Noob Here - Looking for First Boat

[SammyDPR]

Hi everyone!

We are currently looking for our 1st sailboat to start learning how to sail and hopefully start cruising in 2022. Completely new to boat sailing, have windsurf and kitesurf for a while, now at this new stage in life I am starting to feel the need to prepare to slow down a bit without leaving our beloved ocean. We are currently in Puerto Rico. So, if you run into a great deal on a "good old boat" feel free to drop me a line. LOL.

[ShaunJ]

I assume a typo with 2022, and you are talking about 2012. good luck either way. I think you are in a great place to start, most people think of PR as a destination not a starting point. as far as I am concerened you are way ahead of the pack. Good luck to you.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, SammyDPR.

[SammyDPR]

Thanks Gord and Shaun! No typo there, lol we are planing (with a very open mind) to try and circumnavigate in 2022. Which is when our early retirement planned yr kicks in. By then we should have enough experience under our belts. Yes, PR is a destination. I was in Salinas and met whole bunch of cruisers down there. Wonderful time with all of them. One of them built his own Cat. Well, that was a rough sketch of our long term goal. Short term is to be sailing with something lol, by this summer. I am on a budget (well the entire planet is, isn't it. lol). So we have to take our time. Trying to keep the entire experience as pleasurable and leisurely (think I misspelled these ones, but you guys get it, right?) as possible.

Thanks again for the welcome and best wishes to all!
Sammy

[Reach]

We had a similar 10 yr plan... that turned into a 5 yr plan, etc. and here we are... cruising. With a long view, you don't have to lock yourself into anything yet and can take time to learn, but it sure helps to prioritize what is important along the way.

Best of luck in meeting your goals!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Go as early as you can. There are a couple of links after my signature and a book recommendation that might help you in your quest.
I do recommend at least a basic sailing class for you and your first mate. Remember that if you sail as a couple you are essentially singlehanding while the other is off watch.
kind regards,

[SammyDPR]

Thank you R an SJ for you advise!

[Dhillen]

Welcome. I agree with Reach. 2022 is way too far off! Have you read any of Lynn and Larry Pardey's books? They have been sailing for about four decades on a tiny budget. Their philosophy is "Go small but go now."

A lot can happen between now and the next...gulp...11 years.

Cheers.

Dhillen

[TassieBloke]

Welcome Sammy

Want to wait until 2022 to go cruising? Good luck with that

+1 on the Pardey's books...great reads. There is a great resource here for books to read The Library - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

Good luck with the search.

Bloke

[SammyDPR]

Thanks D and T for the info, we are keeping a very open mind. Right now, I am trying to read as much as I can about learning how to sail ( u know, that asa book is nice. Working on my 2nd read of it.). Once i get that "down packed". I will come back to your replies and start reading/prepping for cruising. Hopefully, doing small cruises down here( puerto Rico) to start with some of our local keys. Working my way up in distance and routes, who knows i may never return from one of my tiny cruises. Just call back to whomever has my sail plan onshore and tell hin "belay that 4ever". LOL. Best regards to all here! Sammy.

[Noname]

Its always wise to plan ahea

[Unicorn Dreams]

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