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(no email)
Date: Tue Oct 04 2005 - 10:01:00 EDT
Esther,
I posed your question to my mate. He single-handed down to the Caribbean in
1998 - 2000. He suggested that you do what he did - try it out first by
crewing with someone else for awhile. He crewed for six months with a couple
that needed an additional crew person down in the Caribbean. The experience
convinced him that he wanted to go cruising on his own ... and he also
learned a lot about the kind of boat he wanted and the systems that he did
(and didn't) want aboard the boat.
When he bought his own boat, he had the practical experience with sailing in
varied conditions which helped him set up his boat for single-handing.
It is good that you say you feel comfortable with the mechanical side. The
challenge of keeping the boat running and fixing things that break can be
pretty overwhelming -- for both men and women. And it's not practical to
hire someone to fix the many things that require maintenance, especially
since problems often occur away from the dock and underway. With a basic
willingness (and a good supply of tools and spares), you CAN learn as you
go. Cruisers are always discussing boat maintenance and are always willing
to help you figure out the best solution to your problem.
It seems to me that most single-handers down here in the Caribbean would
prefer to have someone sailing with them - to share the experience with as
well as to make the traveling easier. But if they don't have someone that
they want to sail with, they don't let that stop them. It IS important that
you choose a boat that you can handle yourself. One woman I know down here
has found that her forty-foot plus boat is just too much for her to manage
alone. Some take crew from time to time. There are women and men
single-handers of all ages down here, so you can surely do it if you choose.
It's a great life!
If you do want to explore the option of crewing first (and I do think it's a
great idea), feel free to email me directly. I know a few men and women who
are looking for temporary or permanent crew from time to time, and can
perhaps connect you with someone that you might correspond with.
One more idea - consider attending the Seven Seas Cruising Association
Annual Party in Melbourne, Florida this November. It's an excellent
opportunity to meet other cruisers and learn about the cruising life. You
can make friends and contacts as well as attend lots of useful seminars on
cruising, preparation, maintenance, etc. Last year, there were several women
single-handers there - I know of at least one woman single-handing friend
who plans to attend this year. (We're attending too.) Where else can you
talk to about 1000 cruisers who are heading off to the Bahamas or the
Caribbean or who have flown back from the Med or French Polynesia! In any
given year, there are circumnavigators as well as people who are making
plans to buy a boat and go cruising. To find out about the Annual Party or
learn more about SSCA, go to their website: www.ssca.org you don't have to
be a member of SSCA to attend. It's open to all.
Fair winds,
Kathy Parsons
s/v Hale Kai
currently in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela
www.forcruisers.com
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