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27-03-2011, 02:37
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Norfolk, VA
Boat: Catalina 28 mk II
Posts: 13
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Hello from Afghanistan
There are no boats as far as the eye can see here in Qalat...
I am sailor caught high and dry for the next seven months! What better to do than plan for our next great adventure when I get home!
We have a Catalina 28 that we sail on the southern Chesapeake since moving to Norfolk almost two years ago. We love her but have her on the market as a necessary evil. I hope to retire from the military in a year and a half. If all works out, we'll take advantage of this change in life to break away and do the ~6 month sailing trip to the Caribbean starting in the fall of 2012.
Of course you know what that means...a bigger (probably older) boat! Our son will be seven and I hope at a good age to enjoy the trip without too many issues of being uprooted from a normal life.
So, we are 1.5 years out. We've bare-boated in the islands multiple times and once in Greece. We've taken courses through the USCGA, USPS and ASA sailing schools. We certainly have a lot to learn, but have some experience and feel pretty comfortable. For now, I'm thinking a boat in the 31 to 38 foot and 50k to 75k range would do.
Have you done this under similar circumstances? What did you consider? Boat size/type? Preparation? Homeschooling?
As this is the “meet and greet” forum, and probably not the spot for these specific questions, where should I post this?
If any of you could point me in the right direction, I'd be most appreciative.
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27-03-2011, 02:59
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#2
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C.L.O.D
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,232
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Hey - well, you're luckier than most if you have internet access where you are...
There are so many threads on this forum that will be so useful to you, I don't know where to start.... and you're probably halfway there anyway. If you need any help, feel free to ask.
Welcome aboard
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27-03-2011, 03:11
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Solent, England
Boat: Moody 31
Posts: 18,425
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Docinsand, hi and welcome to CF. I think having a plan for your return and retirement is a great idea. Lots of reading on here to keep you occupied over the next 7 months. Have a safe tour.
Pete
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27-03-2011, 03:38
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Home at Warsaw, Poland, boat in Eastern Med
Boat: Ocean Star 56.1 LR
Posts: 1,841
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Hello docinsand
It is really almost unbelievable to have here a fellow member serving in Afganisthan - welcome
For the matters regarding the boat try this first:
Monohull sailboats
For the matters regarding general issues of liveaboarding try this:
Liveaboard forum
For the matters regarding schooling and other issues regarding kids on a boat try this:
Cruising with children
Nice reading and posting.
And say a hello to the Polish soldiers from Ghazni, if You will meet them one day
My very best regards
Tomasz
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27-03-2011, 04:21
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Wyoming or on Godspeed at anchor
Boat: Endeavour 35
Posts: 92
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Welcome,
We finished our 1 year cruise in Little Creek, Norfolk last September and have our boat on the hard close by waiting for the weather, so I guess were neihbors
There are some pretty good deals out there and remember that the asking price is just that!
Keep your head down over there and if you want to watch some Bahamas sailing fishing etc. click here to see a few moments from our cruise.
Take care.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-is-57461.html
__________________
Endeavour 35
Cruising...somewhere...
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27-03-2011, 04:24
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mystic, CT, USA
Boat: Shannon, cutter rigged, 37 feet
Posts: 8
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Docinsand ... also a new member here.
Good plan! I retired from the Navy (after 27 years) 12 years ago and discovered sailing about 6 years ago (Mystic, CT). I also plan to retire again in 2012 and head south. If you see a Shannon 37 named Lion's Paw, stop by, the first cold beverage is on me.
Your plan will result in irreplaceable quality time with your young son ... good on you, some of us weren't so wise.
Stay safe shipmate,
MysticFred
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27-03-2011, 04:52
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: VA, boat: Deale, MD
Boat: 1981 Nor'sea 27
Posts: 1,414
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Hey! How is it going? I was in Qalat in 07 and another trip in 08. I stayed at the SF camp. My Avatar picture was during my 07 trip.
Good luck with your plans. Hope it works out for you.
__________________
Daniel - Rhapsody Blog,
“A sailor’s joys are as simple as a child’s.” — Bernard Moitessier
"I don't need therapy, I just need my boat"
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27-03-2011, 05:44
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#8
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Sponsoring Vendor
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hollywood, Fl.
Boat: FP Athena 38' Poerava
Posts: 3,984
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Thank you all for your service.
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27-03-2011, 06:21
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Honolulu, HI
Boat: Baba 35
Posts: 192
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
First off thank for your service.
I cant comment on your boat length questions, but I can comment on the topic of bringing your son aboard.
My father pulled my brother and I out of school for 6 months to go sailing with him in the late 80s. It was the most memorable experience of my life and now I have no doubt in my mind that I too want to extend that same experience to my future children as well.
A public school science class has a hard time competing with diving for lobster, being taught the points of sail or plotting a rhumb line. It was many years later that I fully realized the impact that had on me, when I thanked him he said, "It wasnt a choice, I was compelled to share sailing with my children".
Take him! He will never forget it.
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27-03-2011, 20:13
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nicholasville, Kentucky
Boat: 15 foot Canoe
Posts: 14,191
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Aloha and welcome aboard!
Thanks for your service. Last month marked 20 years being retired from the Navy after serving for nearly 30.
My recommendation is sticking to a plan that includes a boat 36 or close to it. My 42 is too much for my expense account and each piece of gear seems to cost double of what it would be for a 36.
Check out the couple of links after my signature and the search engine might be a good thing to save. Happy planning!
kind regards,
__________________
John
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27-03-2011, 22:11
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Norfolk, VA
Boat: Catalina 28 mk II
Posts: 13
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Thanks to all for the support and well wishes. It is amazing under these circumstances how the internet has connected us including sailors who have and are serving here and elsewhere. Pretty cool. It is in stark contrast to those before us who waited for paper letters...
Dan_78: Qalat is still much the same, I imagine. Our Forward Surgical Team hospital is dedicated to a SEAL who gave the ultimate sacrifice last year.
I will take a look at all those links and advice you were nice enough to provide.
Thanks again...
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27-03-2011, 22:14
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: VA, boat: Deale, MD
Boat: 1981 Nor'sea 27
Posts: 1,414
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Quote:
Originally Posted by docinsand
Thanks to all for the support and well wishes. It is amazing under these circumstances how the internet has connected us including sailors who have and are serving here and elsewhere. Pretty cool. It is in stark contrast to those before us who waited for paper letters...
Dan_78: Qalat is still much the same, I imagine. Our Forward Surgical Team hospital is dedicated to a SEAL who gave the ultimate sacrifice last year.
I will take a look at all those links and advice you were nice enough to provide.
Thanks again...
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I've seen the FST first hand too. (IED in '07) but thankfully, everyone made out ok.
Take Care.
__________________
Daniel - Rhapsody Blog,
“A sailor’s joys are as simple as a child’s.” — Bernard Moitessier
"I don't need therapy, I just need my boat"
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27-03-2011, 22:17
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CT
Posts: 38
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Re: Hello from Afghanistan
Welcome Aboard Doc,
retired Marine here.
Paul
__________________
" off the wind on this heading lie the Marquesas"
"Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On"
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