New to Forum - in SW Florida

[kcmarcet]

Hello all. I just joined this place. I don't have a boat yet, but have very recently been bitten by the bug. I live here in southwest Florida and have lived here for about 10 years now. I guess growing up in the ocean state (R.I.) i have a yearning for being on the water. When I was a kid growing up someone in the family ALWAYS had a boat, whether it was a little Sunfish that my aunt used to have or the medium sized cabin cruiser that I remember my uncle having, or any of the open fishing boats that members of the family bought owned and sold over the years. I think I will be looking for something along the lines of a 25 to 30 foot sloop for my first boat. I am looking forward to reading some old threads about this type of boat. I want to re-learn sailing. I have forgotten much since I was a teenager, I am 37 now and haven't been sailing on probably 20 years. I will be doing mostly solo sailing.

Ken

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF Ken.
There's lots of information already archived hrere, but don't be hesitant to re-ask questions.

[Ocean Girl]

Welcome to the forum,
I hope you get on the water soon. SW florida is a great place to sail and to find a boat What kind of boats are you drawn to? traditional? modern? still looking?
Cheers,
Erika

[Rising Star]

Welcome aboard! I understand about being bitten by that "bug"!

[kcmarcet]

I am still just looking. It's been so long since I have known anyone with a sailboat, I am still re-learning all the different styles. I have been looking around on a few of the boats for sale websites and have seen a few that look interesting. I want to make sure I buy the boat that will suit my needs and wants. I would LOVE to live aboard sometime in the future. I have read blog accounts of several people that have lived aboard as small as a thrity footer, even a family of 4 aboard a 35. But for the time being I will just do day cruises and week to 10 day cruises along the west coast of FL.

[kcmarcet]

Thanks. I spent a lot of time on the water growing up. I guess you can take a person out of the water, but you can't take the water out of the person.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Ken,
Welcome aboard! There are lots of boats and boat books and articles about boats in the size range you mention.
Atom Voyages | Voyages Aboard the Sailboat Atom -* Good Old Boats List - choosing a* small voyaging sailboat
is something I'd recommend looking at.
Good to have you back and interested in sailing.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[kcmarcet]

Hey John, thanks for the link, I saved that one for future reference. It seems to have a lot of info on some of the boats I have seen listed and will make comparing them much easier.

Ken