Offshore....
I've worked "offshore" my whole career. Started with ODECO in New Orleans back in the early 80's as a wellsite geologist, sitting rigs from the state waters to the ultradeep. I also have a degree in Marine Biology, and I spent a bit of time doing that kind of work in the Gulf as well (in school, as a diver). I still do quite a bit of diving, mostly out at the Flower Gardens (folks who rant about the oil companies and their environmental records should check out those pristine reefs--right in the middle of the offshore Oil Patch.)I've "sat" many a rig in my "worm" days, mostly in a unit with the "slumberjay" hands. Now I sit in an office on my big butt.I've been wanting a cruising sailboat of my own for many years. I learned to sail nearly 20 years ago as crew on a one tonner (Ranger 37) in New Orleans. We won a lot of silver and had a lot of fun, but the most fun I had was on the trips to return the boat from long distance races. It was the closest to real cruising I ever got, although the boat was definitely rustic (pipe berths, no shower and often, no motor that worked).Since then, we've just chartered big boats for daysails or weekend cruises or sailed my old Laser around. Now, finally, we are in a position to look as either a big trailerable or a mid-size boat. I expect we'll be looking for a while, though....This forum is a great resource....Take care!