Introductions / How did you find sailFar.net?

[TOMT]

 Found sailfar.net while browsing sailing sites on net. I read a lot of threads and enjoyed them very much. I own a Kittiwake 23 and am in the middle of a total refit. I,am 67 yrs old and spent most of my growing up living and playing in/on the Chesapeake Bay. Been sailing forever and I am still loving the lifestyle. I have owned various boats along the way, beginning with a Yankee Skiff I rebuilt and painted Sharks Teeth on the bow and along with my childhood friend(dog) Inky I rowed all over the Hampton Roads. Other boats were a Hampton one I rebuilt, an old Classic sloop, an old 25ft skipjack, a 7 meter Cinder build by tyler boats in UK, a H-28.   In 1990 I bought an Irwin Center Cockpit Ketch,which I still own. I bought the Kittiwake because the Irwin has become to much to single hand. I now sail out of Mobjack Bay in Gloucester VA. BTW I am a retired Firefighter/Btn Chief.    TOM

[nowell]

Tom-

  Welcome to SailFar. Great group of people here, and alot of good info! I just moved to Houston from the Norther VA area. Sailed the bay a few times in my past. I really miss the beauty of the fall and spring on the water!

Welcome Aboard!

[TOMT]

 Thanks NOWELL. The weather here is nice but getting colder. No snow yet but you beat us to it this year.    TOM

[jotruk]

Welcome aboard TOMT I was stationed in Norfolk while in the Navy and did get to sail a little on the Chesapeake again welcome aboard

[TOMT]

  Thanks jotruk: I grew up across from Norfolk on Hampton Roads. I also spent 4 yrs. in the Alligator Navy aboard an LST out of Little Creek Va from late fiftys to early 60s. Signalman 3rd class.   TOM

[Farfarer]

Ahoy all!

I just found this site today and can't imagine how it escaped my notice for so long. I've been on-and-off dreaming of sailing for, oh, 15 years now. More "off" than "on" to have gone so long without getting a sailboat I suppose. But the last year, 6 months especially, I've been REALLY focussing my dreaming. 

So, I guess I'm in the "preparing to start planning" stage - I've decided I WILL get myself a sailboat (28-32 foot range) to live on and sail about the globe. I'm currently saving money for said boat while also trying to absorb as much info as humanly possible about various boats, equipment, strategies (both "sailing" and "life"), cruising grounds, etc.

I hope everyone doesn't get sick of all the total noob questions I'm sure I'll be asking!

Later (from snowy Rochester, NY),
Greg

[Captain Smollett]

Welcome aboard, Greg.  Have a grog to settle in (I cannot resist an empty glass).

Please post all of the noob questions you want. We all love to yack about sailing and we were all noobs once...well, we all still are in some ways since none of us has experienced EVERYTHING.

If we cannot answer your questions, we'll sure beat them to death for you...

[Seadogdave]

I'm not sure how I found Sailfar.net, maybe through a link from Trailer Sailer Discussion Forum or maybe from just sailboat surfing the web.  Boats have always been in my blood.  I built my first boat probably at about age 5 when I nailed a few boards together in our basement and sat in it dreaming of what it would be like.  My next boat was a raft I made in Boy Scouts from six inner tubes and a wooden frame I could unbolt and carry - it was a fun wet ride.  I was able to take my first trip with a friend for about 5 miles down Pennypack Creek in Philadelphia.  My next boat was a Luger 16 a friend and I built from a kit while in college.  Over the years I had a runabout, a 32 foot shrimpboat. 36 foot lifeboat hull shrimpboat, Kittiwake 23, 16 foot catamaran, Paceship 23, and currently am blessed with a Balboa27 (forsale) and a Catalina 27. My cruising history occurred mainly about 30 years ago - shipwrecked the Kittiwake 23 in the Gulf, island hopped with friends on a 30 foot S2 through the Bahamas, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.  And now after marriage, raising 3 kids, and getting near the end of a career, I try to spend as much time as possible at the boat.  There is not a day that goes by that I'm not thinking about the next boat project, modification, or making plans for the summer cruise.  Next Summer I'm considering Bermuda or coastal hopping down the east coast.  I'm a jack of all trades, master of none.  I like fixing up what noone else wants, keeping costs low, and making a vessel seaworthy in all respects.  I like the vastness of the ocean, and the freedom one finds crossing the horizon!  I also like sea chanties - thus my boat is named Sea Shanty.

