Author Topic: Any sailors here?  (Read 16054 times)

rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Any sailors here?
« on: October 21, 2014, 12:05:19 PM »
I've been into sailing for over 20 years, and the sailing world is a bizarre combination of stupid rich people with more money than brains (say 80% of the cohort) and ultramoustachian folks with more freedom than money but an amazing lifestyle.

Globally, there is a large population of ocean wanderers who live cheaply on their boats, have minimal other costs, and wander the tropical spots of the world.  Here in North America, there are fewer of those people and more of the cash-hole boats that sit in the marina for 51 weeks/year not getting maintained.

20 years ago I lived on a boat on the West Coast of Vancouver island for a few years, and really enjoyed the lifestyle.  I never had any money, and certainly wasn't FI, but my costs were minimal and it was a blast.

10 years ago I spent a lot of time racing on other people's boats in Vancouver - which cost me absolutely nothing and was a total blast.  There are tons of people with expensive racing boats that are always desperate for crew in the many local races.  I could have raced 4 times/week in the summer, and every weekend in the winter.  Pure fun/terror/fun (especially in the high wind winter races).

We currently have a little (28 foot) boat that we've used as a cruiser for a few years (very cheap, but not cheap enough).  We are currently selling it as part of our final conversion to total moustachianism, but we still love the boat and sailing.  I no longer dream of wandering the high seas on my own little boat (one too many hurricanes more or less scared the bluewater right out of me) but I can definitely see a few years post FIRE where I wander the Mediterranean and/or Caribbean.

So does anyone else sail on here?  Does anyone aspire to it?

CowboyAndIndian

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1934
  • Location: NJ, USA
    • KOWines: Deep discount wine/spirits store.
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2014, 12:58:42 PM »

I spent a week in Antigua where I learned to sail a Hobie Cat (a small catamaran, nothing compared to OP's 28 footer) which got me hooked.

I am planning sailing lessons in when retire.

Tell us more about your plans to wandering the Caribbean/med.

prof61820

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 340
  • Location: Illinois
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2014, 01:06:45 PM »
20 years ago I lived on a boat on the West Coast of Vancouver island for a few years, and really enjoyed the lifestyle.  I never had any money, and certainly wasn't FI, but my costs were minimal and it was a blast.

We currently have a little (28 foot) boat that we've used as a cruiser for a few years (very cheap, but not cheap enough).  We are currently selling it as part of our final conversion to total moustachianism, but we still love the boat and sailing.  I no longer dream of wandering the high seas on my own little boat (one too many hurricanes more or less scared the bluewater right out of me) but I can definitely see a few years post FIRE where I wander the Mediterranean and/or Caribbean.

So does anyone else sail on here?  Does anyone aspire to it?

Are you Canadian (with free healthcare)?

Bateaux

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2318
  • Location: Port Vincent
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2014, 03:16:41 PM »
Looking forward to living aboard at least part of our retirement.   Won't be Mustacian really.  My dream is a 380 Lagoon Catamaran.   

cthoops

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 19
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2014, 04:14:07 PM »
We have had a Bristol 24 for two seasons and absolutely love it. The plan is to sell everything and go cruising full-time in ten years - not on the Bristol of course (although we would if we could) - but on something around 35 feet.

Can't get here soon enough!

tccoastguard

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 31
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2014, 08:12:38 PM »
Former sailor here. First in the coast guard (yes I know, it doesn't count) then owned a 30 ft. live aboard sailboat with (now ex) hubby (also a coastie)  for awhile with the plan to sail around the world once we both retired.  Divorced before that (he got the boat!) so it never happened but I have spent a fairly large amount of my life sailing on our boat or being "butt ballast" for others. One of my older "step" relatives was a big blue water sailor on his Hunter 44 (Wanderlust) and circumnavigate the globe solo a few times. He died on his sailboat while it was moored in Martinique a few years ago. Awesome life and very cool guy. Lots of stuff about him online. Here's some: http://wanderlust3.thesailingchannel.tv/ (check out the weblog)
ETA: He did all that while partially paralyzed from a hang gliding accident decades earlier.
It does too count dang it!  Cutterman pins mean something!

