d parker wrote:
Head to the area you are thinking of sailing in and charter a few times
first. Also make sure your seamanship and navigational skills are up to
scratch by sitting the recommended exams in your area.

Once you buy the boat you will realise, for all sorts of reasons, that you
aren't exactly happy with her so expect to spend a serious amount of money
on things the boat needs and changes your wife wants.

The kids will get seriously board unless you have perfect angels.So you
will have to make certain they have plenty of activities and plenty of
opportunity to mix with other kids of similar age.

There are a lot of people that want to earn money on the way. If you have a
trade you should advertise it on the side of your boat or off the boom-
remembering that at some marinas you may have to remove any signage if it
conflicts with other tenants of the marina.


hope this helps

DP
"Naiveandready" wrote in message
...

Can anyone offer any advice on how to get started.

My wife , kids and I have a dream to cash out, buy a boat and sail the
Carribean for a year. Obviously its not quite that simple, and so I
need advice on how
much sailing experience I should get first,
how much of a problem are pirates,
how to deal with them,
ways to earn some income during the trek
must see destinations
any other advice you can think of.

If any of you can offer any advice on where to start, please do.
Thanks
Shawn


--
Naiveandready



I hope you get the chance to realize your dream. There are more things
to consider in this venture than choice of boat and destination. Take
into consideration the very worst thing that could happen at sea and be
sure you have the skills and equipment to deal with them. The lives of
your family is at stake here. Even in your sleep, dreams can often turn
into nightmares, imagine what could happen in the real world.
I've added a few things to take into consideration but, and this is a
big but it's only a tiny bit of what you'll need.

1: Invest in recognized courses. Basic to advanced. Navigation and
survival is critical. Your local Coast Guard office or search them out
on the Internet for a list of the types of Coast Guard recognized
courses

2: There is an endless list of boats to choose from. Even thirty to
fifty footers have a variety of grades to choose from. There are large
boats that aren't fit for open seas. The hulls are to thin, rigging to
light, sails only fit for light winds etc. Again worth talking to the
Coast Guard, dealers, sailors who have already made the jump and yes
visit the sailing news groups. don't accept everything you hear there
but the information there will give you more than you may have now.
don't be afraid to ask even what you may feel is the most foolish of
questions. Every sailor began like a newborn babe and if someone
responds with an arrogant, pompous ass attitude with there comments or
replys they're not really looking out for your best interest but
building upon their own ego and it's easy to ignore them. Mind you the
info they pass on could very well be the best given so the person you
may want to ignore but the info could be worth keeping with thanks.

3: Have some experienced sailors take you out on "YOUR" boat during
heavy winds and seas to give you experience in case you get caught in
storms. This isn't something you want to experience for the first time
with your family aboard. All the courses in the world won't fully
prepare you for that experience. Have the proper sails for the
conditions you "WILL" face. There are a lot of sailors out there that
will do this for free simply because many have had the same done for
them as well as the fact sailors are a tight group and are more likely
to treat you as family than any other group. You'll be well taken care of.

4: Equip your boat for every situation. If your boat goes down you don't
want to go with it. Again experienced sailors and your Coast Guard will
have lots of advice on the type of tender to survival equipment if the
worst should happen.

Lots of great books out there and a great resource to have along with
you when you set out on your adventure.

Good luck and fair winds.