[Oldrig]

Welcome Dave,

And have a grog! It sounds like you'll be able to contribute lots of tips--and certainly pick up a few, too.

Happy New Year!

--Joe

[McVay]

Hello all.  My name is Will, and I am addicted to sailing.  I have a Bluenose sloop (23') and a Victoria 26 sloop.  I have been sailing for the bulk of my life, like small boats and have no intentions of trying to kick the habit.  I am currently living in Afghanistan though I normally reside in Savannah, Georgia.  I look forward to returning home soon and getting the boats in the water.  I have a wife and two kids that I drag along with me whenever possible (usually willingly) which can make things somewhat cramped but a lot more fun.

I look forward to participating in this site.  Hopefully I will be able to contribute in some small way.

Will

[maxiSwede]

welcome onboard Mate!

I, for one, would be interested in your point of view as to how the boat handles under sail.

after reading Brent Swains rather opinionated views on an array of topics on several forums, SSCA most of all, It would be helpful with unbiased first hand experience.

I consider some of his ideas quite interesting

Best regards from Portugal

[s/v Faith]

Welcome aboard to all our new folks.  I am glad you found us and made it aboard.

Look forward to hearing more from you all.




***Point of order***

The posts at SSCA are made by another user, who goes by the screen name of Brent Sawin... not the actual Brent Swain.  He will occasionally sign his posts with his first name, and I know his last name also... it is not the same guy.

[Frank]

It is really nice to see the new members....WELCOME. We truly like to know about your boats, your dreams and your experiences. Pics of your boat..in and out, are always welcome as are your favorite anchorages. Thanks for being here.

Faith..I could never figure out guys using different names...seen it lots. Gotta be a personality disorder  

[AdriftAtSea]

Welcome aboard Dave, Will and Haidan.  Good to see you here.

[maxiSwede]

***Point of order***

The posts at SSCA are made by another user, who goes by the screen name of Brent Sawin... not the actual Brent Swain.  He will occasionally sign his posts with his first name, and I know his last name also... it is not the same guy.

Thanks for the info, I did not know that... The posts on the SSCA board I was referring to is by an alias 'Louis Riel'  who, at least once in a while, signs wioth Brent Swain undrneath his posts.... talking about the same guy, are we?

(am a bit confused now) the boat seems quite interesting nevert he less.

Disclaimer -haven't yet seen even a picture of one, just read about it.

all the best

Magnus

[jmwoodring]

Howdy All

I found sailfar.net through Mr. Baldwin's extensive list of useful links. I've come upon the "smaller, simpler" boat philosophy recently and am looking forward to some good dialogue and b.s. -ing here in the forums. Isn't the internet wonderful in allowing a group of crazies like ourselves the means to congregate?

Looking forward to working less/sailing more with the rest of you.

James Woodring
Austin, TX

[polecat]

Welcome Aboard JMWoodring - good to see more Texans here.
jim
Thornton, TX

[jotruk]

Welcome aboard , I think you will find some really good info from this site Danny Barr Clifton Tx.

[CharlieJ]

Another welcome aboard from

Charlie and Laura, aboard Tehani, out of Magnolia Beach, Texas
currently at anchor off Sanibel Island, Florida

[Grime]

Welcome James,

David and Lisa here in Port O'Connor. We keep our boat over in Port Lavaca in Charlie and Laura old slip.