Introductions / How did you find sailFar.net?

[Frank]

Welcome aboard Steve. "not biased against small boats"....hec no...we celebrate them  ;D

[AdriftAtSea]

Welcome aboard Steve.  Here, we haven't been brainwashed by the modern sailing press into thinking that to sail on longer voyages requires a boat that costs $300,000+ and is over 40' long.  That's just marketing hype... people have been sailing, even around the world, in delightful little boats like the ones people on this site own.  :D

[Steve H]

Thanks for the welcome .
I have gotten alot of funny remarks when I have mentioned to other sailors that I want to sail my little 24 ft boat across the gulf to florida and beyond or down to mexico and beyond .
I dont doubt my boat or myself ,we all know any boat can sink if the conditions are right or wrong .
I think small boat owners just wait for the right weather and hope for the best .
Steve

[Frank]

Steve...tell us about your boat....make/model year???Modifications etc??

[CharlieJ]

Howdy Steve. Kemah eh? I was in there just week before last. We delivered a Hunter Cherubini up into Clear Lake from here in Port Lavaca. Offshore- 19 hours jetty to jetty, Matagorda to Bolivar roads. Not too shabby eh?

Where is your boat kept there?

[Steve H]

Hi Frank and Charlie ,  my boat is a 1965 columbia challenger 24.4 ft  same as Bob has . I have ran into some of the same problems he has had .
I use  the motor well for my 9.9 evinrude yachtwin ,more power than i need but i like the charger .
I dont remove my motor when sailing so a lift is not neccesary ,it is a tight fit by the way I have to turn it sideways to get it in the well .
I am currently working on the hatch ,after getting some ideas here .
I havent had a problem with water from the cockpit flooding the cabin but he makes a good point .
my boat is not currently ready for exstended cruising but im working on it .
Steve

[Gus]

Welcome Steve!

[CapnK]

Welcome aboard - and Grog! - to the newer members! :) If there's a 'small boat bias' here, it's for small boats, not against 'em! ;)

[atomvoyager]

Greetings Sailfar,

I've corresponded with Kurt and know other members here and read a few posts from time to time, but haven't had the online time to join in yet. We're still working full time fitting out cruising boats between Jacksonville and Savannah. Now and then we do some local sailing. We hope to sail far again after this stint ashore saving some cruising funds. Meanwhile it's gratifying to assist other sailors getting underway.

When time permits I hope to contribute to the forum. If anyone here plans to sail past Brunswick, GA we'd like to get a visit from you.

James Baldwin
www.atomvoyages.com

[pura vida]

Greeting to you! I for one have admired your website and voyages. You are an inspiration and a wealth of ideas.  Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Mike

[CapnK]

I know that James, Mei, and "Atom" have (and still do!) inspired lots of folks, here and elsewhere!

Dan/"psyche" needs to post some more photos of the beautiful work y'all have done on his boat, too! I've seen a few pics, it's amazing. :) Linky:

http://www.atomvoyages.com/projects/Columbia.htm

[BobW]

Hi Steve,

It's great to have another Challenger on the board!  I'll look forward to sharing tales, tips, and ideas with you.

I'd have said hello sooner, but we just moved and it took Comcast nearly 3 weeks to get me back online.

[KenR]

Hi All,

Found the site recently and really enjoy it. We have a 1984 Sovereign 28 and are learning seamanship and how to enjoy ourselves sailing. Sailfar is a big help when you feel dazed and confused.

[BobW]

Welcome aboard, Ken!

Tell us where you sail your Sovereign 28.

[KenR]

Thanks Bob,

So far our range has been limited to the Fort Myers, FL area between Naples and Boca Grande. Hope to progressively extend our sailing/cruising further as we gain experience. Would like to spend time in the Bahamas next year.

[Captain Smollett]

I'd also like to extend a "welcome aboard," Ken.  Have some grog.   :)

[AdriftAtSea]

Welcome aboard Ken.  Can you tell us a bit more about the sovereign 28?

[Lynx]

Welcome KenR - I sail out of Port Charlotte, Fl. It is a really easy trip to the Keys and waiting for a good weather wilndow to cross to the Bahamas makes it an easy but boring trip as well.

If you can take a longer trip go down to Everglades City. Try to go in with the tide.

[KenR]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.

We really enjoy our Sovereign 28, "Blown Away". Center cockpit, shoal draft with a narrow beam - honestly had never even heard of a Sovereign when we started looking for our first boat at the end of 2005. But once we saw her, there was no question that she was the one. It has been very difficult to find out anything on this model.

Lynx, thanks for the info. We are indeed planing to go everywhere we possibly can. Everglades City is certainly one destination on our list as well. BTW we took our 3 day sailing course out of Burnt Store Marina right before finding our sailboat.

[CapnK]

Welcome aboard, Ken, have another Grog from me. :)