Greetings from Alaska, or Colorado, or Florida.

[neverstop]

I work in Alaska, have a house in Colorado and spend a lot of time in Florida. I have been around sailing a bit when I was a teen. (1/2 share in a Hunter 26). And just recently began sailing again now that I'm 35. I bought a 16 foot dinghy that I am restoring when I'm not sailing it. It seems more restoring than sailing. I am saving for my cruising retirement. I am currently enrolled in a charter school and hope to start cruising soon and learn more from you all!
Cherrs!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, neverstop.

[dcruz99801]

Welcome aboard, you'll find Gord May a source of lots of useful info.

I'm an Alaskan, now retired and cruising in the Sea of Cortez, who had to go to Seattle to find a decent boat (the Inside Passage trip back to Juneau made up for it). If you spend a lot of time in Florida you'll find more to choose from, at better prices, when you get ready to buy your cruising dream boat. You're also in a great place to start your cruising.

Glad to see you currently sailing a 16' boat - the life you described doesn't lend itself to maintaining a big one, and you gain seat-of-the-pants feel for sailing that you can't get from a big boat, like moving from a dirt bike to a Harley. Folks who start with a 36' or larger face a steep -- and often expensive -- learning curve, and are a source of both consternation and amusement for the rest of us.