Does there really come a time when a man with a dream should step back and say to himself "just give it up?" I have long had a dream of owning a small sailboat in the 30' range, sailing the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, meeting other people living their dreams of sailing adventures and writing my poetry for my grandchildren. At 54 years old, disabled and much less than wealthy, I had decided that beings how I am a single father of two really awesome sons, there was really no reason why I could not make an effort to pursue my dream before either age or health prevents me from being able to live my dream. well I got this (now I know) stupid idea to post an ad asking if anybody may have a used less than perfect sailboat they would be willing to sell and be willing to accept say $1000/down and payments of no more than $400/month until paid in full. So, I posted my ad, shared a little bit about my dream and how I had lots of Faith in GOD that one day my dream would come to fruition, and in only minutes I received some of the most hurtful posts from other "sailors" obviously in much better financial status than myself saying some really horrible things about "if you cant afford to pay for a boat then you cant afford to be a sailor"! I can agree that for those who want to flaunt their financial status in life who own some truly exotic yachts, yeah I cant afford to be a sailor, but my dream "WAS" of owning a sailboat and sailing alone, not an expensive flashy one but only one that maybe someone was no longer able to use or sail that was needing to get rid of and would be willing to accept my meager $400/month. I did receive some truly inspiring posts from some really super people advising me to not give up on my dream and that one day surely it would come true if only I did not let it die. to those people I am truly grateful, "THANK YOU EACH"! I do now own a tiny little Southern Sails Skipper 20', and yes it is really small and not much room, but is in really nice condition and has a 9.9 Yachtmaster outboard on it. I have come to the conclusion that rather than be just another old guy who "had" a dream but let it just slip by, maybe I should settle with what I've got, not let my dream die and just get the little Skipper (s/v Valhalla) ready and "Live my dream"! After all, what is a dream if you don't live it? GOD is in my life and I have Faith that he will do a fine job of keeping me safe and on the right course. may you each have a Blessed day, stay safe, and please do not let others shatter your dreams as I almost did. Fair winds, calm seas and much Love and Respect to all! Trey
Broken Dream
- Thread starter Treyolsen
- Start date
I'm over 70 and still bouncing about on the water. There's nothing wrong with your dream, but do remember that there's always a lot of work and quite a bit of money needed to turn an inexpensive (for its size) sailboat into something that can safely be sailed out in the Gulf (an extremely dangerous place to sail with the thunderstorms that pop up regularly and unannounced by forecasters).
There are a lot of considerations and quite a bit of education that goes into going voyaging on a small boat, not the least of which is where you are going to keep it while you are preparing it for sailing.
It is indeed a worthwhile dream, but don't just dump a grand or so into a boat you like without determining just what it will take to make it serviceable for your needs and whether you can afford it. State sales tax, registration, insurance, and don't forget a dinghy are all pretty much upfront expenses right after you have taken possession of your new to you boat.
So, go slowly with lots of thought and your dream should be reachable.
There are a lot of considerations and quite a bit of education that goes into going voyaging on a small boat, not the least of which is where you are going to keep it while you are preparing it for sailing.
It is indeed a worthwhile dream, but don't just dump a grand or so into a boat you like without determining just what it will take to make it serviceable for your needs and whether you can afford it. State sales tax, registration, insurance, and don't forget a dinghy are all pretty much upfront expenses right after you have taken possession of your new to you boat.
So, go slowly with lots of thought and your dream should be reachable.
That 20 footer will give you lots of great experiences and training for a larger boat. Now take that $400/ month and put it away for 5 years you will have $24K (or much more if you put it in an index fund). Enough for that "dream" boat and you will be a great sailor and only 59 when you get it. You don't need a dream, you need a plan.
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I have shared your dream. I owned a 23' O'Day for a number of years, sailing her on my days off and during vacations. Opportunities came along that allowed me to get into a bigger boat and enjoy cruising. I had no specific plans for this to happen, it just did. So sail your Skipper and enjoy her. Good things will happen.
