I have been around here for a while and on a few other forums. Often I see these posts from a newer sailor, just getting into the sport, asking if XXXXXX boat is a blue water boat. They talk about dreams to sail to far off destinations.
Great! Good for you. Dream that big dream. One thing, if you start with such lofty goals and don't set some smaller, more immediate goals, you will get overwhelmed.
1. Learn to sail and experience some boats before you buy yours. The best part is you can often do this for free. Check with your local racing fleet. If you want to cruise you can start here and learn to crew. You will learn about boat handling, boat maneuvers, sail trim, rules of the road, etc. A lot of racers are looking for crew and being crew on a boat for one season will teach you a lot.
2. Start small: You already know that you want that blue water boat. Start with a smaller boat first. Learning to sail Lasers, Sunfish, and other dingy class boat are a lot of fun. You are learning a lot about sailing with a very small commitment.
3. Cruise small: Now you have your first cruising boat. It could be "the boat" or it could be a smaller, more affordable boat that is your starter boat. Either way, pick some nice overnight trips to start with. Talk to some local cruisers about good overnight trips that they know of. Learn how to pick your course, get in and out of a new harbor safely, what it is like to spend time on the hook, and the new basic things that are part of this new world.
4. Expand your horizon: Now that you have some overnight trips underneath your belt look towards longer cruises in your area. Try to go out for one week. Pick your destinations but be flexible. Don't ever get stead fast on a schedule or you will get in trouble.
5. You will spend lots of money and loose money when you sell: When you buy a boat you are not investing. The boat will usually loose value while you have it. If it gains value it is because you have added a upgrades to it and the upgrades will cost more than you gain in boat value. There are stories where this didn't happen but more often than not this is not true. Try not to think of it as loosing money but gaining experience and paying for your hobby. Live within your means but don't get caught up with counting the costs.
6. Have Fun: This a fun thing to do. You will see the world through different eyes and experience all kinds of different things. In the end, this is not a hobby but a lifestyle. Sailors are a different sort. Most of the time it doesn't matter if you are the cheapest and smallest boat in the anchorage, we are all long time friends and willing to help each other.
I hope that this helps. Welcome aboard.
Great! Good for you. Dream that big dream. One thing, if you start with such lofty goals and don't set some smaller, more immediate goals, you will get overwhelmed.
1. Learn to sail and experience some boats before you buy yours. The best part is you can often do this for free. Check with your local racing fleet. If you want to cruise you can start here and learn to crew. You will learn about boat handling, boat maneuvers, sail trim, rules of the road, etc. A lot of racers are looking for crew and being crew on a boat for one season will teach you a lot.
2. Start small: You already know that you want that blue water boat. Start with a smaller boat first. Learning to sail Lasers, Sunfish, and other dingy class boat are a lot of fun. You are learning a lot about sailing with a very small commitment.
3. Cruise small: Now you have your first cruising boat. It could be "the boat" or it could be a smaller, more affordable boat that is your starter boat. Either way, pick some nice overnight trips to start with. Talk to some local cruisers about good overnight trips that they know of. Learn how to pick your course, get in and out of a new harbor safely, what it is like to spend time on the hook, and the new basic things that are part of this new world.
4. Expand your horizon: Now that you have some overnight trips underneath your belt look towards longer cruises in your area. Try to go out for one week. Pick your destinations but be flexible. Don't ever get stead fast on a schedule or you will get in trouble.
5. You will spend lots of money and loose money when you sell: When you buy a boat you are not investing. The boat will usually loose value while you have it. If it gains value it is because you have added a upgrades to it and the upgrades will cost more than you gain in boat value. There are stories where this didn't happen but more often than not this is not true. Try not to think of it as loosing money but gaining experience and paying for your hobby. Live within your means but don't get caught up with counting the costs.
6. Have Fun: This a fun thing to do. You will see the world through different eyes and experience all kinds of different things. In the end, this is not a hobby but a lifestyle. Sailors are a different sort. Most of the time it doesn't matter if you are the cheapest and smallest boat in the anchorage, we are all long time friends and willing to help each other.
I hope that this helps. Welcome aboard.