Hola! from Barcelona

[El Vagabundo]

Hola,

I wanted to drop in and say hello, I have been following this message board for quite some time and feel as if I know some of you already! I own a motor boat and have been cruising the Med with her for the last 2 years.

I want to head across the Atlantic and start a circumnavigation but to do that I need a sailboat or tons of money for fuel! I have lots of Experience with boats and Navigation but have only been sailing twice in my life.

I am getting ready to take some classes and I have heard a couple of things so far, sail in a dinghy because its harder than a bigger sailboat, and I've heard buy you own boat and hire a guy to teach me on my own boat.

Which would you do?

Thanks

EV

[Ex-Calif]

Welcome into the spotlight EV.

My often repeated views are that dinghy's are great to learn in but not mandatory. A lighter keel boat 22-25 feet is plenty responsive for learning.

Take a few classes, sail as much as you can by renting as you decide what kind of boat you want to have.

You motor boat looks impressive.

You also need tons of money for a sailboat so you are in trouble both ways - ha, ha...

[El Vagabundo]

I didn't think I was getting away clean!! haha

Let me ask you this. Is there a significant difference in comfortability in lets say... a 35ft boat with a 8.6 foot beam and a 40ft boat with a 12 foot beam? Im talking about handling the seas and in anchorages not just living aboard.

Thanks

EV

[Ex-Calif]

Well, all boats are different and there are lot's of threads here debating pros and cons. The google link in my signature searches only CF and if you do a little searching you will find lot's of threads with opinions about which boats.

(Hint - put "Bluewater" in the search and you'll get lot's of debate)

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha EV,
I'd take a basic sailing class in small boats and then make the decision about big or small for learning. My recommendations for ocean crossing is 32-35 feet LOD, cutter, fiberglass, aft cockpit and diesel engine.
regards,

[Hurricane Harry]

Bernard Moitessier had an idea of the ideal measurement for an oceangoing vessel. He said somewhere around 30ft./ Harry

[capcook]

Ahoy EV... Can't answer your question about trans Atlantic as I don't even have a boat yet, but was wondering if you could confirm for me that it's going to cost me about EURO 3k/mth to keep a 40-50' CAT at a Barcelona marina ? (we are talking Barcelona Spain right?)... Are there private docks where one could negotiate a much better deal? Would really like to spend some time there, Spain is an interesting and lovely place...

Cheers

[El Vagabundo]

CapCook

Hi!! I bought an Endurance 40 and Im in Marina Badalona which is just outside Barcelona. 1 Tram ride and Im in the heart of the city. I have my motor boat at Port Forvm which is about 2 miles closer. both are inexpensive clean showers and affordable restaurants. Port forum is only 4 years old has the better showers and FAST Wifi that covers the entire port but the clearance is only 16 meters so I cant get El Vagabundo in there, They do have some select places before the bridge but a reservation would be in order. lotts liveaboards there and all are helpful and very nice people. Port Badalona has clean showers but could use a refit, the internet is on and off and I have to sit in the cockpit to get a consistent signal but.... they have more restaurants and services and are building a big mall and hotel... Im sure you will get a much better deal in these 2 ports and come in way under the 3k a month mark. If you want to head into the heart of the town then im sure you will spend that 3k or even more at Port Vell or there is also the Real nautical Club which is the "Swanky" part of Port Vell, More Money,Older showers and no Internet. and finally you have Port Olympic which is a litter bit further up the coast, terrible showers no internet but lots of restaurants and the beaches are a 5 min walk. there is a site called Cosasdebarcos click on "Amarres y Puertos" that has ads for private parties that have purchased moorings and rent them out somewhat cheaper than dealing with the Marina. I am in no way affiliated with these sites and am just trying to provide CC with the info he asked for... Barcelona is a great town with tons of Nightlife and great Restaurants, A local Zoo, Aquarium and even an Imax Theater Im sure you will really have a blast here!

BTW I pay 300 Euros a month plus about 60 for electric and water for EL V and a monthly pass for tram,Bus and Train is 47 Euros

EV

[swagman]

Originally Posted by Hurricane Harry

Bernard Moitessier had an idea of the ideal measurement for an oceangoing vessel. He said somewhere around 30ft./ Harry

Let us not forget Moitessier and his experience came from a previous generation......
Most people agreed that 30 foot was BIG back in the 1940/50/60's.

