Island packet 38 is this a good liveaboard/cruiser/coastal...bluewater sailboat?

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by reed1v

Well, i disagree. Being in my 70s and having attended too many funerals, the best thing to do is just jump in with both feet and do it. It will refresh your life. The change will bring you challenges you never experienced before, and that is about as close to an elixor of eternal youth that you will ever get in this lifetime.

That's the spirit that i am talking about... Gosh... the youngins won't understand... you must taste death to know living....

[Hobie_ind]

Originally Posted by CaptRican

That's the spirit that i am talking about... Gosh... the youngins won't understand... you must taste death to know living....

The passion for sailing and the sea is clear. I understand that passion.

What I've never understood is when people wax poetic about themselves 'dying doing something they loved'. To me that's what friends and family say to help console themselves when tragedy strikes. I've always felt saying that myself would leave the impression I took the risks too lightly and likely increase the resentment those left behind might feel if something happened. It feels too cavalier to me.

I also think it would reduce the amount of risk assessment I do before taking on tasks with more risk. I'm concerned it drives a mindset where 'fate' has more to do with it than my preparation. I've know a few pilots who've died in accidents and Im convinced their last thoughts weren't, 'At least I'm doing something I loved'.

Realize that this comes from someone who loves bluewater sailing. I've actually come to prefer longer ocean crossings to coastal cruising. It also comes from someone who's flown and maintained my own aircraft for almost 20 yrs including aerobatics. I take risks, but I also spend a lot of time evaluating those risks and thinking about concepts such as 'layers of protection', contingencies and mitigation. To me those don't reduce the romance or enjoyment of these activities but add to them.

I'd actually prefer that if something happened to me, friends and family recognize that I f$&ed up. Understand that I made an error, exceeded my capabilities, misjudged, missed a maintenance item, misread a forecast, ignored a warning sign, etc, etc, etc, so that others learn from it rather than celebrating it as 'doing something I loved'. But know I wasn't being cavalier.

Like I said. I love the passion, I know the romance, I recognize the risks and accept them as part of what I do, but I don't let that cloud my efforts to minimize them to the greatest extent I can.

Just my two cents.

[Jim Cate]

Nice post, Hobie!

Jim

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Hobie_ind

Just my two cents.

If I had room for a printer on this tub I'd go buy one just for this post

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sea

Capt Rico, Lizzy Belle may have gone further in her analysis of your motivations than the data you have provided warrants, but she is spot on with all she has pointed out regarding the extensive variety of issues that you are facing. Others have also given you good advice about settling back and getting realistic about what you are proposing, except for the two folks who encouraged you to sail single-handed down the east coast to the Caribbean by saying that they had done so. Yes, it's possible, but extremely unrealistic and unsafe for a person who has not yet learned to sail a boat single-handed in "controllable" circumstances. Ask those two what their sailing resume was before they did this. Ask them what their training and preparation was. Ask them how much they had invested in their boats and what their annual maintenance budget is. And then ask them if they would trust you to sail their boats single-handed down the east coast of the USA to the Caribbean.

You have admirable enthusiasm for the cruising life, but at this point you know too little about boats and even more importantly, too little about sailing to be able to realistically assess your readiness to set out on a single-handed cruise down the Atlantic coast in an old and undoubtedly ill-equipped boat. Take it slower. Boats and water will still be there when you are (realistically) ready.

I am grateful for the sound advice.
I have decided to move to Florida first and then start looking at a sailboat to start my new life.

I agree with you all, it is suicidal to attempt a trip such as, without the proper experience. In view of the uproar I am changing my plans and stepping back a bit and regrouping.

I will keep you posted as to how everything goes once i get there and start my plan. Thank you for caring!
Thank you very much!

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Edit - Stu, I just noticed the Rocna 10 in your sig. You happy with it?
I'm thinking of going with exactly that model for my boat too.

Response to lizzy:

Here's how I selected my anchor size:

Anchor System Sizing Tables (Reply #6) & Why Swivels are a bad idea Ground Tackle & Anchor System Sizing TABLES & Swivels

ONLY to answer her question, off topic perhaps.

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by Hobie_ind

The passion for sailing and the sea is clear. I understand that passion.

What I've never understood is when people wax poetic about themselves 'dying doing something they loved'. To me that's what friends and family say to help console themselves when tragedy strikes. I've always felt saying that myself would leave the impression I took the risks too lightly and likely increase the resentment those left behind might feel if something happened. It feels too cavalier to me.

I also think it would reduce the amount of risk assessment I do before taking on tasks with more risk. I'm concerned it drives a mindset where 'fate' has more to do with it than my preparation. I've know a few pilots who've died in accidents and Im convinced their last thoughts weren't, 'At least I'm doing something I loved'.

Realize that this comes from someone who loves bluewater sailing. I've actually come to prefer longer ocean crossings to coastal cruising. It also comes from someone who's flown and maintained my own aircraft for almost 20 yrs including aerobatics. I take risks, but I also spend a lot of time evaluating those risks and thinking about concepts such as 'layers of protection', contingencies and mitigation. To me those don't reduce the romance or enjoyment of these activities but add to them.

I'd actually prefer that if something happened to me, friends and family recognize that I f$&ed up. Understand that I made an error, exceeded my capabilities, misjudged, missed a maintenance item, misread a forecast, ignored a warning sign, etc, etc, etc, so that others learn from it rather than celebrating it as 'doing something I loved'. But know I wasn't being cavalier.

