Hello from Baton Rouge

[AirMedMech]

Just dropping a line to extend salutations from Louisiana. Not a sailor here, just a dreamer. My wife and I honeymooned on St. Croix ten years ago. While there, we chartered a trimaran called Dragonfly for a day sail out to Buck Island. We had a really good time on that little sail, and we've dreamed off and on ever since.

We're headed back for our tenth anniversary this October. Looking forward to getting back aboard Dragonfly for another Buck Island sail.

I'm here mostly just to gather information to try and weigh the fantasy versus the reality of sailing, boats, cruising, etc. And to ask uninformed landlubber questions ;-)

Anyway, greetings all!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, AirMedMech.

[AirMedMech]

BTW...I'm an airframe & powerplant technician by trade.
Boats and aircraft have a lot in common. I'm familiar with AC and DC power generation, Hydraulics (where applicable), Navigation Systems, Communications, etc.

Im happy to throw my two cents in. Just let me know how I can assist and contribute!

[skipmac]

Welcome to the forum. In my experience, background in aviation translates quite well into boating. With your A&P training fixing stuff on boats shouldn't be a big leap.

Biggest difference, you're not usually hanging upside down with your head stuck in a tiny access hole in a smelly engine area to work on an airplane engine. Also I hear you seldom work on airplane engines while under way. On a more positive note, if the engine on your boat quits running, unless it happens at a very inopportune moment, you can usually stop for a while and fix it at your leisure. Not usually an option in an airplane.

[AirMedMech]

@skipmac: LOL! you'd be surprised! Ive worked everything from Cessnas to C-5s, and lemme tell you, even on the largest aircraft in the inventory there are still those little tiny holes you hafta twist into a pretzel to work in. And you're doing it all by feel because you're head is too big to take a look!

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by AirMedMech

you're doing it all by feel because you're head is too big to take a look!

Repair by the Braille system. Sounds like you are ready for boats.

[AirMedMech]

Heh! I've been "ready"! LOL
Just now trying to assess whether we could actually pull it off.

[Cajunjohn]

Hi there. I'm very familiar with A&P mechanics. Had a lot of those good folks who worked for me during my 30 + years on the Shuttle program. Your skills should translate very well to boats. I'm a Louisiana native also. Hope you enjoy your anniversary and congratulations. I live in Ms. now but I still keep my boat in Louisiana. Welcome to the forum. I don't post much but everyone here seems to be really nice.

John

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by AirMedMech

Just dropping a line to extend salutations from Louisiana.

Welcome aboard. I grew up not far from Baton Rogue.

You may not know it, but you've got a great cruising ground not far from you....from where the Rigolets exit Lake Ponchatrain all the way east to Pensacola. Lots of active yacht clubs there too. Just look up "Mississippi Sound".

[Target9000]

Welcome aboard AirMedMech.

Dani and I are both LSU graduates and now live down in New Orleans. If you want to get some sailing in locally, look us up. =) We love making new friends.

[bobconnie]

Hay there AirMedMech !! We Told ya there were great folks down there in Nola And Lake Ponchatrain !! Have fun and keep in touch!!

[stevensc]

Wecolme, You'll find lots of good cruising grounds all the way on down to the Keys and beyond. I do mine in a trawler but sailed trailerable sail boats for years, in Lake Palourde near Morgan City and L. Pontchartrain.
Steve W

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Cajunjohn

Hi there. I'm very familiar with A&P mechanics. Had a lot of those good folks who worked for me during my 30 + years on the Shuttle program. Your skills should translate very well to boats. I'm a Louisiana native also. Hope you enjoy your anniversary and congratulations. I live in Ms. now but I still keep my boat in Louisiana. Welcome to the forum. I don't post much but everyone here seems to be really nice.

John

I have an old friend that was A&P mech working for USA at Kennedy in the VAB. Happens his name is John as well but probably not you.

[AirMedMech]

So awesome! Nice to feel so welcome here! Nice to see there's activity not too far from home!
Sounds like I'll be heading towards NOLA, Ponchartrain, Morgan City, etc. and looking forward to maybe meeting some of you fine folks!

[AirMedMech]

So, I guess my first official question would have to be:
What would be an ideal training vessel for my my wife and I to learn the art of sailing?