tccoastguard

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 31
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2014, 08:29:04 PM »
Former sailor here. First in the coast guard (yes I know, it doesn't count) then owned a 30 ft. live aboard sailboat with (now ex) hubby (also a coastie)  for awhile with the plan to sail around the world once we both retired.  Divorced before that (he got the boat!) so it never happened but I have spent a fairly large amount of my life sailing on our boat or being "butt ballast" for others. One of my older "step" relatives was a big blue water sailor on his Hunter 44 (Wanderlust) and circumnavigate the globe solo a few times. He died on his sailboat while it was moored in Martinique a few years ago. Awesome life and very cool guy. Lots of stuff about him online. Here's some: http://wanderlust3.thesailingchannel.tv/ (check out the weblog)
ETA: He did all that while partially paralyzed from a hang gliding accident decades earlier.
It does too count dang it!  Cutterman pins mean something!
Ha ha - It really does count - no cushy berthing and all day fishing and tans and margaritas on the aft deck at sundown :-)!
Yup, just sweepers sweepers, swim call and mid rats to break up the watch standing.

tccoastguard

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 31
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2014, 08:48:22 PM »
Former sailor here. First in the coast guard (yes I know, it doesn't count) then owned a 30 ft. live aboard sailboat with (now ex) hubby (also a coastie)  for awhile with the plan to sail around the world once we both retired.  Divorced before that (he got the boat!) so it never happened but I have spent a fairly large amount of my life sailing on our boat or being "butt ballast" for others. One of my older "step" relatives was a big blue water sailor on his Hunter 44 (Wanderlust) and circumnavigate the globe solo a few times. He died on his sailboat while it was moored in Martinique a few years ago. Awesome life and very cool guy. Lots of stuff about him online. Here's some: http://wanderlust3.thesailingchannel.tv/ (check out the weblog)
ETA: He did all that while partially paralyzed from a hang gliding accident decades earlier.
It does too count dang it!  Cutterman pins mean something!
Ha ha - It really does count - no cushy berthing and all day fishing and tans and margaritas on the aft deck at sundown :-)!
Yup, just sweepers sweepers, swim call and mid rats to break up the watch standing.
well if you were a snipe like me we found some good hidey holes so "work" was  always optional  :-)!
I was in radio so I never worked that hard to begin with. 

chouchouu

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 340
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2014, 10:02:47 PM »
I sailed in high school but haven't sailed more than a day or two for years. My sailing school was run by the Crusing Yacht Club Australia. Probably the ritziest in the southern hemisphere. The awesome thing was that the rich sailors are always looking for extra sailors to man their maxiyachts. If you're good you can even get paid for the pleasure of sailing one of the most beautiful harbours and coastlines in the world.

Not sure how it works elsewhere but a way to have all the pleasures without paying maintenance and berthing fees.

Alberto

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #9 on: October 21, 2014, 10:58:58 PM »
I got into sailing a couple of years ago and now regularly crew for a 12-meter class racing yacht that was built for the America's Cup in the 80s. As you say there are always a good amount of boat owners that have poured an ungodly amount of cash into boats, and that are desperate for crew. I have spent $1000 on gear and $1000 on sailing club memberships in the last two years, but I would be able to reduce that to roughly $0 if I would want to, it definitely can be an economical and exhilarating pastime.

I'm not considering yet buying a boat, as I don't think I could get my wife on board with the idea of living in one (pun intended). Also we are planning to have kids soon, and I don't think living on a boat and schooling can go easily together.

What I'm now thinking is how to monetize sailing. Training courses, sail repairing and boat restoration are some of the ideas. I'd appreciate any advice on how to make money of this.

rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2014, 11:59:45 PM »

Are you Canadian (with free healthcare)?

Yes, Canadian.  Health care isn't free, its paid for through a combination of taxes (less than most US state/fed combined) and monthly fees ($120/mo for our family of 4).  That said, it's a hell of a deal and I wouldn't give it up for anything.

rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2014, 12:28:48 AM »

Tell us more about your plans to wandering the Caribbean/med.

My plans are fairly vague on that point.  I love both of those seas, and will at some point spend a lot of time there.  I am not particularly interested in the mighty yacht world, but there are thousands of little $10-15K sailboats that will do the job and get you around there quite happily.  And with boats the costs go up exponentially with length (i.e a 30 foot boat costs about 10x what a 24 foot boat will cost to buy or maintain).

My first taste of the Caribbean was Martinique, I`d love to go back.

plantingourpennies

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 443
  • None.
    • Money, Kittens, Happiness
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2014, 07:48:09 AM »
Love this thread! Have been spending too much time lately on sailing blogs...

  And with boats the costs go up exponentially with length (i.e a 30 foot boat costs about 10x what a 24 foot boat will cost to buy or maintain).

