Carribean Sailing
 

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

On Thu, 6 Jan 2005 21:49:45 +0000, Naiveandready
wrote:


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

You could try in rec.boats.cruising
Mark E. Williams

If you like to try before you buy, why not see if any of the many boats
that are registered with www.findacrew.net can take you and your family
along for a trip and learn from experienced sailors first hand.
Registration is free and search is free. Premium Membership is US$29
only for 60 days.

cheers, daniela

Naiveandready wrote in
:


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




First thing is that you NEVER ask for advice from strangers, and you
NEVER trust anything recommended anonymously via the internet. (regarding
anything of importance). SO you are free to disregard this as well!

Sailing, boating, and particularly serious cruising and live-aboard is a
very specialized niche(s). Some expert sources claim fewer than 1% ever
even get to the trying it stage, and less than 10% of those like it. You
do the math.

Now for some practical information, go to the water, step aboard, talk to
those DOING what it is you think you want to do. Look at those people,
how they live, what they have in common, and what they do not. Go to the
boats, all kinds of boats, get on every one, look HARD and LONG. Find
one that seems to your liking? Then and ONLY then start doing the
hardcore deep searches concerning all asopects of that particular boat,
it THAT stage and only that point at which the internet has any value to
you.

You are NOT buying a freaking microwave at Wal-Mart or a car that can be
traded off in a year or two (unless you are both wealthy AND stupid) you
are changing your entire lifestyle, and that cannot be done without
burning bridges.

--
"Let bygones be bygones...send a concilliatory PRETZEL to the
Whitehouse!"
"Against stupidity, the very gods themselves contend in vain." -
Friedrich von Schiller
"Ignorant voracity -- a wingless vulture -- can soar only into the depths
of ignominy." Patrick O'Brian

Thanks for all the responses so far. Just to clarify a little:

While I have never owned a sail boat the size we are talking, I had a small sait boat that I learned some basic sailing from for about 15 years. Also, my father rebuilt, and used recreationally, a 30 ft. cabin cruiser, for about 12 years. So while the idea of the lifestyle change is nothing to be taken lightly, it is the having been around those who have done it, that leads me to this point in the process.

Please, anyone else who has ideas on how to make such a decision, and/or prepare for such a move, please weigh in.

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

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.

High Seas wrote:
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.

Hi Again Shawn
If by cashing out you mean selling off "EVERYTHING" and setting out
there's a couple more things to take into consideration so your dream
doesn't end up on the rocks.

1: Before selling off everything, make sure your preparations include
all costs as well as a reserve to carry you through a major portion of
your adventure. Oh, and don't quit your job until just before you leave,
Murphy's law could put an end or uncomfortable delay in your plans.

2: You mentioned working your way along your trip to raise extra funds.
Be careful you don't violate any laws of the lands where you might be.
Some officials in other lands are less than sympathetic. You don't want
your boat seized, or being expelled to be added to your list of
experiences.

3: When you choose a boat, you might want to consider her size as a live
aboard. Would you be comfortable living on her at your local marina for
the same amount of time as your planned venture. Sailing and enjoying
your boat sailing around your local area for a few days or weeks on
holidays isn't the same as an extended period of time. It can get a
little crowded.

This is a chance of a lifetime. I hope it becomes the experience of a
lifetime. Preparation is ninety percent of your trip. Plan well and
it'll be better than any fantasy.

Keep us posted as you prepare. Lots of help and advice here as you go
along. Besides the fact you'll keep us thinking about keeping up our own
boats and adventures.

Happy Sailing.

Just as an update, and for info to anyone else who has ever wondered:

I went to the Toronto boat show the other day, and just when you thought this world was beyond hope, I was shocked by the amount of assistance I was offered. I takled to every boat dealer, manufacturer rep, I could, and had several reps recommend boats other than their own as the ideal boat to consider. Also got many tips on sailing schools, training methods, and other points of reference. In talking to some in the training industry, I got some excellent points of view on what experience is required, and how to get it. The most remarkable thing is no advice, no matter how many sources, seemed to contrast, therefore leading me to believe it was somewhat credible. Was a very constructive $15!

Google Traveltalkonline (TTOL). A wealth of information there for the
asking. Hope that helps.