Hello Everyone, My Name Is Gary

[gpshephe]

I'm recently retired. I have thought about sailing for a long time. I want to jump in. And when I do something it's usually with both feet. I don't know anything about sailboats. I've been reading about sailing, studying navigation. I would read more, but I live in the philippines so pickings are slim. I was thinking about building a Wooden Cat here, since the materials are so cheap, but having thought about it more, I don't want to wait 3 or 4 years to sail, so I'm perusing things here and on other sites. I would really like help from someone here on how to get started. I want a used 38-40 foot boat. Seems a reasonable size. It will be a liveaboard, so smaller than that, I think, would be inadequate living space. I want something in the 30,000 to 40,000 range. Don't laugh, they're out there. Let the beating begin. Hahaha. I've read John Vigors "The Practical Mariners book of knowlege". He sounds like an interesting guy. Hope to meet him some day. My black box's lid is open and ready to receive. Also, I know I'm a beginner and I'm probably going to be percieved as naive, but shhhh..... ( I'm going to be a singlehanded sailor as well ). Attack.. hahaha

Anyway, hello again everyone,

Regards, Gary

[Khagan1227]

Originally Posted by gpshephe

I'm recently retired. I have thought about sailing for a long time. I want to jump in. And when I do something it's usually with both feet. I don't know anything about sailboats. I've been reading about sailing, studying navigation. I would read more, but I live in the philippines so pickings are slim. I was thinking about building a Wooden Cat here, since the materials are so cheap, but having thought about it more, I don't want to wait 3 or 4 years to sail, so I'm perusing things here and on other sites. I would really like help from someone here on how to get started. I want a used 38-40 foot boat. Seems a reasonable size. It will be a liveaboard, so smaller than that, I think, would be inadequate living space. I want something in the 30,000 to 40,000 range. Don't laugh, they're out there. Let the beating begin. Hahaha. I've read John Vigors "The Practical Mariners book of knowlege". He sounds like an interesting guy. Hope to meet him some day. My black box's lid is open and ready to receive. Also, I know I'm a beginner and I'm probably going to be percieved as naive, but shhhh..... ( I'm going to be a singlehanded sailor as well ). Attack.. hahaha

Anyway, hello again everyone,

Regards, Gary

Hi Gary, and welcome.

Depending on how far you are willing to travel there are a lot of boats in your size and price range. I like to kick the tires on yachtworld.com, others may have more ideas where to look.

K

[gpshephe]

I've been looking at Denisons and Yacht world. I'm trying to stay at or below my price, but looking at all the boats my eye's get too big for my wallet. hahaha. I also want to make sure that what I buy will have resale value down the road. Knowing me. It wont be long before I start looking at other boats and go "Gee I wish I had that bell or whistle" Hopefully I can find something that I like right away, but chances are, especially knowing my knowledge level, I will miss something crucial. Thats why I'm here really, to seek folks help on making sure the boat I'm considering has everything necessary to live aboard and eventually, once I've grown acclimated, go "Cruisin".

[NotQuiteLost]

Welcome to the forum, Gary I'm here in the Philippines (Cebu) so if you want you can private message me with specific questions you may have.

The 'boat porn' phase is one you never grow out of, so get used to it semi-dominating your thoughts, well into and after the boat buying phase has commenced.

Let us know a few things about yourself. What is/was your profession/trade? Are you handy with wood? Can you weld? Any electrical experience? All of those things can factor heavily into what will be considered a 'safe' starter boat.

If you're alone, don't turn up your nose at a beamy 32-36 foot boat for liveaboard. It's true that a round 40' boat will provide loads and loads of room inside, but at the same time everything costs more to maintain the larger you go, and there are certain limitations as to how much room one person will use (or need) on a boat.

Welcome aboard, man. Glad to hear your enthusiasm!

[gpshephe]

Hello,

Cool, very close by. I'm on Bohol. Yes, this is very daunting at best. Especially trying to buy something sight unseen. I am handy, I have done carpentry, electrical, plumbing. I'm not an expert by any means.
I have a car I want to trade, so I need to find someone close by. It's in Oregon. I have a guy in San Diego that is interested. I will be flying home in December. Maybe we can work something out. The big problem I see is in trying to get folks to honestly appraise their boats. Many things aren't deal breakers. Just tell me honestly what you have and I'll probably just factor in the extra coast I'm not above putting in a new engine if I have to. The brokers are especially hard to work with. Just make the offer dang it. Quit telling me it won't fly. How's that steelboat working out?

