Since you don't own a boat, you may try joining a local sailing club.
Generally inexpensive, you can pick the brains of the members. most of whom
should have a good deal of experience. I say sailing club as opposed to
yacht club because of the cost. I would guess that most sailing clubs are
affiliated with US Sailing, don't be put off by the emphasis on racing, the
affiliated sailing clubs generally have quite a few members that do nothing
but cruise.
http://www.ussailing.org/csa/memberOrgs.asp?state=FL
John Cairns


"Sink Or Sail" wrote in message
.. .
Hello Everyone,

My name is Alfred and I am married with a 4 year old son. We live in Fort
Lauderdale
and have spent our entire lives in South Florida. I'll spare you the
details
but
I've had it with things around here and I'm ready for a MAJOR change. I
have
wanted
to sail the Caribbean my whole life and never have. My heritage is Cuban
and
I
was born in Key West, 90 miles away, but never been. It's time for us to
travel.

I am selling my house and buying a sailboat. I plan on living aboard
around
South Florida for the first season to adjust to live aboard life and
sailing
out
come good weather next year. I have no sailing experience but quite a bit
of
small power boating in the Keys.

I am looking for advice on how to begin and what type of boat I'll need.
I've
lurked in newsgroups and forums for quite sometime and have spent a bit of
time
speaking with local sailors. I would like to ask a few questions and I'm
looking for all honest answers. I've considered eventually running all
the
way
to South America and up the Amazon.

Would a sailing course be best to start? or should I find someone with a
boat?

I'm considering a catamaran for it's shallow depth and stability.
Opinions?

Will a catamaran make South America safely?

My wife will most likely spend more time with our son. How large a boat
can
one man reasonably handle if properly rigged?

I'm very skilled in PC and Internet technologies. How difficult is it to
find
work in foreign countries? Will local authorities allow me to work for
provisions in the Caribbean or South America?

I realize this is difficult but, how much money does one need to live on
while
sailing the Caribbean for one year?


I know there are a million other things I should do and know before I do
this
but there is time for those. I very much appreciate any help I can get.
If
any
of you live in the Fort Lauderdale area let me know. I would be glad to
help you
out in exchange for a litter experience and advice.

Alfred

On Mon, 25 Aug 2003 11:38:44 -0400, "Sink Or Sail"
wrote:


I am selling my house and buying a sailboat. I plan on living aboard around
South Florida for the first season to adjust to live aboard life and sailing
out come good weather next year. I have no sailing experience but quite a bit
of small power boating in the Keys.

Hi Alfred,

My wife and I sold our house and bought a motorsailer a year ago.
We'll still be working for a few years. around 2008 we'll be on our
way to the carib and maybe polynesia. We're both 49 and the kids are
independent.

Would a sailing course be best to start? or should I find someone with a
boat?
You can get a lot of info by reading. Try Bobby Schenk who has lived
for years on blue water. He recently schwitched from a steel one mast
SY to a catamaran. His books are fun to read and give lots of info. He
even has a website where he answers questions like yours.
http://www.yacht.de/schenk/index.shtml
And then there a the groups like I didn't get
the feeling this helps much but it's nice to log in from time to time.

I'm considering a catamaran for it's shallow depth and stability. Opinions?
Will a catamaran make South America safely?
Two schools: 1: very comfortable when sailing upright, fast(er), ok
for shallow bay's. 2: risky cause you'll never get her upright when
capsized. Some people think sailing a cat shorter then 12 meters on
open seas is a crime.

My wife will most likely spend more time with our son. How large a boat can
one man reasonably handle if properly rigged?

Our experience is that when living aboard (and even more with one and
perhaps in a few years 2 children) you you should not be afraid to
pick a 45 plus footer. We bought a 52 ft alu cutter rigged one mast
sy. I sail her and anchor her on my own with ease. Manouvres in the
harbour are best done with two but that applies to most yachts in my
opinion. Look for electrical winches, when the genua exceeds 100 m2
Look for all the space you can afford. In my experience on the present
second hand market: the bigger the cheaper. Take a lot of time and
look for the one that's meant for you.

I'm very skilled in PC and Internet technologies. How difficult is it to
find work in foreign countries? Will local authorities allow me to work for
provisions in the Caribbean or South America?
I realize this is difficult but, how much money does one need to live on
while sailing the Caribbean for one year?

I cant help you here. I'm curious what answers will be given here.

Lots of succes. I hope to meet you in a few years.
Len, the Netherlands

katysails wrote:

Recipe for divorce...one non-sailing man,+one non-sailing woman+one toddler at the stage where he needs to socialize with other human beings to make it in the world...plop on a boat that's probably too small (anything under 40 feet) Add frustration, acrimony, and fear. Mix well. Child support and alimony at 120 degrees.


Yup! I suspect Alfred is escaping from family obligations - especially
since he mentions his wife will be staying ashore with the kid. Better
to get the divorce now than leave loose ends. BTW, if you sell the house
where do they live while you're gone?