Help! Landlocked - Need Water!

[warping]

Hi from Montana - Big Sky country, land of big, beautiful mountains, lots of powder and verrrry long winters. Too long to take anymore. I'm even losing my enthusiasm for skiing.

I've lived here for 20 years and now that I'm divorced and the kids are flying out of the nest, I'm ready for a change.

I'm writing to introduce myself to the sailing community and asking for suggestions on great places to live (besides a sailboat). Also, I might be interested in a crewing position starting after September.

I grew up doing a lot of sailing with my Dad in Pennsylvania, so I have the rudimentary skills down, although probably a bit rusty. I lived in San Diego for 5 years (why was it that I left?, Oh yeah, too many people). Did a lot of sea kayaking there and a little sailing with friends.

I recently returned from vacation in Belize (Glover's Reef,lots of kayaking) and it made me realize that I want to make a change in residence. I want to be near the water and in a tropical, semi-tropical or temperate climate.

I also would like to get back into sailing. I've been thinking about going to a good sailing school to refresh and add to my sailing skills. I like the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands area in Washington state, but I'm concerned about too much gray and drizzle.

I love Hawaii, New Zealand and Costa Rica. Would maybe consider Florida, but it's so flat _____________.

I love to hear from sailors (who tend to be really nice people) with your comments and suggestions for refreshing and/or reinventing a great, new life in a great new location.

Cheers

[Hud3]

Welcome to CF, Warping. Nevis is Nice! It says so on our license plates...

[geocav]

Hi Wraping.

I am planning a ICW trip thia fall and may need a crew. I have photos posted.
We lived in Westby, MT many years ago.


Cav

[Randy]

I assume you still need to work. I'd go for Hawaii, I was originally from South Dakota and went out there and had a great time for several years (worked and sailed as much as I wanted)
Costa Rica is great if you go there with money to invest.
With a Montana frame of mind I think Florida would be extemely crowded & miserably hot & humid for half the year, kind of like Montana is cold & snowy.
By the way, I've lived in San Diego for quite few years and guess I got used to the crowds it has never seemed like a big town to me but disfunctional in a lot of ways - that's another story.

[Celestialsailor]

Aloha from Hawaii warping. Although Hawaii offers year round pleasant weather, it is difficult to get work here. Of course with the economy, it's difficult anywhere. Home is where the heart is. I would suggest traveling around a bit and see what feels good.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Warping,
Welcome aboard! Good to have you posting here. I love Hawaii but the prevailing legislative attitude is not pro boating so those who love to sail continue to have to jump through hoops to get on the water. For example our city of 50K population located on a beautiful bay has no marina nor a boat ramp in which a sailboat with the mast up can be launched. Strange, eh?
Kind regards
JohnL

[Captain mud]

welcomme onboard, maybe you sould try europe for a halv season, its nothing like what you ever seen before, spesialy skandinavia. Its some of the worlds most extreme sailing experiense. Some of the fjords over here are known for being one of the places whit the biggest contrast in nature. But when the winter gets here its damn cold, he he. Check out norway on google earth, and check out the vest side of the contry whit big fjord going 70-100 nm miles in.'
'
Take care, Captain Mud

[Cheechako]

Pac NW is nice for 5 or 6 mo's a year, but you're right.... grey drizzle! The advantage of Florida is: giveaway real estate prices, an overnighter to the Bahamas to escape!

[imagine2frolic]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Pac NW is nice for 5 or 6 mo's a year, but you're right.... grey drizzle! The advantage of Florida is: giveaway real estate prices, an overnighter to the Bahamas to escape!

That over nighter to the Bahamas is a huge plus. It's hot in Florida, but even hotter in South Beach. I am not talking about the weather in S.B.!

The Bahamas has to be one of the lovliest places in the world to cruise. I am sure there's more, but it's awful damned pretty, and just a few hours away.

Hey Hud,

That comment was like throwing salt in an open wound. Warping is suffering here, and you go, and rub it in.....you scoundrel you......i2f

[Hud3]

Salt? What salt?

[imagine2frolic]

vICIOUS, AND CRUEL i SAY....HAHAHAHAHAHA.......i2f

[First Mate]

Hi Warping

I like your idea of crewing for a while - taking lessons.

Stash all your stuff in storage, quit the job, go play.

You get old and frail too soon - just about the time you have all your money saved up.

Just do it.

I'm one to talk. Been trying to buy a boat forever, but we did ditch all our stuff.

Best Wishes and welcome aboard