Landlocked Student/Veteran

[Jwilken02]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Just don't do anything too fast at this point. You are still readjusting. You can even wear different clothes everyday! Decisions, decisions!

I was where you are now in the 80's having just gotten out of the USMC. I also went to school but part time which took many years to graduate but already had a job skill so no rush.

I had the GI Bill also. (like you do but another version)

Since I was landlocked at the time, I started with Hobie Cats also and ended up getting into racing. I was about to buy an old Catalina 22 but stayed with beachcat racing for 15 years on four different style boats.

Try all aspects of sailing to see which ones you enjoy. It would also be nice if you could spent a few nights aboard a friends boat or go on a short cruise with someone before jumping into anything.

Good Luck

Tom

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your input and your service!

I am definitely not planning on any type of purchases till I graduate and even that is up in the air at the moment with me considering a Masters program.

I just want to get my feet wet sort to speak, I want to see if sailing and all the maintenance and renovation that goes along with it is something I would enjoy.

I hope to use the Crews section of the forum to maybe line something up between semesters to get out on a boat and really see how it is to spend extended periods of time out on the water.

At the moment I don't have any friends (that come to mind) that are into this type of hobby. It seems like everyone is locked into the more traditional 8-5 work schedule, a mortgage, married and settled into our hometown. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing but it's just not for me.

Can't thank everybody enough for all the replies and awesome information!

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Jwilken02

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your input and your service!

I am definitely not planning on any type of purchases till I graduate and even that is up in the air at the moment with me considering a Masters program.

I just want to get my feet wet sort to speak, I want to see if sailing and all the maintenance and renovation that goes along with it is something I would enjoy.

I hope to use the Crews section of the forum to maybe line something up between semesters to get out on a boat and really see how it is to spend extended periods of time out on the water.

At the moment I don't have any friends (that come to mind) that are into this type of hobby. It seems like everyone is locked into the more traditional 8-5 work schedule, a mortgage, married and settled into our hometown. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing but it's just not for me.

Can't thank everybody enough for all the replies and awesome information!

Nice plan especially if you think the cruising/sailing lifestyle is for you. Many of us had 2 year olds to deal with etc when we were your age .......

I waited until I graduated also but should have been crewing for folks on the Beachcats or Lightning Class Sailboats that raced on the nearby TVA Lakes.

You could be totally prepared to go by your early 30's which would be perfect

[a64pilot]

On the cave thing.
You need a hundred or move open water dives, before cave training, Advanced open water and certainly at least Nitrox wouldn't hurt too. But you are in cave country, if you even desire it, your right in the middle of it.
Heck, day after you get open water, you ought to start on Nitrox, air is never an appropriate gas for diving

[Jwilken02]

Early 30's would be nice. I have been trying to plan out my schooling and resume around jobs that I could do from "home". It's been tough for me considering I have worked outdoors my entire life and now am sitting in an office starring at a computer screen all day.

A64Pilot I have a long ways to go then before I could even consider the cave training. Hopefully this summer I can find time to at least get my advanced and nitrox certificates while my girlfriend gets her basic open water.

I am guessing your big into diving? We often venture to Ginnie Springs to stay in our '65 Serro Scotty camper with friends that have all their certificates and dive during the winter. Unfortunately we usually just go to enjoy their company and the outdoors for a night.

[uncle stinkybob]

I'm new here myself, but wanted to say welcome to a fellow Veteran. Thanks for your service brother. I wish you luck in all you do.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Jwilken02

Hey Skip,

Not sure I received the message if it was suppose to be a Private Message, I am not showing any new private messages. I know some forums won't let new members send or receive private messages for a set time at the beginning of a membership, not sure if this is the case on Cruisers...

Hi Justin,

Used the CF option to send via email but guess that didn't work. Will try the forum PM.

Skip

[Jwilken02]

Originally Posted by uncle stinkybob

I'm new here myself, but wanted to say welcome to a fellow Veteran. Thanks for your service brother. I wish you luck in all you do.

I appreciate it, and thank you!

Hope your enjoying this community as much as I have the few days I have been around.

Already learning a ton from just skimming old topics and threads on here and can't wait to get some hands experience in the near future!