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Old 11-06-2014, 07:46   #16
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Location: Texas
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Re: Pondering a Change of Lifestyle.

Out of curiosity, where in CO are you located?

As for maintenance experience, I don't yet live aboard or cruise, but I have found that attitude is more important than anything. Sounds cheesy, but with the right attitude you can learn to fix or maintain just about anything, especially given the resources (this forum is a great one) available today. You just have to be curious and unafraid to get your hands dirty, crawl into dark/dank spaces, and maybe even get someone else's pee on you from time to time.

If you don't already, start doing as much of your own maintenance and repair around your house, on your vehicles, lawn equipment, snow mobiles, etc. as possible. It'll boost your confidence and keep you in a more mechanical mindset. You'll also probably start to see that, generally speaking, things usually aren't that complicated.

When not skiing, I'd recommend spending your winters reading not only about sailing, but anything you can find regarding diesel engines, electricity, plumbing, etc. In time, you might even be able to find an older boat with a diesel inboard on Lake Dillon or Blue Mesa. Doing so would get you hands on experience with many of the same systems you'll be fixing and maintaining when your dreams come to fruition.

In the meantime, however, just go sail paint off of the Sunfish and don't forget to have a blast doing so. You'll eventually look back and really miss the simplicity and purity of the days you spent on it!
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Old 11-06-2014, 08:26   #17
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Re: Pondering a Change of Lifestyle.

[QUOTE=MartinAither;1561717One question I have is how much hands on knowledge is needed about diesel engines other than oil changes and general maintenance issues?

[/QUOTE]

That depends on your budget: you can learn or you can hire someone. If you are really lucky, you can hire someone who will help you learn.
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Old 29-08-2014, 12:01   #18
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Location: Nicholasville, Kentucky
Boat: 15 foot Canoe
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Re: Pondering a Change of Lifestyle.

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here. Take a basic sailing course in addition to the Sunfish type boat. If its a Sunfish then it's about 14 feet long. Buy or check out the book "Start Sailing Right!"
Diesel engines are pretty simple but they do need things beyond oil changes and general maintenance. They are different from gas engines in that if they ever run out of fuel you need to bleed the fuel system to get them to run again and that can cause complications if you don't do it right. You want to know how to maintain and do minor repairs on them away from mechanics.
Your kids will be old enough to take sailing lessons in a couple years. Get them interested as early as you can.
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