Posted on Nov 5, 2016
How many are living life or taking extended stays on a boat?
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I have been giving great consideration to buying a trawler/yacht and spending extended time traveling. I'm retired at a young age and want to explore while I still can. Where I live in Tennessee, the lakes connect to the rivers, in turn connect to the gulf. Maybe even do the Great Loop one day. What training classes would you recommend? Or books? In the research phase now but looks promising.
Boating
Retirement
Disabled Veterans
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 21
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Charter.
The two greatest days of a sailor's life are the day he buys his beautiful boat and the day he sells the damn thing.
I worked in a yacht factory and also owned several smaller boats. Several friends and coworkers lived aboard. Some folks have written books and websites detailing their day to day challenges and rewards.
Boats are projects. Constant maintenance and repair. You can't leave them sit. Only some ports are well equipped for giving you an enjoyable day ashore between moorings.
Of course, begin with the Coast Guard Auxiliary's safe boating courses. Practice on rentals. When you're competent, you can take charter a captain and a boat and learn from the masters. After a year or so of skippering other people's boats, you'll know exactly what you want to invest your mortgage money into.
The two greatest days of a sailor's life are the day he buys his beautiful boat and the day he sells the damn thing.
I worked in a yacht factory and also owned several smaller boats. Several friends and coworkers lived aboard. Some folks have written books and websites detailing their day to day challenges and rewards.
Boats are projects. Constant maintenance and repair. You can't leave them sit. Only some ports are well equipped for giving you an enjoyable day ashore between moorings.
Of course, begin with the Coast Guard Auxiliary's safe boating courses. Practice on rentals. When you're competent, you can take charter a captain and a boat and learn from the masters. After a year or so of skippering other people's boats, you'll know exactly what you want to invest your mortgage money into.
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MSgt Scott Azbell
Thanks. I have researched a lot of sites and your advice is spot on. One of my biggest worries is pulling the trigger on a boat before I fully understand what I need.
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MSG (Join to see)
Capt Michael Greene Re the buying and selling thing, I've heard that but it still calls to me. I'd hate to have to learn the hard way but I guess sometime down the line that will be my destiny.
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LTC Marc King
Well Captain Green after all this time I knew there was something that we could find to agree on. I have been a boat owner for almost my entire life... the military moving made it tough from time to time but boating on Puget Sound was terrific. Now its the Chesapeake Bay and extended summer cursing has become a passion fulfilled. That said you hit the nail on the head. In addition to all of the excellent insights and advice I would add that there is a $25K annual logistics tail, assuming nothing major happens like a blown diesel engine, associated with the hobby. Something to consider if your living on a fixed income. Other than that I say... anchors away!
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I lived on a sailboat in Marina del Rey(west of Los Angeles) for a year. It was like returning to the womb at a time in my life that was the pits. (It was a 23' sloop) It served me well. As for skills, I had been sailing since I was 13. Earned my Coast Guard license to operate small passenger vessels when I was 18. It can be pretty claustrophobic unless you can afford something really large (40' or more)
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MSgt Scott Azbell
I'm looking in the 40' range. Small places do not appeal to me very well. In short bursts it's ok, but not for extended time. I may just go down to Florida and do their Coast Guard training. Need to look more into it.
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I highly recommend you taking a shot at this. The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Cruisers Forum is a great place to have your questions answered. I purchased a 36' Sailboat last year and sailed her from Pensacola to Corpus Christi with an experienced crewman. She is now residing there while we do some maintenance, upgrades and learn to sail better. We hope to leave in Nov 2017 for a life changing cruise around the world.
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SSgt Chuck Pittman
I have a little website, still figuring it out, that shows the boat and a little history. Www.theollengroup.com check it out and let me know what you think. SGM Joe M. -
S/V Solar Blue | 50 and Shoving off on a Cape Dory 36
Sailing across Corpus Christi Bay on a beautiful day, we figured it was time to start heading back in. Winds were at 15 – 23 knots, which is pretty normal for this area. We gybed the boat, moved the staysail and jib from one side to another but didn’t pay attention to the main sail. I think I assumed it would just move from one side to the other…..and it did. As the car and traveler hit the end of the track, it kept going. Continue reading...
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MSgt Scott Azbell
That's awesome Chuck. I really do want to do this while I'm still young. It will be s couple years to get my ducks in a row but laying the ground work now. Good luck to your adventures.
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SSgt Chuck Pittman
Buying a boat is like standing at the edge of the Hell Hole, all the research, training and planning will take you only so far. At some point you just gotta jump. You're never the same afterwards.
Take your time, look around, plan and then jump.
This time next year we should be heading back to Florida and then out on the open ocean. We'll be broke, but we'll be broke in Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, Dominica, Galapagos, Raritan and numerous atolls.
Take your time, look around, plan and then jump.
This time next year we should be heading back to Florida and then out on the open ocean. We'll be broke, but we'll be broke in Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, Dominica, Galapagos, Raritan and numerous atolls.
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