New member from Montana

[Montanarchist]

I've traveled a fair bit but never called anywhere outside The Rockies home. I grew up on a small lake in southern Colorado and learned to sail at 10. Nothing large, but I loved it. When I got my own place on a lake a kept a little fourteen footer with an outrigger on a bouy in front of my dock and took it out whenever the wind was right.

I've been in Montana for almost twelve years now and haven't sailed since moving. My creek is way too small and all the lakes freeze around here.

Twice in my life I've sold everything and headed off for parts unknown. Now that my off-grid homestead is up and running and not much of a challenge I'm feeling that pull again.

I'm building a tiny house in Unalaklete Alaska, I thought that might help 38th this wanderlust... but every time I'm up there I hear the ocean calling to me. I suspect another masted vessel is in my future.

Putting aside my thousands of hours sailing, I consider myself a sailing NOOB because of the size of my boats.

I have lots of questions about larger boats, living on them, and crossing great expanses of salt water with them.

[rbk]

Neither of your locations are super conducive to learning to saili the ocean, Unakaleet slightly better than Montana, but from your locations maybe give southeast AK a shot. Not sure what you do for work but if you can go to where your work is and bring your house along it's a great place to start. It will teach you lots about currents, anchoring and if you feel up to it you can venture out into bigger waters. A good Gulf or Rawlson pilot house (29-34') are great for the area and solid boats that can take you a lot of places with good resale in the PNW. Bigger boats are like an off grid tiny house that has a motor rigging and sails. Jump right in, we did and no regrets.

[newhaul]

Welcome aboard

[Don C L]

Well, welcome here and good luck in your search! For practice, how far is Flathead lake from you? My old boat is there, maybe she's for sale! I sailed her quite a bit for 10 years off the CA coast, a very capable boat and roomy for a 24 footer. She's a Columbia 24 and I think she is still in Summers. In any case Flathead Lake is a good place to brush up on skills while you are planning.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Montanarchist.

[Prairie Chicken]

Welcome aboard! I've spent a lot of time in Montana; it's a beautiful state!

[Montanarchist]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcomes. I'm definitely leaning towards a larger vessel, something 50-60' I love the idea of applying what I've learned on my mountain all over the world... And February in Montana at 6600' is a time to dream of the tropics. Flathead is a great lake but it's three hours away, and I'm sure slips there are expensive. I have resources to buy a nicer '80s vessel in that class but don't want to pay a lot to keep it. I'm going to look for a better place here to post the other questions I have. Thanks again.