Reality Check and Cheap Cruising with The Wife

[kenny chaos]

Thanks for the welcomes and the ideas. I will be considering them.
I really like this forum but need to try and avoid the many "conjecture" threads which really seem to hit a nerve with me and apparently, some others.

Hey Vasco- Which route/routes do you take back and forth from Toronto to the Bahamas? I'd really be interested in hearing some details on that. Maybe I could hitch a ride for a few years?

Thanks again everyone-
Kenny

[kenny chaos]

What a cruise!
I started here 3 months ago talking about converting my little sailboat to a cheap canal cruiser, then I got at Cats ($$$), and this morning, I put down a deposit on a 32' Fales Navigator motor-sailor.
You guys and gals have helped me define my goals, the difference between my needs and wants, etc., etc..
I've learned about various cruisers, surveys, brokers, types, styles, composting toilets, wind vanes, batteries, solar, and too much to list.
Can "Thanks" be enough?
A special 'shout-out' to bljones, Zeehag, and Boatman61 for their continued support and advice.
You folks are the best and I look forward to meeting some of you soon enough.
Cheers-
Kenny

[boatman61]

Go Kenny....
Nice one mate... hope things go smoothly and you got 'Your Price'.....
keep us posted... maybe new Thread/Blog called....
"Chaos on The Loop"...
Whadya think...
Give Fatty Goodlander a run for his money...

[kenny chaos]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Go Kenny....

"Chaos on The Loop"...
Whadya think...
..

Thanks Phil but this is a true blue-water boat. I've learned in life that
sometimes it's smarter to lower one's aspirations and other times.....
We want to smell and taste more salt. The loop is all but forgotten right now.
I believe it was bljones (apologies if it wasn't) who started a thread
elsewhere on this forum about dreams vs. goals and buried deep in the back of my mind is the word 'circumnavigate' but I'm not naive enough to
think it could be a goal at this point.
We have a long way to go and much more to learn but who knows, maybe there will be a thread called "Chaos on the High Seas."

Thank-you-
Kenny

[bljones]

Heh heh. I figured you'd like her.

[kenny chaos]

Originally Posted by bljones

Heh heh. I figured you'd like her.

Don't know how you figured that but climbing on her was like climbing in bed after a battle.

Thanks-
Kenny

[NotQuiteLost]

That's a tough looking boat I love the forward pilothouse!

No reason you couldn't do a circumnav in that. Great choice.

[zeehag]

so ye finally found yer love.. awesome.. didja ever thin out your pm's?? couldnt send ye one..

congrats!!!! you are gonnna have fun!!!! start with the loop then grow into the restof the world...is cool stuff to see.... work way into gulf and see appalachicola and port st joe and the lil places with somuch character until ye get to know your boat really well and have everything dialed in then go anywhereye wanna go !!!! meet ye in the caribean....

[lorenzo123]

You are still not necessarily entirely a powerboater. You can use a kite w/o a mast and run downwind or even upwind if you get the hang of it. Of course, you'll need more room than a canal.

But on to perhaps more serious issues. I have spent time on cabin cruisers of varying lengths; a 22-ft Catalina, a 30-ft Islander, a 29-ft Ericson, and now an O'Day 37. If the weather's nice, the company's good, and you don't mind bending alot, things might be fine. But tight quarters can make strange bedfellows. Everyone needs a little private time, which is hard to find on 23 feet. Or say someone gets the flu. Nowhere to go but topsides for the healthy crew, and the boat becomes a petri dish.

Keeping your trips on the short and near-to-hme side for the first few times is a good plan. You never know if you might need a "vacation" from the vacatointo save a marriage. Have lots of good food, beer and/or wine on board and have a great time!

I'd also recommend some towing insurance, just in case that trusty motor goes kerplunk. I also agree about keeping the fuel cans off the stern. Maybe several smaller cans?

Best, lorenzo