Back To The Islands

[Messing About]

Latest updates on my quest to get back to the Gulf Islands and beyond:

The Sailing Charter company in SoCal wanted much to much, in my opinion, for me to rent boats from them. Not that I can't afford it, I just object to excessive fees. The choices they gave were:
Non-members can't reserve boats more than 2 weeks out (being out of state, this doesn't work for me) and non-members pay an extra $150 per day on top of the 500-700 daily charter fees for 35-38' sloops.
or
Members pay a $345 initiation fee plus quarterly $200 membership dues; so nearly $1200 in fees on top of charter/rentals. I'd probably break a block or other items in my learning curve and have pay more non-value added fees. Not going for it.
I will continue to wait for my own boat and pay my own way.

My ASA 101, 111, 103 & 104 were all worth what I paid for the initial experience and training on my move from power to sail. I can still join the local sailing club at my deert resevoir (Lake Pleasant) for $1450 per year and get unlimited use of the school's Catalina 22 Capri's.

Wishlist update: The 2022 IP349 I was watching in Florida sold. There's a 2003 IP350 for sail at the exact marina (Burnt Store) I plan to return to when I get back to FL (someday). I'm a year into their 3 year waiting list but if I were to buy this boat, I would have first option to assume the 40' wet slip (since the seller is retiring from sailing). But, like all of the others, this boat will sell before I'm ready to go. But I'm starting to think that the $100k boat would be a better start than a $400k boat. Especially if I plan on liability only insurance.

I know some may think it futile to even be looking at boats at this stage, with no time frame window for my purchase, but it keeps my dream alive and I am a thorough planner.

Wife update: Last bloodwork was good but oncologist ordered a CT scan of the throat/neck region. Results will be share on a tele-med conference call this week. She continues to smoke a half pack a day (plus). She eats only oatmeal, ice cream and dark chocolate and is still around 80 pounds. I made the mistake of sharing my growing desire to get back to FL and on the water again. That pretty much turned into a "if you want to go, then go." Need to limit my sharing of my dreams to this forum and the few close friends who understand. It would be so nice to have a partner who shared my passion but that's not in the cards. I do talk to the dogs about my plans though. They seem quite enthusiastic. The shedding will be a challenge (especially my male) but there's no one I'd rather have on my crew than those two. At home, I only groom them on Sundays and the big house here only seems limited shedding. On the boat, I figure I will have to brush them in the cockpit one day and vactuum the cabin the next, repeating this cycle over and over. The marina won't take kind to me grooming them outside (it's like snowing with my male) so we will go for boat rides, anchor down in the harbor and do our work out there.

I only plan the marina life for the first year, as I get used to the boat and work out any kinks I need to discover while close to parts/service centers. Once we set sail from Florida, we will spend most nights on the hook (near beaches we can run on). Days will be for sailing & fishing, weather watching, boat cleaning/maintaining and teaching them how to do their business on the wet head floor. (solids in the holding tank, liquids washed down the shower drain). This is a trick that will make crossings much easier on all of us. They are Australian Shepherds and are smarter than many humans I know.
Have I ever mentioned that the dogs and I (along with our clubmates) were 4 time K9 Frisbee Toss & Fetch World Champions? My male was honored by the league by being one of only 7 dogs each calendar year to be featured on the commemorative season patch. But we have completely retired from the dog sports world and are ready for a life of living aboard and at sea.

While they haven't been on boats, they love pools, lakes and river swimming. They have years of experience in my 40' 5th wheel trailer and have done very well on road trips in the cab of my truck for 12-15 hour days. As long as it involves me, they are up for anything.

