Jage north's Comments

Darn limits on characters . . .

You see the thing about skiing is that you may just need a little more practice ;-) but I can see the conflict especially if you're living in warmer climates where the sailing season is longer. In my case I had an advantage since my mom started me when I was 4 and I've never looked back. Sailing came a bit later in life and became a great compliment to my winter addiction. Or maybe it's my Scandinavian heritage.

I'm a believer in longer is faster and safer so I lean towards the 40 something size. At first it feels like a lot of boat but properly rigged is easily handled. Bob Perry and Steve Dashew are big influences in that area. I've cruised and raced my 36ft boat by myself and aside from setting it up for solo, anticipation is the next important element, leaving a bit more time to do things and planning out your moves. One thing I've also learned is that a big boat isn't necessarily a maintenance headache---it's the systems that are, so keeping them simple and not loading up on things you can live without is the key. A manageable sail plan can be the hardest thing to work out but in general the less stuff to fix and buy parts for, more time you can enjoy what you're doing. One big issue are the electrical systems on American boats brought to Europe. It might be better to buy on in Europe to avoid the issue all together. I once looked into doing it the other way and it was more trouble tan it was worth.

Anyway, there are a lot of Endeavour 42s out there being cruised by a couple. Not that I'm a proponent of the E42 but it's an example. A J-Boat isn't what I'd like to cruise in either and agree on the construction. They are a tad expensive really more for coastal work. Passport, Gulfstar, and if you look Hylas can represent good values (ie: under $130k) and would be where I would start my research. Sceptre, Valiant, Tayana are great but a bit pricey. A deck salon if it's well designed and laid out for cruising.

To the dream!

Hi Jage,

Not problem at all---I know the feeling, really! I work at a computer all day long and fully realize what a distraction it can be especially with the all the sailing related stuff I do.

While I've been racing for the past 12 years or so I still have my foot firmly planted on both sides of the fence. I've had the C&C110 now for 3 full summers and do both on it. I take the boys and friends out for Wednesday night beer can racing (breaks up the week very nicely) and will race on a friends boat on the weekend while trying to squeeze in cruising. Have to do that since I run the Cruising Fleet at the yacht club ;-) I wear too many hats sometimes and plan on lightening that load in the near future but it's a lot of fun helping others gain confidence in their sailing skills. IN a couple of weeks I'm holding a single hand sailing seminar spanning everything from crossing Lake Michigan and night sailing to doing blue water trips. Should have a great turnout from what I've been hearing.

The images a pbase.com were shout by a photographer that was photographing the entire regatta. The owner of Halloween flew to the states last summer and did the Chicago-Mac Race with us---thus the invite ;-) Gotta love the the sailing community!

The Grand Canyon images are from the second trip I made there and would go back in a heart beat. It's such an extraordinary place: the scenery and the hiking are just great. I had a hard time concentrating on the hike part because I wanted to keep looking around at the changing landscape, lighting, and weather. I'm not sure how old your daughter is but there is a little known program where you can sign up to explore the canyon with any number of scientists and researchers. For instance if you're interested in geology, you can go with a geologist, help him/her with their research and rap[ell down the canyon walls. Or maybe you're into studying wolves, etc. I've always thought the rafting trip is a bucket list trip.

More...

Hi Jage,

The Med is nice. I haven't sailed there much but I did spend the summer wandering around the countries that boarder the Med and Aegean Sea. I didn't get to Portugal or Spain and it's islands so that would be near the top of the list. I have an invite to cruise Southern Turkey from an Endeavour owner who sailed his E33 from the East coast to Israel and spends June cruising Turkey with his family. A 33 may be a tad small but a long 30 or short 40 for two could be a good live aboard and make the trip comfortably.

I do the racing mostly for the social part. I've been racing on this boat for 12 years and it's more of a family like feeling since everyone has been together for so long. While we're competitive, we never take it too seriously. The other thing is that it really hones our sailing skills since you learn so much from others. We all bring our own talents.

I own a C&C110 which is a crossover boat. It has a bit of speed and comfortable for cruising several weeks at a time. It's rigged for single handing and I do 90% of my own maintenance. I haven't done any blue water sailing/cruising but I've been sailing big boats (32ft or larger) for 23 years, have done many Chicago-Mackinaw Island Races which are just over 300 miles. This September I'm doing the Regatta Royals in southern France on a 1926 82ft Fife designed boat (friend of the owner I race with). Here are pics from last year: http://www.pbase.com/image/117950873

Some of my friends do delivery and are tempting me to try the Caribbean 1500. However if I spend time on a boat it will be leisurely and in a warmer climate. But it's not all boating and I love being outdoors and experiencing different cultures.

Congrats on being the first female to do the Marion/Bermuda but sorry to hear about the "club." That's really unfortunate and where I come from is something to be recognized and celebrated. What boat did you do the race on?

Any prefs on a boat for crossing the Atlantic and cruising the med?

Hi Jage,
They decided the stones were too large and too hard to break, so I have been referred to Gainsville for through the back surgery to remove the stones. I am once again waiting for an appointment to schedule yet another surgery date. Mean while my ability to move around much continues to deteriate because of the iritation caused by the blocking stint. Not a very happy camper... After 3.5 months of pain this is gettingl old fast. {laughing} Not to mention the cost of staying at the dock for months on end...
Oh well. At least Vero Beach is a really nice place! {grin}

Hi Jage,

Welcome. I don't have a Cal (I own a C&C110) and started sailing/cruising 23 years ago. I also run the Endeavour Owners Association and connect with more than 900 owners around the world, some are lifelong cruisers. A friend of ours is currently headed around the world and is working their way up the east coast of Australia and another just came back from two years in the Caribbean.

Hi Jage,

I'm not far away! I have been hold up in Vero Beach waiting on surgery for kidney stones at the West Palm Beach Vetrans Administration Hospital. My surgery is scheduled for the 16th and I am looking forward to getting back to normal! I have been pretty limited in my abilities since this all started the 10th of January.

I have a lady friend visiting for a few weeks from Newport RI. She thought she would escape from all the cold weather and snow, well at least she has escaped the snow. {laughing} Perhaps we can get together for lunch after I have recovered from the surgery and Patricia has headed back to Newport. That would be fun.

Dalton

Welcome..please join our FEMALE SAILORS at top in groups..would love to see your photos

Welcome aboard Jage! We look forward to seeing your photos.

D & Don
SV SOUTHERN CROSS

Lucky you!
Picking the perfect boat on your first purchase. looking forward to seeing photos
As much as I love my Cal-31, she is perfect for the lake and coast but, I plan on upgrading to a 40-45 bluewater boat before I live aboard and sail away