My day today

[solid]

I had a memorable day today, and for some reason, feel like sharing it..

I woke up early 6 am, I had a date planned for today as the weather looked to be great. Got stood up. Never heard from the gal, left a voice message but no response, guess that's one to write off the books..

So, thought I'd get something done, to take advantage of this fine weather. I'm working on the foredeck. Got the area all prepped, for painting, and need to tape off some of the area.

While working, I came across a neighbor of mine. He spent 12 years sailing. He sailed all throughout the south pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, the Marquesis, Tahiti...you name the place, this guy has been there. All by himself, no crew, singlehanded.

We spent about an hour talking in the sunshine. Enjoying the day. I picked his brain, for knowledge. He gave me the biggest compliment I've had in quite some time. I told him how I purchased my boat, how the previous owner put in over 8K in replacing all the rigging for the mast (damn close to half the price I paid for the boat). This ol' guy looked over my rig for me. He said, he hasn't seen a stronger rig for the sea, and I had one of the strongest masts he'd seen.

After enjoying that conversation, and his nice compliment. I set to work on painting the foredeck. As the sun starts to go down now, I've got a fresh coat of 2-part paint on an area, that used to look very weathered. Now, the light bounces off of it, with a fresh look. It's amazing what a little paint will do.

It hits me though, I've been working on this boat for a few years. Getting her ready. For the price I paid for her, most folks would have a modest car. Instead, I got a home, I got a door to the whole world opened up to me...and one big ass dream that I can make a reality.

Talking this ol' guy, about his adventures, has filled my world with possibilities, and thoughts, beyond that horizon.

[General of Darkness]

Road trip.

[Heimdhal]

He liked your big, strong, mast. A true sailor! :P :D

[palani]

There is still the devil to pay.

[solid]

Road trip.

Come on up. :) Love to have ya. I'll guarantee all the work in the sunshine you can stand, bring your ripped jeans, paint clothes, and perhaps my dancing bikini girl neighbor will be up on deck dancing, gettin' a tan. It's a million dollar view, and the local pub everyone knows your name. If we go there on a thursday, there's a pirate band, singing sea chanties that'll wake the sailor in anyone.

There's a grill on the taffrail, and all the beer you can drink onboard.

One of my neighbors told me today, living onboard, is like a permanent vacation. It really does. I'm on vacation, folks, permanently.

[BrewTech]

Come on up. :) Love to have ya. I'll guarantee all the work in the sunshine you can stand, bring your ripped jeans, paint clothes, and perhaps my dancing bikini girl neighbor will be up on deck dancing, gettin' a tan. It's a million dollar view, and the local pub everyone knows your name. If we go there on a thursday, there's a pirate band, singing sea chanties that'll wake the sailor in anyone.

There's a grill on the taffrail, and all the beer you can drink onboard.

One of my neighbors told me today, living onboard, is like a permanent vacation. It really does. I'm on vacation, folks, permanently.

I like beer... and working... :)

[big country]

Just curious, what does it cost you to keep the boat docked?

So for expenses you have the cost of the boat...16K ish basing it on your post...One time fee.
+ Docking fees
+ Boat Maintenance (B.O.A.T. = Break Out Anther Thousand) same cost as normal house maintenance I would imagine? so no difference? house vs boat wise. 4-5k/yr?
+ Registrations and licenses

What size is your boat too? Just curious. Any pictures? (This is sorta asking for pics of someones house...I understand if you don't wanna post) What is the make/model?
I love boats...and I'd REALLY love to learn to sail -- Maybe someone will teach me sometime. Living on a boat sounds like a great life. That is one life I could get on board with (pun intended).

[solid]

Big Country,

I found this boat stumbling upon her. I knew all the ratios, did my calculations on seaworthiness. I figured she was a tough boat. I did my own "half-ass survey", and put in an offer. The guy was asking 35K. My offer was 18K, and he laughed. After 2 months of back an forth moaning, I bought her for 20k.

I knew what I wanted, and knew what could be seaworthy, and she fit most of my requirements. She's just under 40 feet, bow to stern, and I'm glad I didn't go for a larger boat.

Since then, I've been living aboard and working on her.

It'll take a damn long post to answer the rest of your questions....

[Libertytree]

Hell yes bro!! I'm tickled you had a damn fine day. I wanna visit (go get lost) too! ASAP...? The world/this life is an oyster..go for it! and in the process spread a shit load of good will and have fun my friend!

If there wasn't any work to it it wouldn't be any fun!

[solid]

Hell yes bro!! I'm tickled you had a damn fine day. I wanna visit (go get lost) too! ASAP...? The world/this life is an oyster..go for it! and in the process spread a shit load of good will and have fun my friend!

If there wasn't any work to it it wouldn't be any fun!

LT, brother...you are a part of my boat. Remember that carving you did, gave me? It's permanent, onboard, and your friendship to me is permanent.

