New Kid at this Anchorage

[JimR]

Hi!
Born 8-13-1930 I'm a pretty old "kid".

I have owned a number of small sailboats in the past (30 ft. or less) but have been away from sailing since the 80's. Just bought a 72 Columbia 41 in need of much TLC in San Pedro, California. It will be my home. For the first time in over 50 years I am only responsible for me so I am running away to sea. I plan to sail to La Paz, Mexico as soon as my documentation paperwork arrives.

I understand boats better than forums and have not figured out how to thank the people who sent me a warm welcome. Hope they read this post.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

Always nice to have YOUNG members on the site. All knoeledge is appreciated..

To thank your friends you can make another post with there name or boat name saying thanks, also go to the toolbar, click community, go to member list and see if you can find them there.

[Capt Phil]

Welcome Jim... for your first long distance sail if you want company a great way to join the cruising community is to sign on to the Baja Ha-Ha event that leaves San Diego around the end of October for Mexico. There are newbies as well as experienced cruising types who make this annual trek to coincide with the lifting of restrictions on insurance sailing south in to hurricane waters. Check with other cruisers on what you might need for TLC upgrades to purchase in the US as many of the products are not available in Mexico. Remember to get fishing licenses for all aboard before leaving and many copies of your ships papers for the various customs, immigration and Port Captains you will encounter on your trip. If your vessel has not left the dock for an off shore passage in a year or two or longer, clean your tanks, polish your fuel and buy at least on case of fuel filters for the trip. Spend your time and $ on seaworthy projects and leave the varnish, polishing and fancy stuff until you arrive. If you need crew, Latitude 38 has crew list availability and meet and greet events to get folks together. Make sure you have a well functioning VHF, radar, GPS and charts of the various harbors as well as a coastal plotting chart even if you have a chart plotter just for back up. Have someone knowkedgeable go over your rigging, standing and running, as well as your sail invetory to make sure it is up to the passage.
It is a pleasant down hill trip, good fiishing and wonderful anchorages along the way I'm certain you will enjoy it immensely... cheers, Capt Phil

[captain58sailin]

Welcome to the Forum Jim. Good people here.

[James Baines]

Welcome Jim and good luck with your new adventures...James

[swagman]

G'Day Jim and welcome,
There are probably more than a few sailors here who can recall when a 30 footer was a big boat, and a 41 footer was only for millionaires.
Hope you enjoy the site.
Cheers
JOHN

[SkiprJohn]

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

[Ealu]

Ealu here. I too am new to both sailing and forums so if I step on your toes, my apologies in advance.