Sailing the islands

[Edward Hamilton]

I've been asked a lot of questions about my boat Triton. Here's an old jpg a few days after I bought her in 2001. Triton is a fiberglass hull with glass over plywood decks built in 1979 by Jack Slasor in Kirkland, Washington. Jack and Jeanne sailed Triton for 23 years before moving ashore just after I lost my first boat on a rock off Antigua. Presently Triton is on the hard in St Lucia while I'm flying around the US but occasional trips to the Caribbean and other rum related countries.


http://ministryofrum.com/images/triton3.jpg

[Dood]

Gorgeous boat...and it sounds like it's current berth isn't too shabby either. ;)

After our last trip to the Caribbean, I tried to convince my wife that we should forgo the whole house thing and just buy a nice catamaran and live down in the islands.

That being shot down (something about the fact that we'd have no income), it has now become my retirement plan.

For the time-being, we'll have to settle for resorts and cruises.

[Edward Hamilton]

The cash flow on a boat is a lot easier than it is ashore. I've never met a starving sailor, there is always something to do to make a few dollars, but once you own the boat you don't need much.

[Texas TikiGod]

Howdy All, I'd love to learn to sail, want to take a Coast Guard course or something like that. Any courses that stand out?, I live in N.E. Texas. Also ,what size sailboat would be "to big" to sail solo?
Thanks, by the way, I really like this site (and rum!):D

[Edward Hamilton]

In my opinion, 45 feet is about all the boat one needs if your plan is to sail solo. A smaller boat has a lot of advantages, but if you're going to live on the boat you will need something at least 30 feet long in order to carry all the gear you need to live and travel. The dinghy has to fit on deck, there has to be enough water and fuel capacity and you need to be able to carry food supplies for at least 60 days.

If you never plan on sharing your boat with anyone else you can sail a smaller boat but most of the people I know who are living on boats agree that sailing is more enjoyable when you can share the experience with someone else and that dictates a boat of at least 29 feet. I lived on a 38 boat for 18 years and was very comfortable, but I have to admit that the extra room on Triton is a very welcome addition to life.

Learning to sail is a very personal task. I suggest getting to know someone with a boat. There are a lot of sailboat owners who welcome interested novices, especially if you're willing to help with the annual work in the boatyard.

[Texas TikiGod]

Thanks for your reply Ed, sail safe.

[Tabasco]

Hey Tex, my wife and I have been looking into two sailing schools on the Gulf Coast, one in Corpus and one in Keemah. They start with a two-day weekend basic course and advance into several day live-aboard trips. I think the one in Keemah has a sister school on Lake Travis, but personally it needs to be saltwater for me :D .

Once you certify, they each have specials on barefoot charters. And I'm tired of always being the passenger.

[emeraldsmoke]

Thanks for your reply Ed, sail safe.

Tiki God

Is that you Mike S.?