I've heard this before, and it matches up really well with Minimalism/MMM/ERE, and what we see with homes. I'm a fan of the 28" triton (check this guy out! http://www.atomvoyages.com/ )...what kind of boat do you have Rocket?

bythesea

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2014, 12:33:11 PM »
My dream is to retire and sail around the world.  The closest I've gotten to that is a week sailing trip with some friends on their boat.  I loved it!  My husband likes the idea, so maybe it will happen.

johnhenry

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 342
  • Age: 44
  • Location: Midwest
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #14 on: October 22, 2014, 01:21:19 PM »
I've been into sailing for over 20 years, and the sailing world is a bizarre combination of stupid rich people with more money than brains (say 80% of the cohort) and ultramoustachian folks with more freedom than money but an amazing lifestyle.

Globally, there is a large population of ocean wanderers who live cheaply on their boats, have minimal other costs, and wander the tropical spots of the world.  Here in North America, there are fewer of those people and more of the cash-hole boats that sit in the marina for 51 weeks/year not getting maintained.

20 years ago I lived on a boat on the West Coast of Vancouver island for a few years, and really enjoyed the lifestyle.  I never had any money, and certainly wasn't FI, but my costs were minimal and it was a blast.

10 years ago I spent a lot of time racing on other people's boats in Vancouver - which cost me absolutely nothing and was a total blast.  There are tons of people with expensive racing boats that are always desperate for crew in the many local races.  I could have raced 4 times/week in the summer, and every weekend in the winter.  Pure fun/terror/fun (especially in the high wind winter races).

We currently have a little (28 foot) boat that we've used as a cruiser for a few years (very cheap, but not cheap enough).  We are currently selling it as part of our final conversion to total moustachianism, but we still love the boat and sailing.  I no longer dream of wandering the high seas on my own little boat (one too many hurricanes more or less scared the bluewater right out of me) but I can definitely see a few years post FIRE where I wander the Mediterranean and/or Caribbean.

So does anyone else sail on here?  Does anyone aspire to it?

My wife and I sail some, but don't own a boat.  Wife's parents are practical, frugal types.  They raised a family on 2 modest middle class incomes and recently retired in their mid-50s.  They bought an 1980-ish 38' sailboat several years ago.  They stayed on it nearly every weekend during the summer since they've owned it.  They've spent the last couple years getting it fully ready for an ocean trip to sea and they just made down the inland waterways to the Gulf coast.  They plan to visit the Bahamas and the Caribbean before they make it back to the states.  They want to enjoy this adventurous, physically taxing part of their retirement early on before they encounter health issues.... and then maybe a more traditional laid back retirement by the time they are of traditional retirement age.

Most of our sailing has been done with them on their boat, within an hour of where we live.  We have also rented boats with her parents for self-captained sailing excursions in the Virgin Islands, which offers world-class sailing.

My wife and I will continue to be piggyback sailors, borrowing their boat or sailing with them, as long as her parents maintain their boat and their interest in sailing.  We probably won't ever be passionate enough about it to own a boat ourselves..... but who knows.

Boats can be money pits, especially if they sit idle for 51 weeks a year as you mentioned.  But if you live on your boat.... that can be the complete opposite.

For those who do sail, or are intrigued by it.... there are forums where sailors and cruisers post ads for trips they plan to take where a crew member is needed, food and lodging are often provided.  If you are willing to work, and especially if you know how to sail, you can have some grand adventures on a tiny budget!!  I have 2 kids, so this probably isn't in the cards for me..... but I often wish I'd gotten linked in with the sailing community before I was tied down.  This may be a great option for some young, adventurous mustachians during an off year.  You can see the world while your only reported income is your TIRA to Roth conversion!

Glad to see another sailing enthusiast on the forum and someone who recognizes that the sailing lifestyle doesn't have to be anti-mustachian.... though it often is.

« Last Edit: October 22, 2014, 01:27:34 PM by johnhenry »

SailAway

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 101
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #15 on: October 22, 2014, 03:53:19 PM »
Oh! My husband and I just bought a dinghy and are learning to sail on the reservoir by the house. I grew up in Michigan and always wanted to sail. Our ER plan actually involves us selling the house, buying a sailboat and cruising/livingaboard/circumnavigating for ~10 years. In the short term it seems anti-mustacian - eventually we'll be buying a bigger boat and a truck to pull it - but in the long term I think living on the boat can be pretty frugal.

CU Tiger

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 462
  • Location: Mid-Atlantic USA
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #16 on: October 22, 2014, 07:32:20 PM »
My husband sails. He is a water instructor and for that he gets hours in the boats. We spend about $200 per year on his club dues. He really enjoys it and maybe one day we will do some sailing vacations!

rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #17 on: October 22, 2014, 11:14:30 PM »
What kind of boat do you have Rocket?

Our current boat is a 1977 Crown 28.  Crown was a company based in North Vancouver that went under about 30 years ago (most small sailboat makers went bankrupt in the early 80s), but they built wonderful little West Coast cruisers.  I've had ours in some very rough weather and never worried about the boat at all.  Myself, yes, but not the boat.

