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Eventide · 15-04-2014, 16:02

there are two vastly different types of sailing: day sailing and passage making. day sailing is mostly fun - you go out, raise the sails, find the wind, set your course, put on some music, open a cold one, gaze into the eyes of your lovely girlfriend or wife and enjoy good conversation and a great afternoon.

passage making, i.e., actually going somewhere, is entirely different. as has already been said, picking the right time of the year is critical. otherwise you will be spending most of your time under power, with or without the sails up. it seems like every time i decided to actually go some distance the wind was either dead on the nose or non existent. hence, always under power. it will drive you crazy.

so understand before you get into this insanity that sailing is not at all what the dreamers make it out to be. it is entirely different.

the problem is, if you love boating then it is far better than anything else you could possibly think of. it is both an obsession and a curse. you will spend frightful amounts of money on boating.

the other thought that i have for you is this: buy the smallest boat that you can find that also has everything in it that you need. maintenance, repairs, replacements and dockage are exponentially higher on larger boats than on smaller boats.

all of this is from having owned and been on boats for over 40 years.

**Hudson Force** · 15-04-2014, 16:07

Choose a keel that presents an small angled leading edge to any of those things that you might strike!

rw58ph · 16-04-2014, 08:30

If you work and stay on the boat to much, you might become a live aboard with out knowing. What is the LAB fee.

Don’t buy a boat that is beyond your comfort leave, you can maintain and afford. For every hours away from the dock you will spend hundreds of hour at the dock.

Being a live aboard is harder than it looks, and the reason there are not very many long term live a broads.

Being a live aboard is cheap then owning a house and a boat, but more expensive than living in a house. Being a live aboard is not cheap.

Boats have a limitation for most things; water, storage, sanitation, refrigeration, living space, heat, air conditioning.

The bigger the boat the longer the walk and more often.

You have to be a jack of all trades and a master at non.

Diesel engines do nt like air in the fuel lines.

You will get to know your neighbors a lot better than you want to, especially if you moored next to them.

Sleeping on a boat is not that peaceful relaxing.

If you have a heated/loud discussion the whole marine will hear it. Not much pricacy.

Marines can chnage thier live aboard policy and give you notice to vacate.

Stu Jackson · 16-04-2014, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Sailors are into delayed gratification.

So, in extension, don't ask open ended questions on internet forums, go do some research and homework first.

More seriously, midship spring lines. Answers 90% of "how do I dock my boat?" questions.

Don't ever ask "What's the best ____ ?" when it comes to boating.

boating2go · 17-04-2014, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mycroft

Don't expect your friends and relatives to want to go on cruises with you. Unbelievable how many folks are not comfortable on the water!

Everything on a boat is a "system". You don't have a fridge, you have a refrigeration "system". You don't have a toilet that dumps into the sewer, you have a toilet "system" with thru-hulls (multiple), sea water strainer, pumps (multiple), anti-siphon loops with joker valves that like to clog, holding tank that's too small, and a mysterious overly complicated throne!

Unless you have bucks to spend on labor, you should be comfortable learning all about these systems. Even if you do have the bucks, finding a competent, reliable, and honest technician is very hit or miss.

There is NOTHING like sailing your own home to a brand new million dollar waterfront view when you get tired of the last million dollar waterfront view!!!

Very true!!!

boating2go · 17-04-2014, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

If you worry about money and don't like to get dirty.......forget about boats.

I agree with you!

bobconnie · 17-04-2014, 21:15

If ya can't live on sandwichs, and coffee, and 3 hours in a row sleep for day's at a time don't plan on going round the world, but ya can still sail coast wise and have almost as much fun!! Connie and I like spam so we were made for long distance cruisein !! LOL

robert sailor · 17-04-2014, 22:23

Sailing is the most expensive way in the world to travel 3rd class.

CaptTom · 18-04-2014, 04:10

Things I wish I'd heard sooner:

"The only thing that's always working on an old boat...is the owner."

"The most dangerous thing you can have on board...is a schedule."

My own contribution: If you want your family and friends to stay that way, break the trip up into short, comfortable passages. And look for ports that have ice cream.

Oh, and I agree with Stu about learning to use a spring line.

Rhapsody-NS27 · 18-04-2014, 05:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariner36bob

Before succumbing to "3 feet more" wish and buying larger, do a proper bottom job yourself. Thereafter, you realize the one you have is plenty big enough.

My favorite so far. Thinking this should go in the favorite quotes thread.

endoftheroad · 18-04-2014, 05:53

Never own 2 boats at the same time.
(Westsail 32 and Herreshoff 28)

Want to buy a Herreshoff?

Eventide · 19-04-2014, 15:24

there is some REAL wisdom on this post. wish i had read this a long time ago. i also wish i'd had the smarts to learn from others and to not be so arrogant as to think it would be different (better/cheaper/easier) for me. it always takes me longer and costs a lot more than i think it will.