Introduction or Where Fools Fear to Tread

[safewalrus]

Och Bergalia you get in some awfu' scrapes so you do, a ken it's no been the same since ye left the croft but swanning around (oops wrong side!) wi the likes of them loons wot is artistic! It'll be the death of them so it will! Stick to sailors talk and leave the pink rubbery bits where they belong!

Which of course has got absolutely nothing to do with the present thread and has got the retread scouser (poor wee man) running around in circles wondering what is going on!

As we used to say in the old days (as long as it wasn't my tot ) "sandy bottoms!"

[Bergalia]

Don't worry about young Wave2_2, Walrus... As long as he remembers 'East is least, West is best...' and not to take a cook's tour of the ship to see "the golden rivet..." (still thinking about my brush with the artistic set...)
But you're right. Never been the same since leaving the wee croft. Even less so since coming down under...Narry a kipper or Iceberg in sight. Nothing but sharks, salt-water crocodiles, poisonous octopuses, killer jelly fish, sea snakes, and sands covered in topless women, who on discovering I used to 'drive a boat' suggesting that if it's true what they say about sailors, they might be able to 'convert' me......

[yokebutt]

Whatever you do, keep the spinnaker on board, nothing's as good as a kite to sleep in when you're pissing drunk.

Yoke.

[safewalrus]

Yoke - yeah I get yer point but leave it in the bag for heaven's sake to thin else when the EEEEE man comes to town (whishkEy)

Bergalia mon, I presume the conversion job is some reference to the noble game of Rugby Football [now come on that's a wee bit tooooo complecated for a wee highland laddie to understand the noo!)

[Bergalia]

Originally Posted by safewalrus

Bergalia mon, I presume the conversion job is some reference to the noble game of Rugby Football [now come on that's a wee bit tooooo complecated for a wee highland laddie to understand the noo!)

Not sure Walrus... as the young lady was topless my hearing was somewhat impaired... But is there such a thing as a 'ruck' in rugby (I think that's what she said). But trust me during conversion it sounded much better in centimetres than inches.....

[JPC]

Wave2_2;

You are wise to hesitate -so long as it's thoughtfulness and not retreat(!). Like anything else, don't step so deep that you can't pull yourself back out with the assets you had before taking the step, but don't be discouraged. It sounds like you've got some great boating plans.

My 2-cents:

Lots of us live by the motto of "always race someone else's boat". The abbreviated explanation of this is that boats (properly run) are expensive, especially at the racing level. Within that prior sentence is the implication that a boat should be run, not just owned, and thus, a boat acquiror's attention should be on the operation of a boat, not just it's purchase. Going Yank, I think of the acronym "TCO" -total cost of ownership-; if you're looking at a boat purchase, I'd recommend checking on things like (i) cost of new main, 2 jibs, and a spinnaker, (ii) cost to haul and strip/repaint bottom, and (iii) slip/insurance fees. Add those up and consider them along with your boat cost figures.

There used to be advertisements about wedding rings (obviously from the diamond folks, so the ratios must be adjusted!) that said the ring should be "two month's salary" - a little similar with boats: if you can't afford to do a certain amount of maintenance per year, you're in the wrong boat.

None of this is meant as a discouragement; rather as a redirection of your dollar(pound)-attention: it's not about buying the boat; it's about using it, and my comments are encouraged by the hope that you'll find a boat that you'll be able to use and enjoy, and that is very acheivable.

Why not get something simple -easy to afford and easy to resell in 2 years- and just enjoy it? You might refine your ideas of the 'future boat' and both make that future boat better than it might be with today's ideas and be able to genuinely enjoy some sailing in the mean time.

On spinnakers- it all depends on your crew, experience and specific rig design. That said, I can't imagine not having several chutes.

Go simple - Go sailing.

-JPC

[Imajica99]

Wave2_2

Hi,

Just joined and caught your thread on buying a boat etc!

I have just bought a Folkboat, classic wooden design and no loo or galley. I have had to leave my cat ashore as sadly there is not enough room below to swing it! All that aside, it sails like a beauty and can be sailed single handed. There is still a fair bit of work to be done on her - but generally cosmetic, however I will be replacing some of the running rigging as well as removing and resealing all the windows (They leak quite a bit when beating to windward!)
I have some questions of my own that I will be posting - hopefully I will get some answers.

In the meantime, check out the following web site of a guy in USA who has spent the last few years doing up an old Folkboat. Fascinating reading and certainly opened my eyes a bit! http://www.morebutter.com/patience/

P.S. What's your budget? I paid £1,500 for my Folkboat. Since then I have spent approx £2,500 on equipment, mooring fees and various bits and pieces.

Check out ebay - sometimes worth a shot (but ensure you take a look before bidding/buying!)


Imajica99

[Theodora]

Tom, get a copy of Nigel Calder's "Cruising Handbook". It should answer most of your questions and set you on the right path.