It's going to break my heart to sell it.  Our marina is 1 block from our house.  But the work/kids/savings/time/business conflict is too much, and something has to give. 


rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #18 on: October 22, 2014, 11:20:20 PM »
My dream is to retire and sail around the world.  The closest I've gotten to that is a week sailing trip with some friends on their boat.  I loved it!  My husband likes the idea, so maybe it will happen.

It certainly can be done, and as I said above there are a lot of people doing it.  You can find tons of books written by people who've sold everything and sailed away for a year or several. 

If you don't want to take on the cost, as someone else said there are plenty of forums where people are taking on crew for all or part of a voyage.  You put yourself in someone else's hands there - skill and personality wise, but often enough it is a truly fantastic way to see the world at relatively low cost.

My first sailing trip was during a backpacking trip in Europe.  I was on my way to Morocco when I spent an evening in a pub in Gibraltar.  The fellow sitting next to me said he was sailing to the Caribbean the next day, and would I like to come?  2 months of tropical sailing turned this Prairie kid into a sailor for life.

Doubleh

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 288
  • Location: London
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2014, 12:42:14 AM »
I guess I've done a bit of sailing, just sold my sailboat in fact and it nearly broke my heart but right now I'm living in the big city to build the stache while kid(s) are young so we compromised on a canal boat for the meantime. Sailing is definitely in our future as the kid(s) get a little older - that's basically how I ended up here as my goal is to have time to sail.

We only bought a boat so we could live on it and as we planned to cruise long distance. For any other type of sailing you're almost certainly much better off not owning. Even if you pay to hire a boat when you use it, here in the UK I can get a weekend hire for what I would pay for a month's mooring so you can hire one a month and still come out way ahead when you account for fuel, maintenance, and opportunity cost of capital. Or you can get a week in the Mediterranean for the cost of a couple of weekends in the UK.

Some of the ways I've sailed for free include: crewing on Saturday morning club races (how I got into it and a great way to start), watch keeping on overnight cross channel races, volunteering for a charity taking under-privileged teens sailing on a 70' boat (most rewarding experience), helping to deliver a 70' round the world race boat back to its home mooring, and crewing for a friend crossing the Atlantic on his boat. In short most boats need more people to sail than to pay the bills, take advantage of this.

That said people who sail long term are usually pretty mustacian; in part from necessity, in part because a sailing really teaches you what you don't need. Plus you are completely self reliant in the middle of an ocean which really is the ultimate in insourcing and badassity - for example on the Atlantic we broke a drive belt we didn't have a spare for, we had no choice but to make a replacement from what we had on board. It certainly breeds resourcefulness! See here for our efforts http://yachtadina.co.uk/?p=818

Classic books about frugal, long term sailing to start with are voyaging on a small income and anything by the pardeys eg cost conscious cruiser. And having kids is no bar, plenty of people sail with them and they always seem to turn out confident, resourceful and determined!

Shortbus

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2014, 08:13:50 AM »
I've been a powerboater most of my life but sailing has always interested me. Now that we're surrounded by water it's something I'll probably take up in the near future. I've had my eye on the little Potter 15 for a few years now but maybe even something like a Sunfish to start. Just something to cruise around the islands down here.

Luke Warm

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 799
  • Location: Ain't no time to wonder why
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2014, 10:20:58 AM »
back in the late 90's my girlfriend and i bought a used prindle 19 catamaran and learned to sail on that. what a blast. fast and exciting and cheap. however somewhere in there we got old and crawling back and forth under the boom got less and less comfortable. i wanted to upgrade to a corsair trimaran but that's serious money. a few weeks ago i saw a guy out on a small monohull just tacking back and forth in the local waterway and that sparked my interest again. i've been doing some rowing in the evening and there's been another small monohull out doing sunset cruises, drinking wine and cheering us on as we toil and flail across the water.

Boz86

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 117
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2014, 08:24:35 AM »
We have a Hunter 31 that I do all the maintenance/repair except stepping the mast. It's more of a day sailor right now but we plan to move it (and us) to Florida soon and then the plan is to start making little trips.

dude

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2369
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #23 on: October 24, 2014, 08:43:26 AM »
I've been into sailing for over 20 years, and the sailing world is a bizarre combination of stupid rich people with more money than brains (say 80% of the cohort) and ultramoustachian folks with more freedom than money but an amazing lifestyle.

Globally, there is a large population of ocean wanderers who live cheaply on their boats, have minimal other costs, and wander the tropical spots of the world.  Here in North America, there are fewer of those people and more of the cash-hole boats that sit in the marina for 51 weeks/year not getting maintained.

