Greetings from Annapolis

[Fearnow]

I just started looking for a cat to live on. I'm still trying to convince my wife it will be fun. I started kitesurfing about 2 years ago, and the plan is to get a boat and head to the Caribbean. I have lived on the water all my life, and have sailed and powered all over the Chesapeake Bay. I'm not an avid sailor.

I like the Lagoon boats the best, but looking at others too. Since I'm not rich, I was thinking of some charter work to help.

Any insight or comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Fearnow]

I also have a million other questions:
If you have done the charter thing, what"s it like?
I plan to get AC but some boat dealers say I'll never use it.
Should I get my Capt. license?
Where do I get a list of safe harbors?
Will solar panels really keep up?
Does the average live aboard have a life of hot sweaty existence when living down south?
What about internet? The dealer said he shleps off of other people.
Any feed back on close quarters?
Thanks again, but like learning how to kitesurf, I must ask these questions, and need to hear answers, even though I am researching online.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard

[Ocean Girl]

Great question! I would check out some cruising blogs to get a better idea of the lifestyle. The multihull section in this forum is very active and have links to some great blogs.
Zack aboardZach Aboard
Welcome aboard,
Erika

Ps
The multihull folks need to start a social group, was surprised there isn't one already.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
You've got a lot of specific questions, non of which I can answer with any degreee of experience. If you intend to hire out as a Captain then you need a Captain's license. A prudent employer would not hire you as a Captain unless you have it.
You don't need a Captain's license to be a crew member.
kind regards,

[imagine2frolic]

Us multihullers aren't social creatures O.G.. That's why we have another hull, or 2. To hide from others

There are liveaboard, and combo sailing lessons in the BVI that have cats. That would be a great place to start.......i2f

[Coolruns]

Welcome aboard.

We too are dreaming of a future on a catamaran in the Carribean or the Med or some other far off place.

But for now, we have satisfied our sailing desires as a member of a fractional sailing club that allows us to sail fairly often. Try the Capital Sailboat Club ... if you are interested.

See ya out there.

[Fearnow]

Went on the multihull forum and got a lot of questions answered. Plan to sell our house and buy a Lagoon 44'. I am working on my Capt. license and hope to be in the Bahama's this time next year. Not sure about charter for a couple of years, as I want to spend a year getting to know the Caribbean. Then I hope to do some "kitesurfing specific" charters, with some scuba on the side.
I've been reading a lot of blogs and they tend to be somewhat contradictory.

I thought I could live off of $ 1000.00/month after reading some of the blogs, but realistically, I'm looking at $ 3000.00/month.

I have a lot to learn about navigation, but real excited that the plan is coming together. For me, sailing has always been somewhat boorish, unless there is a gail. The one thing I truly enjoy is the Caribbean, with all its beauty, and kitesurfing. I just turned 55 and refuse to waste another moment doing what I've been doing for 30 years!
Life is way to short for this bull ****. Work 9-5 or more, and then you die. Or maybe you get a few years living in a retirement home, Wasted>

To many people are afraid to move out of the comfort zone and take a chance. I was one of them.