Frustrated finding a boat. help please

[findrichard]

Yes the Okeechobee waterway is the safest route with a reliable motor and a mast height that will clear the 49 foot bridge. Actual bridge height varies a couple of feet either way depending on rainfall and the controlled depth which is lowered for the hurricane season. HIGHLY recommend you find an experienced sailor to share the adventure as simply knowing how to sail in 10-15 knots of wind covers about 10% of the skills necessary to make that trip safety. Use the ActiveCaptian website to help with route planning. The routes are all ready there as well as info on facilities, hazards, bridges, anchorages, etc.

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[Crisco41]

Thankyou so much for that information. GREATLY appreciated

[Crisco41]

Checking now for bridge heights along the route. Hoping we won't have to unstep the mast

[findrichard]

You should be able to get all the way to Tennessee with a mast height under 49 feet.

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[findrichard]

Don't forget the antenna and or light on top of the mast.

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[tbodine88]

Originally Posted by Freemind

Oh yea, we have never sailed before.

I know others have mentioned this, but I'll throw in my two cents.

Ask the wife to take sailing classes from a woman she likes as a person.

My wife is touchy. We took classes from a tough male racing sailor, which turned her off right away. Then she hurt her back trying to lift the little Sabots we trained in into the water. Then when I bought my first boat and took her out the first time on a very windy day and YELLED at her, she has sailed with me very little since.

So be careful with the wife if you'd like her to be a sailing companion.

Maybe yours is tougher than mine, still tread carefully or your dreams of sailing the Caribbean together may be just that--dreams.

[Crisco41]

You guys are great.
Appreciate the warning about wives, as I too woukd stay home if going causes captain to be irritated or my feelings to be hurt. Is not my idea of enjoyment

[bensolomon]

Regarding wives....mine is a farm girl. We go sailing all the time, but we compromise. Most of the time we touch land daily, and stay for an entire 24 hours before moving on. We also make use of marinas do she can step off the boat with ease. I single hand mostly, and she helps me when I ask. Most importantly, when we are sailing for hours and hours, I talk to her about things other than sailing.

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[Crisco41]

I am a pretty rough old broad. I don't think.I will need to spend much time in a marina.
I am not afraid of dirt or breaking a nail. Certainly not.afraid of chip in.
I am a little uncertain what people do on a boat for days at a time. I will have to have some.sort of project or may get bored

[tuffr2]

For what it is worth I met a couple that lived and cruised on an Endevor for 10 years. They told me it was a 42' boat. They also said they liked the boat when they sold it. Oh...they told me that never stayed in a marine and were always away from most people.

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[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Crisco41

Well this post has been everywhere. From helpful to insulting, and finally to the definition of a sport.
For us we have put an offer on a 1980 pearson365 sloop.
It will be having its survey with in a few days and if all goes well we will be closing within 2 weeks.
Boats in Miami so we will be quite busy getting her to tn.
Let the fun and expense begin

Congratulations, hope it works out for you! Those are on my short list of favorite boats. Hope the surveyor really looks over the engine and prop, v-drive, cutlass bearing, stuffing etc. well, sounds like long miles of motoring are in your future.
Oh I just saw you said "sloop," is that right? Not ketch?
BTW this site might be of interest soon:

http://www.pearson365.com/forum/index.php

[Don C L]

Just did some checking and the 365 sloop has a mast height of 48'-6"
Better check those bridges and the height of the mast off the water for sure. It is such a good choice of boat I'd probably step the mast for the trip if I had to!

[Crisco41]

Yes boat is a sloop. I know they didn't make as many 365 sloop but 8n able to find.out how many they made.
Sounds.like bridges maybe a problem. Will have to step if no ther choice..

[Freemind]

Lowest is 49' and only one of those. The rest are 55 and57

[Freemind]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Just did some checking and the 365 sloop has a mast height of 48'-6"
Better check those bridges and the height of the mast off the water for sure. It is such a good choice of boat I'd probably step the mast for the trip if I had to!

K, The best I could do was find an ad for one that had it listed at 48'.