New Member From Nj-usa

[sailhunter32]

Hello to all ... wish you all a great sailing season of 09!

This CL is a cool site!! Took a bit to registered ... here is my story or dream.

I'm still high from my 11 day sailing trip from Mystic, Conn to Bermuda to Tortola on a 51' Jeaneau, and a week in St. John to get my 'land-legs' back (prefer sea-legs personally!). This was my first sailing trip out of my little pond, 'Barnegat Bay - NJ' to 'real' sailing in the Atlantic water. The trip was a great experience; 4 people I sailed that I've never met made that much more intersting - not all aspect was perfect!

I've been sailing for about 8 yrs - I sailed a few times, and bought a new Hunter 320 and had to learn from my own mistakes - I did find all the shallow spots on the bay (I can write a book about how to get off from agrounding); my boat used to draw 4'3" but now it draws more like 4'0"! Yeah, it is cold and icy in NJ in the winter, but I do keep the boat in the water all year around (will post some questions regarding this subject), and sail if the water level is not too low and not too cold in the winter. I did not name my boat for a few years, and then, I went sailing in rather cold Nov - the lagoon was frozen so I used my boat as an ice breaker to get out of my lagoon. Soon I found out that the Hunter is not a good ice breaker - so I named it Endurance32 (re:Shackleton Expedition).

Reading about so many interesting sailing logs of other people on this site and others, I am hoping to join them in a few years!!! Every week, I am changing my mind which boat I want to do my blue water cruising on .... this week's flavor - Tayana 48 w/shallow draft ... last month's flavor - Tartan 41 .... PS 44 .... I have a few years to decide and a lot to learn about the bluewater cruisers. I like a cutter rig, and has to be a shallow draft of no more than 5.5' to keep it at my place. I will post some questions on this challenging combo - shallow draft & bluewater capable boat ... my girlfriend wants to bring her 7 horses, a dog, and cats !!!

Rick from NJ

[Nausikaa]

Welcome aboard Rick! It is good to have you in the crew.

Just shoot away with your questions. There are many experts in differing maritime fields here and all are happy to help.

Aye // Stephen

[Lighthouse]

Welcome aboard Rick. After your great "introduction" post I think that we all feel that we know you already.

Grab a beer and make yourself at home - this is a good, friendly crew here.

[Istioploos]

Welcome aboard Rick.

Vasilis from Washington DC