Seaplanes to Sailboats; Starting the Cruising Lifestyle

[185WB]

Good Afternoon,

My name is Ben and I currently live in Nashville, Tn. Trading the Seaplanes for a Cruising Sailboat, thus, in the research and learning how-to phase. I have been reading many forums here over the last year and I sincerely look forward to joining the sailing community....specifically cruising the Gulf, FL and through-out the Caribbean

[robert sailor]

Welcome, I owned 3 seaplanes my self over the years, you'll find quite a few pilots that turned into sailors on this site, hope you enjoy it here.

[alctel]

Yup, I'm another one. You'll have a head start on all the navigation and meteorology stuff!

[CSY Man]

500 hours on seaplanes, in the Carribbean. Yeah easy to slide into the sailing lifestyle.
Welcome aboard.

[185WB]

thanks...navigation is easy these days...punch a screen, etc video games.... I noticed you sail a Hunter...I'm really partial right now to 3 Hunters... the 41 legend, 43DS and really considering a 42 Passage...any thoughts would be appreciated

[185WB]

well if the sailing community is as fun and hospitable as the aviation community...finding the 'ol pilots will be a double bonus...

[robert sailor]

Any of the Hunters would be just fine for the Caribbean. Sailors out cruising are not that dissimilar to pilots when we get together to socialize however these forums are not always as friendly. Good bunch here though.

[alaskaflyfish]

How funny, I just posted my floatplane in the classifieds. Lots of pilots here on CF. I posted a thread titled "from airplanes to sailboats" a few months back, check it out and make friends. Cheers

[185WB]

Thanks Tim...I will check it out ....looking forward to meeting the aviators

[Tailwheel]

C185 is a great plane, and good ones are hard to come by. Tough call giving it up, but I feel ya. I gave up my Pitts for an engagement ring! (Ok, I kept the change)

[a64pilot]

And I my Maule for a sailboat.
But I am keeping the old C-140 though.
What did you do with an Amphib in Tennessee? I didn't think there was much use for one there

[185WB]

Between TN,KY,North AL, this region has the fourth largest amount of open water/shoreline available for waterflying( and Sailing) .... Amphibs make a very convenient way to utilize both airports/grass strips/water/marinas/resorts, etc vs straight floats where you have to keep your plan on the water/dock, etc.... fuel access is another reason to have amphibs around here... no marina has Av fuel...

[captmikem]

I have a KP46, she is set up for world cruising. Give me a PM if interested in talking a trade. I live N of Ft Lauderdale.

Michael

[pilot2fly]

Is that a 182 on floats? I've been a passenger on a few float planes and it's something I've always wanted to learn. I have about 500 hours on single engine land 172's Warriors, and twin Seminoles. Best and most fun hobby I've ever seen (cruising is a close second).

[a64pilot]

Look at the tail, see the tailwheel spring? It's a 185.
Nothing on Earth is as loud as a 185 on a spring morning mountain lake on take off

I live in GA, in GA there are two bodies of water you can land a seaplane on. Lake Blackshear, and the Savannah river, that is it.
I lusted after Amphibs for my Maule, but they kill cruise of course and to a great extent useful load too, not to mention they cost about what the airplane was worth.