Any help would be nice

[af1348]

I'm sure there are many posts like this, but I would love any help and advice I can get.... I'm 23 and just recently graduated from college. I've lived in Texas all my life and for the past few years I've began to want to do what all lost college students want to do...travel the world. There are so many things I want to do with my life and I can not just choose one. I know 9-5 isn't for me and I do not want to get stuck with a job that I am miserable in. I want to be able to travel all over the world and do what I want to do and find out what my purpose in life is.

Since I do not live near the coast I plan on moving away. Like I said, I live in Texas but I want to move to a different state. I have friends in California and have been told that I could stay with them until I got settled in. Wherever I go I want to learn how to sail and hopefully one day be able to sail the world. Now I know many people say this and never go through with it but I want to be able to say I actually lived my life and loved every minute of it. This is my plan and please do not try to persuade me otherwise. I am just looking for help.

I would like opinions on the best way to go about this. My idea is that once I get wherever I end up, I will try to work on a boat. I know I have a degree, but I don't mind the labor and I would much rather be learning as much as possible. I want to earn my money and be able to get my own boat with all the knowledge that I obtain on the way.

I know I sound like quite a dreamer but this is what I want to do with the next chapter of my life and I'm just looking for some people to give me some help and advice in any way possible. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make this dream become reality. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[SUPguy]

Get to the coast, hang around a marina, introduce yourself, be clean of appearance, willing to take on anything, check the club notice board, get your self known. Learn, sign up for courses you can afford, volunteer. LEARN TO COOK..
I did all the above, crossed the Atlantic 5 times, spent a year in ST Lucia, 4 years in ST Thomas, a year in the Comoroes, plus lots of other sailing.

[af1348]

Thanks for the reply SUPguy!

That is pretty much the plan I figured I'd have to take. After doing A LOT of reading on this forum I'm beginning to scratch the surface of how much work and time this is really going to take, but fortunately I'm not intimidated by this. This is something I truly want to do so I will not let hard work and an indefinite amount of time deter me. I'm planning on working for a little bit and saving enough money and select a destination that really calls for me. I'm hoping to begin my journey within the next few months.

St. Lucia seems like such a beautiful place! Very envious of your journeys! Thanks again for the reply and I will keep your advice in mind when I get to where I'm going!

[capta]

I would recommend that you head east, not west, if you want to sail to far away places. The sailing centers are more concentrated on the east coast and many more boats are traveling long distance.
Sailing has seasons; April/ May from the Caribbean to the east coast or Europe, October/ November to the Caribbean from the east coast, November/ December from Europe to the Caribbean. Newport, RI, Annapolis, MD and Norfolk, Va and Charleston, SC are some of the centers from which boats leave.
When you get there, walk the docks and chat with folks and walk the docks some more. Don't take no for an answer; keep stopping by boats you want to sail on to show your interest. Offer to help with any task each time you stop by. Find the watering holes frequented by the sailors and make friends. And be nice; a pleasant, inexperienced shipmate is way preferable to a know it all grouch.
Pack lightly; your foulies, good shades, a good pair of boat shoes and a duffel of clothes is all you'll need to begin.
I would recommend Royce's Sailing Illustrated, a small paper back, crammed full of the basics of sailing.
If you are a quick learner with a good attitude and a little luck, you could find yourself a paid crew on a boat quite quickly.
There will be hundreds of boats leaving the east coast for the Caribbean this fall and many, many will need crew.
Good luck. You will be about 53 years behind me, but mine has been an amazing life, full of travel and adventures.

[af1348]

I figured as much in regards to east vs west coast and I was sort of leaning towards the east as well. Wow, so if I do get out there pretty soon then perhaps I could get on a crew. I'm absolutely eager to learn and will do any task whether it be a simple, mundane one or a real hands-on one. I know for a fact, that this is the next step I want to take and am beginning to prep for it all right now. I'll have to check out that read!

Thanks! Hopefully in 53 years I can say the same thing to someone else!

[piclarke]

Hi,

Do it the fastest and easy way.

First get professional.

2nd register with crew unlimited its free. They are a professional crewing agency and put your story to them they will say, get your first min qualification you must have to get a paid position its called STW 95 I think.

Offer to crew free to get experience and you will be on professional boats training under a fully licence marine Captain as a unpaid deck hand bum job boy doing all the jobs the owners are not prepared to do, but at least on a professional boat and if they like you they will treat you with respect.
Once you have your STW what ever you can get paid positions, then to higher qualifications Ist Mate then Captain at fairly reasonable rates to live, save and obtain experience.
Then if you want to buy a boat you probably will be able to. Captains in the US and Med are on and in the vicinity of $80,000 US more for larger size vessels
You will not make money sailing on cruising vessels by people that can't afford to pay crew. Besides they will expect you to contribute towards costs at around about $30 a day. You are young unattached so you have the opportunity, don't blow it.


http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/f12...-boat-742.html

Go for it.

[HandyBilly]

AF1348--How are things going for you now? Can you give us an update on your progress?