[Thorpydo]

Greetings,

I'm new to the community and looking for reassurment(or there lack of). I've been fantasizing over a trip along the California coast for about a year now and this summer it may just pan out.

I've told friends and family about my plans and received varied responses. My Mother is terrified of the idea and my Father is supportive. A couple of my friends think I'm crazy while another one or two share my desire and would like to join me.

Before I get into the nitty gritty, let me introduce myself. My name is Adam and I'm a 23 year old college student residing in San Diego. I've taken three semester long sailing classes that covered mostly small boats; holder14s, lasers, hobies, and a j24. I was more or less top of my classes but the sailing was in a bay and always in fair weather. That is about the extent of my sailing experience; day sailing.

The tentative plan is to buy a boat in San Fransisco. Sail it for a week or two to get a feel for it and head down to San Diego. We're looking for a 25' - 30' fiberglass full keel sloop between 2 and 5 grand.

I've been reading a guide book to buying a first sailboat and also plan on buying and reading the book "The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California" by Brian Fagan.

I guess I'm just a bit torn. It's a bit of a leap but many of the good things in life are. I love the thought of the whole thing but I don't want to end up a fool. Reading the heart wrenching book "10 Degrees of Reckoning" about a sailing families tragic story has kept me somewhat grounded; the power of the ocean cannot be taken for granted.

So I guess I'm asking if I am sounding like a fool. Am I underestimating the scale of such a trip?

Thank you for your time. I look forward to parousing the forum.

Adam