Hello from the English Riviera

[gixerjen]

Hi guys, I'm not just new to the forum but totally new to sailing.

After moving to the coast a few years ago from well inland, I have found myself unable to afford the cost of buying a house, and unwilling to pay someone else's mortgage by renting. So I've bought a 30 foot sailboat to live on.

As I know nothing at all about boats and sailing I'm sure I will be spending a great amount of time on here gaining valuable info, learning from other's mistakes, and probably asking the occasional silly question!

I'm loving the thread on composting toilets - thanks people, that's just the sort of information I was after! http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...y-66808-5.html

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

[atoll]

hello from cornwall, ha ha ! the "riviera" allways conjures up visons of warmth and sunshine,i think the victorians were having a larf.....but it sounds good in the travel brochures...........

[gixerjen]

Cheers Unicorn Dreams!

And hi Atoll - yeah, I kinda use the term tongue in cheek although I have learnt to see Torquay's prettier side over the past year. Warmth and sunshine would be nice though....... Would definitely like to sail to the med and stay there!

[shai]

Hi
I just purchased my first boat to live abroad also. It is not a sail boat yet, I thought I would wait on the sailing issue; seeing that I am starting this venture in 6 months single, and with 3 dogs, I have been blessed enough to find a 33 foot boat that has enough space to handle all of us. Now comes the fun part learning how to navigate something I already own. LOL the true whim of a woman that needs a change.
I have been researching living off the hook for about 6-8 months and think I could actually do this. I purchased a small dingy that will take the dogs and I back and forth from the boat, which I hope to have them used to by the time I start my first Maiden Voyage, after practice and learning how to operate and navigate the boat safely.

[pillum]

Welcome Jen, it won't be long before you feel confident enough to sail down to the Med. One step at a time in learning to sail, and make sure the boat is well prepared. You'll get there.

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by atoll

hello from cornwall, ha ha ! the "riviera" allways conjures up visons of warmth and sunshine,i think the victorians were having a larf.....but it sounds good in the travel brochures...........

riv·i·er·a/ˌrivēˈe(ə)rə/


Noun:

• A coastal region with a subtropical climate and vegetation, esp.
• A Mediterranean coastal region from Marseilles in France to La Spezia in Italy, site of many resorts.

I looked it up. I was wondering if I might be living in the Canadian Riviera but apparently rainy and cool don't enter into the equation.

[gixerjen]

Originally Posted by shai

LOL the true whim of a woman that needs a change.

Hmmm, tell me about it! I wish you the best of luck - it sounds like you're doing exactly what I am, minus the dogs.... for which I am very jealous of you - I would love to have the time for a dog or 3!

It would be lovely if you would keep me updated as to how you get on - I feel we may run into some of the same problems?!

Originally Posted by pillum

Welcome Jen, it won't be long before you feel confident enough to sail down to the Med. One step at a time in learning to sail, and make sure the boat is well prepared. You'll get there.

Thank you It's a long way off yet but you're right - small steps!

Originally Posted by hummingway

I looked it up. I was wondering if I might be living in the Canadian Riviera but apparently rainy and cool don't enter into the equation.

Rainy and cool come in to it here.... it seems the English Riviera is a degree or two warmer than the north of the country, which apparently justifies the name..... that and the palm trees all over the place!

That said, there are some truly beautiful places on the south west coast - it may not be home, and it may not really be a riviera, but it is very lovely!

[shai]

Hi I will definitely keep in touch
i just hope I made the right decision with power instead of sail
boat
i am single female fifty and thought this might be easier any suggestions
shai

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by shai

Hi I will definitely keep in touch
i just hope I made the right decision with power instead of sail
boat
i am single female fifty and thought this might be easier any suggestions
shai

I solo on a 41.5 foot sailboat (mid 50's male). It is a heavy boat, 18.8 ton, with a 14 foot beam so I carry a lot of sail. It takes a fair amount of strength at times. A smaller, lighter boat would take less. Most power boats give you more space in the same length but they don't tend to be as comfortable in a sea.

I think it depends on you. If you want to sail I'm sure you can find a boat size that works for you but if you don't want to sail, well, it makes it a moot point.

[gixerjen]

I agree with hummingway, it's really up to you; motoring is almost definitely going to be easier, but I saw my sail boat and knew it was the one for me.

I'm a single thirties female and I've never sailed in my life, so if it's any consolation, there are those out there who've made life harder than necessary for themselves. . . . . . and just think of all those sails, rigging, ropes and stuff that need cleaning and storing. .

the only advice I can offer is to remember that people do like to help, and if you do ask silly questions etc, the worst you're going to look is daft - and there are many worse things than that (or so I keep telling myself). . .

positive attitude - we can do it! and it's going to be damned good fun!

[Coolruns]

Welcome aboard CF!

[shai]

Thanks, I wasn't sure which would be more practical, I am planning on living on the boat in Florida, and I would like to be able to travel around to the islands, Do you think I should reconsider?
Guess has been a big issue on my mind today. as I have not finalized my purchase. The power I am looking at has twin motors, i do have someone that is good on engines. the problem again is the room for the dogs or the price of gas

[shai]

I meant gas has been a big issue not guess

[hummingway]

I love sailing for its own sake but will say that I hate running the motor anyway. The shape of a sailboat is designed to cut the water and they use less fuel but it still can cost a lot to run the motor so I sail as much as I can. The more horses you are running and the more water you're displacing and the more it costs so the cost of fuel for most motor vessels reflects the increased volume and speed of the boats. As long as they keep running motors give you a consistency that sail doesn't. Sometimes sailing means being patient but it can be a very beautiful thing at those times and when the wind is up ... whoohoo!

Each to their own though