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Delay · 26-09-2012, 13:03

G'day everyone,

Greg here. A long time CF lurker and a pretty pointless poster. I am also a dreamer, or a wannabe as people prefer to call them. I have a goal and a dream and a few options of achieving both.
It all started when I caught the bug just listening to a friend of mine who did a circumnav in a little boat with little experience. I thought "how neat! What a life that would be! See the world and take your home too". The problem was I had zero idea of boats, sailing, anything. "They call them lines?". So I started looking at affordable, bulletproof boats that would be willing to take my missus and I from the Americas to Cairns, Australia, where the boat would ultimately be sold. I settled on the Westsail 32. Strong, slow, relatively inexpensive, not affected by stores, lots of room to take whatever, and a few berths for the occasional guest.
I informed my mate of this dream and he said he would interested in coming along and would chip in for a bigger boat. Good! I think...
So, the dream has little changed, but become more expensive. We are looking at a 40-45ft Bene or Jeanne (not the best blue water boat, but if sailed properly will do the job, also resale is pretty good in Australia, even after GST and import) from the VIs and sail it to Tahiti where the girls will board and then pure bliss (hopefully) for the 6 months we want to take to get from Tahiti to Cairns via... well, wherever we want.
This forum has literally taken me from clueless to... less clueless. I have zero experience and I live in the South of Germany. Which is a bit of a shock for an Aussie, going from the middle of nowhere with a good coast, to the middle of everywhere and no coast (relatively, relax Germans). So I suppose I am looking for anyone who is looking for a crew member they are willing to teach somewhere around europe. I can travel and am a quick learner. My Deutsch suffers a lot, but I can order a beer and a kebab.

I think I'm rambling...

Anyway, the journey starts in 2 years from now, just about. Get out of the Carib before Hurricane season, and get to FP just as the Cyclone season ends. I think 2 years is more than enough to become competent.... right?

Thanks for reading my nonsensical dribble. Any ideas, suggestions... donations

, etc I am willing to hear and take on board.

And it's good to be aboard. I feel like I know half of you already.

David_Old_Jersey · 27-09-2012, 02:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delay

Thanks for reading my nonsensical dribble. Any ideas, suggestions... donations

, etc I am willing to hear and take on board.

What sort of bucket will you be taking?

**noelex 77** · 27-09-2012, 03:16

Welcome to forum Delay.

Two years will go quicker than you expect.
Good luck.

svBeBe · 27-09-2012, 04:01

I would suggest buying a Tortola-based Beneteau from a Mooring yacht owner. I was a Mooring owner of a 2000 46' Oceanis and sold her in 2005 for $125k. The reason I sold her below market is the UK guy found me before I hired a broker, he was paying cash and would close the sale on the actual day that the Moorings finished the "phase-out" refurbishing. This meant that I did not have to rent a berth and I did not have to buy insurance or pay a broker commission. At the time, a similar boat would have sold for around $150k.

My point is that you can save significant cash if you do all of the above. If you wait to make a deal after the owner has hired a broker, rented a berth and bought insurance, you will not do as good.

When we crossed the Pacific we met a young AU couple in Panama that had purchased a 40 something Beneteau in Tortola. I am not sure what they paid, but he told me that they netted $20k after all expenses. He knew what to buy and where to sell it. He was in the yacht yard business in AU.

If you want information as to how to contact a Mooring yacht owner, send me a private message with your email address.

BTW, if you are crossing the Pacific, buy a downwind pole for the foresail before you leave the Caribbean...St. Martin may be a good place to buy one.

Bill

Delay · 27-09-2012, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

What sort of bucket will you be taking?

I will be taking 3 buckets. One for water, one for bailing and one for shitting... And all of them for sitting. 2 plastic and one metal.

Delay · 27-09-2012, 07:32

Thanks for the advice Bill. I'll shoot you off a PM just now.

**carstenb** · 27-09-2012, 07:57

Make sure the plastic buckets have different colors so you don't end up shitting in the wrong one

And join the internationally recognized authority on buckets and bucketeering

The international bucketeers squadron

If it is about buckets - they know the answer

Delay · 27-09-2012, 11:57

Where are your bucketeers?
On ma buckethead!

David_Old_Jersey · 27-09-2012, 12:02

3 Buckets?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delay

Where are your bucketeers?
On ma buckethead!

Cruisers & Sailing Forums - The International Bucketeer Squadron!

Delay · 27-09-2012, 12:54

I'm a sucker for peer pressure. I'm now a member.

I'm also a little sad a Gord never welcomed me to the forum... And on that note; thanks noelex

SkiprJohn · 28-09-2012, 11:17

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here. I spent 4 years in Stuttgart wanting to be on the water back in the early 70s. Next stop, San Diego.
Good luck in following your dreams.
kind regards,