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uneven_sailor · 11-12-2022, 22:16

Hey all, thanks for your replies -- super informative and helpful to get some new perspectives and to hear about others' experiences.

We have both completed ASA 101 and 103 courses in Redondo Beach and have been sailing 1x/month for the past year with the local club here after getting our certifications. The boats are 25-27 foot keelboats. It is a really fantastic opportunity to have that club/school here.

Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to make a friend or connection so that we might be able to make the leap into getting out for some cruises to Catalina and/or the Channel Islands to continue building experience.

Thanks for great ideas about delivery captains as well -- this seems like a really good way to go during the first days and weeks of owning a new boat.

We are in no rush with our journey because we do still have a few years to go of saving $$ and we'll be spending that time doing plenty of daysailing, reading, learning, and (hopefully!) some cruising as well once we can make it happen.

Thanks all for your input and advice.

valhalla360 · 12-12-2022, 02:50

Great documentary on the subject:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Ron

There is the rare example who makes the leap with zero experience but keep in mind those who fail tend to be a silent majority. No one likes to admit they messed up. Much better to build up gradually expanding your skill set.

Sailor Sailor · 12-12-2022, 04:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by uneven_sailor

Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to make a friend or connection so that we might be able to make the leap into getting out for some cruises to Catalina and/or the Channel Islands to continue building experience.

Sailing is the easy part. Boat handling is not that difficult. Problem solving while cruising and maintaining the systems are the challenging parts. The best way to learn is by experience. It will be a lot more exciting on your own, which is how you will find yourself eventually.

Make the leap. Buy a boat to learn on. Make sure it has the basics for learning: diesel inboard, electrical system, sanitation system, cooking fuel system, roller furling, and canvas work. Anything above 25-30 feet would probably work.

Go out and sail it hard in all kinds of conditions. Things will break, problems will occur. Work on it. You will gain knowledge and confidence in your ability to handle things. What is the worst thing that could likely happen? You will screw it up and need assistance. It is not the end of the world.

Plan on your long-term cruising boat being your second or third keelboat. Each time you can buy a larger boat. Until you have owned one and worked on it, you will never really learn or know what you want out of a vessel. Forget about the training wheels, you do not need them.

JC Reefer · 12-12-2022, 04:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snore

I really don’t want to have a p-match. But there is a thread about a rescue off Hatteras. The vessel appears to be stable and sailable. The conjecture is that people were sea sick, there were systems failures, etc.

One has to wonder how much training those folks had.

I will assume your comparison of competent pros like myself to Captain Ron was a failed attempt at humor

As tragic as Cape Hatteras is, the OP is a ways away from making any error. As we all know, it takes years to make that first wave.

Captain Ron perfectly describes what the OP was looking to do. I’d consider it an educational film and likely more real then anything else IF he went down his original plan. Which lets be honest… probably won’t happen.

Him and the family sitting down and getting educated through Captain Ron is, yes, poetic comedy. [emoji28]

chrisr · 12-12-2022, 07:16

must confess the references to captain ron have gone completely over my head (cultural differences i think)

however just watched a trailer and may watch the whole thingy...may have found a role model

cheers,

JC Reefer · 12-12-2022, 07:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by uneven_sailor

Hey All,

My wife and I are very much still in the save money + learn skills + research phase of our cruising careers as we are both working 40+ hr weeks in the city.

Has anyone had experience with diving straight into the deep end by purchasing a cruising boat with relatively little cruising experience but then hiring a captain for the initial weeks/months of the journey in order to get underway?

If so, how did that go? Also how much would it cost, and how would you find someone?

I would be interested to hear about any/all experiences/situations, advice etc.

We're gaining our own experience as fast as we can in the meantime, sailing with a local club on keelboats, and trying to meet folks to get out to go cruising locally, and to learn skills.

This is something I have wondered about as a possible way to safely and rapidly jump into cruising on your own boat, assuming you have the $$.

Uneven sailor, here is the trailer. It matches what you described pretty perfectly.

https://youtu.be/NmW-xipCWqs

You’re in good company. Happy sailing!

goboatingnow · 12-12-2022, 07:47

Captain Ron is a good laugh on the tv that’s about the height it. “ keep her north and avoid hitting anything “ remains good advice however

Riggerman · 16-12-2022, 06:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by uneven_sailor

Hey all, thanks for your replies -- super informative and helpful to get some new perspectives and to hear about others' experiences.

We have both completed ASA 101 and 103 courses in Redondo Beach and have been sailing 1x/month for the past year with the local club here after getting our certifications. The boats are 25-27 foot keelboats. It is a really fantastic opportunity to have that club/school here.

Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to make a friend or connection so that we might be able to make the leap into getting out for some cruises to Catalina and/or the Channel Islands to continue building experience.

Thanks for great ideas about delivery captains as well -- this seems like a really good way to go during the first days and weeks of owning a new boat.