20 years ago I lived on a boat on the West Coast of Vancouver island for a few years, and really enjoyed the lifestyle.  I never had any money, and certainly wasn't FI, but my costs were minimal and it was a blast.

10 years ago I spent a lot of time racing on other people's boats in Vancouver - which cost me absolutely nothing and was a total blast.  There are tons of people with expensive racing boats that are always desperate for crew in the many local races.  I could have raced 4 times/week in the summer, and every weekend in the winter.  Pure fun/terror/fun (especially in the high wind winter races).

We currently have a little (28 foot) boat that we've used as a cruiser for a few years (very cheap, but not cheap enough).  We are currently selling it as part of our final conversion to total moustachianism, but we still love the boat and sailing.  I no longer dream of wandering the high seas on my own little boat (one too many hurricanes more or less scared the bluewater right out of me) but I can definitely see a few years post FIRE where I wander the Mediterranean and/or Caribbean.

So does anyone else sail on here?  Does anyone aspire to it?

I have two friends whose dream is to circumnavigate the globe in their boat.  They've been working for years to take the plunge, while raising their daughter.  This summer, they sold the house, quit their jobs, and took their 14-year old daughter out of school to sail the Pacific coast from Seattle down to Mexico and beyond for the next three years.  They are maintaining a blog/FB page of their travels.  I am so envious of them!!!

Cinder

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 468
  • Location: Central PA
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #24 on: October 24, 2014, 11:44:49 AM »
It depends what you mean by 'sailor'.  I've volunteered on the Karlmar Nyckel ( http://kalmarnyckel.org/ ) and the East Indiaman Gothenburg ( http://www.soic.de/ ).  There are lots of people who live very inexpensive lives, having board and bread covered volunteering or earning some sort of wage on various ships.  They see the world, and are pretty much living the dream. 

backyardfeast

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 867
  • Location: Vancouver Island, BC
    • My journal
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #25 on: October 24, 2014, 01:21:23 PM »
Hi rocket pj from another BC Coaster!  Aahh sailing.  You've covered so many truths here: the split between the possible dirt-cheap freedom lifestyle and the ultra-rich toy world, as well as "But the work/kids/savings/time/business conflict is too much, and something has to give".  And the exponential cost increase of bigger boats. Sigh.

We started in an Alberg 23, one of the cutest, solidest, most fun little boats ever.  We bought it for $6500 and it cost us about $200/mo for moorage.  It was a blast.  Sailing is my husband's ulitimate passion in life, and he is still pinching himself that he gets to be a sailor at this time in his life (he was 45 or so when the dream came true after MANY years of us dreaming).

A couple of years ago, we had an opportunity to scale up to an Alberg 30 in GREAT shape for $7500 as part of an estate sale from a family we knew.  Standing headroom!  A toilet! A galley!  A dodger!  Heaven.  We sold our smaller boat to a friend in a flat market for $5500, and then needed to do some work on the new boat...Now, between moorage and maintenance, we probably spend $550 a month.  On something totally superfluous.  The hard core mustachian in me cringes regularly; it's not like we're anywhere near FI.

And the time crunch is tough too, sometimes.  We are doing the homestead thing, and the pull in good weather between sailing and the garden/house is definitely a source of tension. Especially because we have clown commutes and our time available is pretty limited.

On the other hand, my DH would rather sell the house than the boat.  The boat is his passion, his community, his destress hobby, our cheap "escape pod" (if the SHTF we could live aboard in reasonable comfort), and very cheap regular vacations short and long.  It adds a lot to our lives and it would take a lot to walk away.

So...we just use it as much as we possibly can, and we live with the very imperfect balance between costs, plans for the future, work-life balance, and finding joy.

And then we regularly pinch ourselves for all our first-world problems! :)  Life on Vancouver Island is awesome. ;0


YK-Phil

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1173
  • Location: Nayarit (Mexico)
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #26 on: October 24, 2014, 01:59:28 PM »
My daughter and her boyfriend live aboard their old Catalina 36, currently off Nanaimo, with their two dogs. Like most live-aboard folks, they are extremely frugal, very hands-on and resourceful, and can fix almost anything that can go wrong on a sailboat, which is pretty much every day. They live quite cheaply, part on their savings but mostly from money earned doing odd jobs around the marinas. Live-aboard folks are very interesting people, even those who rarely venture out at sea. The kids will probably sail south or west sometime next spring after they gear the boat for blue water sailing, with no precise destination in mind at this time, and I plan to meet up with them as soon as I get my hands on a cheap ($7-$12K) sailboat of my own, probably a Albin Vega 27.

