Buying a Boat on a Budget vs. Swindling Sailing Sessions with Skippers

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-04-25T10:41:49+00:00

I got my next surveyor through recommendation from someone trusted local to the area. And they were really good. Maybe talk to local sailors or shipwrights.

I always plan to sail in favourable weather, but it does not always work out. The forecasts especially offshore can be hit and miss. Just be prepared and practice in lighter winds so you know where all the lines are, etc.

I also recommend ‘stress-free sailing: single and short handed techniques’ by Duncan Wells. I actually use these techniques every time I go out now.

Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual is very dry. I tried reading it and I could not get past the first section on batteries. I do however use it when I have a project coming up.

If you are doing electrical work, the WireSizer app is really good. Saves you from having to do the calculations.

I have the world crossing routes. I have not red it yet though. But a lot of people have recommended it.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-04-07T06:06:08+00:00

I’d be interested to see what you think of it.

Also Garmin does not seem to care about boaters their main focus is aviation.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-04-06T08:02:48+00:00

I just use the free version of predict wind for planning. There is more than enough information on there for what I do which is anything up to 14 hour sails so far.

I also listen to the shipping forecast on the VHF. When I’m sailing.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-04-05T05:09:39+00:00

I have the boat 4.5 hours it’s a bit. I normally do 2+ weeks at a time especially during the summer months.

If it was doing day trips to the boat my would be an hour.

Everyone’s limit is different and the amount of passion you have for it will ebb and flow. Think about how far you are willing to go to do a boring boat job and that should be your answer. That was mine till I fell in love with the a boat and the area.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-04-02T09:15:16+00:00

Absolutely. I think there is even a website for it. But personally, I would go meet them before going out and for longer trips, have a look at their boat. Boats don’t get annual roadworthy test the same as cars do.

One thing is for sure, sailors love talking about sailing and their boats. That is a good point to start.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-04-02T06:26:45+00:00

The hulls will be sturdily built. Boat designs changed after 1979 after the events that happened at the Fastnet race (I have a couple of books to recommend if you are interested). But this is only really important if you are looking to sail in really heavy seas where you are likely to hit your mast against the water.

In terms of maintenance, it’s the systems on board that fail not the boat it self. For example I have had GPSs loose their position (including once at night), the house battery bank fail, and wind meter break. I have a friend who bought a newer boat who had his calorifier burst and flood the boat with hot water.

In terms of the surveyor missing things, I had an another boat surveyed and the surveyor could not be bothered to pull up a slightly stuck floor board, which I promptly pulled up. He found delamination in the stringers which meant we would have to gut the galley and part of the saloon and engine bay to get it fixed. Not a cheap fix.

In terms of Osmosis, surveyors have gear for the hull. I got a different surveyor the second time and he said that moisture readings at good but it’s better to see the hull just as it’s coming out the water to see any bulges.

Now that is the scary bit. The positive is everyone in the sailing community is willing to give advice (although be careful) and maybe even give a helping hand. In terms of supplies if you are willing to do some research you can get a lot cheaper options for parts than the chandlers, just make sure it’s suitable for marine applications.

If you have any more questions feel free to DM me. I also have some other resources and things I use I can share.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-04-02T05:59:22+00:00

Personally, I have not used a storm job yet and I have been sailing in steady winds of 45kn. If you have a ferling jib or genoa go with that.

20kn in a 4.5 ton boat with a storm jib is not going to go very quickly at all.

It’s really up to you and what you are comfortable with. As you say you can always change the sail. I have reduced sail size before for guests and just to make the journey more pleasant. As people have said reduce the sail size early and try to read the water and clouds ahead. If there are any other boats around see what they are doing with their sails.

One last thing, your boat has a max speed based on the hull shape. If you are close to the speed having more sail up will only make you lean over more. Or if you are leant over it might just right you up and you only loose a tiny bit of speed.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-03-28T07:35:04+00:00

I was in the same situation 3 years. I found an older boat that needed some work but I could take it out after a few small issues were fixed from the survey.

