liveaboard cruiser - a good place to learn?

[CharlesM]

Hi All

Plan is to move aboard for a year or so to start. If we like it then we will keep it going in some form or another. It's reaching for the dream so I dont end up old and bitter saying 'I nearly brought a boat once'.

Anyway, last year I had a fair amount of boating on a mates boat, and did the day skipper. This year only been out once so far... So much for the experience background. Now for the question.

Once buying the boat and moving aboard where is the best place to start. I was thinking the Med as most sails will initially be day sails, and my Love is into Greece, so that would be a good place for out initial 6 months or so. She has no experiance, and I have minimal.

What about the canaries? Would it make sence to buy a boat there, and then spend the first say 4 months learning over there?

Any feedback would be appreciated. Plan is April/May 2005. If we dont have the boat by then we will still go - cruise the med coast looking until we find one. Either way - it's gonna happen..

Charles

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[boatless]

Charles, I envy you.

You won't really have scratched the surface of Greece in 6 months. Great place to start.

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[Rob_Webb]

Have you on the Liveaboard forum too - probably better place?

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[Stingo]

The problem with the Canaries is that there is either no wind or 30knots - pretty much like some of the Med where I´ve heard (other forumites will be able to give better detail) it either blows like hell or there is no wind. IMHO, not a nice way to learn the ropes. The western coasts of France, Spain & Portugal are far more regular and therefore probably a better place to gain experience without having endless reefing and de-reefing exercises.

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[clouty]

Boats are cheap in the Caribbean - Google boats for sale Fort Lauderdale.I think I got Merrickyachtbrokers.com, something like that. Third world, much of the islands, but can't complain about the winds. Spring a bit late to start though - have to go soon, or next November.

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[CharlesM]

Found what looked like a great boat in the Carribean - a 37' Ferro Endurance. Unfortunately the boat was in Grenada and has been holed and dismasted... very sad as the owner was not insured. Now selling the boat for 25% of the original price, but I dont wanna deal with a trashed boat.

Will check the address you gave me though.

later
Charles



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[Sybarite]

Be careful of a foreign boat as there are a lot of hidden costs if you intend to bring it back to Europe. RCD compliance costs; VAT, Freight; duty?

I agree with Stingo.

John

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