Am I too poor or too old?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Clark.

[valhalla360]

Go for it but have an exit strategy.


For every 80yr old still out cruising, there are dozens who had to give it up because they could no longer handle it.


Realistically if you can get 5yrs of cruising, you will be doing better than average.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Go for it but have an exit strategy.


For every 80yr old still out cruising, there are dozens who had to give it up because they could no longer handle it.


Realistically if you can get 5yrs of cruising, you will be doing better than average.

Use these years to master your boat while you cruise the Caribe and then do the Panama Canal and explore the S Pacific before finishing up in Thailand

[Sandero]

You probably can do this.... don't spend more than 50K for the boat everything included and ready to sail AND set up for short handed sailing. You want things like a robust AP, chain and reversing windlass... chartplotter and working sounder, log and AWI.

You want good comm so that you can have up to date weather info and forecasts.

You can pick your weather windows and sail in favorable conditions if you limit the length of your passages.

I know a great boat for you... PM me if you are interested.

Go for it!

[SVTatia]

++ on all the responses above.

You can start here:

http://www.amazon.com/Call-Ancient-M...s=reese+palley

[zeehag]

one option you have not yet considered-- other peoples boats. crew for others in areas you think would be interesting. there are crew lists for this, as well a s cruising the marinas and yachtie clubs
yard time is a plus--if you spend yard time with a potential option, is easier to find crew slot while boat is in water.
learn all you can before buying the boat. many are to be had under 10k--you must be present to find these deals. some are good some are obviously horror shows. learn to identify each before you get into a neverending repair situation.
sailing opb also gives you a feeling for different boats so you can figure out what to buy instead of depending on forum responses out of deskjockey hell.
not everyone likes same characteristics of boat--and all boats are different. sail as many as you can before you settle into something more than you bargained for.
i was most lucky. i watched this boat deteriorate next to my mooring in san diego for about 3-4 yrs, then i was able to buy for under 10k. boat was not yet deteriorated so much as to be unsailable--so i removed her to mexico and repair her now, system by system in exotic locales after running her reasonably hard for 3000 miles. i know what this boat needs to make her right for me.
i have sailed different boats since 1955, so i got to know what i wanted to long distance sail --and sailed a lot of friends boats long and short trips-- away from home and at home.
opb present opportunities to learn what you like without the initial investment with each lesson.
buy your boat later.
btw--i am not only OLD, but i have a 40ish ft OLD boat and i am a female.

[Sea Dreaming]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

++ on all the responses above.

You can start here:

http://www.amazon.com/Call-Ancient-M...s=reese+palley

Nice contribution Tatia!

[MrReedatsea]

I'm 57, bought a 1989 O'Day 322, left Florida in June, am sitting in a bar on St. Thomas, and will sail south from here. Sail away

[goat]

Originally Posted by Calif.Ted

Perhaps, but unless you can get younger and richer what's the alternative ?

Nailed it.

[deltaten]

65 here. Got retired at 58. Bought boat for < 3k $ and over last four seasons have spent roughly same on upgrades/maintain. Cruise the upper Bay all season.FT live-aboard since this past April. Small. But comfy . Suits me
All this on less than $10k initial funding and "early"/reduced SSI, with spare at end of month......for upgrades

Appears you can do well w/ that budget! 1/3 for purchase, 1/3 for outfitting and 1/3 for first years/s expenses worked well for me.

I spend alla my money on boats,babes and booze.
The rest I wasted!
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