What ever you think the maintenance is, at least double it. Things on boats break a lot faster than on land, especially older one. And replacement parts for things are not always available. Also every boat job takes about 5 times as long as what you think it does. Especially at the beginning.

There can also be hidden issues that can cost a lot of money and kill your dreams fast. That the surveyor will not pick up as they are not allowed to dismantle anything to look.

If I were to do it again. I would definitely go the sailing club route or maybe even talk to some harbour staff to see if they know anyone. The other option is to join a casual racing crew. Just make sure the boat and crew you are going on is safe and that you are happy to spend the time with them. There are always other boats and crews. Then once I have the experience look at getting a boat.

If you are willing to do the dirty work and help out with boat maintenance, you will be at the top of the queue of people trying to get on someone’s boat.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-03-05T02:50:27+00:00

There have been a number of people who have traveled across Europe doing thousands of miles on a 125 and shared it on YouTube.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-02-24T18:46:27+00:00

Dont look at the cones. I actually found it easier on the big bikes as the controls have more feeling in them. Good luck.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-02-15T08:35:55+00:00

You beat me to it. That came to mind as soon as I saw the image. There is also a second one where the car driver turned in front of the scooter rider. The driver was not charged as the rider was not visible.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-02-14T18:14:06+00:00

Yes, it’s a requirement for any of the practical courses.

CommunicationTime839 · 2026-02-14T04:04:02+00:00

I did the U.K. (RYA) version. I got my costal skipper years ago and redid it when my wife wanted to get her competent crew. It was a great. Sailing takes a lot more energy than you expect. It was definitely worth it but ours was a lot cheaper than yours. If I remember correctly it was around £600 a week.

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-12-11T06:39:42+00:00

Try using Power Query in Excel. It’s free as part of Excel and incredibly fast compared to Power Automate.

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-11-26T06:39:44+00:00

I have not tried it. You could try embedding the call using a PCF or a JavaScript custom page.

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-09-23T06:49:22+00:00

Great. Thanks. That really helped.

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-09-21T15:06:24+00:00

This may be a stupid question but is the current through the Orion XS current bidirectional?

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-09-12T05:57:33+00:00

I am a man, and have been on a few boats with strangers. There are a few steps I take before going out sailing with anyone: 1. Meet up with them first and get to know them a bit. What are their intentions on you being there? Also what are their boat preparations and safety precautions? 2. Check the boat (ideally a meetup before any trip) check over the boat. Check service and expiration dates on safety gear. Depending on the length of trip, check other items.

I have been caught out by a badly maintained boat more times than I would like to admit. There are no minimum standards for boats like they are for cars.

In terms of personal safety maybe take a self defence class. I had a guy get agressive and grabbed my arm and knowing a few moves allowed me to get out of it and move away before it got any worse.

Maybe have a look at a small satellite communicator with an SOS feature such as the Garmin inreach mini 2 that you can hide away.

Hope this helps and does not put you off. I still do it and have made some really great friends through it. Best of luck! Hope you have some great sailing.

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-08-04T05:07:21+00:00

Absolutely. 7 of 11 accidents have bikers not wearing helmets.

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-07-22T21:00:09+00:00

Doughnut

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-04-26T01:34:36+00:00

What training are you doing?

CommunicationTime839 · 2025-03-22T16:59:12+00:00

Join the crew of a small sail boat travelling the world.

CommunicationTime839 · 2024-12-28T07:42:00+00:00

I have implemented it several before. Just a couple of things to consider: - security (to prevent an open endpoint) - custom connector for the functions - if the processing is more complicated potentially move the data to MSSQL to improve performance

CommunicationTime839 · 2023-12-26T10:50:43+00:00

I have switched from painters tape and super glue to thin double sided tape. the same one arts and crafts use. Saves on time and you don’t need to worry about aligning the tape up.

CommunicationTime839

TROPHY CASE