Jon_Snow

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4458
  • Location: An Island in the Salish Sea (or Baja)
  • I am no man’s chair.
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #27 on: October 24, 2014, 02:28:29 PM »
I've been paddling (sea kayaking) all over the B.C. south coast for over 20 years. Mostly the Gulf Islands, but a fair bit on the west and west coasts of Vancouver Island. To me, there is nothing more noble and fulfilling than propelling yourself with your own muscle and sinew. I don't think any sort of marine transport method will ever make me as happy...

With that said, however, in my paddling travels I have met countless sailors anchored in secluded little bays, or in big marinas - and almost without exception these folks are wonderful, full of stories about their sailing exploits. Some have taken pity on me as I have set up my meagre little campsite and invited me out to their boats anchored off shore, offered me good food, wine, and yes, lots of sailing stories. Hard to explain, but even if they aren't kayakers, they are MY PEOPLE. I have always sniffed in disdain at the power boat people (few things more anti-Mustachian) - but SAILING... I GET IT.

A sailboat, and the development of skills to use one, are definitely on my ER "to do" list.

Ykphil, 27ft seems like the sweet spot for me as well in terms of boat size. A quick scan of the ol' interwebs shows that used sailboats are fairly cheap... or it seems so to me.
« Last Edit: October 24, 2014, 02:31:23 PM by Jon_Snow »

alice76

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #28 on: October 24, 2014, 06:11:20 PM »
My husband has become a talented amateur bowman and crews for free on a Beneteau and sometimes J boats or classic America's Cup yachts. Honesty, there are several boat owners who struggle to get a full crew for their boats, and their are online message boards (threads on Sailing Anarchy?) looking for crew in various locations. I usually buy my husband sailing gear for his birthday, which totals about $150 a year for a great hobby. Plus, he gets tons of free drinks and food at amazing clubs! No need to join.

RetiredAt63

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 20742
  • Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #29 on: October 25, 2014, 07:28:29 AM »
I used to sail a Laser.  It is definitely a day sailer, but wow the excitement.  Huge sail surface area for the size of the boat (and an Olympic boat too).  Jon, on a small boat you are definitely doing the "own muscle and sinew" thing - your arm and back muscles are definitely working, and the body core is engaged if there is any kind of wind.  Nothing like whipping along, watching the wind direction and your sail and keeping the boat fairly level and knowing it is all the interaction between you and the boat and the wind and the water.  Sort of like skiing, the interaction between you and the skis and the hill.

I've been paddling (sea kayaking) all over the B.C. south coast for over 20 years. Mostly the Gulf Islands, but a fair bit on the west and west coasts of Vancouver Island. To me, there is nothing more noble and fulfilling than propelling yourself with your own muscle and sinew. I don't think any sort of marine transport method will ever make me as happy...


Roland of Gilead

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2454
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #30 on: October 25, 2014, 07:44:01 AM »
We sail a little 17 foot Montgomery right now but eventually plan to sail around the world in a blue water vessel (not purchased yet).  There is a guy who sailed a Montgomery 17 to Hawaii though (probably was single LOL).

Here we are in the Puget Sound (San Juan) on a light air day playing frogger with cargo ships:




prof61820

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 340
  • Location: Illinois
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #31 on: October 25, 2014, 07:48:09 AM »

Are you Canadian (with free healthcare)?

Yes, Canadian.  Health care isn't free, its paid for through a combination of taxes (less than most US state/fed combined) and monthly fees ($120/mo for our family of 4).  That said, it's a hell of a deal and I wouldn't give it up for anything.

I am envious...your system must help with living this fun lifestyle.  I would love to explore this but my wife would likely object.  Where are the best spots in the US of A?  How is Key West?

rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #32 on: October 25, 2014, 09:20:45 PM »
My daughter and her boyfriend live aboard their old Catalina 36, currently off Nanaimo, with their two dogs. Like most live-aboard folks, they are extremely frugal, very hands-on and resourceful, and can fix almost anything that can go wrong on a sailboat, which is pretty much every day. They live quite cheaply, part on their savings but mostly from money earned doing odd jobs around the marinas. Live-aboard folks are very interesting people, even those who rarely venture out at sea. The kids will probably sail south or west sometime next spring after they gear the boat for blue water sailing, with no precise destination in mind at this time, and I plan to meet up with them as soon as I get my hands on a cheap ($7-$12K) sailboat of my own, probably a Albin Vega 27.

Got a seaworthy Crown 28 I'll sell you for less than that.  Seriously.  Comes with moorage in Gibsons.

rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #33 on: October 25, 2014, 09:23:30 PM »

Ykphil, 27ft seems like the sweet spot for me as well in terms of boat size. A quick scan of the ol' interwebs shows that used sailboats are fairly cheap... or it seems so to me.

