So now I have a rough idea of the kind of boat I’m looking for, the begging begins. How much is one of these things going to cost me anyway? I have little savings, having churned through anything mildly substantial living in Berlin & trying to get a job (trust me, don’t even try…).

Early indications look like I could probably get away with spending about 8000Euros, or roughly $9500USD. Or heck, in Australian dollars… (cringe!) about $15000. So how much do I actually have? Not even half. Right now I’m holding my glass of water to the sky (hey, we’re in a heatwave here) and saying ‘heres to dreaming’… I think this is going to become my most popular phrase.

I have have a rough price, and mind you that price is for just the bones of the boat. Chances are, this thing is going to require a major overhaul. All sails that come with boats of this vintage and price are marked as ’serviceable’. This I believe, means they are shit. More or less, they need a lot of work. A full sail inventory could cost upwards of $10,000AUD, so I will just to deal with ’serviceable’ at this stage. The majority of hulls in this bracket also call for a little osmosis treatment. Osmosis is the method I attempted to use for learning German. I don’t like osmosis, and niether will my boat. She’ll more than likely need a new gel-coat and antifouling. Ouch. I will have to persuade someone to help me on that, and I will try and do as much of the work as I can. We’ll see.

Now I need some gadgets. Johannes thinks all I need are some charts and a handheld GPS - He is probably right, but I don’t think I’m so brave. I need a windvane, solar panels, more than likely a wind-generator, batteries, VHF radio, depth sounder, etc etc. Radar alarm? The list could take up another entry.

So I have no idea how I will get all this. First I will negotiate a boat. I will attempt to muster a thousand or three off the price, and then hit them with the $xxxx now and $xxxx per month until she’s paid for, and I’ll pay the docking fees until then. Haha, I have no idea if this will work. I’ll keep you updated.

nick.

As this madness comes into fruition, I’m doing the sums on my weekly expenses. No more beer, that’s for sure. No more beer, no more Doner Kebabs, no more frivolous book purchases. For the past 12 days, I have been living on 3euros a day, my rent being subsidised by the fact I keenly rented out the other half of my apartment for the World Cup.

However, this month, rent is all on me. Doing a quick calculation, it is about 10euros a day, plus my food which is 3euros. I have other miscellaneous debts still lingering from university, but they don’t count, right :). Living on 13euros a day in Europe, I think it’s going to be tough. Luckily I can’t watch TV, and I’ve stopped going outside except for food, nothing can tempt me!

Save save save save save save save save.

nick

After another few days of research, pestering newsgroups, individuals, yacht salesman and the like, I have come up with a list of potential yachts which could probably do the job (note this is not a difinitive list…):

S&S 32 (Jesse’s boat)
Island Packet 27
Orion 27
Sabre 28
Vancouver 27
Catalina 27
Contessa 26
Achilles 24
Cal 24

A number of the above boats have done proven circumnavigations. The Catalina is mildly lightweight, the Achilles and Cal maybe a tad small, the others bar the Contessa far too expensive. So the Contessa 26: It has survived a number of public circumnavigations by Brian Caldwell and Tania Aebi. A current expedition is underway by two Norwiegens in their boat BIKA. In my limited knowledge, this seems like the sure winner. More research, prices to be found, gel-coats to price. The list is limitless.

I have spent at least 9 hours today on Yachtworld.com, reviewing boats, figuring out realistic budgets, and researching each boat I’ve found to figure out it’s long distance offshore cruising ability. It seems from a price point of view, purchasing in America is the cheapest place in the world. Europe has a few gems, and since I am already here (Germany) maybe it is the easiest. I have also found numerous books on the subject, and hope to find second hand copies:

• Handbook of Offshore Cruising: The Dream and Reality of Modern Ocean Cruising
• Ocean Cruising on a Budget Nigel Calder’s Cruising Handbook: A Compendium for Coastal and Offshore Sailors
• Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat: A Guide to Essential Features, Handling, and Gear
• Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere

These books really made me feel like not everything is impossible. Sailing and yachts in general have an aura of expensive lifestyles behind them. I think it is just a fallacy by movie producers and watch makers. I think, chances are 90% of the worlds yachts are probably owned by normal people… While on the topic of books, I cannot forget to mention Jesse Martin who captured everbody’s heart with his solo circumnavigation. I read this book five years ago. Thanks Jesse!

I need a book sponsor.

nick

The seed is still strong. I have spent the last week thinking. Thinking hard. Thinking ‘how is this possible. I need to learn so much, convince so many people, and make so much money’. I am obviously not going to start the voyage with so little solo experience. I will be attending the Trafalgar Sailing School in Gibraltar come January, for intensive training. From there I will be put on yacht deliveries to increase my miles, and then I hope to do the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate. I need pretty much learn how to sail around the world in about three months.

nick

I’ve had this idea on and off for a few years. It isn’t completely random. A sailboat to go places. Places far far away. But how am I going to afford a yacht though? I have no idea. Heres to dreaming.

I must admit to deriving some inspiration from Moxie Marlinspike, anarchist, software developer and general life-adventurer. This was over a year ago that I discovered Moxie, and ever since, I have had his stories sitting in the back of my mind.

We’ve all secretely wanted to vanish… It’s time to try I guess.

nick.