On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:38:13 -0500, jlrogers±³©
wrote:

All my life I've "dreamed" about retiring on a boat and sailing from here to
there, as the spirit moves me. However, my only experience is some lake
sailing, a little Gulf of Mexico experience, and four years on a destroyer
in the navy. And, except for a couple of years in the 90's, most of my
sailing was done 35 years ago.

I have now retired and I signed up for a series of ASA lessons at a school
in Kemah, TX, just to bone up and get my feet wet, but haven't started yet
due to Ike.

My plan is to take the lessons, join a sailing club, and spend some time
afloat to see if the passion dissolves in the salt spray.

Assuming it doesn't, I will want to acquire a relatively inexpensive cruiser
for step 2. I.e., learning to live aboard, maintain the boat, and sail
alone with confidence.

At one time I owned a thirty footer, but never lived aboard, and most of the
maintenance was bought and paid for. I like all of the following, but
remember my experience is day sailing, for the most part, and I'm completely
ignorant of the requirements, stresses, and needs of the live aboard.

Contessa
Westerly (Konsort)
Endeavour 32 Plan A
Cape Dory
Crealock (Pacific Seacraft)
Island Packet


Which brings me to my question: what boat would you recommend for the live
aboard trial? Something no older that say 1983, between 28 and 35', a
sloop, that could be bought for no more than $60,000.

Congratulations on posting the only on topic thread in many days.

You need to be more specific about your plans. Do you plan to live in
Kemah and mostly sail in the upper gulf, or maybe west coast of
florida? If so, you should consider something shallow draft maybe a
keel/CB such as a Tartan 37 that would allow you entry to many more
coves, islands, creeks off the ICC, etc.

Frank