Conference unifix::sailing

There many, many good books available that discuss the questions you 
ask. 'After 50 000 Miles' by Hal Roth, 'Managing Your Escape' by Katy 
Burke, and 'Modern Ocean Cruising' by Jimmy Cornell are three I would 
recommend. 

From personal experience: Living on a boat is vastly different from
living ashore. The biggest differences are the constant nagging fear and
uncertainty (there is always some danger lurking in the shadows), the
resultant need for constant vigilence, and the discomfort of sailing and
living in a very small space. I too have the dream of extended voyaging,
a dream no longer really shared by my partner in life (which I am
finding it terribly hard to accept and deal with). I cannot urge you
strongly enough to spend several weeks at one time cruising (without
depending in any way on the shore for supplies or entertainment) in an
area where nature is not entirely friendly (for example, Maine, Nova
Scotia, Puget Sound) to find how you react to living aboard. Then make
an offshore passage of several hundred miles. Offshore sailing is very
different, I found, from coastal sailing. Don't commit yourself to what
your friend is proposing without learning what you're facing. There are
too many stories of people who planned long voyages and then found to
their dismay that the reality of it all wasn't bearable (like living in 
very hot and humid weather for a week or more without a bath). Find people 
who've done it, and try to get them to be honest about what it was like. 

You are obviously considering a major change in your life. I suggest 
being very cautious and reflect carefully on what your personal needs 
for security (physical and financial) and comfort are. Also look at your 
current lifestyle -- if it involves much social interaction the 
loneliness of cruising may be difficult. 

Alan

    I have a nautical book catalog or 2 around which list many good
    books on the subject, just for folks with your concerns and experience.
    These same books are available in stores that carry substantial
    inventories of nautical books, like the Armchair Sailor, in Newport,
    but if you are near none around catalog shopping works (it does for
    us anyway).
    
    I suggest you pick a few and read them, since this conference is
    much to brief to cover the spectrum of questions and answers you
    should be asking and getting.
    
    Send me your mail stop and I will forward one to you.
    
    Walt

    Do your homework on navigation!! Begin now. It will take three years
    to complete the Junior Navigator/Navigator training in the USPS.
    Nothing can generate fear, uncertainty and doubt quicker on open
    water than the feeling of not knowing exactly where you are. Learn
    and practice celestial navigation extensively before your departure
    by cruising out of sight of visible markers.
    
    It isn't pleasant catching Coast Guard calls for lost vessels weeks
    overdue from a crossing. It is amazing how many sailors are so nieve
    as to honestly believe they can complete a trans-oceanic crossing
    with little or no celestial navigation training.
    
    If you *really* want to go, you will find a way. Good luck and start
    your training now.

    A couple of years ago we rafted alongside a couple who had just
    completed 3 years cruising around the world. We sailed in company
    with them for a few days down the South coast of the UK. We too have
    the dream that we take off for a year or so and sail in gentle steps
    around the world. The advice we were given and we have been following
    is similiar to that of Alan's in an earlier reply. We have started
    following the advice with some interesting results we are still
    keen but our timescale has slipped by quite a few years. While the
    sun is shining it would be great but what about a few days of winds
    of 54 knts plus waves of 40feet plus? How will you feel when etc....
    What about the choice of boat ? You can never totally depend on
    electrical devices for navigation, hows your celestial navigation
    etc. 
    
    I agree with Alan get some sea time in next season in relatively
    unfriendly conditions relying soley on yourselves for company and
    the boat for resources.(Including some 72 hour plus passages) If that
     works OK start thinking about the type of yacht for living on for a
    year and maybe charter to check it out. 
                                    
    It is all there for the doing . Good Luck
    
    Pete Gough

    CRUISING WORLD (December 87) has a pull out section concerning offshore
    sailing.  Looks like an excellent place to start.  Some info from
    the Mag.
    
    	A program produced in cooperation with the U.S. Naval Academy
    Sailing Squadron and the U.S.Yacht Racing Union called "Safety at
    Sea" will be presented in several locations.  One will be held in
    Marion, Ma. in mid April.  It claims to teach everything need for
    bluewater sailing.  For more details call Toby Baker, Tabor Academy,
    Marion, Ma.
    
    I recommend you get a copy of the December CRUSING WORLD for the
    full details.

    Speaking from my first-hand experience, I second all the excellent
    advice presented in these replies. However, adjust NOW one expectation.
    
    One does NOT sail around the world (in the manner I presume you'd
    like) in a one year period. Reset expectations to a minimum of 18
    months to two years. You could do it in 150 days if you really wanted
    to, but most people that I'm aware of on the circuit plan to follow
    the moving window of fair weather around the globe - which takes
    18-24 months.
    
    Besides you might decide you really get into the life and choose
    to spend 5 years at it!
    
    Pete