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**skipmac** · 02-07-2015, 14:31

Hi Absolutely,

Didn't mean to freak you out with the boat work in exotic places remark. While there is certainly an element of truth to that unless you have a real junker or let the maintenance slide the boat work is a pretty small part of your daily/weekly routine. To me it actually adds a lot to the adventure of cruising and some of my favorite stories relate to getting things fixed in the Caribbean.

Like the time we lost on of the boards from the main companionway hatch. Our next stop was Cap Hatien in Haiti. So we went to a lumber yard and found a very nice piece of mahogany to make a replacement. Took it back to the boat and carefully drew the angled lines to fit the slots on companionway. Didn't have any form of saw on board so went back to the lumberyard to get them to cut it for us. The guys there spoke only Creole so the request was relayed with much hand waving and pointing. The guy seemed to get it, nods, smiles and heads back to the shop. We start feeling nervous so go back to check and sure enough, he had taken a framing square and "corrected" our carefully drawn lines and was about to cut a square board for us.

So yes there will be boat stuff to fix but it is rarely a crisis, overwhelming or consuming all of your time. Just enjoy it as part of the fun. Someday I'll tell you about finding a welder in the south Bahamas.

**JPA Cate** · 02-07-2015, 14:55

Just a comment about wedding day jitters.....

What I think happens is that part of you realizes that what you are about to do is very far outside the box for most people, and it gets a bit scary, we're pack animals, and there's always pressure to be part of the group. No one who is land based [and not a cruising wannabe] will understand your willingness to go out and do something so different from what they do, and will try and frighten you out of doing what you want. Frankly, the best thing to do is just to let them ramble on, and sweetly tell them you are going to do what you want to do, and eventually, they'll leave you alone about it. The only one you really have to work it out with is your daughter, if you want to still be friends later on. If she feels abandoned, it will be easier for both of you if you can work out those feelings first, before you sail off into the wild blue yonder.

Cheers,

Ann

Kenomac · 02-07-2015, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

What I think happens is that part of you realizes that what you are about to do is very far outside the box for most people, and it gets a bit scary, we're pack animals, and there's always pressure to be part of the group. No one who is land based [and not a cruising wannabe] will understand your willingness to go out and do something so different from what they do, and will try and frighten you out of doing what you want.

Cheers,

Ann

Do you mean doing something like this? It's not so easy to find someone willing to change a light bulb 72ft up a mast, like I needed to do last weekend.

Ken

Mithril Bham · 02-07-2015, 16:22

Love the Med. The Adriatic is great.
Love the San Juan Islands all the way to SE Alaska.
Love the Carib.
It's all good.
Buy: "Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual" by Nigel Calder. I get it from Thriftbooks for about $5 a copy. Also his diesel maintenance book. Chapmans of course. Annapolis Book of Sailing.
Good that you are handy. The reason so many have stressed this that it is such a big part of the whole. Don't worry. You can survive without climbing the mast.
I like Horizon for bareboat charters in the BVI. Good idea to do that. Hire an instructor for the first few days to get the feel but the BVI is sailing Disneyland but great.
Good luck

YARGO · 02-07-2015, 16:32

What you Dare to Dream, Dare to Do.

Compass790 · 02-07-2015, 16:45

StuM summed it up for you. A year in the Carribean should set you up quite nicely to expand a little on Stus succinct advice. Coastal cruising is more challenging in a lot of ways than ocean passages ( more things to hit) There is always things to fix on a boat

so some mechanical & electrical knowledge is handy but you can get that with crew. It's a great adventure, cant recommend it enough.
good luck. Paul

Hard Rock Candy · 02-07-2015, 20:47

Just a small story. I had to squeeze down through the cockpit locker to get at the steering quadrant. Because of the many trips there, I had a really hurting back and shoulder because of lack of knowledge of what tool to take down, and because I am about 40 lbs overweight. I was resting in the cockpit when an acquaintance came by in his dingy and stopped and talked to me. when I told him what was wrong, he said to meet him at the beach in about ten minutes, and he might be able to help me out. I was hurting pretty bad so I excepted his kind offer. When I got to the beach, He had a fold up table all setup and he began to give me a complete adjustment. Without me knowing he was a professional Chiropractor. I was well by morning. So we can all go through life and get by, but there are a lot of cruisers out there that are ready and willing to help you out. Mac

**JPA Cate** · 03-07-2015, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Do you mean doing something like this? It's not so easy to find someone willing to change a light bulb 72ft up a mast, like I needed to do last weekend.

Ken

No, actually, Ken, not so. The OP already wrote that although she is afraid of heights, she can do the mast climbing. And I sure don't think she has to like it. I'm okay with masts, but I surely didn't like the 84th floor of the John Hancock building, if I looked down.

Actually, iirc, she said she want's a short masted cat.

Not at all like your boat.

Ann

**JPA Cate** · 03-07-2015, 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hard Rock Candy

Just a small story. I had to squeeze down through the cockpit locker to get at the steering quadrant. Because of the many trips there, I had a really hurting back and shoulder because of lack of knowledge of what tool to take down, and because I am about 40 lbs overweight. I was resting in the cockpit when an acquaintance came by in his dingy and stopped and talked to me. when I told him what was wrong, he said to meet him at the beach in about ten minutes, and he might be able to help me out. I was hurting pretty bad so I excepted his kind offer. When I got to the beach, He had a fold up table all setup and he began to give me a complete adjustment. Without me knowing he was a professional Chiropractor. I was well by morning. So we can all go through life and get by, but there are a lot of cruisers out there that are ready and willing to help you out. Mac

What a great story, Mac, and I can validate it. One time when Jim was crippled with sciatica, a PHD acupuncturist came to the boat, worked his wonders, and Jim was able to walk the next day. The other guy was a cruiser like us.

Ann

Kenomac · 03-07-2015, 00:57

Anne,

I was joking, and being sarcastic.

Ken

Cap Erict3 · 03-07-2015, 01:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Anne,

I was joking, and being sarcastic.

Ken

I have a similar future in comedy. I did better in my day job.

------------------------------
Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

**JPA Cate** · 03-07-2015, 02:39

Sorry, Ken,

Words look just like words, absent emoticons......and sometimes, they're opaque, too.

Ann

**weavis** · 03-07-2015, 04:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absolutely

I have a terrible fear of heights so anything up in the mast scares me.

Actually you dont. You have a fear of falling.

Make the ascent and stationary position when working up the mast as safe as you can, and have trust in it, and that fear will diminish accordingly.

Im not keen on heights, yet when I fly there is not an ounce of fear.....