West Florida Wannabe

[Rarest Iowa]

As a relatively young man of 36 years, it pains me to hear modern youth (read: anyone under 30) equate "yachts" with being rich. I've spent so many years rehabbing old stuff: cars, electronics, home appliances, computers, my wife's hair dryer that she really wants to throw out. There's nothing rich about reusing old, functional hardware. There's nothing rich about keeping a 30+ year old boat afloat. It requires effort, ingenuity, a critical eye, and yes, maybe some money; but it's by no means a reason to forego the joy of life afloat!

I see sailing and cruising as the next great adventure in my life; a hobby without parallel; diving into tight spots with wrench in hand; getting hot, sweaty, dirty; swearing in tongues and cursing my decision to buy a boat... I'm sure all of the old salts have been there and can relate.

Bottom line: I'm not afraid to try to fix anything, and I'm going into this adventure with the understanding that boat ownership is so much more than taking a few tons of floating glass out on the water and returning to the docks. It's a lifetime of maintenance, sweating the details, living within my means, and learning everything all over again.

My name is Ron. It's a pleasure to come into a community as open and as welcoming as you all are. I hope to sit back, listen, learn, and take everything with me out on the water when I do, eventually, buy a vessel.

Here's to many years of life afloat! Cheers!

[HappyMdRSailor]

Hi Ron,

Welcome to CF!

Sounds like you have EXACTLY what it takes to be a sailor/cruiser/liveaboard!

[Waterway Guide]

Welcome aboard, Ron!

[David Hughes]

Welcome, and what a great first post!


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[laika]

Agreed, the life afloat seems perfect for you. "Fixin boats in exotic places" and all that. The joys, frustrations, rare moments of abject terror, pure bliss, etc. A great way to live! Maybe the last true bastion of freedom in the world. Welcome.

[hellosailor]

Hello Ron and welcome to alcoholics anonymous.


Oh, wait, wrong forum.(G)