"JimC" wrote in message
...


Capt. JG wrote:

"JimC" wrote in message
...


Charles Momsen wrote:

"jlrogers±³©" wrote in message
.. .


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.

--

jlrogers±³©

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is
the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." William Pitt

"Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security
shall soon have neither." Benjamin Franklin



Congratulations on your retirement. Rather than get the ideal boat
upfront, buy a lower cost "value" boat first. You'll probably make
mistakes at first (crashing into stuff, breaking things or doing
something that leaves a really big mark/gouge.) so get something you
could walk away from. Make your second boat count. Buy whatever is cheap
and popular in your area. You can easily resell it at a small loss and
learn so much without fear of real financial loss.


The previous suggestion (don't buy an "ideal boat" upfront) is a good one
IMO. If you intend to liveaboard, I would also suggest something a little
larger than 30 feet. I think your plan to charter various boats will give
you a good idea of what's involved and what type and size boat you may
prefer.

I'm also near Kemah, and I can verify that in this area you will find
many boats of all genries for far less than $60,000. (Try $15,000 -
$30,000 for 30-35 ft. boats that would be ready to sail with minor
cleanup or upgrades.). Have it surveyed, of course. - IMO, in this price
range the condition of the boat is almost as important as the
model/maker. And although I agree that Sabres, Endeavours, Island
Packets, Tartans, Valiants, etc., are great boats, if you insist on
getting one of these "ideal" boats, you may end up paying twice as much
as you would for other boats of a the same size and condition that would
be comfortable and that you would also enjoy sailing. - It's your choice,
of course.

Incidentally, my boat (a 26 ft. MacGregor) had no damage from the
hurricane, and you would be welcome to go out with me anytime this Fall.

Jim



Glad to hear all is well Jim... you had it on a trailer and left town or
did you leave it?


Thanks. Yes, we were in a "mandatory evacuation" area, and we spent the
night with relatives. The boat is in the water at one of the local
marinas. I tied double lines to the risers (slideable vertically on rods
connected to pilings), and apparently that was enough. The water-line
(trash line) from the storm surge was around 8-10 feet above normal
levels.

Jim


Glad all is ok... can't imagine what it was like. All we have are
earthquakes. :-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com