Ok~^^ As I mentioned in my last post, I wish to buy my own ship and take to the sea~ but I can't do that immediately.. First, I have to finish my current contract with the school here in South Korea. I also have to save up money during my time here in order to be able to afford said ship. But the most important set back is the fact that I have absolutely no experience whatsoever of ever sailing a boat, much less being on a boat in the open ocean. So, once I get back to the states, I will have to gain a lot of experience before I can finally set out on my own.
So! While I'm finishing up my contract, I will be studying everything I can about sailing from books and the internet in order to at least have the theory down before I even step aboard a vessel. Then, as soon as I get back, I will begin volunteering to crew sailing vessels in order to gain experience. Luckily, my mother lives on the coast, so I will have easy access to plenty of ships along the docks there. Meanwhile, I will still have to continue working at least part-time in order to pay off the student loans and save more money for my my own vessel. I have decided to work a couple seasonal positions with the USFS or USPS along the coast somewhere so that I can make GOOD money & still have access to the sea in order to gain sailing experience on my days off.
I have looked into the market now and it seems I can get a very decent vessel for a very good price; approximately $10,000 - $15,000 depending on overall size and build. I have already picked out the style of ship I wish to have and that's a gaff-rigged ketch of approximately 40ft in length on deck. I also wish for her to be built of wood, like the classic sailing ships of the past. Also, wood is much easier to work with for me as I have experience in that area. I have some designs I've made for modifications I'd like to make to my vessel before setting sail, so I will be working on those as well.
I will take about 1 or 2 years to gain experience, save up money, modify my ship, and make goods to sell in the ports I anchor in while sailing. I also planned to gain my concealed weapons permit for my pistol and a weapons permit for my sword, so that I can carry them legally aboard my ship for self-defense/protection. Sailing can be dangerous and you never know what characters you might face upon the sea.. I do hope to make friends within the sailing realm as well, so that I can put together a good crew of people I trust for when I finally decide to set sail. Sailing can be VERY dangerous and I don't want to leave anything to chance! So, I want to make sure everyone on my crew is experienced and has their sailing license before we ever set sail.
The goods I plan on offering shall be my handmade crafts; teddy bears, jewelry, clothing, photography, among others. I also plan on offering services via my ship such as delivery, transport, day cruises, rescue, salvage, & repair. I will also pick up goods in rural ports around the world to sell in other countries so as to make a little extra income on wares I can't provide myself. I'd also catch and trade fish in ports for supplies or cash which is a very lucrative and relatively simple task, so long as I have the means to accomplish such a task. There are SO many options for making money while sailing~^^
Those are my basic plans so far. I have already learned about the parts of a ship, a few rules about sailing, and how to tie some important knots that are commonly used on sailing vessels. I've even begun to put together my own little journal, so I can keep clear, concise notes on all I learn. Considering it's only been about a week and a half since I came up with this entire scheme.. I think I'm doing a pretty decent job getting things done~^^ I even have a decent amount of money already put away for my ship! Which I'm naming Sunny Freedom, by the way.. since FREEDOM is what she is~ & Sunny because I know that every single day aboard my own ship will be the happiest days of my life and every day will feel as if it's filled with brilliant sunshine, even in the worst storms & pouring rain~
A life of freedom & adventure? HERE I COME!!! :D
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