Comments

I got my new satellite phone (Motorola 9595a) working yesterday, what a difference, I can actually use it as a phone. My old Motorola 9500 was really shot. It didn’t get good signal, the mic didn’t work (I could only use it for data), and it was all glued (9500) together. The only reason I’m waiting here is I don’t have a charger for it, it should arrive in about a week, then most likely I’m off.

The comments are still rolling in. Many say “go for it” and many are opposed to the idea of a larger boat. It is good to know that people are concerned and enjoy the site enough to take time to send me input. I’ve been weighing the pros and cons for days. Single handing a larger boat is not a problem for me. I have a friend from Norway who single-hands a 110 foot boat, and another (American) a 65’ steel sloop. When you don’t visit docks it’s a different ball of wax.

Some people seem to think the boat I’m looking at is steel, but its not, it’s fiberglass. I’m getting so many people warning me about steel boats, and to tell you the truth, I prefer them. Most other countries (Austrialla, New Zealand, Germany, Sweeden, produce steel boats, the French are into aluminum. Steel has a number of advantages. First and foremost it’s strong. When you cruise full time and don’t know the water around you that is very important, more important than some additional painting and sanding. Secondly it is very inexpensive to repair especially is you carry an arc welder and do your own welding. Lightning is also a big factor with steel boats, the whole damn thing is a ground. Americans don’t seem to like steel boats mostly because of the chine I assume. Most American production boats focus on speed, and steel is heavy. I remember when I used to look at boats I never considered the steel, wood, or cement ones. The only material I would not conceder for a boat is cement.

I don’t know if you have ever sailed a wooden boat or not “What a joy, wood is the material that sailboats should be made from”, especially the spars. In yards all over the world one can find wooden boats being worked on. All of the fishing boats (60’+) in Colombia and Panama are wood. It does take more maintenance, but when your life is sailing, one isn’t so concerned with maintenance. If you’re also paying for house, car, and other things spending time on your boat is more of an issue, and may seem like a chore or expense.

The new (old) boat I’m looking at is fibraglass, not the steel one I posted a picture of, some people have been confused about it.

I think my new boat idea is a pipe dream and out of my grasp. Many people seem to be concerned that I couldn’t handle or afford the bigger boat. And granted I would have to work a bit in the beginning, but after that I could handle all of the maintenance and the boat myself. I did a bit of welding in panama and want an arc welder on board. It’s a good way to make money along the way. I also have a sailright sewing machine and will be doing all of my own canvas and sail work from now on (another good way to make money along the way). The other thing that has been bothering me is my back. I don’t have standing headroom and it’s starting to get to me, I’m a big guy! This isn’t about quitting, I’m surprised so many people see it that way; this is about growing and doing things I want to do as I travel.

As I said, I think it’s a “pipe dream”. I’m focusing on boat projects and my path westward.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love and Coconuts.

– Alex