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Moonriser · 31-07-2013, 12:43

Hello there,

Thanks for reading my first post, hopefully you'll be reading a lot from me. I have a bit of an audacious goal and hope you'll come along as I pursue it over the course of the next few years. I'll post updates on how it's coming and talk strategy and planning as well.

You see I have recently fallen in love with a wonderful girl, who, like me, loves adventure. We're both moderately experienced sailors. I grew up sailing on a beautiful large lake in the Adirondacks and have been a windsurfer all my life, while she has sailed around the Maine coast for years.

Early on in our dating we both confessed a desire to pull up stakes and take off for parts unknown. We discussed each of our ideas (she fantasized about driving off in a silver Airstream, I confessed my dreams of a man-powered circumnavigation), but in the end we decided the cheapest and most realistic one was to sail around the world.

Neither of us make much money (though we both work full time), but we were able to purchase a 28' ODay last month for $4,500. We'll be sailing her back to Maine where we live next weekend — fingers crossed for good weather. After that we'll start a strict savings regiment, hopefully socking away $1,000 per month for two years while we plan, outfit the boat and work on our sailing skills. After that we'll take off for a three-year circumnavigation by the southern route leaving Maine in October 2015.

So what do you think? Interested in hearing about it?

letsgetsailing3 · 31-07-2013, 12:49

"...but in the end we decided the cheapest and most realistic one was to sail around the world"

Hmmmmm. Really? I disagree on two points: cheapest and realistic.

Scott Berg · 31-07-2013, 12:49

1--go for it

2--don't limit yourself to three years

3--ignore anyone who tells you not to or that you can't (whatever)

Moonriser · 31-07-2013, 12:53

letsgetsailing3,

Perhaps I should have explained that better as "cheapest and most realistic compared to other types of circumnavigation"

Unkle Toad · 31-07-2013, 12:54

Fall 2015 is my tentative leave date too. and I dont have a boat yet so you are ahead of me.

sounds great and your loose plan seems to be pretty good to me. have fun and keep us informed.

**atoll** · 31-07-2013, 12:58

sounds like a love nest in the making!
better make sure the gf doesnt get preggy,
otherwise your plan is a non starter

letsgetsailing3 · 31-07-2013, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonriser

letsgetsailing3,

Perhaps I should have explained that better as "cheapest and most realistic compared to other types of circumnavigation"

You might try a less ambitious adventure initially, but I applaud the initiative.

Moonriser · 31-07-2013, 13:03

letsgetsailing3,

Oh we'll be taking less ambitious adventures a plenty between now and our leave date. For example we're planning a sail up to the Isle de Madeleine next summer

Thanks for the applause though!

Tim R. · 31-07-2013, 13:05

So ultimately your plan is to circumnavigate for 3 years on $24k for 2 people. $8k/year or, $667 per month for food, maintenance, insurance(optional), permits, entrance/exit fees, fuel, water, etc.

I applaud your dreams and goals but this may be a little slim on the budget side. You may be better to save another year or two before starting off. It is very easy for teh boat alone to eat up quite a bit of your budget.

I don't want to start a debate on the boat you chose but to cross major oceans you will need to be able to carry a decent amount of food, water and fuel. It will also need to be prepared to handle open ocean conditions.

Either way, welcome to CF and good luck. Where in Maine do you plan to keep the boat? Will you be living aboard during this time?

Definitely interested in following your progress.

Moonriser · 31-07-2013, 13:23

Tim,

Thanks for the advise and we're both aware of the tight budget, but that's part of why we want to do it. We'd like to see just how cheaply we can do it while still being realistic. We're also planning to sell a lot of our possessions before leaving and setting that aside as an "emergency fund" in case of disaster.

We'll be mooring her in the midcoast region, but won't move aboard full time until the trip. I'll wave your way when we pass Portland next Sunday

Teknav · 31-07-2013, 13:24

Fred Flintstones told Wilma that he can be a commercial airline pilot in just three days...the last time I watched him, he was still carving out rocks from Mr. Sleight's quarry! It never hurts to dream!

Mauritz
Laugh and the world will laugh with you...

Tim R. · 31-07-2013, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonriser

Tim,

Thanks for the advise and we're both aware of the tight budget, but that's part of why we want to do it. We'd like to see just how cheaply we can do it while still being realistic. We're also planning to sell a lot of our possessions before leaving and setting that aside as an "emergency fund" in case of disaster.

We'll be mooring her in the midcoast region, but won't move aboard full time until the trip. I'll wave your way when we pass Portland next Sunday

Ok. Good luck and have fun with the dream. We are doing the same thing but on a slightly different scale(not trying to do it as cheaply as possible). Our goal is to stay out as long as possible. We bought the boat in 2010 and moved aboard. We plan to leave in the next couple of years after saving a set amount , getting to know the boat and upgrading any systems necessary.

Please look us up if you stop in Portland. We are at DiMillos Marina.

One last piece of advice. I would move aboard in the spring of 2015 so you have a chance to get used to living aboard. Many folks abandon their plan because of the sudden change of living aboard a small space.

Moonriser · 31-07-2013, 13:44

Tim,

Good luck to you and thanks for the advise, we might move in early (depending how we can make it work with full-time jobs). I'll certainly knock on your hull if we make a stop in Portland!