Regards, Gary

[NotQuiteLost]

I always recommend a Morgan 41 to everyone who wants a boat in your stated price/size range. Would be especially nice for the sandy-bottom areas here in the PI due to the short, full-length keel.

If you intend to stay among the islands, something like that is pretty much perfect. You still have to be careful around the rocks, since rock and glass don't mix too well, but it's hard to find a steel boat with a shoal keel in that size range.

I don't see many good deals listed on the internet here in the PI. Not tons of marinas to choose from, either. I'll keep you posted if I see anything, though.

I love my steel hull when I'm sailing..when I'm doing maintenance, it's constant vigilance and work to keep up with it. No big deal, really. Every boat's got its quirks.

[swagman]

G'Day Gary and welcome.

It's always good to hear of someone new joining the sailing fraternity and I join the others in wishing you every success.

If you've not had much time on the water, how about trying it out a few times on someone else's boat, just to check you really do enjoy sailing as much as enjoying a sailing dream?

I am 100% sure it will suit you, but it would be an expensive and time consuming mistake if you got it wrong.

Good luck, sail safe
JOHN

[boatman61]

Tips
No1/ Stop looking for the boat that has everything YOU need for living on board full time.... it don't exist.... yet.
No2/ Widen your search area.... more 'kick' to your $.
No3/ 1st boat 32-37.... there's more people out here looking for boats in that size range than looking for larger.... resale is easier as a result.... also as your a newbie it'll be a lot easier for you to manage in the early days... and cheaper.
No4/ Shoal draft centre boarder may be the way to go where you are.... don't restrict your search to US makes..... there's worldwide knowledge on here so any queries will likely recieve a knowledgable answer from a few....

Oh... nearly forgot....
Hi Gary.... Welcome to CF

[gpshephe]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Tips
No1/ Stop looking for the boat that has everything YOU need for living on board full time.... it don't exist.... yet.
No2/ Widen your search area.... more 'kick' to your $.
No3/ 1st boat 32-37.... there's more people out here looking for boats in that size range than looking for larger.... resale is easier as a result.... also as your a newbie it'll be a lot easier for you to manage in the early days... and cheaper.
No4/ Shoal draft centre boarder may be the way to go where you are.... don't restrict your search to US makes..... there's worldwide knowledge on here so any queries will likely recieve a knowledgable answer from a few....

Oh... nearly forgot....
Hi Gary.... Welcome to CF

I worry about going across in a smaller boat, thats all. I won't stay here, I plan on going back to U.S. I don't want to buy a boat that just works in a specific area. Also, I have a car I want to include in the deal. It's in Oregon. I can't find boats here. A couple Ketches that look nice,but no big selection. And they are pricier.

Thanks for the help, keep it coming, god knows I need it.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by gpshephe

I worry about going across in a smaller boat, thats all. I won't stay here, I plan on going back to U.S. I don't want to buy a boat that just works in a specific area. Also, I have a car I want to include in the deal. It's in Oregon. I can't find boats here. A couple Ketches that look nice,but no big selection. And they are pricier.

Thanks for the help, keep it coming, god knows I need it.

If you're going back to the US why not wait and buy one when you get there... as to specific areas a centre board covers all areas... few others do.

[simonmd]

Just thought i'd add another Welcome.

As you can see, no one here finds you 'nieve' as you feared, we all had to start somewhere and being able to ask the right questions and listen to advise will help you greatly towards your dream.

[s/v Beth]

There are tons of old boats out there. You might want to PM Charlie Cobra. He makes his living rebuilding old boats. I bet he would have a lead.

[Ben M-P]

Welcome aboard CF, it is a great place.

Craigslist has a lot of boats from all over. There is a "blog" called "all of craigslist" that allows to to search "all" of the different craigslists.
There are some good deals there.

[ozskipper]

I would highly recommend you buy a small boat to practice on in the mean time. Nothing too special, as long as it floats and is seaworthy, you willbe building skills before you put your dream boat on the water.

Cheers
Oz

[gpshephe]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

I would highly recommend you buy a small boat to practice on in the mean time. Nothing too special, as long as it floats and is seaworthy, you willbe building skills before you put your dream boat on the water.

Cheers
Oz

Appreciate it, it'll have to be big enough to live on, though. I'm not used to cramped. That'll be the toughest change for me.