Dazed and Confused in Devon

[jonandbex]

Hi everyone this is the first time we have used this type of forum but it looks friendly and helpful so here goes!
Myself and my husband are in the process of selling up and our plan is to buy a modest liveaboard and suprise suprise - sail.
We just are unsure where to begin, Australia or Europe/Med.
We live in Devon currently.

The 'balls out' option - We know Airlie Beach and were thinking of getting a year visa to Oz and buying a boat there, then sailing down the coast during our winter. I guess the dream then is South Pacific. Does anyone know if it is easy to sail in and out of Oz waters after the year visa runs out? I believe there is a limit to ETA visas within a certain timescale. All the visa stuff seems complicated and their immigration website is unhelpful regarding yachts.

The 'easy' option seems to be Europe as we can then work when we need to, its cheap to get there in the first place and theres loads of great places to go. However we know nothing about where would be a good place to buy a boat, so are thinking of campervanning til we find one.

I would appreciate any heads up on good websites, tips on cruising in Europe, boats for sale sites and well anything at all really as this is a big and scary but exciting adventure!

Cheers,

Jon and Bex

[Randy]

Hi Jon & Bex
Well unless you want to circumnavigate, it seems like a decision on firming up what area you'd like to explore would be first. Do you want to hang out in England while you get up to the point where you're comfortable dropping the lines and actually cruising? the advantage of that is there'd be no time constraint of a visa expiration that would exist in another country.
Starting in OZ & going on into the South Pacific is reasonable and done often. Winters in the Med sound appealing to me as well.
A book I often recommend is Jimmy Cornell's "World Cruising Routes". His website is: Noonsite: The global site for cruising sailors. In it you'll find you can get virtually anywhere starting from anywhere (sometimes with caveats & in an indirect route) And timing is also always a big issue to be in areas when weather is favorable.
Good Luck & fair winds on this adventure!

[CSY Man]

I have friends who recently moved from Fort Lauderdale to Devon.
They did the live-aboard thingy, the Atlantic crossing thingy and more.
Get in touch with those guys and they will certainly talk you out of any cruising dreams you may have.....

PM me if you want their e-mail.

[James S]

Not sure… but my gut feeling is that California of Florida may have the best selection/prices if your considering a used boat.

[Jolly Roger]

I did the same thing you are planning, with my family, years ago. Bought a boat in England and sailed it to the Med’ where we spent six years cruising. I think one place is just about as good as another to buy a boat in this crippled world economy. So if it was me doing it again, I would get myself down to the south of Spain or France, (or any other Mediterranean country in the EEC which you fancy), and scout around for a suitable boat. That way you are already in the sun, it’s not too far to drive back to Blighty if needs arise, and you don’t have any hassle about visas or suchlike. Just watch out that all local taxes are paid, etc. Bon voyage!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard, Jon and Bex.

Almost anywhere can be a great cruing ground, in season.
The Med' is closer to home and fairly accessable to the Craribbean, thence onward (worldwide) as a corinthian voyager.
Australia may have great cruising, but it's not very close to anywhere.
Wherever you decide to start - just do it!

[jonandbex]

Wow guys thanks for your responses all of which are encouraging and useful. I guess we are lucky to be spoilt for choice eh?

Will keep in touch and let you know what we decide....

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Jon and Bex,
Welcome aboard! Good to have you here and posting. I'll bet you get lots of help in making your decisions.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by GordMay

... The Med' is closer to home and fairly accessable to the Craribbean ...

Where the heck is the Craribbean?
Be very careful which advice you accept from this jerk!

[Jolly Roger]

Considering how many postings you’ve made Gord’ (not to mention your obvious age from the looks of your avatar), I think we can make allowances for the occasional slip. Although I did wonder where your cruing ground was?

Just a tip, if I may be so bold: write your stuff in MS Word, with self correcting type and spelling switched on. That way you eliminate most errors, and it doesn’t take but a second longer to copy and paste into the reply box.