Like I said. I love the passion, I know the romance, I recognize the risks and accept them as part of what I do, but I don't let that cloud my efforts to minimize them to the greatest extent I can.

Just my two cents.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

So is Letcher's "Self Steering For Small Boats."

Ann, good idea, Capt R this is a classic book that everyone should read. I just learned last week that it is available online, the out of print hard copy is $100 dog eared used!!!!

Here: Self-steering for Sailing Craft

The book is great 'cuz it explains a LOT of the sailboat balance BS in plain English and also teaches you how to make your boat steer better.

Priceless info.

Only now available at a good price, too.

[Lizzy Belle]

Thanks, Stu!
And sorry for the side-step, all.

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Ann, good idea, Capt R this is a classic book that everyone should read.

I'll third that recommendation
Very much worth the read.

[darylat8750]

Another suggestion.

Get a large liability insurance policy. I don't know what your net worth is but if you ding a 3 million dollar yacht with no insurance it will be gone. I saw a 23-25 foot sailboat get out of control in the current in Georgia and he bounced off 4 boats, doing significant damage to 2 of them and just scratching the paint on the other 2. Nice boats but not huge fancy ones. I would be amazed if less than $30,000 changed hands in that deal with insurance involved. If no insurance your lawyer cost can easily be twenty grand just managing the losses.... added to what the other boat owners get to repair their boats.

[reed1v]

skip the liability. most folks are not worth suing. pretty easy to make yourself lawsuit proof. You may need basic liability insurance to stay at various marinas and perhaps when visiting some foreign places but BoatUS has access to some very affordable policies. Which reminds me, join Boat US for the insurance and definitely join the Seven Seas Cruisers Association for a lot of stuff like maps, contacts, access to yacht clubs, etc. Cheap and well worth it.

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Ann, good idea, Capt R this is a classic book that everyone should read. I just learned last week that it is available online, the out of print hard copy is $100 dog eared used!!!!

Here: Self-steering for Sailing Craft

The book is great 'cuz it explains a LOT of the sailboat balance BS in plain English and also teaches you how to make your boat steer better.

Priceless info.

Only now available at a good price, too.

Thank you very much, i got it now in my bookmarked saved sites and i am going to read it whole little by little.

I just got another book in the mail "Marine Diesel Engines" by Nigel Calder, third edition, i believe someone suggested it here also.

Thank you

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by reed1v

skip the liability. most folks are not worth suing. pretty easy to make yourself lawsuit proof. You may need basic liability insurance to stay at various marinas and perhaps when visiting some foreign places but BoatUS has access to some very affordable policies. Which reminds me, join Boat US for the insurance and definitely join the Seven Seas Cruisers Association for a lot of stuff like maps, contacts, access to yacht clubs, etc. Cheap and well worth it.

Thank you very much, that's another aspect of buying a sailboat that i just started to scratch the surface, insurance.

But how do you make yourself lawsuit proof? By not having anything that they can take?
I think is better to be extremely responsible and safe and prudent and stay away from others?

I read that when on the hook you are for the most part away from others? and only go to the Marina in the dinghy?

I really want to be away from everyone and anything that can think.

Solitude! Peace! Serenity! calmness!

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by sailing_gal

Nobody is telling you you can't do any of this. We are telling you to do your homework. You may become a brilliant boat engineer. But you are talking about living a life that you have no experience in and we are all urging you to just slow down a bit and take things one step at a time. I cannot tell you the number of already experienced liveaboard/cruisers I have met who told me that they thought they were going to retire and live aboard, and after 3 years were calling it quits. We are just suggesting that you approach this major life change with caution. Good luck!

Thank you very much! I forgot if i already thank you, but i wanted to say that everyone here and including you have helped me very much to address many issues that i had and many misgivings. I appreciate all of the advice very much!!!!!!

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Just a thought, Capt. Rican, but you might enjoy the reading on the threads about docking your boat singlehanded. There are some pretty creative, non-intuitive skills you can read about there.

If you like books, something like "The 12 Volt Doctor" is a nice beginning. So is Letcher's "Self Steering For Small Boats."

I agree with what was written above, to go with the smallest boat you can. It saves you money on all parts, it is easier to cope with in the boat yard, and the sail handling is easier because the sails are lighter. Go to a boat yard in the spring, with a sanding block in your hand see how big the boats look, compared to the sanding block.

I really don't know how much they cost, but there are some British boats that are real cruising boats, and under 30 ft. The CF member "weavis" wrote that he bought one for his nephew. You can search on "pocket cruisers", and look at sailboatdata.com for specs. There's lots out there -- often we recommend anything by Evans or Beth Starzinger, lots and lots! Evans had a thread here a while back where he was load testing soft shackles, for instance, and another one about how to make your own tether, as the ready made ones are not well made, and may break during your use.

Your writing style makes you sound like you want everything YESTERDAY, but even the preliminary reading takes time, and developing skill does, too. That's not to worry about, but just to be aware of.
Ann

I like reading and i am open for suggestions about literature, books, sites that can help me expand my horizons.

Thank you for all the suggestions and i am taking it all in and i am morphin my plan as i get more and more information and become more aware of the demands and risks...thanks to all of you!!