Hello from SV WHISH in Slidell Louisiana

[Mick Doughty]

Brand new to sailing, after a life at sea on "ships" . Got married onboard last Saturday (May 21st). Karen & I are pondering where to go!! South Caribean to avoid "the season", head for English harbour to hide there; stay local and hope for the best or simply go for it and take the trip over the pond to escape all together, decisions decisions:

[Unicorn Dreams]

We are leaving out off Galveston in Oct. (weather permitting) heading towards Crystal River, Fla. to visit family, then head to the Keys to visit more family.

Good weather, leave and head down to P.R. or USVI or BVI's.
Then have 6-7 months to head south B4 the storm seasom starts.

[James Baines]

Welcome and congratulations on your marriage.


Your plans are certainly ambitious and I wish you well on whatever you decide to do.


However, if you are new to sailing, and new to this boat, you may want to consider getting used to sailing her as often as you can a little closer to home and get your handling, anchoring and M.O.B drills etc. up to a high standard before you venture further afield.


That will also teach you something about how to fix things that go wrong when you're out at sea and what collection of spares and repair stuff you will need which is kind of important when things do go wrong. (As they do)


Having explored the North Sea coasts, perhaps the Canaries or the Med or, if your confidence in both you and your boat is high, head off, either solo, or better yet, as part of a group to the Azores and onto sunnier climes. Finding other boats to cross the pond along with you is usually quite easy and being part of a group provides a great security blanket.


I'm not trying to dampen your spirits or diminish your ambitions, I'm just adding my two cents for what it's worth. Safe sailing to you, James

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Mick Doughty

Brand new to sailing, after a life at sea on "ships" . Got married onboard last Saturday (May 21st). Karen & I are pondering where to go!! South Caribean to avoid "the season", head for English harbour to hide there; stay local and hope for the best or simply go for it and take the trip over the pond to escape all together, decisions decisions:

Confused... but.... If your in Cleethorpes or Louisiana I'd head across to the Azores and spend a couple of months cruising around those unique islands... then across to the Algarve for Autumn and winter in S Spain.. or head for Madiera and the Canaries and then the Caribbean... man its gonna be tough...
But I reckon you'd handle it...
Lucky sods...
Thats one hell of a 'Honeymoon..' Karen.. Mick.. have a ball...

[Mick Doughty]

Thanks for your reply James, I fully understand your concerns, I have sailed a little at "home" plus a live aboard Day Skipper in Scotland and two weeks intermediate & advanced cruising in Nova Scotia, up the Atlantic Coast to Cape Breton Islands, my boat was previously owned by serious cruisers who left a wealth of knowledge and spares onboard, so I am very fortunate in that respect. I have owned WHISH for 6yrs and have virtualy re=fitted her so I know her very well. The threat of hurricanes is looming ever nearer hence the reason for a big move, mind you she has been through every one to hit the Louisiana area since & including Katrina.

[James Baines]

In that case, all you need is a little sailing / handling practice to see how she performs and you can do that en route.

Good luck and, if you stop by Lowestoft on your way South, the Sancerre IV is in the Hamilton Road dock when we're not out sailing and I Always have stronger stuff than tea on board...James

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here.
kind regards,