I'll keep working away on her. You have a second home here, if you wish, and one day she'll sail for that horizon without lookin' back. It would be an honor to have you aboard, that day.

[Heimdhal]

You still need to sail on over here man ;)

[big country]

I would be interested in reading that post when/if you get around to doing it.

[k-os]

Thanks for sharing, solid. I am glad you turned an unfortunate occasion into a great day!

[Twisted Titan]

http://youtu.be/UQeqmNbA2Hs

[willie pete]

http://youtu.be/UQeqmNbA2Hs

http://youtu.be/FPK_IV-J3Co

[mightymanx]

Hopefully never

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST6hVRj2A

[Cebu_4_2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfSLuEj99d0

[learn2swim]

It would of been even better if you got some poon too. :)

[sirgonzo420]

It would of been even better if you got some poon too. :)

Haha! Better luck next time!

The sea is his mistress!

[Libertytree]

LT, brother...you are a part of my boat. Remember that carving you did, gave me? It's permanent, onboard, and your friendship to me is permanent.

I'll keep working away on her. You have a second home here, if you wish, and one day she'll sail for that horizon without lookin' back. It would be an honor to have you aboard, that day.

Ya never know buddy! That would make for one helluva story...so don't be too surprised ;D Thanks Solid, you're words are too kind my friend. If you ever hear a dude outside hollerin' Capn'!! Capn'!! it'll be me!

[solid]

Ya never know buddy! That would make for one helluva story...so don't be too surprised ;D Thanks Solid, you're words are too kind my friend. If you ever hear a dude outside hollerin' Capn'!! Capn'!! it'll be me!

;D Sounds great...you never know what the future holds, that's what makes life so exciting.

Just do me a favor though, watch the movie Capn' Ron (if you haven't seen it already) While I intend to not make the mistakes he does, I do somewhat have his philosophy on sailing. I'll be navigating via dead reckoning and a compass...so if I take us to the wrong island, don't be upset. :)

[EE_]

;D Sounds great...you never know what the future holds, that's what makes life so exciting.

Just do me a favor though, watch the movie Capn' Ron (if you haven't seen it already) While I intend to not make the mistakes he does, I do somewhat have his philosophy on sailing. I'll be navigating via dead reckoning and a compass...so if I take us to the wrong island, don't be upset. :)

Upset? I don't think so
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2n5DnAcdS8E/ThX2DaQzpwI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/_IzM7j0rbfY/s1600/bikini+girls+picture.jpg

[Libertytree]

LMAO! Yeah, I'd be real upset.

Yep, seen ol' Capn' Ron and if that's how you sail then all the better!

[solid]

LMAO! Yeah, I'd be real upset.

Yep, seen ol' Capn' Ron and if that's how you sail then all the better!

;D Actually I wasn't giving myself enough credit. My nav skills are fairly decent. I was thrown to the wolves, learned a lot through trial and error. On a 3 week sail, I jumped onboard and we started sailing out into the great blue. About an hour in, I asked the captain (good friend)...."what's our course?" He said, "you tell me, you are doing the navigating."

So, I plotted our fix. Then, thought, well let's go to this point. Created a compass course. Every couple of hours I'd repeat that process and make compass adjustments. We made our destination every time.

When you are out there, you've really got to go with the flow. Conditions are always changing, currents, wind. You just can't get into the mindset of being at a certain place, at a certain time. We'll get there when we get there...and kick our feet up and enjoy the sail and the beauty around us.

[solid]

Just curious, what does it cost you to keep the boat docked?

So for expenses you have the cost of the boat...16K ish basing it on your post...One time fee.
+ Docking fees
+ Boat Maintenance (B.O.A.T. = Break Out Anther Thousand) same cost as normal house maintenance I would imagine? so no difference? house vs boat wise. 4-5k/yr?
+ Registrations and licenses


Regarding maintenance, the biggest expense is hauling the boat out of the water and painting the bottom. This has to be done every 3 years or so. I waited 4 years. The cost was $2200 for everything. Other than that, you have regular maintenance costs, engine repairs, replacing/mending sails, paint, rigging, etc. Lot's of little things, replacing lights, fixing leaks, etc.

I asked the guy I mentioned in the first post, about costs. He said sailing 12 years, he had a pension of $1100 a month. He ate out a lot, traveled around in the different countries, maintenance....everything, and he was still able to save a little bit of money each month. It's all about how you live. He said the biggest expense was actually alcohol.

My goal is to set sail with 10K for a whole year. Try to pick up odd jobs, boat maintenance for people, etc...to extend the trip. If I like a place, stay there and find some work if I can. Just be free.

[Libertytree]

I was thinkin.....need to buy a second, pull along boat for beer and of course the still :)

[solid]

I was thinkin.....need to buy a second, pull along boat for beer and of course the still :)

With the still LT, we could probably make a enough money to pay for a lot of the cruise. We'd be real popular with the other sailors. :) I've heard alcohol is really expensive some places.