in message , New
Conservative ') wrote:

Hi all,

First of all, what's a "survey" - when is it necessary and how much
does it cost?

It's a careful inspection of a boat by a person qualified to know a
great deal about boat construction and maintenance, leading to a report
on the condition of the boat usually with a list of things which should
be fixed. The cost varies from surveyor to surveyor but is usually a
few hundred pounds plus travelling expenses.

Next: How long would it take to sail single-handedly from S/England to
the Windward Islands given average weather conditions at a reasonably
favorable time of year in a Contessa 32 or Nic 32?

A month to six weeks.

Next: If one ends up in some distant safe harbor somewhere abroad;
what right (if any) does one have to simply tie-up at a convenient
mooring and go to sleep for say 24hrs?

None at all. You must first clear customs and make arrangement with the
harbour master.

I'm thinking here about an
analogy with a deckchair dude; do you just 'park-up' and wait for
someone to charge you for your stay? And what prospect of getting a
space in such a harbor?

Finally, what's the difference between a "berth" and a "cabin"?

A berth in a boat is essentially a bed; a cabin is essentially a room.
Note that a berth in a harbour is somewhere you can fit a boat.

--
(Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Semper in faecibus sumus, sole profundum variat.