Alaskan420 wrote:
Hi all,
My first post to this newsgroup. I have been perusing the posts for several
months now.
I couple of thoughts that I would like some general advice on please.
Within five years I would like to say goodbye to the sod forever.
I am now 46 years old. I am a sailor. I have held my MMD for over 22 years
now and I am an extremely proficient navigator with or without electricity.
(Yes, I can swing a sextant.)
However, except for a few short stints running supply boats out of New
Iberia and working on a few tourist boats in Boston and Key West, almost all
of my experience has been aboard ships. Not boats.
I have zero experience with sails. I wish to travel alone. I wish to not be
limited in where and what waters I travel.
Wanting to cruise and live aboard I am aware that a sailboat is far and away
my most self reliant and economical choice. I am looking mostly at
motorsailers when I drool over the "boats for sale".
So, the advice I need?
Size limits? Types of hulls and rigging to be seeking?
Price ranges?
How stupid would I be to consider purchasing a salvage or neglected vessel
and begin a five year rebuild?
Thanks in advance...
Ric Hamel
Get a small boat - now. 18 to 22 feet should be fine.
Move in and get as comfortable as you can.
Enjoy sailing life on a small scale.
Learn to use the space you have wisely.
Learn what you absolutely must have and what you can do without.
When you can afford it, get a bigger boat.
It will seem like a mansion!
Why such backwards advice?
Because NO boat is ever big enough.
FWIW
Richard