Beginners

[La Porte Rouge]

Where to start is easy. Buy a small, cheap sailboat and figure it out or get someone to show you.

[mattnone]

Originally Posted by wristwister

Stand under a cold shower while setting $100 bills on fire. That should give you an idea of what it's all about.

That's what I was thinking it would be like.

[mattnone]

Originally Posted by jwing

Do you mean hole surfing? It's a kayaking thing. The trick is to balance the opposing forces of flowing water friction in three dimensions, gravity, and buoyancy. Its a lot of fun as well as high potential for injury if you are in a hole that you can manage; a deathtrap in a hole you can't manage. The lifestyle is traveling to holes that you can manage. They change when the flow rate changes. As your skill progresses, you seek out bigger holes, often leading you to international travel. Lots of camping in river canyons. It's a fabulous lifestyle if you can afford it and stay healthy.

LOL finally some one got the hole pun.

[a64pilot]

Yeah, well I wish it were only $100 bills

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by wristwister

Stand under a cold shower while setting $100 bills on fire. That should give you an idea of what it's all about.

Yes and when you reach for the shampoo or soap it doesn't come all the way to you because it's tangled up on something.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Matt...

You're a truck driver, so ya already got the:

1. Sleeping very uncomfortably and confined spaces
2. Shower is a luxury
3. Fatigued as hell, but need to press on
4. Wait for the weather sometimes

Cut the cab off your truck at the floorboards and keep driving for a couple years... It's kinda like that...

[mattnone]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Matt...

You're a truck driver, so ya already got the:

1. Sleeping very uncomfortably and confined spaces
2. Shower is a luxury
3. Fatigued as hell, but need to press on
4. Wait for the weather sometimes

Cut the cab off your truck at the floorboards and keep driving for a couple years... It's kinda like that...

Thanks that's the best analogy yet.

[Tayana42]

Try a small trailerable sailboat on a lake or protected bay on a day with light wind. Go with someone who knows how to sail. It'll catch your interest right away or it won't ever. But be warned, it is addicting and can easily grow to be expensive. I'm hooked and loving life aboard.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by mattnone

Can any one tell me what to expect in the hole sailing life.

For the sailing part once the newness wears off:

30% boredom
30% relaxing
30% fun ride
5% nervous
3% fearful
2% scared

The question becomes whether you make the best of each to make getting to your destination worthwhile.

[mattnone]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

For the sailing part once the newness wears off:

30% boredom
30% relaxing
30% fun ride
5% nervous
3% fearful
2% scared

The question becomes whether you make the best of each to make getting to your destination worthwhile.

Damn that sounds like the job that I have as a truck driver.

[Birdseed]

Here is a test that will determine whether you are ready.

How do you feel when returning to port?

a. Relieved, glad to be home.

b. Sad, wishing you can turn back out to sea.


The answer you have will be self evident.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Birdseed

Here is a test that will determine whether you are ready.

How do you feel when returning to port?

a. Relieved, glad to be home.

b. Sad, wishing you can turn back out to sea.


The answer you have will be self evident.

Wait a minute though. I'm always relieved when I get back but of course my cruising is somewhat primitive although I do have internet etc. And the pace of cruising is so slow and hard for me to adjust to.

After returning and getting some rest though, the sun high is still with me. While at my desk at work, I am reminded of the hardships that I overcame and the workout I got if the weather was rough which it is here a lot in the Spring and Fall.

Then there's the hiking up and down the cliffs at Kiptopeke and the view. Next year, I'll be exploring the York River and it's quiet anchorages and further up the bay.

I also start thinking about the things I need to do to the boat to make my next "cruise" better. By the next weekend, I'm usually ready to go again or at least take a relaxing day sail along the shore of the bay which is usually something of a reach. (after a long bike ride, run, or workout)


Tom