Hi Everybody!

[brownoarsman]

Just wanted to say what a great site this is! I have a dream of one day setting off on a lengthy sailing adventure and have spent hours reading threads here (and Hal Roth's books) to both enhance my daydreams and expand my knowledge!

Luckily I'm heading back to school soon - and for my grand pre-return-to-education-no-longer-having-a-job adventure will be taking the packaged ASA sailing courses - probably out of Annapolis - and then hopefully getting a taste for extended cruising by chartering a small (less than 30' and hopefully a multihull) boat for a couple of weeks for some coastal cruising/island hopping with a friend of mine. As background - I grew up sailing hobie cats and have spent quite a bit of time day sailing on a 28' trimaran as well as crewing for two weeks on a 40' monohull, so I'm hoping the ASA courses prepare me 'at least minimally' - though input is obviously appreciated! Also, have narrowed my destinations of choice down to the Med, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia around Thailand (have never been there!). Though, having heard multiple horror stories of people renting (both cars and boats) in Southeast Asia only to return the boats to ridiculous charges of damage - I've pretty much crossed that off my list for a region with a stronger 'rule of law'. Any advice on great destinations for a first-time cruiser, recommendations of reputable charter companies, and boats to look for would obviously be appreciated, as well as any advice at all! Thanks to everyone for sharing your accumulated knowledge, and I hope to become a contributing member of the forum rather than just a taker in the years ahead!

[skipmac]

Welcome to the forum. Hard to beat the Caribbean for charter and cruising. Close to home (assuming you're in the US), lots of boats and cruising area. Of course there is hurricane season but that's an easy work around.

Happy sailing.

Skip

[James S]

Welcome to the forum

[slomotion]

Welcome.

I agree with Skip - the eastern Caribbean is the obvious choice. BVI is probably the charter capital of the world. Another possibility is the Bahamas, but I'm not familiar with chartering there. The Exumas alone would allow you to visit some very cool places in a short amount of time.

[Ashoreschool]

Welcome to the forum and hope you reach your dreams and goals.
As you have learned, you'll find lots of advise here.

Please let up know if we can be of any help.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and Welcome aboard!
Good to have you here and posting.
regards,

[brownoarsman]

Thanks for the warm welcome folks!

Have already started reaching out to sailing schools in the BVI, and what's more, have convinced my parents to come! Thanks for all your help and advice!

James S, I see you're based out of Yemen. I did some work in the Jizan province of Saudi Arabia at one time, and spent some time on the Farasan Islands - familiar stomping grounds?