It's the end of the sailing season .. now just gotta wait for next year.

Trying to get to the marina

After working on Drifter all summer with a couple of weekends sailing her I feel ready and confident about moving her and myself to the marina and leave this land based house behind me. Now all I have to do is convice the insurance company, Boat U.S. that the radiator heater that I have for her is just as safe if not safer that a "marine" heater i.e. propane, diesel, or alcohol. type heaters.

Got a boat

I finally found a boat :-), She's in fairly good shape needs some bottom paint and touch up on wood work. The test sail was pleasant and fun while there are no fancy things on board like roller furling and such the sail were easier to operate than the sail boat I had learned to sail on ... cant wait to get her painted and in the water again.

simplequestionmovie.com

Here is a couple of sailors and there project worth taking a look at and supporting ... these guys are trying to bring to light what the politicians keep sweeping under the carpet, and will continue to until its to late or we the people force change. Visit their web site at  simplequestionmovie.com

Still here

Not a thing going on, just saving cash and patiently waiting for the "right" time (and boat). So check back

Fishing for a boat (1st look)

So today I went to Sailboat Sales co. at Crowley's Yacht Yard (I have found that most sailboats being sold in the Chicago area are sold at this yard) to check out a 35' sailboat that seemed to fit the bill. The boat was in fairly rough shape (in my opinion) but with a little TLC it could be sort of a gem and it was in right price range, lets face it whatever I get will need work a lot of work. Although the salesman didn't do a very good job explaining things. He did however give me a couple of numbers to call where I might be able to get a loan for a sailboat, since I don't have that much cash laying around, and told me to go over to the Hammond Marina to check into sailing lessons (this was helpful). So sometime in June or July (gotta fit around work) I will be taking lessons at the Hammond Marina as suggested.

Photos from Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium

Photos at the Shedd

I hate snow

Good thing it's a 4X4

Face Book page

Well it took a while for me to figure out how to create my fb page and get it connected to my blog, I'm just not a techy I guess. Anyway it's up so don't forget to hit the "like" button.

Lets Begin

After High School I joined the US Marine Corps where I enjoyed traveling the world once by plane and once by ship (by far the best). Since sailing with the Corps I've always dreamt of sailing on my own realizing that without military rule I would have a lot more fun not to mention the freedom to do and go as I please. In 91' I got married (didn't last) and had two children, my life decisions have been based on the welfare for my children. With that I left the military after my divorce in 95' (I got full custody of my children) to better care and be available for my children even if this meant taking lower paying jobs and living pay check to pay check. As the kids got older I found better paying jobs but the hours were worse (no happy medium, go figure). 
Way back in 1992 my first child, a beautiful little girl was born. I unfortunately was deployed with the US Marine Corps aboard the USS Tripoli. I seen many great and wonderful ports (unable to fully enjoy any of them due to military regs) I promised myself that I would sail this wonderful planet again. Now that my children are grown and almost done with school its time that I begin fulfilling that long ago promise. Unfortunately I am broke I will be saving from $0.00, no its not mishandling of money but rather low paying jobs over the years and childcare costs and no wife to help and only a hit and miss girlfriend.

And so it begins.

I will be doing more research than blogging for now, at least until I get my sailboat.

With any luck I will be able to set sail late 2012.