Jeff Carlson wrote:

I'm 32, planning on having some hobbies in a few years (when the kids
are a wee bit older) and wanted to know how to get into boating. I
have a few friends who have recommended a few books (Chapmans), as
well as getting into the Coast Guard Aux, and also the local Power
Squadron here in town.

The questions really come down to what I'd love to do when I end up
being in the position of having a power boat. Couple of things:

(1) I'm looking to have crews of 3 - 10 people onboard. At most it'd
be 9 people, half of them probably kids. If that's not realistic and
the crowding would be bad, I'd probably do separate trips, or just
have the kids -- heck I don't know. I'll cross that bridge when I
come to it.

(2) I'm thinking about a 30' and up range of powerboat. I'd buy used
initially.

(3) My desire is to be able to cruise along the islands of the Bahamas
(departing from Florida) and sail among the bahamas, into
Turks/Caicos, down into Haiti/DR and then stopping along PR.

(4) I'd probably fish and SCUBA at various points. At some
destinations, stop off and get a tour of the city, stay a day or two.

This would probably occur every two to three years for a period of 21
days -- a length of vacation that's probably required to fly down to
Miami, provision up, get going and take my time.

All in all:

- How crazy am I? Am I a dreamer? I want an enjoyable hobby.

If you're crazy, you are no more so than most of us on the list. We're
all dreamers....

- Do others do what I do with powerboating?

Of course!

- Am I just plain nuts? How many years of training and experience
might I need before I attempt something like this?


If you're cautious, read a lot (and understand what you read) and have a
bit of luck, you could probably do it now. It's not exactly rocket
science...

9 people overnighting on any 30' boat I know (and most under about 40')
are going to be cramped though.

But its best to take baby steps first. Cruise the local area (wherever
that is) as much as possible. Your crew has to take THEIR baby steps
first, too. As you get experience, you'll find whether the rest is what
you really want to do. We have a similar trip planned, tentatively
planned for the next time I'm between jobs (the cruising kitty's already
in the bank), but even after 20 years, we're having a lot of fun closer
to home (Chesapeake Bay). We got a cheap ($7k) boat, brought her up to
snuff, and use the hell out of her (60-80 days most years).

The main thing: If it ain't fun, it ain't FUN! Don't push the boat, the
crew, or yourself, but get out and DO it. Nothing can replace experience.


--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/