here to soak up the knowledge.

[cronulla novice]

Have been enjoying browsing the forum and look forward to flooding it with a million questions and calls for help.
Going to Florida in a couple of weeks to pick up a beneteau and sail her back to Thailand. I am not sure how or how long, but, at the end of the voyage I will be able to answer some of the forum questions. I will wait until I have some volunteers (multi skilled and brave ) to help me, and the infamous Florida hurricanes are not around and then head off to the Sth Pacific.
I will say yes or no to the yacht about the 5th Sept then the crash sailing course is on.

In a nutshell, after all my research, don't hit a storm or a reef and I'm sweet.

take care all
Phil

[Charlie]

Good luck:

You might want to ask some of the knowledgable people here about whether the particuilar model of Beneteau is up to your goals. Also ask the surveyor. Some were built thick and some aren't made for that kind of treatment. Although with lots of luck you can get across the ocean in a wooden bath tub.

[hellosailor]

Phil, I know nothing about you so please forgive me if this is all old hat to you.
Plan to take the boat apart, going from bow to stern and keel to mast truck, laying hands and eyes on everything including the rigging aloft. Then once you've dealt with the obvious, take it offshore and bounce it around for 24 hours to see what else was wrong.<G> I wouldn't be surprised if you found issues that took a week to deal with, while waiting for parts to ship, etc.
Engine spares, thermostat, impellers...and it might pay to inspect the fuel tank and if there's the usual old crud in it, pull that or have someone come around to clean it. Cycle the batteries, see how much power the charging system really will put out and hold.
After all that, go out for a few more days pushing into bad wx to get the feel for it, and to find the other gremlins. In the potential crew, too.<G>
Then stock up on film...sounds like it should be a wonderful trip!

Cronulla, welcome aboard. Too much work, too little play lately, so not much knowledge left for you to soak up, but have at it. Maybe if someone uses up what's left, I can start over knowing nothing, and it will be all someone elses fault

[S/V Elusive]

Welcome Phil ... enjoy the forum ... It may help others respond to you if they knew a bit about you ... you can fill out your profile by either clicking on your name in the above post, or on the word PROFILE just below the globe at the top banner menu.

Good luck!

[cronulla novice]

thanks all for the warm welcome
I have progressed ( aged, probably a better word ) from a fanatical surfer ( cronulla beach ), a regular waterskier and a stint as a cruiser owner ( too much noise and fumes ) this will be my first yacht and will certainly be checking every inch of it with my surveyor before taking it anywhere.
take care
Phil

[swagman]

Nice to see someone implelemting their plans and whilst I'm sure you'll not set off without being well prepared - the first legs can also act as a shakedown period provided you plan stoppovers where stuff can get fixed.

A pal of ours who I also did not think was well prepare left Freo 20 years back - most others forecast he would sink or return inside 6 weeks.

He's still out there cruisin', whilst those others are still planning it of checking thier rigging.

Go for it.

JOHN

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Phil,
Welcome aboard!! Let us know how you are.
Kind Regards,
JohnL