Step 3: Charter/Coastal Cruising

Chartering boats is one way of trying out different boats, expereincing different sailing areas, and previewing the lifestyle - all without any lasting investment. Here is some chartering info:

CharterNet - MN

"Adventure Cruising"

Morgan's Cloud

Adventure chartering is also available through Cruising World - you sail with a group of people on different boats to unique locations under the guidance of their professionals and a guest skipper (someone of note in community).

Coastal Cruising is another step along the way - to help test out gear, navigation and communication skills, see how I react to living at sea (seasickness), etc. - nothing like a good shakedown. So the experts recommend several of these excursions beginning with a day out and up - however if I want to go for longer than a 3 weeks or so - a passage to the Bahamas and beyond can be arranged and then I'll get a chance to sail out of sight of the shore.