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thiago1979 · 08-11-2012, 22:23

watergypsy

I don’t think I am ready to go offshore, but I do think I am ready to acquire the knowledge and some practical skill set to cast off from Miami to Bimini Island (42 Miles). Let me explain what kind guy I am. First to better understand my intensions it would be better to get to know the person to understand its motives. I come from a poor family in South Brazil, never had anything that had much value. Most of my life I feel I don’t belong with any crowed. I am that quiet kid on the corner left out of the conversation. My mouth does not move, but my thoughts are running 100% of the time. I am a loner and perfect to live where you don’t see many people. Hold on there I know “No man is an Island”

just by being around me you will get that I don’t say much and when I do say I have a good reason. Yes from time to time I socialize. I will never know everything about Sailing, not even the best Sailor knows everything about sailing, it’s constantly changing and we are constantly fighting to adapt. When the Sea wants you it will take you, this much I know. Unfortunately I am not as gifted as you are my friend, when it comes to knowing people and just sailing with friends I don’t have any. Everything I have done to get in the water I have paid it in cash. I do agree with your opinion about this forum, without the kind support of sharing knowledge here I would be in a bigger boat with lots of water. So a few weeks ago I signed up to go to a Sailing Class here at the Coconut Grove sailing Club. I have learned a few things about sailing and how the Wind and Sail work together.

The day I was sailing the winds were 25 knots (bad weather) the instructor did not allow us to sail into the Bay, so we only sailed in the Marina! When the instructor asked me how I would describe Sailing for the first time I said: “It’s much like Sex at first time, its fun and exciting, but you don’t have a clue what you are doing. . .” I still haven’t got my certification yet, one thing it confused the hell out of me was the right of way. The instructor said to come back when I feel I am ready to do the certification part and the final test on the water. Reading your post you mentioned on taking a Diesel Engine apart, well when I have a sailboat of my own perhaps I can do that. As of right now I am working

on Saving to buy a good Sailboat and it’s accessories (GPS, Flat Screen LCD, Solar Panels, Wind Generator, Electric cables and HRF Radio antenna). The weather here (Nov 8, 2012) is cold brought by the Tropical storm Sandy, so don’t really know when I can go sailing. Rest assured I am planning to do way more sailing before I have and actual sailboat of my own under my belt. Right now I am looking for Sailboat and Dinghy Rentals around the area. My journey has not really begun, but it’s started on the right direction. Thank you for your Post!

Cheers

denverd0n · 09-11-2012, 10:49

You certainly seem to have a lot of enthusiasm, I'll give you that.

You say that you're a quiet guy. I can relate. Me too. But you don't have to be very sociable to get an opportunity to sail. Find out when clubs in the area have their races. I guarantee you that there are several clubs in the Miami area that are running races regularly, probably every weekend. Show up at the dock. Stand around and look at the boats. Nod and say hello to people that you see. Maybe even make a comment like "that looks like fun." Sooner or later someone who is short-handed will ask you if you want to fill out their crew for the day. I don't think I've ever seen a regatta (except, of course, for single-handed dinghy racing) where there wasn't SOMEONE who needed an extra hand on their boat.

Good luck to you.

captain58sailin · 11-11-2012, 20:48

It never hurts to be handy when the boats are coming in from the race and catch their lines for them, or help them cast off when they get underway from the dock, that help will be noticed and eventually will turn into an invitation.

robyn-bob · 12-11-2012, 19:06

Tiago,,

Here's a deal. You've already gone to CGSC and taken classes for Basic Keelboat. You learned on an Ensign Daysailer 23. Now you can have the same boat that I learned on, which is a Carl Alberg 23' Sea Sprite.

It's got a 5HP kicker to get you out the channel, you have a Harken roller furler for the jib, the mainsail is only 5 years old (bought from Bramen Sails), all the running rigging has been replaced and it's moored right there at CGSC.

She has a great V-Berth and all you need is a head.

And the investment is minimal - $4K.

