OK, deep breaths, everybody....
A couple of points:1. Lay off Kyle, y'all! This is the same thing that happened when Seadance first arrived - people ridiculed her and drove her off in tears. Let's not do the same thing again.2. Kyle, if you're serious, don't let anyone drive you off - or destroy your dream. You can pick out who you want to listen to and ignore the rest.3. While it IS better to spend 10 years getting ready (learning to sail, navigate, fix diesel engines, etc) like my wife and I are doing before we set off cruising, it is NOT MANDATORY!!!!!If you doubt me, check out Bumfuzzled: a couple of twenty-somethings got the urge, quit their jobs and lifes, flew to Miami, bought a boat (a Wildcat 35 CATAMARAN) and sailed around the world safely and having a great time (most of the time) with NO experience and NO training.Of course, they had their difficulties because they knew nothing: they burned up a couple of engines because they didn't realize you had to open the sea-cock for cooling water, they were 6 months out before they realized that winches have TWO speeds depending on the direction you turn them in, and their hull delaminated, necessitating a prolonged battle with the manufacturer and a costly fix.My point: you can do it, Kyle.4. Kyle, I believe the BEST way to convince us that you ARE serious about this would be to agree to reconsider your choice of boat. PLEASE?I'm not saying you couldn't sail off in a MacGregor 26.... heck, you might even be able to sail that boat around the world. But it won't be easy, it won't be safe, and you won't have as good a time as you will if you choose a boat more suited to your voyage.5. Skip the north Atlantic - if you're leaving in August, you need to think of TWO things: sail south, and use the Inter-coastal waterway. More on that as your plans evolve.OK, folks, let's see if Kyle is serious.Cheers,Bobs/y X SAIL R 8