Community Inquiry: Questions for Boaters

Hello! 

 

We are Leo And Virginia, a soon-to-be-married couple living a few blocks from the QCYC. Leo is a 39yo scientist from Australia and Virginia is a 32to Physician Assistant from Argentina. This summer we’ll complete our ASA certifications for bareboat charter. We sold our house and resigned from our jobs and are in the market for a boat for long term cruising. Leo has owned boats before (sail and power), but none large. Out intention is to buy a live-aboard cruiser (sail) this summer. We’re close to the point of making offers and would greatly appreciate any thoughts/advice from the local sailing community. 

 

We had our engagement party at QCYC in keeping with our plans and intentions, but we don’t yet have any local connections in the sailing community. As relatively inexperienced sailors about to make a life-changing investment, we’re hoping to connect with some local sailors with long-range bluewater experience to help us with advice and input into these decisions. We’re hoping that some sailors might connect with us to share their stories. 

 

We’re hoping for these things in particular: 

1) Advice on must haves and must not haves for a blue water sailer of 45-50 ft. 

2) The hope to visit and ‘get a feel’ for a range of boats in this range for layout and tips. 

3) Advice on avoiding mistakes at this critical juncture

4) Benefits of a membership in a club that would give us reciprocal rights while cruising

 

If this is something that anyone at QCYC might be able to help us with, we’d be very grateful. Given the current situation, we can set up a simple internet connection to chat via video (you’d just need to click a link), and if that’s not possible we can organize to meet if appropriately socially distanced. 

 

Hoping to hear from you,