It's Time For A Transition In Life

[ravenblood]

Greetings everyone,
my name is Tox, I'm a 38 yr old artist in NC. Been reading here for around a year now, never posted simply to not be the guy with a dream that's probably not going to happen.
This is happening, I'm committed.
that being said, I have a few friends that are full time solo cruisers, and they've been very convincing over the past couple years.
I've reached a point in my life that I know I'll never buy land, tired of renting,and have never really been happy on land. When I was a kid in Michigan, I used to canoe down the river any chance I got, sometimes calling my parents 3 days later asking them to drive a hundred miles to get me.
Then after graduation, I joined the marines and started traveling the Atlantic and Mediterranean via Navy ships. In total, made 6 atlantic crossings, 2 in the winter. Not saying that compares at all to a pocket cruiser, but it let me know instantly that I'm comfortable and happy out if sight from land, and I have seen and can physically handle rough weather and huge swells. I was at peace out there.
Anyway, fast forward to today.
I've recently purchased a 1961 Sparkman & Stevens design, Ray Green built New Horizon 26. I believe its hull #61. It's been almost fully restored, new standing rigging, sails, paint, rewired mostly (I've got question of the quality of the wire used, will be checking it thoroughly). Here's some photos if you're still reading
http://imageshack.us/g/804/img1578smaller.jpg/



I've got a Yamaha 9.9, 4 stroke to put on the transom,and I should be starting my livaboard life tomorrow morning. I'm pretty sure I've planned ahead as much as I can at this point. Never sailed before, but I know boats and understand the physics and dynamics of how sailing works, and am as prepared with as much knowledge as I think I could be for never having sailed. I have about 70 miles of ICW to run south to get it home, I wont get much of a chance to put up sail anyway on this first trip. I found a nice little cove with 4' in it a mile from work that I'm going to anchor in. There's a couple other sailboats anchored there, I don't think anyone will give me trouble there



I'm going to spend the next couple months getting it set up with solar and the necessary gear for a run to the Bahamas after hurricane season winds down, and learning to sail it.
That's where my life is right now, I'm sure I'll learn a lot more very quickly, and hoping I've already learned enough not to get myself killed or sink my new home.
Thanks for listening to a grumpy bastard babble on, hope to see some of you out there.

[Mike Vogdes]

Hey good for you.... Sounds like you pretty much figured it out already, good luck with your adventure.

[rnjpinz]

She looks sweet. I am also in NC. Great area. Just keep it simple. I like the KISS system in life.


Bob

[Pblais]

I will say this. It's not an ugly boat and actually quite attractive. Never hurts to NOT be the ugly boat. You'll learn so much so fast and it still will keep on coming. Don't push things to fast but do get yourself out there as much as you can. The problem with living on a boat is you often don't get to use it as much as you thought.

If you can avoid filling it up with crap you should do quite well. As a small boat you pick your battles because you don't have the boat for it otherwise. You don't need to be taught a lesson in this having seen the sea when she gets grumpy. Be safe! Be happy!

[Therapy]

Welcome.

That is a nice looking littlle boat you got there.

Have a great time with her.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Hey, another little boat guy! I'm even smaller, with a 19 footer for Coastal stuff I'm restoring. Welcome aboard!

[ravenblood]

Thanks everyone.
As expected, and as always, there's been a delay. The outboard ran almost perfectly, but I didn't have a great feeling about a 2 day trip on it, so I pulled the carb and came back to the shop for the weekend to give it another cleaning, just to play it safe. I've had to call the towboat once before for a different boat, they were amazing, but there's no pride in getting towed home.
I completely agree about picking my battles with the sea, I'm hoping I've made a good choice with what I'm taking into those battles. She's 25' 5" long, full keel at 3', 6' with centerboard down, keel hung rudder, keel stepped mast, 8' beam, and just over 6000 lbs. Her hull is almost a solid inch thick, and has the interior space of a larger boat. The only worry I have is that she has a foam core deck, but time will tell on that. She is technically a slightly smaller version of the Tartan 27, I think her weight will keep me from getting in a hurry, but ride very comfortably when the weather turns.
Headed back north Monday to test run the kicker again, hopefully I'll have some ICW pictures to share soon after.

[Laffangurl]

Hey there, welcome and congrats on starting your journey! Sounds wise to make sure as ready as can, to do it right-hope Monday brings you fair winds and actual start to the trip down to NC; I may have missed it, but did you mention her name?

[ravenblood]

Surprising enough, she's 50 years young and never had a name.
I don't think she ever went anywhere. That'll all change soon enough.
I think she'll tell me her name when she's ready

[DMC]

This is another great thread in the making. Sounds like the OP has done his homework and
Is well prepared to embark on the great adventure. Best of luck to you and I will be watching your story with envy, but hope that your journey is a safe and rewarding one.

Cheers

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by ravenblood

Surprising enough, she's 50 years young and never had a name.
I don't think she ever went anywhere. That'll all change soon enough.
I think she'll tell me her name when she's ready

You have a great general outlook.

Cheers.

[Celestialsailor]

Welcome to the forum...nice little ship.

[ravenblood]

Latest update, after a good carb cleaning and fresh plugs, the Yamaha is running like a dream, I'm packing everything up now and headed to the boat tonight. I'll start preparing to launch at first light tomorrow. The adventure begins, I'm excited for this.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

I'm envious! I'm still 2 weeks away from launch, if all goes well.

[Brob2]

I'm not surprised that an artist would choose such a pretty boat.

Welcome!