Liveaboard Noob Needs Advice

[Kawan]

Shartel,
That was one of the most practical responses I've seen to a sincere request on how to get started.
I followed the teach yourself method by reading books by people who had done it,or were doing it. One other nuance was to read all the disaster books, and then research how to avoid/minimise/cope with said disaster.
I completely ignored the then current advice which was the sailing lessons / club racing for a year/ live in a marina then spend 6 months on the hook whilst working.
Something must have worked since the wife,3 kids,and I managed to get from Florida to Indonesia via the Pacific.
Jon

[bobconnie]

Its cheap down here in Louisana also good marinas, low costs, not to much problems with doing work for others ! I get lots of engine work and plumbing work. just my 2 cents Bob and Connie

[appick]

Don't forget to keep an eye out for the older Columbia's too. I just bought a 1961 Columbia 29', it's a Sparkman Stephens design. They are great sailors and the Alberg 30 has the same basic lines as well. They were extremely well built with hand laid fiberglass hulls. The nice part about the Columbias at least is they have solid (i.e. non cored) decks and hulls. The boats were overbuilt with extra layers of glass in the hulls (I'm not sure how the Albergs stack up but I've heard good things). They are old but can be found for very reasonable prices (I got mine for paying the storage bill of $1500, the engine runs great being recently rebuilt with the reciepts for the work to prove it! Along with lots of new gear and rigging.). Along with the Albergs the Columbias are considered very capable blue water cruisers with many instances of people circumnavigating in them.

Keep in mind you can always find a good deal on a boat of questionable quality (I made that mistake with a Formosa), the end result being the yard got another derlict to cut up at some point. I got a pile of parts and stuck on the dry with no boat for 5yrs while saving up again... Now instead of taking off cruising I've gotten married bought a house found a career ect. GO NOW or SOON make do with less except when it comes to being safe and most of all ENJOY LIFE. Good luck with your plans, and fair winds.

[dlauginiger]

Kevbot,

This is a lot of good advice on here but I would add just a little more. When looking for a boat don't count out a Watkins 32/33. They are cheap, strong and spacious (especially headroom).