We are in no rush with our journey because we do still have a few years to go of saving $$ and we'll be spending that time doing plenty of daysailing, reading, learning, and (hopefully!) some cruising as well once we can make it happen.

Thanks all for your input and advice.

Assuming you are in California, there should be plenty of decent saiors there. I assume there are plenty of sailing organization in your area. Get to know people, figure who is not full of BS And invite them to go sailing. Plenty of former sailors that do not own boats any more, either due to finances, divorces etc... Start with long week-end excursion, Pick their brains, ask a lot of questions. Most seasoned sailors will be happy to help you out just to get back on the water one more time. Good luck.

**boatman61** · 16-12-2022, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snore

My suggestion to newbies is READ anything you can on the theory of sailing, my favorite is ArveL Gentry see Gentry Sailing | Theory and Practice. If you don't know how a boat works, it is hard to learn or to know a good/poor design.

Concurrently 1) Take ASA 101, 2) then do some day charters- most charter capts are happy to let the guests run the boat. 3) Then take ASA 103, 4) do some day charters.... At the end of this process you will better understand the theory of sailing than most and be a better sailor than many with a few years of experience. You will also have sailed on 3 or 4 different boats and start to know what you like and don't like on a boat.

THEN start looking at boats. At the same time, start talking to delivery captains to work with you for periods of time. Why delivery guys? We are on more different types of boats than 99% of the other folks. Because the real sea trial happens during the delivery---- We also have seen more stuff break than 99% of the others. Finally, we are really good at learning to run different boats short-handed.

Why just have the Capt aboard for periods of time? As you start owning a boat, thinkof the captain as a mentor. You work with him for 3-4 days while you move the boat to a destination. Then while you hangout on some island, (s)he is flown home. Much cheaper than paying them to sit at anchor, and most of us HATE sitting at anchor. It also lets you day sail the boat on your own. You would then fly the Capt back for a long hop.

Back to shopping----As you begin to settle on a boat, engage the delivery captain in the process. A good delivery captain will act as the 'owner's rep' on a sea trials. A good delivery captain can often save you more than his fee for the sea trial. Yes there will be a surveyor aboard, but having an 'owner's rep' aboard gives you a set of competent eyes. Especially of they know they have to take the boat out and teach you on it.

Finally, when boat shopping remember when buying a used boat, "You buy original build quality, as well as the quality of each owners modifications and use.

A good post with some good advice.. as for reading material I recommend this.. if you can get your hands on one.
https://www.amazon.com/Glenans-Manua.../dp/0715300164
Its not one man's opinion, its written by several experienced sailors/skippers with experience in the various forms from racing to cruising..

Timreyn · 16-12-2022, 07:16

We just jumped in after lots of research but no experience. We were ready and prepared for a life change. So I took the ASA sailing courses including a week on a Cat. After that I completed the purchase of a boat. It was a risky move for sure but we were at a transition point in life. We traveled to Croatia and moved aboard our boat. We hired a captain to go with us for a week and to help us get accustomed to the boat and sailing. We stayed at the marina and took trips of a few days at a time for the first season. The next year we moved on and have visited a number of countries. It proved to be exactly what we had hoped for and I am not sorry at all. However, the life is not for everyone so spend some time finding out before you bet the farm!

sv Stella Maris · 16-12-2022, 07:20

Family of 9 aboard here, third year full time in Caribbean.

Do what you like when you like how it is right for you…but please Please PLEASE:

1. Hire a professional to teach you how to use your cruising boat before you move it an inch and make your learning curve everyone else’s problem. Many lifers have a small budget, an inexpensive home (boat) and no personal insurance…don’t dare and risk their lives and home due to your (or mine likewise) inexperience while learning new equipment.

We all see it in all our lives and you in your profession. Please apply the same respect you demand in your workplace and home neighbourhood to your new prospective watery home.

Beyond that, most of us are happy to assist you and we can be hired via this forum or on a dinghy dock near you very affordably. Be humble, be patient. Never assume the guy next to you on a small monohull isn’t a professional super yacht racer and multi-time Olympic catamaran racer…but he préfères to live on a classic ketch; true story, he’s anchored 20 meters off my stern ;-) here in Martinique !

Stewie12 · 16-12-2022, 07:44

Many women do not like boats, so best charter one with a Captain for a week to see if she likes it and progress from there.

drdoyle · 16-12-2022, 09:27

Charter a boat for a week in the Bahamas or Virginia Islands with a captain specifically hired as a trainer captain not just a generic boat driver. Be specific in your request to the charter company as office staff at some companies are only brokers/sales persons and are only "making a sale". Find a good charter company that understands what you want.

chubby · 16-12-2022, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

A good post with some good advice.. as for reading material I recommend this.. if you can get your hands on one.
https://www.amazon.com/Glenans-Manua.../dp/0715300164
Its not one man's opinion, its written by several experienced sailors/skippers with experience in the various forms from racing to cruising..

you can read it online...

https://archive.org/details/newglena...n0000cent_r6v3