Anyone ever do any serious blue water sailing?

[PuniShredderParticipant 2268]

Damn if I haven’t started getting the bug for world travel on a sailboat. I’ve traveled extensively in buses and RVs All across N America but now want to spend years going to exotic places via sailboat. I’ve started looking into sailing schools, courses etc. This is something that is probably at least 10 years off and I’ll probably begin around FL and the Caribbean. Anyway, anyone done any sailing adventures? Anyone else interested? Stories, advice etc?

Be professional be polite but always have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

[Anonymous 42]

Navigation is much easier with GPS but still learn navigation piloting and star charting just in case. Get good at it before you make any serious attempt, it’s kin to crossing a continent on a tricycle!

[Absolute_ApathyParticipant 36]

hey Shreddage. Check out your local yacht club. Some guys own yachts but need crew to help sail them, or they just enjoy showing people the ropes(yea, i went there)etc. Mostly it was just some friendly racing, and every now and then, not so friendly.
Its a good way to learn some basics, and also decide if you’ve got the want to take it farther etc.

I’d definitely love to do some blue water stuff, but I’ve done enough sleeping in close quarters with others in the navy to last me a lifetime, especially with strangers.

The best part of a woman is their inner beauty. If it's inner, beauty!!

[Mr. ManParticipant 2916]

Here’s a few blogs written by guys who are living the blue water life you are dreaming of:

Quidnon by Dimitri Orlov

Club Orlov, by Dimitri Orlov

The Sea Gypsy Philosopher, by Ray Jason

[Anonymous 1]

try it before you jump in the deep end.

See if you can crew on some coastal deliveries etc… see if you have sea legs.

It can be very soul destroying if your body can’t adapt and you spend your time at sea in the bilge spewing into a bucket wishing you were dead.

[sparcsParticipant 130]

Its something I’m exploring also. Many courses to take in the meantime.
I’m not sure I’m fully committed to the lifestyle. But we’ll see as I’m planning baby steps.
If you need some more “inspiration” here are some videos/blogs. You may have found these already.

Best, imo, sailing (b/v)log. http://svdelos.com/ … check out the sailing videos.

[Puffin StuffParticipant 24979]

I would love to do blue water sailing but I don’t think I will ever be good enough to risk life and limb off shore with little skills in fixing stuff. I’m ok at sailing but I’m not handy at all.

Here’s the boat I bought this year. It’s a 1983 Catalina 36 kept in good condition. I sail alone which is another very risky thing to do. I use lazy jacks but I still fear falling in and watching my boat sail away at 6 knots.

Not a pretty picture.

I recommend Blue Water Sailing School in Ft. Lauderdale. I did a week long coastal cruise course they have. You go out with 3 other guys and they certify you in coastal cruising.

http://www.bwss.com/?gclid=CNigjbXx7tECFcWIswodTt8M4w

#icethemout; Remember Thomas Ball. He died for your children.

[PuniShredderParticipant 2268]

Thanks guys. Since I live in Florida I have a bunch of schools around and there are crew opportunities as well I plan to partake in all of that over the next few years. I’ve been voting since birth and spent a couple years of my life playing music on crew ships around the world and I’ve been through some pretty gnarly storms so I know that I have see legs. It’s funny but in my research even some of the most experienced Bluewater sailors I’ve only been through one or two storms in their lives because they are so easily avoidable nowadays and even those they say were affordable and I would never sell anywhere near a storm Hell no!! Yes we do have GPS nowadays and thankfully I already can read a compass charts and AM pretty good at navigating by the stars but obviously need lots of practice at sea.

I have been reading lots of blogs and watching videos of people doing exactly what I want and we’re talking older couples in their 50s and 60s making the puddle jump across the Pacific phone through the Panama Canal sailing the Caribbean going to the Galapagos.. these are people who took it slow learned had a few years experience went around the Caribbean first and then did it. I only wish I would’ve started earlier so I have the money now rather than b~~~~ likely in my 50s.

Be professional be polite but always have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

[PuniShredderParticipant 2268]

Puffin Stuff wrote:

I would love to do blue water sailing but I don’t think I will ever be good enough to risk life and limb off shore with little skills in fixing stuff. I’m ok at sailing but I’m not handy at all.

Here’s the boat I bought this year. It’s a 1983 Catalina 36 kept in good condition. I sail alone which is another very risky thing to do. I use lazy jacks but I still fear falling in and watching my boat sail away at 6 knots.

Not a pretty picture.

I recommend Blue Water Sailing School in Ft. Lauderdale. I did a week long coastal cruise course they have. You go out with 3 other guys and they certify you in coastal cruising.

http://www.bwss.com/?gclid=CNigjbXx7tECFcWIswodTt8M4w

There are people a lot less experienced then you crossing oceans. I think you’re selling yourself short. With modern GPS radios electronics and systems it’s easy to avoid crappy weather. You can definitely do it quite confidently.

That’s an awesome boat by the way. From what I’ve read it seems to be bigger than most people would try to sail themselves however. What about taking on a crewmember to help? Either way kudos to you brother you are years ahead of me on your dream even if it only ends up being cruising or some island hopping I think it’s awesome!!!!

For me it’s less the sailing part being on the ocean more the vessel or a vehicle to get me to the destinations that I want to explore if you know what I mean. I kind of look at it as a global RV rather than sailing on the ocean itself being the destination or the goal. Getting to French Polynesia New Zealand the Galapagos South America Panama is the goal and exploring those places on land actually. The boat being my global transportation system as well as my home.

Be professional be polite but always have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

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