If you already own a sailboat that's big enough to stretch out and sleep inside, your dream is alive and well, brother.
Get that Skipper 20 on the water, and go sailing! That'll fix what ails ya.
Get that Skipper 20 on the water, and go sailing! That'll fix what ails ya.
If your “Skipper” is trailerable and you can stretch out in it, then you can trailer her to several great spots along the Gulf Coast for 2-3 day sails. Mississippi barrier islands are a great place to take a short sail to. The boat can be launched at several boat areas along the coast. Realize your dream for now and if all works out as you envision then make plans to obtain a larger boat in due timesavers Head Sail suggested. This will give you a chance to focus on what you want in a larger boat.
Julio Villar, sailed around the world in a 23 foot boat called a Mistral. It took him about 4 years IIRC.... He knew nothing about sailing when he set off... (not that I'd recommend such an act.)
All it takes is a dollar and a dream....
dj
All it takes is a dollar and a dream....
dj
I am currently getting the little boat ready to sail her to Panama City Florida to visit my youngest son and new daughter in law who is stationed there in the US Coast Guard. Thanks so much. Thanks so much! Trey
Don't give up! My late wife and I had a dream to learn on a Precision 16, then step up to a larger boat to take weekend trips on the lake, then buy something in the 40 foot range and retire to the Caribbean. We purchased a Lockley Newport LN23 on salvage in 2006. Then illness hit me hard then she became in ill-health. In 2012 things, settled out healthwise and we were getting ready to push finishing the refit. Although my illness is lifelong and will not get better, we were remotivated. Then, in 2013, she was unexpectedly taken from me and our 17 year old son in a car accident. Two months later I was retired on disability. It took almost another year before I was able to say I was not giving up on our dream. Our son just graduated university and is hoping to work for our government defending our country. Me, I'm 65, feeling better than I have in many years, and now heavily involved in refitting "Selah"--a fitting name she and I decided on in 2006. Now, I'm realizing that I probably have more structural damage than I thought but that's ok, my plan remains to start coastal cruising in 2020. 2019 is to get her ready externally and checked for leaks. In the meantime , I still have our Precision 16 which I will take out once or twice a week for some focus on the dream---oh yeah, I didn't mention that I should be getting her back in a week or two from being repaired when she was turned over in a tornado while on the hard at the marina where I keep her. All this to say, sometimes our disappointments serve to make us stronger and more determined. And, it always helps to have encouragement and support from those who are living the dream and those who are where you're at. And, my son and I have really had some incredible bonding experiences with his helping me. But he's got his life to lead and I'm on a new story in my life. Incidentally, Selah was taken from Psalms. Selah has many possible definitions but the one we chose was "to contemplate and meditate" on life and what it has to offer us through sailing our dream. I intend to carry it on for as long as I can.
James
James
James, I am so sorry your wife is not here to live you guys dreams with you but we both know she would want you to continue your dream. I for one absolutely encourage you to never give up on your dream. Thank you so much for sharing with me and also for encouraging me to not give up too! Please stay in touch sometime and I will too if you like. May GOD Bless you sir! Trey, Port Aransas Texas
Mr. Jones, "Thank You sir"! I too have had multiple back surgeries (20 procedures to be exact) and was in a wheelchair for several years due to a Dr. mistake, but am now doing quite well and do pretty much anything I want without taking a single pill for pain. Have Faith my friend and do everything you can to stay active as it is so easy to let pain consume your life and destroy your quality of life completely. Thank you very much for your words of encouragement. Have a Blessed evening and get well soon.
Trey Olsen s/v Valhalla, Port Aransas Tx.
Trey Olsen s/v Valhalla, Port Aransas Tx.
Yes, I know Rick Pratt. He's a good man. He actually gave me the wood to build my bow sprit on the little Skipper 20 I have. Im thinking about selling it and using the money for about a 28' to 32' sailboat. One that will be big enough to sail the gulf coast. Have 4a great day and stay in touch sometime.