I checked back on my two year old to-do list and saw I don't have enough done yet. Today I filled up about half of my home trash can with garage junk. I need to commit to making that can full every week so that I have less and less belongings to sell or give away when my time comes. Thinking all I need to keep are:
Dog leashes & dog food
7 sets cold weather clothing
14 sets warm weather clothing
Foulies (which I have yet to acquire)
Blankets, sheets, pillows
Hand and small power tools
Fishing gear (gonna be hard to pare down but grandkids will gladly take all I give)
Twin Honda EU2000 inverter generators
Gas & diesel jerry cans
Deck/cockpit safety gear (I have a ton of barely used fall protection gear from when I was a construction safety guy)
Type 5 PFDs
Sailing reference books, Chapman, ASA, etc (plan on ordering Jimmy Cornell's Cruising, Route Planning and World Oceans Atlas)
Insulated cooler (probably bring my cheap coolers too, until I get settled on boat)
Computer, iPad, iPhone, AirPods, chargers, 3 GoPros, Gimbal arm, DJI pocket cam
Portable hard drive with my life's digital pictures and files
Music CDs (although there are over 400 songs on my iphone)
TRX exercise straps and resistance bands for stretching
ID, passport (which needs renewing) and credit cards (which get paid off every month, thank God)
Charting tools, office supplys (pens, pencils, tape, stapler, paper clips, maybe a corkboard & dry erase board, if there's room on the boat walls).
Toiletries, vitamins/supplements (I'm on no prescription meds)
Ninja electric Air Fryer, coffee maker, blender, (maybe my Blackstone 17" cast iron griddle, which I love cooking on when camping)
Limited pots/pans/dishes/cups/glasses/knives/utensils
Cleaning supplies? (broom/dustpan, vacuum, robotvac?) If I don't bring, I will have to buy new stuff
First aid stuff

What am I forgetting?

Once again, thanks to those who always read my posts. If you can't tell, I'm really down today, wanting to go like yesterday. I believe my time will come but everyday I'm a little bit older. In about 90 days, I will hit 59. I know that's still young enough but if I don't get started by about 65, it will probably be too late to start real world cruising. I'd think one would want to be hitting their stride by then, not just starting out. My son-in-law (who lost his wife, our daughter way too early) told me yesterday: "It's a great plan you have. But what if she (my wife) is still with you another 10 years?" I replied, "Then I won't get to go. All I can do is hope there's something better in the afterlife."

But I really hope I get to go do this.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Messing About

..........
Once again, thanks to those who always read my posts. If you can't tell, I'm really down today, wanting to go like yesterday. ...................

But I really hope I get to go do this.

I really hope you get to do this (when the time is right)!

And I read your long posts with interest of the details of the journey so far.

[flpaoli]

Originally Posted by Messing About

Latest updates on my quest to get back to the Gulf Islands and beyond:

The Sailing Charter company in SoCal wanted much to much, in my opinion, for me to rent boats from them. Not that I can't afford it, I just object to excessive fees.

Have you ever checked out SailTime? I'm sailing with them to gain experience, and I'm pretty satisfied. I use the Burnt Store marina base (which I see you know) but they have bases closer to you in California. Worth taking a look: https://sailtime.com/locations/ .

Originally Posted by Messing About

My ASA 101, 111, 103 & 104 were all worth what I paid for the initial experience and training on my move from power to sail. I can still join the local sailing club at my deert resevoir (Lake Pleasant) for $1450 per year and get unlimited use of the school's Catalina 22 Capri's.

Sounds like a good way to train your sailing skill in low and changing winds. Sailing in reservoirs requires constant adaptation to the changing winds, I did a lot of that when I was younger on a 15ft day sailer.

Originally Posted by Messing About

Wishlist update: The 2022 IP349 I was watching in Florida sold. There's a 2003 IP350 for sail at the exact marina (Burnt Store) I plan to return to when I get back to FL (someday). I'm a year into their 3 year waiting list but if I were to buy this boat, I would have first option to assume the 40' wet slip (since the seller is retiring from sailing).

That's where I sail from once or twice in a month. If you ever decide to stop by to look at that IP350, let me know via PM, if it's during a weekend I might be able to go meet you and chat, depending on the SailTime reservations we might even be able to day sail.

About IPY's, they seem to have a loyal following, but I'm not attracted. I see the quality, but I dunno, I think I tend more towards speed than stability. But I'm not planning to circumnavigate.

Originally Posted by Messing About

I know some may think it futile to even be looking at boats at this stage, with no time frame window for my purchase, but it keeps my dream alive and I am a thorough planner.

I think that is valuable, at least for your mental health. Everyone has hobbies they like to read and plan about, even if they're not able to act on them as much as they want. It's not bad to continue to do so. You're learning a ton, starting to form your own opinion based on what you read from others.

