Dear all,
Many thanks for your replies.
I totally agree with David remarks about skills.
I have often experienced that skills can be acquired by doing the jobs.
Besides, I'm not totally unable.
I consider myself a not-too-bad mechanic. I have worked 20 years on oil rigs, I have had several italian motorcycles (they're good for developing one's mechanical skills), and since I only buy second/third hand cars, I'm used to get my hands dirty.
I can solder laptops main-board parts, I play a little guitar, and I do the cooking 5 days a week.
Problems are stimulating, they rarely have no solution, and if they have one, I make a point of finding it.
It's just that I have not worked with wood too much, and have a lot of admiration for you guys and the work you perform on your boats.
Annie, your explanations about the mast are perfectly clear and convincing. You really answered my questions.
By the way, next month I will order your book "Voyaging on a Small Income". Too bad there is no french translation, I would have offered it to my (soon-to-be) wife!
Meanwhile, I am a great fan of your blog.
As for the budget, I can't say... It still depends of several other things. The less, the better, but nothing definite.
I'm eager to get info on Grahame Rendell's Dufour 27 in Bermuda. The size of the boat is ideal to me, the location is relatively convenient, if the price is right things could happen fast.
Otherwise... I'll wait to see how things go.