G'day all.

[neelie]

Hello Everybody

Just to introduce myself. My name is Niels. I work month on / month off in the Middle East and commute to Brisbane. In the next month or so, my wife will move to Florida to start a job and I will commute between the sand-it and FL.

Our plan is to buy a sailboat, live aboard and eventually sail her home.

So thats all about me in a nutshell.

I'll be posting requests for advice and comments etc in the next few weeks regarding boat choices.

Thanks

niels

[Ex-Calif]

Welcome aboard niels. Sounds like a good plan. You work oil wells? Lot's of contractors pass through Singapore on their in and out of the sandbox.

Tough life, good pay but separation from loved ones can be a PITA...

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Niels,
Welcome aboard!! Good to have you here. Are you already a sailor?
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[neelie]

To answer your questions.

1)SkipprJohn.. Yes I'm already a sailor - we lived aboard a Steel Roberts 36 in Cairns and cruised the reef on days off, I used to work in New Guinea in those days.

2)Ex-Calif...No I dont work on the wells (sadly, otherwise I'd be retired by now!).. I fly a private jet for some rich dudes. I used to work in Singapore (Seletar) and had many a pleasant afternoon at Changi killing "Tigers".


I'm now looking for a 43+ ft Shallow draft Aluminum boat.. any ideas? (the French ones look great)

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Neils,
Yes, I have an idea. The 43+ is too big. Look for a 36-.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[neelie]

Hi
36' is ok to go cruising in but its just too small to liveaboard with not enough storage for all the "stuff" for shoreside living. A boat sailing 2 inches below her lines is an ugly thing.

I have even been contemplating 56 footers but the thought of a failure in any of the powered winches has put me off the idea.