Sailing Vacation

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Sail123

Sail123

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Oct 6, 2011
678
CM 32 USA
My Clipper Marine 32 aft cabin ketch, 8' beam has a nice six wheel trailer and while I slip her on a small lake in Nebraska, the world is an oyster and my pearl wants to rock n roll in bigger waters.

I am thinking rather than drag our butts to Sturgis again this year, a tradition we are both tired of, we should tow the 32 somewhere that is a good sailing destination. Any recommendations for places not too far away? The great lakes is about a day away for the Chicago area.

Looking for a slip to rent for a week, tranquil, security minded, showers, laundry, good food.

Canada, gulf of Mexico, Cali, Keys too far. The big lakes in Missouri are powerboat havens and not sure I want to go dodge missiles for a week.

Someone want to exchange slips for a week? Come sail Nebraska!
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
If I were you, I would go to the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin ... that would probably be about the same distance as Chicago. Lake Sakakawea (ND) sounds like an interesting option not too far away. Going west, I would consider Lake Yellowstone, Jackson Lake (Wy), Bear Lake (Id/Ut), or even Strawberry Reservoir (Utah).

Do you still have your sloop? You could have one in a slip and one ready to travel on a trailer at all times!
 
Sail123

Sail123

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Oct 6, 2011
678
CM 32 USA
Scott T-Bird said:
If I were you, I would go to the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin ... that would probably be about the same distance as Chicago. Lake Sakakawea (ND) sounds like an interesting option not too far away. Going west, I would consider Lake Yellowstone, Jackson Lake (Wy), Bear Lake (Id/Ut), or even Strawberry Reservoir (Utah).

Do you still have your sloop? You could have one in a slip and one ready to travel on a trailer at all times!
Click to expand
The sloop is turning out to be the hardware store for anything I need for the ketch. By the time I am done robbing stuff off of her, will not be much left to sail. (or sell). Because these boats come out of the water so easily, and one or two people can easily step the masts, she is good to go anytime for a week vacation somewhere.

The ketch has a lighter keel by a few hundred pounds, and the main mast is a little shorter and lighter. If I were going to plan a vacation boat and a slip boat, I would slip the sloop, and cart the ketch. Lol
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
For ease of drive, you could reach Duluth by interstate (I-35) and get close enough to Bear Lake or Strawberry (a very nice destination) without any major passes to get over on I-80, I think. I suppose Chicago would be easy enough, but tranquil? Not really ... the attraction to Chicago would have to be a lot different than the other destinations!
 
Sail123

Sail123

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Oct 6, 2011
678
CM 32 USA
Chicago was an idea because of the ocean like waters and it is the first place I would come into contact on the Great Lakes if I headed that direction. Gary Indiana is that way also, but the economy is so bad there. Sad.

I really do not need a large body of water, my 1800 acres I have now makes almost any other lake, ocean like in comparison.

Pretty blue clean water would also be a plus. Not much for that in lakes I imagine.

Someday sell the house, cars and the last thing I sell will be the trailer as I head south down the Missouri River towards the gulf. Destination, anywhere. While a 32 foot coastal sailboat almost 40 years old made to trailer is a bit light for such travels, it can and has been done. Keys sounds like a rather good hub to explore from, or work my way up the east coast towards Maine, and back down again.

Wife does not want to go. Have had a wife 30 years. Guess at first, I might miss all the bitching, cussing, moods, screaming, tantrums, bad cooking, messy house etc. but I could get over it in time. Lol.

Maybe a vacation on the boat will get her used to the idea. Maybe it will make her not want boat life all the more!
 
Gunni

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Get an off-season crewed charter in the Virgins, two roundtrip tickets, show her pictures of warm gin-clear waters, pack your troubles in a carry-on, and start the vacation at the airport. By the time you clear San Juan life will be good, when the crew brings you aboard for your bluewater sailing trip she'll be laughing about that trailer-sailer escapade you nearly talked her into.

By the time you get home you will be the rock-star that introduced her to sailing. And your sights will be set well beyond Key West.
 
finding41

finding41

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Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
I like the last idea.
Here is another though.
Purchase a crewed charter company from Greece or Spain. Then do the above.
 
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