Today it is easier for people to sail shorthanded on a 50 footer than a 40 footer a decade before.

So maybe not best to be limited by such historical views.

JOHN

[Blue Stocking]

Hola' El Vagabundo,

I am presently in Barcelona, just north of Placa de Catalunya. Enjoyed the Merce' 09 Festival. Here from Bermuda, by way of Exeter University UK, to help my son, who is blind, learn his way around the city. He is teaching languages at a school in Vila Olympica, towards his degee as a language major. Double major French/Spanish, minor German/introduction to law. Brushing up on his Catalan by teaching English.
Took a drive this morning along the waterfront, lots of beauties (and oh yeah! some nice looking boats too). You're right -- food and architecture aplenty--muy bien

[barnakiel]

1. Approach a local sailing club and get sailing classes in a DINGHY first. This will give you the general idea of what drives the sailing boat, what ends up in the boat on her side and you in the soup and how to control / use and abuse all the factors. You will learn basic knots, basic meteo, basic safety and a lot of other amazing things from your instructors and your fellow sailors there. You will meet THE sailing people (as opposed to the people talking about sailing).

2. If you are fit, get to sail a windsurfer - it is probably best for understanding the physics behind (note - a windsurfer is much like a sailing dinghy - minus the control by the rudder...)

3. If you are considering a cat, learn to sail a beach cat - again, like sailing a windsurfer - it opens your eyes to plenty of most basic sailing truths.

4. When you feel competent with a sailing dinghy - stop - and look around. Perhaps by now you will know some people with keel boats - and you will be able to crew for them and learn (often re-learn) the stuff as it is done on the bigger boats. Some things remain the same, some will differ and a lot so (like the fact that you can't fend off the dock with your hands and legs). You will also learn navigation and other potentially important stuff.

5. Once you feel competent with the bigger boat - get yourself a good boat, buy charts and provisions and off you go (maybe with a stop at Canary Islands, where you can pop in say hi and buy me a cold cerveza ;-)).

Whatever you elect, I would not buy my boat before the skills and exact sailing plans are there - just to avoid buying the boat twice!

Saludos,
Barnie

[barnakiel]

Ooops - so you do have a boat already, and not the smallest one too....

So, on the buying front you are fast !!!

And how does your learning to sail go ???

b.

[El Vagabundo]

Hi!!!

Yes I bought a 40 Foot Endurance. it needs a lot of work and I am Happy to do it! Yes I did buy this boat fast but I knew what I WANTED AND ABOVE ALL I KNEW WHAT I COULD AFFORD.

I am 6' 5" Tall and 275 lbs. (and I just lost 35 lbs). I went to look at a dinghy a couple of times to buy and just learn on but just me standing on one I almost tipped it over, I looked on lots of forums and learned that I could learn on a 20 footer and maintain some kind of comfort, I was also told that learning "MY" boat and how he responds would also be important, So I bought my boat and the first thing I had to do was take out the starter and rebuild it, Replace bilge pumps, rebuild water pumps and am getting to know the boat really well!

I have been around motor boats all my life and have owned 4, I was also an air traffic controller and operation specialist in a past life and Navigation has never been a problem for me as we didn't have all these fancy GPS units when I learned. Boat handling and Navigation are not a concern.

Navigating under sail however is a concern so I have been out with a few friends here in Barcelona and helped crew and am going to take some classes here over the next month. After that I plan on having my boat ready to sail here locally for the next 3 months. I have a neighbor here at the Marina that has offered to go out with me as much as he can. My Best Friend (and wife) will be with me all the way!! As she is my First mate.

WE WILL BE THERE TO SEE YOU VERY SOON so make plans for a few beers and a night out on me!!!

EV

[barnakiel]

Good luck!!!

An Endurance, especially the GRP ones from Belliure and the British ones (38 - with skeg) are very nice indeed. In fact, I would consider the 35 to be one of my targets, if I were ever to upgrade. The 40 is also a very nice boat - perhaps too big for my level of sailing skills and my physical shape, but at the same time better inside - especially if you plan to have sailing guests / friends with you.

If you can match the quality of your boat with your sailing skills then you will make a great sailing company!

Regards,
barnie