If you want to learn start small and see if you like it.

Oh, by the way Robert Gainer single handedly sailed a Sea Sprite 23 from Rhode Island to England. This is detailed in the book by John Koster : "Presumed Lost: The Saga of Robert Gainer".

Here's the site - www dot seasprites dot com

robmo · 12-11-2012, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

You're welcome!

#8 yes you can carry a weapon to protect yourself, just don't plan on landing anywhere, you'll get arrested

thiago1979 · 13-11-2012, 00:52

That sounds tempting Bob! I am not sure how much it cost to leave it moored over there and Club membership. I assume a Sailboat is like a car. You need insurance, have to pay taxes on it and need to renew your registration each year. What I was looking to buy was a sailboat from 30 to 33 feet long. I have a few of them in mind, but not right now I would sell everything I have and sail away, that’s what I have planned. Sure a sailboat for practice would be “very handy.” I would have to think about your offer as after I am done with the boat, how do I sell it and the costs involved with an ownership of one. These are some of my concerns. Your price is very generate! I know Dryings that cost more than that. Lets talk about this. I would like more information. I will call you in the afternoon. Thanks

thiago1979 · 13-11-2012, 01:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmo

#8 yes you can carry a weapon to protect yourself, just don't plan on landing anywhere, you'll get arrested

I was thinking on taking a small arm for close to land an one for long range for offshore Pirates.
Nosler M48

FN - FIVE SEVEN

**carstenb** · 13-11-2012, 01:33

Enjoy your time in jail. Most countries take an extremely dim view of cruisers with firearms.

Even a very pistol can get them hot and bothered, although if you have a weapons permit for it from your own country AND declare it when you arrive, they will usually allow it. Some might "hold" it until you sail again.

**Seaworthy Lass** · 13-11-2012, 01:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by carstenb

Enjoy your time in jail. Most countries take an extremely dim view of cruisers with firearms.

Even a very pistol can get them hot and bothered, although if you have a weapons permit for it from your own country AND declare it when you arrive, they will usually allow it. Some might "hold" it until you sail again.

+1

thiago1979 · 13-11-2012, 02:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by carstenb

Enjoy your time in jail. Most countries take an extremely dim view of cruisers with firearms.

Even a very pistol can get them hot and bothered, although if you have a weapons permit for it from your own country AND declare it when you arrive, they will usually allow it. Some might "hold" it until you sail again.

Firearm license is easy to attain, specially if you already had one. The way I see it there's risk in everything! You just have to protect yourself as much as you can, in that I see no wrong. I am confident as far as my fighting skills are, but you cannot go against a AK47 and expect to have your boat back or your own life. What's mine "I earned it, and paid for it" and so I have the right to protect it. Most of the Americas have no problems with Pirates, but the Eastern do have lots of it.

sailorboy1 · 13-11-2012, 05:14

WOW! I haven't been following this thread and just went to the end to see how it may have evolved.

I see we have gone from answering a sailing question from someone who didn't know about sailing, to a gun thread. WTF

**carstenb** · 13-11-2012, 05:23

Hell Don,

this started with wanting advice on what boat to buy and how to learn to sail. Now we're on guns. Stick around, we still have to go through the discussion regarding what anchor he needs and (shudder at the thought) - Hunters

Bound to be entertaining. Think we can just copy of couple of the endless amount of threads on these topics and paste 'em in? That way we don't have to type everything one more time.

Blue Crab · 13-11-2012, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by carstenb

Hell Don,

this started with wanting advice on what boat to buy and how to learn to sail. Now we're on guns. Stick around, we still have to go through the discussion regarding what anchor he needs and (shudder at the thought) - Hunters

Bound to be entertaining. Think we can just copy of couple of the endless amount of threads on these topics and paste 'em in? That way we don't have to type everything one more time.

I think a sticky has been attempted. But tried and true answers aren't what newbies want to hear. Their case is always different, more difficult, occasionally more daft.