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Anecdotes of a 50-something grandmother bitten by a sailing bug
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Nearer to the dream - 7:28 PM, Apr. 6, 2006

Popeye has given his employer offcial notice that he will retire at the end of this year. Which leaves me with 6 years to go, and still 2 kids on the payroll - not a happy bunny. This wage slave thing really gets you down.....

Until I perchanced upon a new bit of Belgian law which allows me to cash in an insurance policy,(relating to a pension scheme I left in 1990), at favourable tax rates on May 1 next year. Will be enough to buy eg a 1999 Bav 36, or maybe new, on a 3.5 year charter management scheme.Am sooo excited!  Have now realised  that there are maybe upsides to being a wage slave.

So if we go ahead and do this, I'm going to have to learn how to sail, rather than just (try to) execute Popeye's orders. Have read "Sailing for dummies", but think I need more. Maybe some sailing experience with a non-spouse, preferably one who never shouts. Then again, I'm sometimes so cack-handed, even the mildest of skippers ( if they exist outside of boating magazines) would throw a wobbly.

Any advice from trailing / sailing spouses welcome.

 

 


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Hi Olive - 6:14 AM, Apr. 11, 2006

Its John off Swagman here.

If you really do wish to fast track sailing why not drop into your closest yacht club and see if anyone is looking for race crew? I appreciate it may sound daunting but lots of small yachts really struggle to find crew to race on a Saturday or Sunday - and whilst you can't be guaranteed to find the best skipper in the club - it will cost you zip and get you out on the water.

I don't think you'll find a small boat skipper put off by any lack of experience on your part - most will not relish crew who know more than they do. Usually all they seek is a full seasons comittment.

Good luck whatever route you take get more experience - I'd agree it sometimes is good to get such instruction from other than ones spouse.

Cheers
JOHN

Posted by Anonymous

Bavaria 36 's - 11:41 AM, Apr. 20, 2006

Hi Olive,
John off Swagman here again. If you are really going to look for a Bav 36 I've a mate who now runs a brokerage business in Denia Spain. He had a Bav 36 he sailed from UK to Denia in 2004. H'es just sold sold his due to family expectations but higlhy likely he could help source a good second hand one already in Spain - if you had an interest. He certainly knows the boat well and he is straight - plus a pom.
Just let me know if you want his contact details.
Cheers
JOHN

Posted by Anonymous
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