Next message: Judy Rouse: "[world-cruising] Preparation for cruising"
If you read books like "Cruising on a Small Income", "Sell up and Sail", "Safety Preparations for Sailing" - you will get the various flavours from different people's point of view. I have to say some are more radical than others but all usually explain their reason for doing things their way
For example: Annie Hall decided physically build their own yacht - out of cheap wood. Her ideas initially on toilets (heads) were a plastic bucket. Water was stored in Jerry Cans. However in other books you will find a philosophy of Buy 45ft Steel yacht, with good panelling for insulation.... Other people have cruised around on a 90ft converted barge !!
What I am trying to ineloquently say is that producing a list on cruising would like producing a list on how to pick a husband/wife/partner - Everyone has their own opinion, and personally I would take the time on reading from 3-5 various authors, and make up your own mind.
Trying to keep away from specific issues to start with like type of yacht, sail, equipment, why not try and define the following ?
Objective ? - World, USA Coastline, Caribbean, The Med, Asia, Auz/NZ, Pacific
The bigger the distance the more planning, money, equipment generally speaking you are going to require
Who with ? - Just me, the wife (partner etc), the family, will have kids on the way
Yes you, your partner, 3 kids and a dog could fit into a 28ft yacht - but would this be fun ?
What are the minimum safety items I need for the trip
Ideally 5m RIB, 24m Radar, SSB, AIS, 8 Man Ocean Liferaft, Survival Suits, EPRB, InmarSat
These costs serious money, and require deck space/power
What can we not do without ?
TV, A/C, Cold Beer, Ice Cubes, Hot water, Thanksgiving in the US, speaking to your friends, seeing kids
This very quickly will give you a "must have" equipment list.
Timescale ? - Now, Soon, One Day
If now.... then your financial options are more fixed - later means time to plan
Commitment - Full Time, Part time, I need to work as well
Are you going to just cruise ? Or Cruise for 4 months, work and then cruise some more ?
This may effect where you cruise to i.e. leaving your yacht. Maybe you can work/live on yacht at the same time.
Money - I've lots, I've little
This alas is probably the most important factor.
Sailing experience - Lots, Little, None , Will learn on the way !!!
Be cautious, build experience
Once you have the above as an idea - then looking for a yacht/craft will be made slightly easier
Best regards
Tim
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