Ahoy from Cape Town

[EvilRabbit]

Ahoy from Cape Town.

After years of dreaming about heading off into the sunset, I have decided to make that dream a reality.

At 39, I have zero sailing experience! But start training in Jan 2016 with the plan to take the kids (twins 7) and wife and head off early Dec 2016 for a year or so.

Looking to buy a +40ft cat during the course of the year. Lots to learn and excited to get started.

Will be asking lots of noob questions and hope to share the journey

Rabbit

[brianlara 3]

RABBIT. Mark my words, CF will change your life. You're going to love it.
Welcome Mate.
Brian.

[Lizzy Belle]

Welcome to CF!

A 40'+ cat is a LOT of boat, so hope the lessons go well for you and your wife.
Is she not nervous about having to sail that big a boat?
I'm not even completely comfortable with a 40'+ monohull, let alone a cat - but I'm not the bravest ever

Have fun learning and sharing that experience!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Rabbit.

[Curious Sailor]

Welcome! Awesome dream... Shared by many...


http://curioussailor.blogspot.com/

[EvilRabbit]

Just broke the idea to my wife. Been planning for a while and had to find the right time to raise the idea. She freaked for 2 mins, processed it and said "cool"

So the planning now starts!

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Welcome to CF!

A 40'+ cat is a LOT of boat, so hope the lessons go well for you and your wife.
Is she not nervous about having to sail that big a boat?
I'm not even completely comfortable with a 40'+ monohull, let alone a cat - but I'm not the bravest ever

Have fun learning and sharing that experience!

[Gustofwind]

Originally Posted by EvilRabbit

Ahoy from Cape Town.

After years of dreaming about heading off into the sunset, I have decided to make that dream a reality.

At 39, I have zero sailing experience! But start training in Jan 2016 with the plan to take the kids (twins 7) and wife and head off early Dec 2016 for a year or so.

Looking to buy a +40ft cat during the course of the year. Lots to learn and excited to get started.

Will be asking lots of noob questions and hope to share the journey

Rabbit

Hi Rabbit
I'm also from Cape Town and have a 62 ft cat I sail short handed on long trips. Just take the time to get used to your boat. If you can sail in Cape Town you can sail anywhere in the world!

[HappyMdRSailor]

Welcome to CF ERabbit and GustofW !

Can't wait to see more from you both...

[Oceanaut]

Hi Rabbit, Great adventure. We did exactly the same but out of Langebaan/Mykonos.

We bought a 40ft cat and have just crossed to Grenada. You have quite a few qualifications that you require. There are plenty of schools available in Cape Town that will put you through the required courses and this can be done over a couple of months.

Day Skippers, Coastal, and Yachtmaster Offshore if you are planning a crossing.

You will also require a first aid qualification and also a radio license. These can be completed over 2 weeks.

Your boat will have to be equiped for Category A by SAMSA and will require a survey which involves getting it out of the water. Bare this in mind when purchasing - you will want a survey done by a reputable broker anyway.

That's just what I can remember offhand but if you want more info or contact info for good surveyors etc just ask.

Kind regards,
Oceanaut

[sy_gilana]

Howzit Haasie. We did the same thing, Seventeen years ago we we sailing for a year or two.

[EvilRabbit]

Thanks for the reply! When did you guys do this?

As I am a sailing noob, but will put in substantial hours before we leave, I am a little concerned about crossing the atlantic with the wife and kids. At a minimum, we would do it with a skipper.

Right now I am hoping to purchase a 40ft cat around April/May and spend 5/6 months getting comfortable with it around Cape Town's more challenging seas. Then perhaps cross myself with a skipper and some hands and meet the family on the other side. - not sure what my wife thinks is more dangerous: sailing across a vast ocean with no sight of land, or taking 2 flights overseas by herself with my crazy twin 7 year olds!

Originally Posted by Oceanaut

Hi Rabbit, Great adventure. We did exactly the same but out of Langebaan/Mykonos.

We bought a 40ft cat and have just crossed to Grenada. You have quite a few qualifications that you require. There are plenty of schools available in Cape Town that will put you through the required courses and this can be done over a couple of months.

Day Skippers, Coastal, and Yachtmaster Offshore if you are planning a crossing.

You will also require a first aid qualification and also a radio license. These can be completed over 2 weeks.

Your boat will have to be equiped for Category A by SAMSA and will require a survey which involves getting it out of the water. Bare this in mind when purchasing - you will want a survey done by a reputable broker anyway.

That's just what I can remember offhand but if you want more info or contact info for good surveyors etc just ask.

Kind regards,
Oceanaut

[Oceanaut]

Hi Rabbit, we just arrived on the 20th of December. We contracted a Skipper for our first crossing and would advise the same if you intend to cross.

We have a website with quite a bit of info - if you mail me I can supply you with a link.

Have fun! It is a very wide range of skills and very entertaining. You certainly will not be bored!

[Oceanaut]

Hi Rabbit, just posted you a pm with web site info. Cheers, Oceanaut.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by EvilRabbit

Right now I am hoping to purchase a 40ft cat around April/May and spend 5/6 months getting comfortable with it around Cape Town's more challenging seas.

There is a very good cat builder in Cape Town - Robertson and Caine. They can put you in touch with some good skippers. I met one who had 250,000 miles.

I have sailed their boats across the South Atlantic and the Caribbean.

[EvilRabbit]

Keeping an eye out for a leopard 40 or lagoon 400. Really like the look of the lagoon 404, but will be out of price range.

Originally Posted by jackdale

There is a very good cat builder in Cape Town - Robertson and Caine. They can put you in touch with some good skippers. I met one who had 250,000 miles.

I have sailed their boats across the South Atlantic and the Caribbean.