Hi New to this

[LivetoAdventure]

Hi everyone. I am new to the forum and looking to get a boat to go cruising.

[barnakiel]

Super!


And where do you want to go in this boat?


Is it a power boat or a sailing boat?


Hello,
barnakiel

[LivetoAdventure]

I want to get a sailboat and start with the east coast, then maybe go farther.

[barnakiel]

You will find plenty of choices to make. Where you live and how much time you can devote to sailing will likely influence your boat choice.


Boats can be had (owned) or rented (chartered). And when you own one, it can be co-owned: you find somebody like you who wants to sail. Get a boat, then either sail it on split months or else sail together.


If you want to coast, a smaller day sailer can be an optimal choice. You can place a tent over the boom and sleep inside. Or you can tie to the shore and and camp next to the boat.


Long ago when we were still owned by the Babylon, we made lovely cruises hauling our small craft up the beach and camping in the protection of the hulls. We sailed small trips I think 600 miles was the longest one. It was big fun and good school of cruising.


If you hate camping, or if your shore is not conductive (e.g. very rocky) you can get a small cruising boat. They come in endless varieties and choices. You can elect an older and proven thing, which could be quite inexpensive to get, or else buy something modern, fast and more fun to sail, often at a higher cost too.


Think about where you will keep the boat, yours or co-owned, when she is yours. It is good to know in advance the boat will cost you something and then there will be berthing fees, winter storage fees, boatyard fees, etc. Quite a lot of fees. Get to know them in advance. See how comfortable you are with these numbers. Over time these tend to add up to round sums higher than the cost of of the boat up front.


Look around at charter options. You do not need to own a car to drive it. You only need the drivers license, gas, and a rented car. As good as own. And way less headache.


Thinking along such twisted routes will help you find the best tool for the job in hand. Using the best tool gives plenty of pleasure, be it baking, biking or sailing.


barnakiel

[Celestialsailor]

welcome to the forum.

[Terk07]

Hello, we also want to eventually cruise east coast, but going to practice for a few years first. Here's a toast to new adventures and following your dreams!��

[LivetoAdventure]

Hey thanks for all the replies. I looked at a boat but it looks like it might need a cabin floor. Is that a big job? Not looking to spend a lot on the first boat. The rest of it looks solid.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by LivetoAdventure

Hey thanks for all the replies. I looked at a boat but it looks like it might need a cabin floor. Is that a big job? Not looking to spend a lot on the first boat. The rest of it looks solid.

Suggest you begin to educate yourself.
Suggest you start here. ....

Marine Survey 101, pre-survey inspection

[LivetoAdventure]

Thank you. I will read that.

[SV Melody]

Originally Posted by LivetoAdventure

Hey thanks for all the replies. I looked at a boat but it looks like it might need a cabin floor. Is that a big job? Not looking to spend a lot on the first boat. The rest of it looks solid.

First boat? Try to find one with easy problems so you learn as you refurb. Melody had the original, 20 year old running rigging when I bought her. It's easy to replace and all those criss-crossed ropes make a whole lot more sense afterwards. That wasn't too expensive to replace and I learned more about the various and subtle forces that affect sailboats in the process. I also now fully trust my running rig because I know exactly when it was installed and what type of line each one is.



Replacing the floor could either be a nice carpentry project or it could be the beginning of endless gremlins because of whatever caused the floor to need replacement. If it was water intrusion, how long was the water there? Be cautious with a boat that's taken on water above the floor.

[LivetoAdventure]

The floor problem is right at the bottom of the companion way steps. Maybe from water coming in from an open hatch. The rest of the flooring seems solid.