A) Figure out your
insurance. It’s hard for people with little experience to get
insurance for a cat. You need insurance to tie up at many
marinas. Use a
broker who specializes in cruising sailboats.
B) Figure out where you will be this
winter. If
Florida, make reservations for a slip soon as they sell out. You’ll want to go to the
Bahamas but maybe do that the 2nd winter.
C) Plan next summer location during
hurricane season. It will be much cheaper and easier to get insurance if you are north of
Florida. I go to Maine
D) Do some “shakedown” trips to figure out what upgrades you want to make. Ask the owner for recommendations of a boatyard to do the
work you can’t do yourself.
E)
Budget for after
purchase expenses. There’s always more than you expect. Things like new foam for the mattresses because your back hurts sleeping. A better
anchor. New
dinghy. Most people go over $50,000 in the first 12 months of
ownership.