Do you even know how to sail?

Another question I hear a lot is “What experience do you have?”

Most people think I am crazy after they hear what I have to say about this subject, let me start with the formality part;

I hold a Master 100 GRT near Coastal Coastguard license

I have been through many classes at the Clatsop Community College that covered;

Rules of the road, Marine navigation, Celestial navigation, Seamanship, First Aid/CPR, Fire response, Marine Safety drills, Radio Communication, Hazwoper, Visual Communications, Vessel stability, Coastal Navigation & Voyage Planning.

For 5 years I ran a Guide service named “Fish On Adventures” that specialized in salmon and Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia river in Oregon.  I gave this up when it got so busy guiding that I would have to quit my full time job at Hewlett Packard to keep guiding and I decided that the full time pay and benefits where more important since I still had kids around.

Other than the official training and Certifications I have been on a boat of one kind or another most of my adult life.  We have spent many days in a 25’ fiberglass boat 60 miles offshore chasing Albacore Tuna out of NewportorDepoe BayOregon with many more days 30 miles offshore catching Halibut and Salmon.

John's 100+LB Halibut! View at Picasa John's 100+LB Halibut!08-Aug-2005 02:31, SONY DSC-U60, 5.6, 5.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100

Albacore out of Depoe Bay Oregon! View at Picasa Albacore out of Depoe Bay Oregon!

Seasick

Jac has less experience on a boat, but she is a natural to the water.  When everyone else is seasick she is wondering why and actually has said she is looking forward to her first time (ha me too!). She can sleep when everyone else is getting beat up and she loves to crack a Tuna on the head when she boats it.

I don’t think I could have another partner better suited to learn while we go, did I mention she has a photographic memory?  I have heard people talk about having photographic memories but she is the only person I have actually met that really can do it, seriously she can pull phone numbers, what you where wearing from 10 years ago.  Yes I do lose most arguments because she is usually right!

I have spent a limited amount of time on a Sailing vessel and we are planning on taking the first year of our cruising life just learning the intricacies involved with sailing Vs Motor boating.

We are intelligent people (well Jac is anyway) and there is no way I will plan and execute a voyage until we are both prepared to handle whatever situation may come up.

Any of you have some great suggestions for us please feel free to comment or contact us and let us know.

Newport Bridge at Night! View at Picasa Newport Bridge at Night!07-Aug-2007 20:51, Canon Canon EOS 20D, 4.0, 17.0mm, 8 sec, ISO 400