Hi all,
I've been lurking here for a month or so, and as I believe that
forums such as this hold the true intrinsic value of this
internet thing, finally got around to joining up.
My basic bio: 42, M, single/CF; I'm a Red Seal
carpenter by
trade, homebuilder and
project manager by profession, university educated, yogi, biker, and minimalist.
The extent of my sailing background includes a 1 week
charter trip around the Strait of
Georgia in the 8th grade, and 2 rides on my highschool girlfriend's
family Laser. In other words, I know almost jack ---- about sailing! I did spend much of my youth on lakes playing around in ski
boats and the like, until I discovered motorcycles.
I'm from Calgary, AB, and have lived in the prairies, the mountains, big cities and small towns, and for the last 14 years in Fort McMurray in Northern Alberta.
Those years have taken a toll, and so in the next couple of months, I'm moving where
Winter as I know it doesn't exist -
Vancouver Island.
I found my way here after a recent
vacation: I spent 4 weeks touring around BC on my motorcycle, and visited a friend in Campbell River BC. He lives aboard a 1982 42' Bayliner
motoryacht. We spent a few days cruising around Quadra, Sonora, West Redonda and Cortes Islands, just
fishing and hanging out. Then I couch surfed on his
boat for a week in his home marina while he took a trip with his girlfriend.
During that week, I realized two things: I'm moving to that incredible island, and I want to live on a
boat. I also want to sail a boat, around the coast of BC, and also to places I've never been (which is most of the world, sadly).
So here I am, lurking, reading, absorbing information and knowledge, and planning ahead.
My intent is to spend the next year
learning, including taking sailing/marine
navigation instruction courses, and also basic
SCUBA diving certification, while narrowing down what kind of boat I want, and searching for it. I believe that there are very few things one person can do, that I can't also learn to do.
Thanks to all the contributors here, both seasoned and green.