Okay... this is cracked. I need to shorten this to 1000 characters? I have broken it to three separate posts instead... I know... longwinded.

Not sure if I'm doing this right. Instructions were to start a new 'thread' but I could only figure out how to start a 'discussion'.

No worries. My social networking skills on the internet do not reflect my sailing skills (or lack thereof).

My husband and I are certainly interested in being contributing guests. We have taken a basic cruising course but certainly don't feel we are ready to take the kids on a charter (although that was the plan). So our options include paying for a crewed charter where we could do the majority of the sailing. This would prepare us for chartering.

The ideal thing would be to have friends who own a boat and would welcome us as guests. We don't know any boat owners personally. We have never been house guests without expecting to contribute to the costs of entertaining.

With a good recommendation regarding the captain, this would be way better then a crewed charter, and not just because it would be significantly cheaper. What an amazing way to experience cruising.

We have a fair annual travel budget and want to visit pretty much everywhere. So we could meet up with a host boat pretty much world wide anytime. I guess one week would be ideal. Although we enjoy and are in the habit of taking two week vacations I wouldn't want to drive (be driven by) anyone crazy. Best part of having visitors is when they leave but then you immediately start planning the next visit. We could tack on additional shore vacation to either end.

Pretty much inexperienced sailors. Very eager to learn. Instructor described us as a naturals. Not that that has much weight. Just saying. And I mostly 'get it'.

Lots of common sense. Not much of risk takers. Enjoy moderate libations. Enjoy cooking (and can do it well) and love great food. Love great wine (especially the bottles under $12), beer, rum etc etc. Don't much like wasting money on overpriced things but don't mind spending it for value and great experience. Always help out as a house guests and appreciate same from our own guests. Easy going.

Like trying new things (although no interest in extreme sports - and I'm including skydiving and bungee jumping although they may be lame by modern standards now). A little out of date as you can see.

I'm only the fourth CF member to join this group so I'm not really optimistic in getting a response. Although that doesn't speak to my seriousness. It would be great to open some doors.

To be clear, we'd leave the kids behind. I turned 40 yesterday. Husband is 41. Fit. Love to tour around. Love to relax. Love life.

Have the budget to contribute to full cost of having us aboard.

Ha! 3003 characters. So sorry. And I know it was four posts, not three.

Sorry, this whole "forum" thing is pretty new to me. Good luck to you guys.

i have a ticket *license( that is up to 12 m boat mediteranieen is prettz popular and its lovly down in croatia and greece know about croatian boats that u need to have a vhf license otherwise take a greek chartering company actualy i come in touch with one of them in case they are short on skippers and i wouldnt mind the kids i was a sailing instructor .... when u have right money u charter a boat that is realy comfy with comfy stuff and still good performance not very expensive still want to buy a boat myself but wouldnt invite u on a 25 foot boat to small has to be at least 30+
so
so
thats not a bad for a response is it

Hi There

If you are interested in coming aboard for a sojourn in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, feel free to contact me. We would love to have you :-) We have a 42' Beneteau with a guest cabin and head. Sounds like we are like minded people. I am 44 and husband is 46. The sounds are a beautiful part of NZ with lots of lovely secluded bays. Anything else you want to know just message me.

Regards Clare

Thanks for your response. I have replied to PM before but never initiated one. I'm going to send you a PM..... when I figure it out. Give me a few minutes..... err give me a bit of time.