Are we crazy? (please be brutally honest)

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by atoll

sorry to be brutally honest there is a big learning curve,equally i don't want to dwell on the misfortunes of others.
see http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ash-72620.html

But I wasnt a complete novice, Only with the sailing bit. and only on my Gemini,

I do have the skills to rebuild my boat while at sea, Including motor and gearbox and any thing else that might go wrong, If not. I can get it working enough to at least get me to some where I can fix it properly,

If your out in the ocean, And I do mean Blue water, If you cant fix it, Your stuffed,
There just isnt any shops close by to get gear of any kind,

For some reason, I could not find all the yacht stops in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Inexperience made me miss them, or I didnt know what to look for, Hahahaha

[atoll]

at least you are still laughing,sorry the weather wasn't as humorous,having twice lost rudders over the last 100,000 miles ive all ways been off shore.
the last time was off the somali coast....stopping was not an option...if ya know what i mean.....hope you can get her sorted

[cchesley]

F15EWSO is talking the same way I would. I can't tell you that what you propose will never work even if I personally think that's the case. Neither would I really want to encourage you on this one. But, either way, you should have the willingness to lose everthing this time around. Even if that happens you'll certainly be much wiser when your next opportunity comes around. Keeping a reserve to get back to the states and family is a good opportunity. No reserve? well, you'll be needing a 'hand up' or handout at some point anyway. For me, that situation wouldn't be very enjoyable. there's a lot to be said for using what you have to put yourself in a better situation in a few years rather than just jumping in now.

Only you and your partner can make this decision.

[atoll]

as a boat repairer in exotic places i'm all in favor of novices of undertaking voyages way above their competence levels,it is a great way for us to replenish the cruising kitty when you put it on the rocks......................

[JimR]

I hope you go for it! Check out yacht world.com for used boats. That is where I found mine. Good luck! Jim

[Geoduck]

With your limited experience, I suggest you look into a trip to Washington state and spend the summer fooling around in Puget Sound. You can find cheap boats here. You can buy a season State Park moorage permit for about a $100 and camp all over the San Juan Islands on mooring bouys and tie up to several docks and go ashore to explore, camp, crab fish, salmon fish, dive, etc. You can just put your anchor down for free. You have light to moderate wind conditions in the summer and can sail most of the time. You have alot of tidal action to deal with but you plan around it - come and go with the tide and make it work for you instead of against you. Your cost of living will be a far cry from what the Caribe will cost you! You can buy a trailer sailer you can pull with a medium sized pickup, enjoy your summer in the NW, then tow it home with you and put it on different lakes or tow it down to the Sea of Cortez in the winter which is closer to where you live.
I've sailed all over the world in my life and I have as much fun here as I did in the Bahammas, Virgins, Med, Oz, China Sea, etc, etc.
I spent 7 years in Alaska fishing salmon on my troller. I'm going up on my 48' ketch next summer. I've got a Nimble 20 that I'll rent to you and you can follow me around if you want. It's on the small side but I've camped in it alot - great little boat! Tuff, stable,sea worthy, unsinkable little boat. I put a bow sprit on it so I can fly 2 head sails If I want. I honestly have as much fun with it as my 48'er.
You'd be miles ahead if you started this way. You would see some beautiful country, never be more than a day from land, grociery stores, drinking water, cheap or free moorage/anchoring, no duty, no customs, no entryfees, etc. You will learn to sail, navigate through tides & currents, visit many different islands, beaches ,etc., etc.
A good way to get some experience before you jump into more than you can chew and have a bawl doing it - The weather can be challenging here but it's challenging everywhere I've ever been and in 40 years, I can say I've seen the elephant.
Something to think about. If you go for it, I'd be glad to help you out.

[aquarian]

I purchased a 27 foot Albin Vega (one of many sisters with proven bluewater ability) for $3000. She has been on the hard for blister and general repair for 8 months - might have been shorter if I weren't working 2 jobs and in school while doing all of the work myself, but not a concern because blisters need ample drying time. All of that aside, in another year, she will be ready to sail fairly close waters for $6,000 or less. She does not have and inboard engine. This may be a weakness in my opinion if I am going to make an extended hop. On the other hand, without an outboard or a second rudder, a Vega won't turn in reverse without a fight. If I add an inboard engine, and I can be the labor that adds it, this number ($6,000) will at least double.

All that said, and for an idea of what you might get for your money and effort - a lot of effort. She will not have pressurized or hot running water. She will not have a holding tank. She has 5'10" of headroom - exactly because my head touches the ceiling when I stand up straight. She will not have an inverter or a "refrigerator." She will not have AC or heat. She will not have a generator. She will not have radar or onboard GPS. She will be stout, but basic.

At that time I will sail her like crazy, get to know her well, find her weaknesses and note or fix them, and add to what she is until I am satified (and will have spent more money.) Then I expect I will go wherever my/our heart desires and I/we feel she can handle. It is a process - a work laden fun process no doubt, but the boat and it's prep and ability are active participants in the journey and that always has to be considered.

As for expertise, I am a sucker for a variety of resto projects and have been successful at it. It is a lot of work, but if you don't like it, you might want to think long and hard about buying a boat in need of repair - everything except the topsides of a boat is hard to reach (or it feels that way). If you like it, I'm not sure you have anything to loose.

All that said, I believe you should go for it if it is really something you want to do, but don't restrict yourselves to a time frame that might not work out - be flexible. The weather and the boat always get first say in the amount of time required when sailing or planning to sail.

I would consider Geoduck's advice as well even if taken in a puddle closer to your home.

Just food for thought.

[Jack Tar]

Do you remember the story about the two Philipinos who went out in their sailboat to fish. They were just off of Los Angeles. When they were found they were just of the coast of Mexico. Get some experiance under your belt in like a Catalina 25. Learn a lot then buy a larger boat capable of the trip then go. Don't be a statistic.

[elliebell]

Originally Posted by atoll

sorry to be brutally honest there is a big learning curve,equally i don't want to dwell on the misfortunes of others.
see http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ash-72620.html

I hear ya, and if you think all we are doing to prepare is read this message board, then yes we would be stupid. However, I wasn't born yesterday, and we have been learning everything we can about sailing for a while now. We know the risks involved, we're just unafraid to live our lives.

Ask a question on this board and you get 2 answers. One that tries to answer your question, and one that tries to cast nothing but judgement and negative energy, providing no real benefit except bolstering the posters own ego. Thank you to all the people who actually answer questions on this board without involving your own ego!