Used sailboats that are <30 feet are very cheap.  But you need to be extremely vigilant with your inspection of the boat.  I have seen an immense range of quality, seaworthiness and maintenance levels at the same approximate price point (all the way up the scale too - just because it is $100K doesn't mean it is well maintained).


rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #34 on: October 25, 2014, 09:26:53 PM »
I used to sail a Laser.  It is definitely a day sailer, but wow the excitement.  Huge sail surface area for the size of the boat (and an Olympic boat too).  Jon, on a small boat you are definitely doing the "own muscle and sinew" thing - your arm and back muscles are definitely working, and the body core is engaged if there is any kind of wind. 

Dinghy sailing is a blast.  It is the only sport in the world where you can get a terrifying speed rush while screaming along at 6 mph.

A friend and I used to sail his little 16 (I want to say Fireball but can't remember the exact make) all over Vancouver harbour in all weather.  There is nothing quite so thrilling at being hiked right out, parallel to the water and catching air off large waves, with the wind in your hair and the water on your face.  I miss it.

RetiredAt63

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 20742
  • Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #35 on: October 26, 2014, 05:17:17 AM »
Exactly! 

I used to sail a Laser.  It is definitely a day sailer, but wow the excitement.  Huge sail surface area for the size of the boat (and an Olympic boat too).  Jon, on a small boat you are definitely doing the "own muscle and sinew" thing - your arm and back muscles are definitely working, and the body core is engaged if there is any kind of wind. 

Dinghy sailing is a blast.  It is the only sport in the world where you can get a terrifying speed rush while screaming along at 6 mph.

A friend and I used to sail his little 16 (I want to say Fireball but can't remember the exact make) all over Vancouver harbour in all weather.  There is nothing quite so thrilling at being hiked right out, parallel to the water and catching air off large waves, with the wind in your hair and the water on your face.  I miss it.

amha

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 89
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #36 on: October 26, 2014, 03:47:12 PM »
If you're a Mustachian into sailing, you NEED to watch this (very DIY) documentary about (very DIY) cruising:

The first few minutes are a little slow, but stay put---it's fantastic, I promise! And really inspiring.

YK-Phil

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1173
  • Location: Nayarit (Mexico)
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #37 on: October 27, 2014, 08:52:05 AM »
My daughter and her boyfriend live aboard their old Catalina 36, currently off Nanaimo, with their two dogs. Like most live-aboard folks, they are extremely frugal, very hands-on and resourceful, and can fix almost anything that can go wrong on a sailboat, which is pretty much every day. They live quite cheaply, part on their savings but mostly from money earned doing odd jobs around the marinas. Live-aboard folks are very interesting people, even those who rarely venture out at sea. The kids will probably sail south or west sometime next spring after they gear the boat for blue water sailing, with no precise destination in mind at this time, and I plan to meet up with them as soon as I get my hands on a cheap ($7-$12K) sailboat of my own, probably a Albin Vega 27.

Got a seaworthy Crown 28 I'll sell you for less than that.  Seriously.  Comes with moorage in Gibsons.

I checked vacant land in Gidsons, really nice area for sailing. I might look you up next spring and check out your Crown. Right now I am stuck in Yellowknife, watching the Great Slave Lake slowly freezing up.

HawkeyeNFO

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 347
  • Location: Moose Scrotum, Alberta
  • Retired at 44.....back to work at 45
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #38 on: October 27, 2014, 09:38:17 AM »
I like boats.  I like to land and take off from them, and I like to be able to eat and sleep in them.  Other than that..........

rocksinmyhead

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1489
  • Location: Oklahoma
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #39 on: October 27, 2014, 09:46:46 AM »
So many cool ideas and stories!!! I'm a really non-hardcore lake/day sailor. learned to sail racing 420s in college and now I have a 1979 Tangerine 18 that I am teaching my boyfriend to sail on :) Right now it lives in an empty lot next to our house, but we only got it out a few times this year which bums me out, so I am thinking now that my debts are paid off I'm gonna spring for the anti-Mustachian expense of a slip next year. The boat ramp we launch off of anyway is right next to a marina with a sailing club (the non-fancy kind) and it's less than 30 minutes from our house, which is nice. Anyway we purposely bought a boat that we COULD camp on (it's gonna be cozy!) so hopefully we will try that next year!!

johnhenry

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 342
  • Age: 44
  • Location: Midwest
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #40 on: October 27, 2014, 03:02:14 PM »
So many cool ideas and stories!!! I'm a really non-hardcore lake/day sailor. learned to sail racing 420s in college and now I have a 1979 Tangerine 18 that I am teaching my boyfriend to sail on :) Right now it lives in an empty lot next to our house, but we only got it out a few times this year which bums me out, so I am thinking now that my debts are paid off I'm gonna spring for the anti-Mustachian expense of a slip next year. The boat ramp we launch off of anyway is right next to a marina with a sailing club (the non-fancy kind) and it's less than 30 minutes from our house, which is nice. Anyway we purposely bought a boat that we COULD camp on (it's gonna be cozy!) so hopefully we will try that next year!!

