Hello from St. Pete Florida

[Massacoppsan]

Greetings all. I'm Mike

I consider myself a veteren amateur sailor. I have been sailing since I was a lad but then grew up and haven't been sailing in almost 8 years.


Ok so I'm a greenie but I have all these memories of "helm a lee" and ducking the boom as well as forgetting to duck. The muscle memories are there I just need to remember.

I have tagged Spring of 2014 as my target date to pick up a sloop in need of some TLC and make her mine and I appreciate any advice anyone can give me along the way.

[Blue Crab]

Welcome aboard Mike.

[brutb]

Welcome Mike, should be lots of sailboat projects in your area, also try Panama City for used boats. What size are you looking for? Liveboard or weekend cruiser?

[Massacoppsan]

I'm looking for a weekend cruiser. Somewhere in the 20 to 25 ft. Range. Might have to go to 18 so I can trailer it but in an ideal situation I can put her in a slip.

[OutOfControl]

Massa,
The Com-Pac 23 might be a good choice.
Here are a few in the St. Pete area, complete with trailers.
Charlotte Harbor
Punta Gorda
And a little bit newer one in Englewood.

[Massacoppsan]

OOC its interesting you suggested that.

I learned everything I know about small sailboats (admittedly not much). On my dads old Compact 16.

Alas those are too pricy. My income status leaves me purchasing a boat from craigslist.

[forsailbyowner]

Im currently at a friends shop who can fill your needs for much less than you probably are thinking. He just cut up a complete c&c and parted it because it didnt sell for $2k. If you pm me I can introduce you and you can let him know what your looking for. Only small one right now is a small hunter that needs a mast.

[forsailbyowner]

They lifted the boat and it looks pretty sweet. Its got sails and looks complete except mast. He just said would sell for $700 negotiable. I tried to load a pic but not having luck right now. Nice insides and more.

[Blue Crab]

Yep, keep looking. I literally could not give my old 25' boat away. Intact. I tried. (And I paid only $650 myself on Ebay.)

I know of a Hunter 27, sails, DIESEL, etc that sold for $600; the following day and henceforth it is again available for $2k.

If you really intend to use a trailer sailer, better keep it small and simple.

[Massacoppsan]

Trailer is my second choice but slip fees are Nothing to sneer at. If I find a bigger boat for under 1k which seems feasible if I'm patient then come tax time I'll have enough for supplies registration and a year in the slip.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by Massacoppsan

Trailer is my second choice but slip fees are Nothing to sneer at. If I find a bigger boat for under 1k which seems feasible if I'm patient then come tax time I'll have enough for supplies registration and a year in the slip.

Tax time? Ya mean as in a refund? Some of us remember those. Another code revision should fix that.

[OutOfControl]

"Another code revision should fix that."

Blue Crab, I think the Affordable Care Act is going to bite a few people in the a$$ this year or next. If you cannot provide proof of coverage you can bet the IRS will withhold any penalties from your return.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by OutOfControl

"Another code revision should fix that."

Blue Crab, I think the Affordable Care Act is going to bite a few people in the a$$ this year or next. If you cannot provide proof of coverage you can bet the IRS will withhold any penalties from your return.

Well, I just got off the phone with Nancy (Pelosi) and she indicated if a citizen anything resembling a person, including corporations which are people, didn't have coverage it would be prima facie evidence of the type of need that the ACA was implemented to address, ergo, forgiving of penalties by the IRS.

It gets better. The above triggers a host of other benefits but I couldn't get Nancy to elaborate. She indicated I should read the Act to find out what's in it. Yeah, right! that's how it works.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here. You'll find a boat when you're ready. Seems like there are bargains galore where you are. Here not so much.

[Therapy]

Welcome Mike.

You should not have much trouble finding that inexpensive boat. Trailer takes less maintenance but then you have to have the vehicle to pull it.

Good luck with it all.