Originally Posted by Messing About

I made the mistake of sharing my growing desire to get back to FL and on the water again. That pretty much turned into a "if you want to go, then go." Need to limit my sharing of my dreams to this forum and the few close friends who understand.

Agree there brother. She probably can't process it well or with the reason she used to have.

Originally Posted by Messing About

it's like snowing with my male

Oh my.... I can only imagine that on a boat. You're definitely courageous LOL

Originally Posted by Messing About

Have I ever mentioned that the dogs and I (along with our clubmates) were 4 time K9 Frisbee Toss & Fetch World Champions? My male was honored by the league by being one of only 7 dogs each calendar year to be featured on the commemorative season patch.

WOW!!!

Originally Posted by Messing About

Once again, thanks to those who always read my posts. If you can't tell, I'm really down today, wanting to go like yesterday.

I subscribe to this thread and it is always good to follow your story. You're an example of persistence and faithfulness, brother!

Fair winds

[Messing About]

Thank you both for your thoughtful and kinds replies.

[Messing About]

Checking in:
It’s been about 3 months since I updated this thread.
Pretty much status quo here.
My wife’s condition is slowly declining again.
She is back using a walker and has extremely limited mobility. Only leaves the house for medical appointments.

A week ago, I had to tell her that her middle child, a son of 45 years, was killed in a car accident. This is now the second adult child she has lost in less than 3 years. We lost her first born and only daughter to a sudden heart attack, also at 45. We’ve been married 24 years but have no common children.

Her cognitive decline has really accelerated in the last few weeks, even before the latest tragedy. We spent a month waiting to get her in to see a neurologist but that finally happened this past week. Her prior diagnosis of early dementia came during the 8 months she was in home hospice care. (She stabilized and got off of hospice but like I said, is now headed back the other way). We are awaiting lab results from neurology and will be scheduling a brain MRI to better determine her current state. I’ve had to go on leave from my job to care for her. Honestly not sure I will return at all. This is just a “keep busy, keep some extra money coming in” job anyway. I’ve twice retired from professional careers and will be fine without the extra $40-50k a year. The only risk will be loss of my health insurance butI can look for a private plan similar to what I’ve been paying $100 a month for at work. While on 12 weeks FMLA my benefits will continue.

Re: my boat plans/research
Still set on an Island Packet cruiser. Definitely decided on a gently used, late model, next gen IP349. There are currently two on the market. A 2021 asking $350k and a 2019 asking $299k. If I were actively shopping today, I would be looking at the ‘21 for around $300, survey depending.

I’ve begun slowly downsizing my belongings at home. It’s hard to throw things away that I think could bring a few bucks at a yard sale so I am probably keeping too much still. I’m sure It’s a process many of you have been through. So far, I’ve tossed a lot of old clothing and reference/leadership books from my former profession.

This past week I watched a video demonstration of Yanmar’s 4JH SPP, joystick controlled precision steering system. That looks like it would be very helpful for a solo sailor navigating busy marinas or mooring fields. Here’s a link:
https://youtu.be/GobwT3HKnRs?si=otjvcAyJIpnRLU_r

Curious if any CF posters have this system?

My plans:
She could be here for days, months or even years, although that would be most unlikely. Once our time together ends, I hope to quickly sell the house and move back to Florida (our home from ‘09-‘16).

I still have a 40’ luxury 5th wheel trailer. I texted the market on that over the past month but got no offers. It’s paid for, so no hurry to sell it. I can always live in that while boat shopping. It can sell as easily in FL as AZ.

Depending on what time of year I arrive, I will spend a few months to a year in FL. I have friends in Port Charlotte & Punta Gorda that can be good resources on land as I make the move to full time aboard. However, if a slip opens in Key Largo, Islamorada or KW, I’m open to using those waters as my training base.

