Hi from Florida

[Mariness]

Hi to all from sunny St. Petersburg FL!
I've been lurking around here for a while now, so I figured it was about time I came out of hiding.
The hubby (J ) and I are interested in getting into the cruising life. He has tons of boat experience, has done some short and long cruising, his dad did a solo circumnavigation, basically grew up sailing (and he has been interested in doing this longer than I've known him). I on the other hand, have very little experience, but I've enjoyed that. At least I'm a quick learner, and at this point have decided that we are meant to do this.
We already have 1 child (K) - she is 13 months and loves being on, or in, the water already! - and hope for more in a bit. So this will be a family affair. It seems like such a fantastic opportunity to expose our child(ren) to this lifestyle and the world that's out there waiting for us.
At this point we don't have a boat though. (Well, technically we have 6 "boats", but they are NOT cruising-appropriate!) J likes to design boats for a hobby, so guess how picky we're going to be on getting one?!
If we ever hope to make this happen (sooner rather than later!) there are plenty of questions to be asked, and I figure I should probably get more than the 1 perspective. So for now, I am reading my way through our substantial boat library, and now I am here to ask you all the questions that J can't answer (or when I just don't believe him ).

[cmcowboy]

Welcome from another newbie to this site,
My wife and I live just south of you in Bradenton. We are seriously getting into sailing as well, but both of us are very new to this.
Good luck

[Southern Star]

Welcome to the forum Mariness! You will find all sorts of answers and helpful information here - and you should get your husband to join as well, as all of us can always use another viewpoint!

Brad

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Hope you find all the information you need right here on the forum.
kind regards,