I'm from the midwest, where owners of smaller sailboats often leave them stored at home to avoid the slip fees.  I've known more than one boat owner to gradually take up "yard sailing".  Instead of hauling the boat to water, they'd just climb aboard and drink beer/cocktails while the boat stayed in the yard. 

rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #41 on: October 27, 2014, 05:22:14 PM »
I don't know if I'd agree with that as I had a 26 ft MacGregor and then went to a 30 ft and it didn't cost much more to buy that then what the 26 ft sold for (maybe $2,000 - one $12K and the other $14K), and only increased the slip cost about $50/month. The maintenance costs were the same to0. So I think this is one of those YMMV situations and not a given. I just can't see how a 10-fold increase in cost comes with owning a boat a few feet bigger unless the boat is a vastly more expensive one. Or maybe your marina slip fees increase by a huge amount per foot or you trailer it and don't have slip fees.
[/quote]

Obviously there will be some variation in that statement.  MacGregor's are also a funny side-type of boat (certainly the 26 is) so I'm not sure how much it fits the assertion.  That said, the bigger your boat the heavier the lines need to be, the bigger the engine, the more materials to be maintained, the bigger the sails etc etc etc.  It is most definitely not a linear progression in cost (i.e. a 33 is not 10% more expensive than a 30 to maintain).

Roland of Gilead

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2454
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #42 on: October 27, 2014, 07:50:02 PM »
Obviously there will be some variation in that statement.  MacGregor's are also a funny side-type of boat (certainly the 26 is) so I'm not sure how much it fits the assertion.  That said, the bigger your boat the heavier the lines need to be, the bigger the engine, the more materials to be maintained, the bigger the sails etc etc etc.  It is most definitely not a linear progression in cost (i.e. a 33 is not 10% more expensive than a 30 to maintain).

Well, most likely a 33 is way more than 10% larger than a 30.   Don't go by a single dimension length, but by displacement.  A 33 might have 30% to 40% more displacement and cargo capacity than a 30.

Abe

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2647
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #43 on: October 27, 2014, 08:24:50 PM »
I have a friend with a boat, so no need for my own right now! Eventually interested in getting a 30-35 foot for sailing in the Intercoastal waterway and off the coast of NC. Anyone have recommendations for the types of boats to consider? I see a fair number of Hunters, but don't know if that's because of availability or if they are especially suited for that type of sailing. Here on Lake michigan they are great.

rocksinmyhead

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1489
  • Location: Oklahoma
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #44 on: October 28, 2014, 06:59:32 AM »
So many cool ideas and stories!!! I'm a really non-hardcore lake/day sailor. learned to sail racing 420s in college and now I have a 1979 Tangerine 18 that I am teaching my boyfriend to sail on :) Right now it lives in an empty lot next to our house, but we only got it out a few times this year which bums me out, so I am thinking now that my debts are paid off I'm gonna spring for the anti-Mustachian expense of a slip next year. The boat ramp we launch off of anyway is right next to a marina with a sailing club (the non-fancy kind) and it's less than 30 minutes from our house, which is nice. Anyway we purposely bought a boat that we COULD camp on (it's gonna be cozy!) so hopefully we will try that next year!!

I'm from the midwest, where owners of smaller sailboats often leave them stored at home to avoid the slip fees.  I've known more than one boat owner to gradually take up "yard sailing".  Instead of hauling the boat to water, they'd just climb aboard and drink beer/cocktails while the boat stayed in the yard.

Haha, I have some friends who keep suggesting that...

rocketpj

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 964
Re: Any sailors here?
« Reply #45 on: October 28, 2014, 09:44:34 AM »
Well, most likely a 33 is way more than 10% larger than a 30.   Don't go by a single dimension length, but by displacement.  A 33 might have 30% to 40% more displacement and cargo capacity than a 30.

Displacement is probably a better measure or relative cost, though quality of materials would be another factor (i.e. gas vs. diesel engine).  I generally just stick to the 'bigger is more expensive' rule of thumb and shy away from bigger boats (though I covet them mightily at times).

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!