New Guy

[AVoisine]

I am 61 year old physically disabled veteran wanttobe in Phoenix Arizona. I want to sail the eastern seaboard of north American from top to bottom and then....... who knows.

I have completed ASA course in basic keelboats and am duely certified. Still have a long way to go on a limited budget. My desire is to provide sailing experiences to other veterans and handicaped children. This is a dream that I may not be able to realize but I'm going to try. I welcome all the advice I can get. I believe I want a boat 37 to 45' long 13' on beam with a center cockpit. This is to afford any guests privacy. I believe this boat is large enough to be comfortable and still able to single hand if needed. That said how do I go about getting this with little money? Also what are the problems to avoid? How and where do I start? Helpful souls may e-mail me at avoisine@cox.net.

I will be greatful for any dialog. Thanks all for reading this!

Al

[Lighthouse]

A hearty welcome aboard. It is good to have you here with such a wonderful outlook on life. I'm sure others will be along here shortly to assist with your questions.

[Nausikaa]

Let me too add my welcoming wishes.

You have set your course on a very commendable journey. I wish you well inyour endeavours to bring sailing to the disadvantaged or, should I say, the disadvantaged to sailing.

If you search the WWW you will find a number of organisations in different parts of the world with similar goals. Whilst I can and will gladly answer specific questions regarding sailing, navigation, boats etc. I feel I am not qualified to help with information concerning handicapped children at sea. I would advise you, once you have found the websites I mentions, to get in touch with some of them and ask them how they achieved their goals.

Good luck to you.

Aye // Stephen