DU Sailors: I'm taking the plunge

[MazeRat7]

Well, I'm doing it. My Catalina 22 no longer works for weekends and I've got my eye on a Catalina 36 tall rig. If I clear the hurdle of financing, I'll have a boat for the next 15 years until I actually retire and get my ideal blue water girl.

Any sailors out there in DU land that care to comment ? All I ever think about are my weekends sailing. With each passing year I care less about what is happening around me and more about the peace I get from sailing. At some point I'm sure I'll be considered an ex-pat living offshore somewhere but for now I just want to escape reality as often as possible and sail. Am I old, tired, burned out, in love, or all of the above?

Cheers,
MZr7

[denbot]

1. Alley and I are learning to sail on a 25' MacGregor

Fun little boat. I've sailed round some buoys with Cal Tall Riggs competing and they are pretty fast. We are looking at a 32' Westsail for our retirement package. This boat needs some sweat equity but is basically sound, incredibly roomy inside, and with a little bright work will be restored to her former beauty. What are you thinking of as a blue water cruiser?

This is our trainer, parked in front of our house



A Westsail 32 (not the one we are looking at).

[Buzz cook]

2. Geez

If you think a Catalina 36 is a weekender you must be looking at a monster for off shore sailing.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Where do you sail?

My weekender is just a little Hunter 260, but I have fun with it. Alas, I had to take it out of the water for the winter, so now all I can do is think about sailing until Spring comes. I doubt I'll ever be able to afford anything bigger, but it's all good. I envy your Catalina 36.

[cbayer]

4. Go for it and I am happy to help in any way I can.

I live on my 43 foot Slocum. We just sailed over from Catalina Island to the mainland today in thick fog and through the shipping lanes today, so I am a little burnt right now. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

I have tried to start up some threads in the the Outdoor group, but they seem to be interested in nothing other than shooting animals.

Liveaboard, if you can. Sail it as much as possible (we don't even have a slip). You are never too old.

:toast:

[pscot]

5. I sailed dinghys

before I got too old for it. But anything that gets you out on the water is good.

[david13]

6. Yes. The 36 will be so much nicer, you will never

be able to remember how you survived the 22.
I have sailed on larger boats, and my favorite was my friends 60 foot sloop.
Fun and easy.
Ok, the Cat 36 is a single mast. Yes, that's the best configuration.
Enjoy.
Of course you may want to end up doing the complete circumnavigation. Maybe someday.
dc