Hello Folks ! New Here . . .

[Caribbean Queen]

Hi to all!

I am new to this forum and am seeking advice. I am a young person with what seems like an old soul. I live in the land-locked state of Kentucky (US) and am miserable. My heart belongs to the ocean and adventure and I am wanting so badly to travel. I have been out of the country many times and the Caribbean is my absolute favorite area to visit. I've been on ships before but have no experience operating boats. My mind is like a sponge and I'm so willing to learn! I would love to be a part of a crew and learn how to operate a boat but I honestly don't know where to start. There aren't really any available sailing classes where I'm located and having been out of high school just about 2 years now, I'm saving my pennies working as a saleswoman at a car lot... :/ Ideally, I would like to own a boat myself (in the future) and live aboard. I've read that is an affordable option for living in the Caribbean. I am a solar-powered person, a dreamer and a free-spirit. Kentucky is not where I want to be and I'm all-ears on how to escape.

Ideas?

Thanks! Have a beautiful day!
Melinda

[boatman61]

Hi Mel...
Welcome to CF.... I reckon you've hit the right place to get on with your dreams...
Enjoy..

[roverhi]

Head to Florida or the Gulf Coast and start selling timeshares. It will get you near the ocean and, if you are good at it, will net you some nice bucks to buy a small sailboat. If you've been making a living selling cars in the market of the last few years you are probably a pretty good saleswoman and should rise to the top. Just don't get tied down with things, women have this nesting instinct that works against wandering around on a sailboat.

If you just want to go sailing, putting your name on the crew lists of the various electronic bulletin boards will probably get you on a sailboat in short order. Of course there is the problem of being able to cover you expenses while you are out cruising so you'll need some kind of nest egg buitl up.

[Caribbean Queen]

Hey,

Thanks guys for your advice and warm welcoming! I also posted this thread in the "crew" area and replied over there too. That reply is a little longer than this one. As I told those guys, I don't have access to a computer and can only post my response from my phone so it takes me awhile. I also don't have great service which is also a pain. Major bummer!

But I did want to say thanks for the help!

-Melinda

[Mark1977]

Welcome aboard Melinda...

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
If only Kentucky had a sea port!!!
kind regards,

[WillJacocks]

Need to move some of those mountains and make a couple of good lakes! Welcome Melinda! Plenty of timeshares in New Orleans to be sold.

[Caribbean Queen]

Thank you! Yes, if only!

[cabo_sailor]

Actually, there are a few really nice lakes in Kentucky. Kentucky lake is listed as being 184 miles long. If there are any lakes near you, you might consider picking up a small day sailer or dinghy that you can tow. While instruction is good, and preferred, you can pick up some books and/or videos to give you the basics. My first boat was a Hobie 16 that I taught myself to sail. I will admit that I spent a considerable amount of time treading water but I did learn quite a bit and had fun. You could probably pick up a used boat in the 8-14 ft range for less than a $1000. We bought a Walker Bay 8 ft with sailing rig for $500 and it was like new.

Meanwhile, I sympathize with you. My wife has family near Manchester and the one time I was up there I kept hearing a banjo. It's pretty economically depressed. As another poster suggested, moving closer to the sea might be good choice. Better income, and the ability to crew. Many yacht clubs have weekly or monthly races and they welcome anyone who wishes to crew. I did it for a year while searching for a boat of my own.

Regardless, let me add my welcome,
Rich

[Caribbean Queen]

I'm going to finish my school at UK and use the savings I'm earning this year toward a boat/moving to the USVI for after graduation. I came up with a plan!

[Caribbean Queen]

But thank you!

[boatman61]

YOUNG SOUL>>> WRINKLY BODY

[cabo_sailor]

Boatman,

I prefer my t-shirt. "Old enough to know better, young enough not to care"

or perhaps my other t-shirt. "Geezer, formilly known as Stud Muffin"

Rich

[maxingout]

I lived in Kentucky and sailed on lakes in Kentucky up near Morehead and on the Green River Reservoir. There's lots of places to go sailing in Kentucky. It's a good place to get started with your sailing dreams. I had a Chrysler 22 and trailed it in from Kentucky to Maine. It may not be the Caribbean, but it is still fun, and you learn alot.

[SaucySailoress]

Sounds like a plan girl. Don't they drive cars near the ocean too? Well, off you go, then...