Greetings From An Aspiring Young Cruiser

[Flinthawk]

Hello to everyone! I already posted a thread on CruisersForum a few days ago but thought: "It's never too late to say Hello!"

I'm an Army (Infantry) Veteran and in my late 20's. I started sailing early this year and can't get enough. I recently drove to FL from the west coast just to look at a few cheap boats... I ended up with one of them and I'm still here! I am looking into crossing to Bimini soon or exploring the Keys (prior to crossing to the Bahamas). My boat is a 1984 31' custom built sloop-rigged cutter (Original owner commissioned some company to build a sailboat out of a great hull he found/liked). 3/4 Keel, 12HP Yanmar.

I've been having a lot of fun with the boat but also spending countless sweaty hours preparing her for cruising. Very lucky I was able to pick her up for 11K. I'm residing at Dinner Key Marina (Liveaboard) as I have no other home since leaving mine behind to follow this dream. I hope to see some of you cruising in the future!

Thank you folks already for being so attentive to my other thread and giving me a lot of great information regarding Gulf Stream Crossings, weather resources, etc. Without places like this, Newbies like me would be that much more lost. Thanks again!

[Waterway Guide]

Welcome aboard, and good luck with the preparations. "Hi" to my friends at Dinner Key.

[JPA Cate]

Hi,

Welcome aboard. Sounds like you have a great attitude.

Fair winds,

Ann

[Flinthawk]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Hi,

Welcome aboard. Sounds like you have a great attitude.

Fair winds,

Ann

Many thanks! Perhaps being an enlisted grunt helped with that. Anything is better; so long as there is no uniform and no one barking at me, I'm all smiles!

[nwdiver]

I guess now you realize you signed up for the wrong service

Welcome and good luck, just go slow and when in doubt go slower.......

[Flinthawk]

Originally Posted by Waterway Guide

Welcome aboard, and good luck with the preparations. "Hi" to my friends at Dinner Key.

When I actually meet any of them I will. Not many live-aboards on my Pier. I very much appreciate your tidings of good luck - thank you (lord knows I'll need it)!

[Flinthawk]

Originally Posted by nwdiver

I guess now you realize you signed up for the wrong service

Welcome and good luck, just go slow and when in doubt go slower.......

Oddly enough when I was a teen all I wanted to do was go to Coastie Officer School. Sept. 11th changed that. Now I just wish I had never enlisted to begin with.

Thank you for the encouragement! Go slow and when in doubt go slower...

Sounds like a piece of sage advice. That is definitely what I am all about. Thank you!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Thanks for your service.
Good to have you on the forum.