Mattrosersv
new user
Reged: 17/05/2008
Posts: 2
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Hi, have to admit I have been lurking for a number of months.
I am in the process of planning for my (and my girlfriends) escape from these shores in November so thought I would put my plans to the collective brain to see if I am on the right track and to see what advice I can gleen.
Experience: I have sailed for many years around the solent and have a boat here (30ft)
Have done Yachtmasters, two trips to the med from UK and a couple to France.
The girlfriend has very little experience although this summer we will focus on this.
Plan: Rent out both our places and buy 38 to 42 ft yacht (probably in Carribbean). Starting Nov, spend three months cruising the Carib and preparing boat and self then through Panama in Feb and onwards West to see how far we get. I don't plan to bring the boat back to Europe.
Worst case the g/f hates it or there are problems with the boat that prevent us going to Pacific and we spend 4 months cruising the carib sell the boat and contine world tour on a motorbike.
Budget £50K for boat (Have done loads of research on what I want/can get. Will see what is available in September) £50K to see how far we get.
Questions:
I am currently reading any relevant book I can get my hands on. I don't plan on doing Oceanmasters but what worthwhile/essential courses do you think we should complete before departing. I currently plan on doing the following before leaving.
Both of us - Sea survival, First Aid - Can anyone suggest a good course, I want to do more than the one day I did with my YachtMasters
G/F: VHF course
Me: SSB
Any advice would be appreciated but feel free to shoot me down in flames if you think that I am making any mistakes....
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anteak
regular
Reged: 28/01/2004
Posts: 862
Loc: lowestoft
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Only one flaw:
Quote:
Worst case the g/f hates it or there are problems with the boat that prevent us going to Pacific and we spend 4 months cruising the carib sell the boat and contine world tour on a motorbike.
Bin the bird and the bike. Fix the boat and carry on.
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AndrewB
regular
Reged: 07/06/2001
Posts: 3419
Loc: Cruising British Columbia
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Sounds good to me!
You put your finger on it that the chief problem is whether the girlfriend will like this lifestyle.
I would say, don't commit yourself to leaving the Caribbean at this point. You can spend any amount of time there, girlfriend will find the sailing lifestyle much more amenable than in England. Decide later (certainly not before the next start of the next hurricane season) whether you are ready to move on. If girlfriend doesn't like sailing in the Caribbean she won't like it anywhere, but Plan B sounds pretty good too.
Keep it nice and easy for girlfriend this summer ... stick strictly to the Solent or similar sheltered waters, fair weather, maximise her enjoyment and don't overdo the 'training'. A hard open-water cross-channel slog at this point risks deterring her fatally.
With your budget and eventual grand plans, although s/h boats are cheaper in the Caribbean I'd aim more in the 36' - 38' bracket, get a really well-found boat and hold a fair amount of cash in reserve for doing it up. Don't commit this money until you've tried out the boat and found what needs replacing!
You say you are a YM? You do mean full qualification not just theory? If so you shouldn't need any more. If not, do the practical! For the girlfriend, once she's had a bit of practice a 'competent crew' course away from you at a reputable sailing school may well increase her motivation.
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Mattrosersv
new user
Reged: 17/05/2008
Posts: 2
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Thanks for the response.
Yes I did my YM practical about 5 years ago on a course with 3 month trip to Gib and back
Your suggestion on boat selection is fair, it will very much be a case of checking out what is available at the time. Getting a well found boat will take priority over size & cost, if I have to go over £50K by the time she is ready to go then so be it.
Have to say g/f is pretty easy going (well she has put up with me for the last 3 years) and I think will be OK with a basic life on a boat.... Neither of us are going into this totally blind so hopefully should not be too shocked. Sea sickness is my major worry for her.
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TigaWave
regular
Reged: 17/12/2004
Posts: 1638
Loc: Buckland Monachorum
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I found spending time with a friend of a friend who was a paramedic very usefull, he also helped in advice for extra first aid bits. Burn treatment things proving very useful, rope burns are pretty common.
My g/f (now ex) didn't enjoy the ocean bits as she felt ill most of the crossing going west and was scared for much of the crossing East, we had a few nights of hove to being knocked down so maybe not surprising.
But the way you are planning to start with the really nice bit might help! We left UK in November to cross Biscay.
Good luck, sounds like you're sorted...have a good trip.
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www.H4Marine.com
www.sailonline.org www.sailport.se
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TigaWave
regular
Reged: 17/12/2004
Posts: 1638
Loc: Buckland Monachorum
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On the fear thing, your knowledge of the strength of the boat is the thing to get across to her. In extreme situations she may not have that knowledge to reasure her. My g/f had sailed quite a bit but hadn't been out in much rough weather, I'd grown up racing cross channel in 1/2 tonners which we frequently pushed to breaking point.
Not trusting the boat meant she was not as happy shutting hatches and going below to have a cuppa and ride out some rough weather, and staying in the cockpit was not an option. At the time I don't think she believed a aword I said about the boat being capable of withstanding the storm.
Next time with new g/f I will make very sure we get out in some rough weather but can go somewhere sheltered. She's already experienced a J24 on its side in wild broaches with stantions under water so she's learning!
I hope this helps a little.
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www.H4Marine.com
www.sailonline.org www.sailport.se
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Captainslarty
regular
Reged: 12/08/2007
Posts: 2012
Loc: Currently La Coruna Spain
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Budget on the boat is an interesting thing.. if you are unsure how it will work out, then buy the ubiquetous but difficult to find - well founded boat - however, should you decide you like it - budget for the boat and to spend 50 to 100% of the purchace price making it your home to your standards and self sufficiency.
As for first aid.. the paramedic reference is good. I am an EX paramedic with 14 years in the 'trade' - most ambulance services offer first aid courses - FAR better than any 1 day rya course - avoid st johns like the plague.
If you can get a few together, ring your local ambulance service training department and tell them what you want - forget certificates - just advise them of your intentions and let them plan a course for you.
Buy - Ship Captains Medical guide too.
Also, agree on 'if it dont work out - ditch the bird lol)
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PM me for info re SSB's etc. Bought, sold, repaired, fitted and optimised.
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KellysEye
regular
Reged: 23/07/2006
Posts: 626
Loc: Trinidad
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>buy 38 to 42 ft yacht (probably in Carribbean).
There are many boats for sale out here and the very great majority have been sitting on the hard for a long time. People we have met who have bought out here not unusually spend three months refitting (with associated costs).
Ladies quite often like day sailing but few like ocean sailing. Make sure you do a 7 day trip across the Caribbean before you go through the canal. If you do go through and she doesn't like the trip to Galapagos the next trip is 3,000 odd miles.
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PhilipH
regular
Reged: 30/03/2005
Posts: 541
Loc: Northern Ireland
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This is very good for 2- day Sea Survival/ISAF Offshore safety - www.ceejaysurvival.co.uk
Suggest doing the First Aid certificate course and download Ship's Captain Medical Guide from MCGA website.
Rest sounds a good plan - enjoyable sailing for GF to start with is a must.
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Squeaky
regular
Reged: 25/03/2008
Posts: 19
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Good morning:
Noticed a couple of references to sea sickness. Back in the mid 70s two druggists discovered that Sturgeron works a treat - it was developed to treat inner ear problems. Take one pill 24 hours before departure, one 12 hours before and up to three every day for first few days. It is very slow acting and takes time to be effective. Useful even if forgotten prior to departure.
Have never had a sea sick person on my boat in nearly 30 years. It works magic with no reported side effects except one lady who said it made her sleepy but she was also inclined to be lazy when at sea.
Cheers
Squeaky
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