Almost... see my comments...

"Tim Shavinsky" wrote in message
...
It looks like downsizing and switching over to a sailboat is the way
to go. To reduce opportunity cost and depreciation I'll look at buying
an older, but solid boat in good condition. To reduce the fuel costs I
will look at buying a sailboat and getting some experience on larger
boats, about 32' in length. I can go to living on a mooring (have to
convince the wife) which will zero the dock fee.Solar panels should
supply all my energy needs. Since I have the time I can do most of
the ordinary repairs myself. I have to get rid of the boat asap as it
drops in value daily. I can't ship my current boat to Europe because
of the expense and continued expense. I was hoping to find some
friendly country south of the border.

I should have done this all in the beginning but my eyes were bigger
than my wallet. I never considered escalating costs, but then only an
economic savant with tremendous discipline would ever act so prudently
in the first place.

Summarizing, the wisest choice for those of limited/fixed means to go
cruising:

a. Buy an older, solid boat in excellent condition.

The type of boat is also important. You're likely going to be spending a
fair amount of time doing short cruises vs. long ones. Most of your time is
spent aboard in a marina vs. actual sailing (80-90%), so comfort is
important when not moving, just as crew comfort is important when moving.
The tradeoff are something like fin vs. full keel, single vs. monohull.


b. Live aboard on a mooring.

I wouldn't recommend this, especially not at first. Get used to the boat.
Nothing will turn off your wife (or perhaps you) faster than having to use
the head in a cramped spot day in and day out, or have to go ashore because
you forgot one little thing, or staying below during rain, etc. Give you and
her time to adjust by keeping it at a dock.

c. Buy a sailboat.

Even though you have some sailing experience, take lessons. Also, sail as
many different boats as you can manage before you buy one. Sail 20 to 30
different kinds. This will give you a much better idea what you really like
and don't like, and it'll help you decide what compromises you're willing to
make.

d. Keep the boat simple and do the repairs yourself.

Yes, but don't hesitate to get help if you need it. Some repairs and
maintenance if done wrong will make your life miserable, all for the sake of
a few more dollars... the old penny wise and pound foolish theory.

e. Rely on solar power.

You won't be able to do this completely. It will help, but isn't a cure-all
for power. You need to carefully assess your power consumption
needs/desires, and act accordingly.

f. Watermaker?????

Expensive, but perhaps worth the cost. Consumes a fair amount of power,
except for a mechanical method, such as the one that was linked to in
another thread (which won't work while stationary I believe). Don't forget
to have ample tankage aboard for fuel, waste, and water.

I believe someone has posted a guide to describe actually living aboard in
this newsgroup... It's funny and accurate. Bascially, you're cramming
yourself into a double-wide closet for months at a time.

Now I have a few more questions about sailboat. From what I've seen
the smallest I would go is about 27 feet, the largest about 32 feet.

Why? I wouldn't go below 30 or 34 and not above whatever you can afford
after you do the money calculation. 27 is incredibly small. I have a 30, and
I wouldn't want to have to live on it for any length of time unless we were
underway. Remember, for every day you're sailing, the boat gets a foot
shorter if more than one person is aboard. LOL

What boats would you guys recommend that I look at? It would be me and
my wife aboard, we have no physical handicaps, I'm 6 ft tall. I want a
solid, reliably built boat that is simple and easy to handle. I prefer
a diesel inboard auxiliary. Also what is the downside to living on a
mooring other than the obvious? Where are the best places to do this
in the US? I would imagine California is not too friendly to this type
of lifestyle plus the sailing is not as nice as the Caribbean.

Impossible to say... there are so many possibilities. Don't discount the
west coast so quickly. There are lots of places that can be reasonable,
especially in the short-term, and there's a lot to see. Of course, the
conditions are a bit more challenging on the northern part of the coast. As
you move south, the winds lighten and the conditions generally mellow. San
Diego/Catalina, for example have excellent sailing, and weather much like
the Carib. Also, Mexico is relatively close... inexpensive, lightly
populated, easy to cruise.

Thanks everyone, you are a knowledgeable and experienced group.

Tim Shavinsky



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