After becoming sufficiently confident with the boat & skipper, I will go to the Bahamas as my next cruising grounds. There, I will live in the hook. I would have Turks & Caicos next but after hearing their absolute restrictions in foreign dogs, I will cross from the SE Bahamas chain all the way to Puerto Rico. By this time, I will likely have been aboard for close to two years and will embark on my first 10+ day crossing. Hopefully one of my friends who have expressed interest in helping will join in. Winds and weather depending , I will land near either La Parguerra on the SE if PR or Fajardo on the NE. I have a few friends in PR who have committed to helping me reprovision there. After a few days, I plan to anchor down at Culebra for an extended stay.

Now that I’ve written those plans in the sand at low tide, we will see what God really has planned for me.

[flpaoli]

Funny, I was thinking about you two weeks ago, almost posted a question here to ask for news.


I'm sorry to hear of your stepson's passing, and sorry that your wife had to deal with these two losses. It's never natural to have a child go before oneself.


You might want to start looking for slips now, as the waiting list down here in Florida is rather long. There are people who rent their slip or the back of their houses, which I'm sure you must have found out already about, but my view is they're a little on the expensive side.


BTW Burnt Store Marina apparently had some dock damage from Helene. I emailed the SailTime base there and they said they were fine, no damage to their boats, but the marina had some damage.


That joystick you posted about seems very cool, but it would be expensive, no? Have to get the engine changed, with a rotating sail drive and a bow thruster installed as well. Will that fit the IP349 hull?

[Messing About]

Originally Posted by flpaoli

You might want to start looking for slips now, as the waiting list down here in Florida is rather long. There are people who rent their slip or the back of their houses, which I'm sure you must have found out already about, but my view is they're a little on the expensive side.

That joystick you posted about seems very cool, but it would be expensive, no? Have to get the engine changed, with a rotating sail drive and a bow thruster installed as well. Will that fit the IP349 hull?

Thanks for your reply and continued following.

I got on the 3 year list for Burnt Store last February. Too bad I didn’t send the apply back when I first received it in 2022.

Yes, I didn’t realize the JH80 PPS was exclusive for the 80 horse Yanmar. I bet that full package is quite expensive and no, it won’t fit the IP349.

I will definitely get a bow thruster, if the boat I end up with doesn’t already have one. Could spring for a stern thrust too and get even more close quarter control, as a solo sailor.

[malbert73]

On an IP yes bow thruster would be helpful but non essential. You can learn to dock with just the single engine using prop wash over the rudder.
IMO you should think critically about each new and complex system you introduce to the boat as another failure/maintenance point. Eg a thruster needs its own battery etc
Since your plans are to be anchored out in the future, a bow thruster tube will add sailing drag and little else in that part of your sailing life

[RichMartin]

a little motivation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXvUrCrJrU8&t=4834s

[Messing About]

Thanks Rich.
That’s an oldie but a goodie. (Like us?)

I’ve been sailing the Catalina 22 Capri owned by the school that credentialed me; getting sailing hours and experience to keep my sanity while awaiting for final departure to retirement and cruising.

My wife has been on a roller coaster of illness. Her cancer remains in remission, although the most recent PET scan showed a small spot on her lung. That’s a new one for her and they will monitor it.

Her dementia has progressed to new lows. She recently had strange episodes forgetting how many dogs we have, what their names are and even trying to convince me these two were not our dogs. It comes and goes. One day she can tell me the names of all of our grandkids, the next day she says she’s never met some of them. I’m back to staying home with her most hours of most days, although I’m still able to walk the dogs once or twice a day and go sailing for a half day on occasion. There’s a 10,000 acre reservoir about 20 minutes from my house. She has expressed an interest in joining me but I have to really think that through. She is still extremely frail, is restricted to a walker and I know she wouldn’t be comfortable with the boat heeling over or the hard seats in the cockpit. But if I can one of our kids to come help with her, I might try. She’s back down to about 62 pounds.

I recently ordered Jimmy Cornell’s 5 book Super Pack, including World Cruising Routes, World Voyage Planner, World Cruising Destinations and the World Ocean Atlas, an oversize book of Pilot Charts showing the cumulation of hundreds of years of wind and current data for every ocean, every month of the year. I wrote to the publisher to inquire if they were offering Black Friday pricing. They replied with an offer 15% off of their usual 10% off pricing. So I got the 5 book series for $255. This library should keep me busy for quite some time and hopefully prove useful in my future cruising life, when I finally get Back to the Islands.