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Total Noob here, will try not be annoying. Lol

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by FrizzbeeGurl, Oct 1, 2022.

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  1. FrizzbeeGurl, Oct 1, 2022
    #1
    FrizzbeeGurl

    FrizzbeeGurl New Member

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    North Carolina
    My husband and I are considering live aboard life (traveling not just dockiwand living on board) after retirement.
    We're about 4-6 yrs away.
    Currently we kayak or go on commercial cruises. That's our boat experience. LOL
    I've see information that insurance is lower with more experience.
    So what would be a good starter boat? Does it matter if you have a smaller boat (like a fishing or speed boat) and work up from there? Ultimately we'd like to get into some type of trawler style yacht.
    Our goals/ambitions are to do a great loop and perhaps more than once... And go to the Caribbean. Maybe even go further but it seems like the refueling is the biggest issue. So unsure if we'd do that. But it's a thought.
    So what types of things should we be doing now and over the next several years to prepare for yachting in retirement?
    Outside of the obvious taking classes doing research and asking (hopefully meaningful) questions.
    Also what classes would you recommend?
    TIA.
    Marina
  2. YachtForums, Oct 1, 2022
    #2
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Hi Marina and welcome to YF. You'll get a better response if you're more specific with your inquiry. Keywords are your friend. Enter them into YF's search function and you should find lots of educational discussions. :)
    FrizzbeeGurl likes this.
  3. Pascal, Oct 1, 2022
    #3
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Insurance is not only higher with less experience but often just impossible to get. Anything helps, well except kayaking and cattle ships :)

    not knowing what part of the country you are in makes it hard to make any recommendation on specific boat. For most people a 25/30 center console is a good starting point.

    there is a big difference in boat requirement between doing the the great loop or going to the Bahamas and going to the Caribbean. The Caribbean has significant open water passages which can be more challenging than the short run and then island hoping in the Bahamas. Set some reasonable goals even if it means upgrading to a bigger boat later on.

    as to classes the power squadrons and USCG auxiliary offers classes. Reading can be helpful starting with the Bible ( or Koran :) ) of boating : Chapmans Piloting

    And don’t over look mechanical basic skills in your preparation to boat owner ship.
  4. FrizzbeeGurl, Oct 2, 2022
    #4
    FrizzbeeGurl

    FrizzbeeGurl New Member

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    Wow thank you for your detailed reply! It's much appreciated.
    Ah. So it's a different monster looping vs Caribbean. Got it. Didn't realize that.
    I've been putting in some search terms and reading generally on this site.
    It's been very insightful.
    But I'm kind of in a "you don't know what you don't know place".
    So I appreciate the starting point with Chapman's.
    We're in North Carolina, on the Outer Banks.
    Thanks again
  5. bernd1972, Oct 2, 2022
    #5
    bernd1972

    bernd1972 Senior Member

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    Might also be a good idea to charter once or twice, not just to get experience with finding out what you (don´t) want when it comes to choosing a boat, but also chartering with a skipper/captain as some first serious coaching will be fun, teach you some basics and make you feel more aware and confident about the decisions to make along the way to boat ownership.
    FrizzbeeGurl likes this.
  6. ranger58sb, Oct 2, 2022
    #6
    ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Different between looping and BAHAMAS and Caribbean. Three different "monsters."

    Given current circumstances and your coastal location, you might find various reading about hurricane planning useful and timely, too.

    -Chris
    FrizzbeeGurl likes this.
  7. Fenderapache, Oct 2, 2022
    #7
    Fenderapache

    Fenderapache New Member

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    Get on the water and learn basic seamanship, boat handling, rules of the road, maintenance, etc. Also, learn what to do in an emergency. Books and videos can help. But Power Squandron or USCG are great options. Even joining an inexpensive boat club is a great start.
    FrizzbeeGurl likes this.
  8. gr8trn, Oct 3, 2022
    #8
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    I vote for getting a boat you can afford and have space to store while not in use now, like tomorrow.
    Trailer it, nothing better than getting some skills on towing and launching.
    A 16' runabout or 12 to 15 foot dinghy with an outboard is a great start.
    Learning tiller steering, wheel steering, take boater's courses, get USCG Chart 1, learn to rules of the road, learn charting and navigating local waters, it's all good experience.

    4-6 years is plenty of time to go a bit bigger boat after the boat I am proposing.

    Plus you want to start getting used to engine maintenance and boat maintenance and boat cleaning. All part of the process and parts to embrace as well. Plus you want to get used to West Marine or local ships chandleries that will have all of your wiring, oil, filters, life jackets, hose clamps, tools, and soooooo much more.

    I hope you will keep us posted on your progress.

    The alternative is to wait 4-6 years and buy a trawler and go for it. Not as much fun, way more headaches that you could minimize if you start now and start small.
    FrizzbeeGurl and JadePanama like this.
  9. FrizzbeeGurl, Oct 5, 2022
    #9
    FrizzbeeGurl

    FrizzbeeGurl New Member

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    Good Idea. Thanks!
  10. FrizzbeeGurl, Oct 5, 2022
    #10
    FrizzbeeGurl

    FrizzbeeGurl New Member

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    Will definitely keep you all posted on our progress.
    We have slips in our neighborhood so NBD there. We also have a boat club association but honestly, it seems more like a social club. Bunch of posing. I've kind of shyed away. Is that the gist of boat clubs?
    Will do some googling of the types you suggested.
    We'dove something to take on the sound behind our place, catch a sunset, fish, maybe even try an overnight?
    Any ideas on type of boat for that?

    Thanks again.
  11. FrizzbeeGurl, Oct 5, 2022
    #11
    FrizzbeeGurl

    FrizzbeeGurl New Member

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    Yes been coastal NC my whole life. Well versed in household Hurricane preparation.. Should definitely get information on boat hurricane preparation. Lol
    Good points. Thanks