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DateW.Dionysus · 22-07-2019, 19:05

My partner and I recently competed the ASA courses up through 104. Our ultimate goal is to retire on a sailboat in roughly another 12 years. Yesterday we purchased a mid 70s Aquarius 23' with a swing keel. It's in pretty good shape but needs a few mostly cosmetic repairs. Our thought is to practice making most of the repairs ourselves so we can keep our costs down in retirement.

We joined this site mostly to get some detailed information on boat repairs as most repair blogs and the like tend to assume some level of basic understanding lol.

I can't wait to pick your brains and read about your experiences.

sanibel sailor · 22-07-2019, 19:32

Welcome. You made a good decision. Start on a small "disposable" boat. Lessons are easier and cheaper. You learn more about sailing on a small boat. For a big boat experience, just add a zero at the end of every bill.

wingssail · 22-07-2019, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by DateW.Dionysus

My partner and I recently competed the ASA courses up through 104. Our ultimate goal is to retire on a sailboat in roughly another 12 years. Yesterday we purchased a mid 70s Aquarius 23' with a swing keel. It's in pretty good shape but needs a few mostly cosmetic repairs. Our thought is to practice making most of the repairs ourselves so we can keep our costs down in retirement.

We joined this site mostly to get some detailed information on boat repairs as most repair blogs and the like tend to assume some level of basic understanding lol.

I can't wait to pick your brains and read about your experiences.

Welcome to CF.

You have a great opportunity: 12 years to come to love sailing. While fixing your own Aquarius you must hook up with some racing crews and sail with them every chance you get, which means every race they do. Both you and your partner. In a few years you will know more about sailing than you'll ever learn on your own. And it will be great fun and great social experience.

Do it.

BTW, During this period you'll meet many people who you can query about the projects you have going on with the Aquarius. Please disregard most of them, as I hope you do the commenters on this forum (me included).