Soldier in Afghanistan Dreaming of Saling Away.

[Kenneth Magee]

I am an Army Ranger Medic serving in Afghanistan. I have an Albin Vega that I have worked long hours to equip for a possible solo circumnavigation. I would like to start a website that would allow me to post my position and perhaps a few photos along the way. I am not trying to advertise or make money, only let a few people who are interested in my trip know what's up with me. Do any of you know what kind of equipment I would need to make this happen and what the associated cost would be? This trip is hard to finance on a soldiers salary so I it is essential that I keep the cost down as low as possible. I understand that I will not be able to afford dining out and will have to avoid the marinas and will have to pretty much live on rice and beans to afford such a trip, but I am absolutely obsessed with the idea of sailing off. It would be cool to receive weather info and overhear other SSB traffic so I have considered an SSB reciever. Any thoughts or suggestions on how I could keep the cost down, and any technical info would be very much appreciated.

Thank you all.

[john540]

This site is a good resource for info. You should also check out SailBlogs | Sailing Blog Hosting. (I post there under Alias) See you around!

[MarkJ]

Don't worry, rice and beans are so cheap you may be able to afford a hook and catch a nice 40lb tuna to go with dinner! Yum!

All the best

[Talbot]

The Pardey's are very much into minimal toys for cruising. They do a number of books which may help.

There is no real need to send emails other than from internet cafees. Weather faxes really demand an HF receiver and a lappie to receive the data.

[starfish62]

Hey, KM. This site will track your position and post it on the web at no charge:
YOTREPS Offshore Reports Great service, great folks. As to routes & current events, try Jimmy Cornells' Noonsite: The global site for cruising sailors.

As to Comm for a circumnavigation, an SSB would be in the "essential" category. Weather info is priceless, and a basic safety consideration (I'd take an SSB transceiver over an EPIRB or life raft anyday). If you get an SSB, and if you can swing a pactor modem and a laptop, then there are several very low cost (once you buy the hardware) email providers like sailmail. They don't support pics, but to do that you'd have to have satcom & that is big $$$$ for use.

In a summary:
Yotreps.com
Noonsite.com
SSB & Pactor modem

PS: I have some friends in the Galveston area who would consider it an honor to give a hand to a medic. Send me a pm for an introduction. Elsewise, best of luck to you and follow your dream.