No, my boat has a sturdy boom gallow over which the back of the cover fits with an overhang stopping just above the tiller. The front of the cover is open and snaps onto tubing matching the boom gallow contour and is suppotrted by uprights attached to 1 1/8" stanchions. The sides are low enough to shelter from a setting sun but open at the bottom 1' above the coaming to allow for air circulation. Made of the kind of plastic 'tarp' sold in most hardware stores for less than $20 for an 10x12. Use it underway too.

armido

I go for the 'Burn' in the tropics... but N of 30 the dodger/sprayhood goes up.. can you visualise why... I wonder..

[zeehag]

here at lat 17 i am using a cloth shower curtain over the cockpit, on the mizzen boom, and i have plastic tarps under the main boom like wings to bring in the breezes and over forepeak i will be adding another plastic tarp to catch air--but when i sail, boat's topsides are nekkid and i have no biminis as yet...there is a jury rig sunshade i make while under way and unable to find shade in cockpit....am in process of designing boom gallowses and covers and solar panel mounts and sheet travellers in one for two, as i have 2 masts...so i can have my cake and eat it, too.

[armido]

boatman61,

The advantage to my simple cover is it can be removed quickly at dusk so my visibility is good for 360 degrees at night and also enjoy the moon and stars unimpeded by a dodger or bimini. It is part of a routine that includes throwing in a reef. It can be put or taken down easily depending on the conditions. No hard and fast rule related to latitude to follow.

armido

[armido]

Zeenag,

Nekked? I need crew.

armido

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by armido

Zeenag,

Nekked? I need crew.

armido

dream on.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by armido

boatman61,

The advantage to my simple cover is it can be removed quickly at dusk so my visibility is good for 360 degrees at night and also enjoy the moon and stars unimpeded by a dodger or bimini. It is part of a routine that includes throwing in a reef. It can be put or taken down easily depending on the conditions. No hard and fast rule related to latitude to follow.

armido

Damn.... I just go to bed..

[dlauginiger]

Sarah,

Look at a Watkins 32 or 36. It is a sturdy boat with lots of headroom. I am 6'5" tall and I live on one. It has an ample v-berth (again I am 6'5") and a quarter berth to port. The diesel can be anyway from 20 to 33 HP and the cockpit is great for sundowners. if you can wait 2 years you buy mine for cheap (LOL!). But I wouldn't wait 2 years.

[dlauginiger]

Sorry, I meant to say I am 6'5" tall and I live on a Watkins 32. The 36 is a bit bigger but has less headroom, believe it or not.

David

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by armido

If your out when it's snowing you should probably have your head examined.

armido

We used to go sailing when it was snowing, and relized my polarized sunglasses eliminated falling snow from my vision.

When I related that experience to a non sailor of ours, she said,

"You're kidding, it snows over water too?"

Steve

[leftbrainstuff]

Firstly 'just do it'.

It's a great plan but heeding the advice of knowledgable people is sound advice.

Secondly if you have a wide range of skills suited to maintaining a boat and have enough sailing experience you'll know what's right.

Thirdly. We recently spent 4 months travelling from California to Georgia along the entire Gulf Coast and parts of the Carribean and Europe looking for a 50' ketch to sail the world. While we saw plenty of contenders many owners ask too much. The good boats sell quickly and for only a 10 - 15% discount. To get the real bargains you need to be lucky, just once, or be in the area for a long time. Yachts in Florida, while they're plentiful are in our experience rubbish. Lot's of yacht owners but not many sailors so most boats are junk.

We've been distracted lately on our tech startup, decision making @dezolvedecision but we'll be looking again this year. I guess I'm saying that buying can take a long time. Others have made the same comments.

Good luck and keep updating.