Woo-hoo, the advice just keeps getting better.

Sneakier, but better

Brian W

On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 00:24:47 GMT, Rufus
wrote:

Lew and others nailed it: If you want to sail, _buy_ a boat. If you want
a vocation building something, _build_ a boat.

Hang out with boat people, hit all the harbors within an hour's drive.
Deals on "TLC boats" start at less than $500 for 25' glass (running
motor is extra), useable sail gear, no obnoxious smells etc below. Take
somebody who works on boats to evaluate stuff. Bare bones, figure to
spend another $2-300 to keep the CG and your SO happy. Think marine flea
market next spring for the missing details. Forget woodies (eg folk
boats) until you know a more about the "self vs. boat vs. time vs.
family" thing.

Sail tape can make most sails work for quite a while. You can scull or
row a boat that size, so maybe skip the motor depending on your
requirements and _immediate_ plans. If you gotta have power, a 2hp
outboard with long shaft should do it. Trailer boats come _slightly_
higher with trailers. Fix the trailer first. A TLC boat will give you
plenty of boat building experience with a real chance you'll actually
get to go boating.

Plan the family thing so they all love it. Play dirty - let your SO pick
the color you paint the boat, and use any similar sleazy tactics you can
think of. Don't go out with family on less than a perfect day: go short
and go quiet and come back a little early. Skip the "authentic" stuff,
and just make sure the coleman cooler has ice for lunch and snacks, and
that you get back without scaring anybody. Freshen up your skills - take
a free CG Auxilliary sailing course, and hitch a ride on some beer can
races. If you can arrange it, keep the boat in the water during the
season. Innumerable embarrassments occur at launching ramps that take
years to live down. If you're on a mooring and the harbor provides taxi
service, use it. Less chance to screw up. First impression count. Take
no chances, stack the deck, make sure they have fun.

Then trade up next year when you know what matters to you. g

Rufus