grain of salt looking to grow

[nmjoseph]

Hi, I am new to Cruisers Forum... and a bit to the sailing world as well, I guess. I have grown up on boats of all kinds, and my relationship with the ocean is what keeps me going most days. I recently decided to to further my love of boats and the ocean and received my ASA 101 certification (baby steps). But instead of scratching the itch, it's only spread my ocean addiction. I've been reading as much as I can about sailing, stories from sailors, the good and the bad. And I'm in love with it all.

I want to learn as much as I can about sailing, and about boats, but I can't seem to learn fast enough. It seems my appetite for knowledge and experience is insatiable.

I live in San Diego, and I have joined several sailing-related MeetUp groups, which has been working out better than expected -- I have been sailing every weekend since I joined. I am finding that many of the sailors in the San Diego area are bay sailors, and don't have much desire to go any further than maybe the Coronados. I, however, want to see as much as I possibly can.

SO! All of this blabbering is leading up to my question(s): What can I do to learn more/experience more, to gain the knowledge that I need to sail long distance (say, from San Diego to the Galapagos, through the Panama Canal, around the Caribbean, and somehow get back to French Polynesia, the Samoas, Cook Islands, Solomons, etc.)?

I am a hard worker; I love working with my hands and the idea of "getting dirt under my finger nails" is more invigorating than repulsing. I've worked in concrete and pool construction for years, and I'm currently working with my dad and uncle to learn about engines and outboard motors.
What do YOU recommend I do to get a job working on a boat, and get myself around the world??

[tbodine88]

lurk on the forums looking for crew sailing out of southern california, unless you want to fly somewhere else first. also check cruisingworld.com. When something comes up heading someplace you'd like to go and you have time, email or private message the captain and join his/her crew.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, nmjoseph.