Post #331005 by gonzo on Fri, Sep 7, 2007 1:25 PM

As a veteran of some sailing ventures I can say that cruising is not an easy thing. Its down right exhausting. Between long stints at the tiller, sunburns, seasickness, all nighters, maintenance, sheer terror, and a good chance of getting killed, I would do it all over again.

I dreamed about it all the way through frigid high school in Toledo Ohio. I bought a 18 foot Cape Dory Typhoon that had a tree growing in it for $1500 as a junior. I sailed it in Lake Erie for two seasons. After graduating in 1980 and working up $500 I hitched it up to my little Toyota truck in January and trailered it down to Key Largo. I solo sailed the Caribbean for 6 weeks. I got as far Georgetown before turning back.

Im lucky to be alive after that. I really should have had more sense then I did. I mean the basics like check the weather forecast was beyond me at the time. Alone in the Gulf Stream at 3AM with 40 knots is no fun.

Go for it. The Bahammas in the winter are a much easier place to cut your teeth on this though. I see Cape Dory's listed in Miami all the time ( you wont go wrong with one of these) get a 25 or a 28 but if your made of steel go for the 18.

Ive done more sailing since with more money and better equipment but nothing measures up in my memeories as that solo sail at 18 years. Still dreaming the same dream 30 years later with three kids

You guys have me thinking again maybe soon ...

Thanks guys