Does this boat make me look fat?

This pic is from a few weeks ago when I headed down to see the 393 for the first time.

Patience is a virtue, and I, my friends, am not virtuous. I've mellowed over the years, sure.  But Officially Patient?  I think not.  We had the survey/sea trial on Friday.  All went well - you know, if you don't count the dock fire, the drained batteries, the crazed windows, the cracks in the fiberglass under the floor, the seacocks that are not currently up to code, the screw that practically cut my pinkie finger off, yadda yadda yadda... ;)  It's Sunday.  We still haven't seen the report.  I suppose I can let it go - it IS Father's Day and a weekend after all.

Here we are - parked right next to a Lagoon 380!  One of our favorite cats - and what we were originally shopping for.

So how about that Survey?  As I said, I don't have the official report, but per our surveyor "it's really not too bad."  That's a relief.  (I sure hope his report is more detailed than that...)  But what about all that crap I listed in the 2nd paragraph?!?

1. There's a screw in the lock on the interior side of the door in the fwd head that's not put in correctly.  It's kind of in at an angle.  When I grabbed the door to see if the lock worked, it immediately sliced my pinkie open.  Guess I need to take a screw driver on the next visit and whip that sucker into shape.  There's not been a real estate remodel that's not gotten at least a little bit of blood out of me, so why should our boat be any different?  (ps, how does that first sentence translate?  The inside of the door in the bathroom in the master bedroom...  Silly boat-speak.)
2. Seacocks.  Apparently there are some regulations that have not been met underneath the head sinks. Too many connections = too many chances for water on board.  This will be remedied.
3. Cracks in the fiberglass.  It's a fiberglass boat.  It flexes.  M. was a composite guru in a former life and has no issues with what he saw.  (neither did the surveyor)  He can repair/reinforce the area, and it will be better than new.  
4. Crazed windows.  The windows on boats are Lexan and we've yet to be on a boat that didn't at least have a couple of windows that were full of crazing/tiny internal cracks.  The surveyor was fairly insistent that at least a few of them be replaced.  I'm all for new hatches.  I like to actually be able to see out my windows...  According to the surveyor, the issue comes in when a rogue wave crashes into the side of your boat and the cracked/weakened windows give - resulting in a really wet interior.  Not ideal on a boat.
5. Drained batteries.  Not a big deal, really.  The boat was not plugged in when we got there for the survey.  They did charge during the sea trial, and per the surveyor, they were fine.  (waiting on the report to verify that)
6. Dock Fire.  Yes, fire.  Saved the best for last.  The power cord that leads from the dock to the boat (there's one for regular power and one for A/C - this one was for A/C) had a cut in it.  Fortunately, the cut - and resulting sparks/flames/virtual EXPLOSION! (I exaggerate) - was in the part of the cord still on the dock.  The cord is hardwired to the A/C vs plugged into the stern (back of the boat, for you non-boat-peeps).  The damaged portion of the cord was cut off and we were able to carry on with the inspection.  However, that entire cord will be replaced before closing at the end of the month. 

Oopsie.  Just a little scorch mark.

We took the wieners to see the boat Saturday, before we headed back to Savannah.  You can see Molly peeking around from the cockpit.  Neither of them were too thrilled with the boat, but Molly did eventually venture out onto the deck and check things out.  We did not go below - the boat was locked and we just wanted a short introduction for the dogs.  We haven't figured out just how the tiny legged dachshunds are going to get up and down yet. I'm sure there will be a post on that - as soon as my genius craftsman/husband decides how he wants to go about it.  

The further we drove up A1A, the longer our to-do list got.  I hear that's pretty standard for boat owners - the never ending upgrades/adjustment/tweaks.  We even did some on our power boat.  But it's all about making her a home.  And we can't wait to get started!

Happy Father's Day everybody!

e-ddicted.

I'm addicted to e-books.  Not just any e-books, but sell-everything-you-own-buy-a-boat-and-just-get-out-there e-books.

I've been following lots of blogs over the last year or two - it started right after we decided that talking about living on a boat is fun, but actually LIVING on a boat would be sowaycooler.

I've read Bumfuzzle, A Sail of Two Idiots, Happier than a Billionaire (ok, that one's not about sailors, but still pick up and leave the rat race - and hilarious!) - and so many more.

Just had a referral for Embarrassment of Mangoes - and plan to start that today on the drive down to check out the Beneteau.  Know of any other good ones?  Did YOU write one?  I'm happy to contribute to the sailing kitty, as long as I get a laugh out of the deal.

Happy Sailing!

What about my SUP?!

We're still in the planning stages of living on a boat.  And with all this time on my hands before we leave for FL tomorrow - for Friday's inspection and sea trial (!), I'm wondering what the heck we're going to do about our SUP's.

Nothing better than starting the day with a paddle

If you're not familiar, a SUP is a Stand Up Paddle board.  We currently have 2 - a Walden and a Naish. One is hefty, long and wide - perfect for throwing down some down dog and single leg balances.  The other - the Naish, is better built for turning/surfing, as it's shorter, but it's also slower.  Regardless - we love both!  They both have their advantages.

Here's M. heading out on a Christmas paddle

The disadvantage?  They are rigid, huge boards.  Are we going to be able to put them on the boat?  It's a 39 footer, but there is currently no dinghy, and only so much deck space.  That's led me to inflatables.  I'm digging in and doing some research.  These suckers are just as they sound - inflatable.  So when you deflate them, they roll up and go into their own storage bags.  Much better for stowing away on a boat.  And at anchor, I image we'd blow them up and just tie them off the swim deck for easy access.

Do any of you have experience with inflatable SUP's?  I'd love some recommendations.  This is absolutely one toy we're not leaving our land home without!

Waiting. And more waiting.

Just an update on what's happening in the boat buying phase.  Waiting.  That's what's happening.  That's all that's happening.  Oddly similar to the shopping phase, where we just sat around playing on the internet.  For ages.

Anyway.  I've called around and gotten prices on the various marinas in the area.  Let's just say that I understand why most cruisers live on the hook.  I wonder if we can put a mooring ball in the river behind the house...?  You know, just down from the marina that's going to charge us $420 to park our boat.  (And if we *gasp* want electricity, it'll be another $60.)  

I've also been calling and getting a variety of quotes on insurance.  Seems the cheapest is to have a date specific policy.  We would be required to keep the boat north of Florida from June 1 to November 1 - Hurricane Season.  Not really a problem for now, as we won't have a big enough chunk of time to go to the Bahamas until Christmas.  And we can always change the policy later - when we're ready to hit the seas for longer periods.  And we can always sail north in the summer.

Speaking of hurricane season, I suppose I would've heard by now if tropical storm Andrea had annihilated "our" boat.  I have to say, if she has, I'll take that as a major sign that, gee, maybe she's not the right boat for us... ;)

I feel like I'm just rambling now.  Our survey and sea trial are set for next Friday.  In the meantime, landlife goes on.  Classes to teach, houses to landlord over, trainings to be taken.  And maybe a nap for good measure.

Bon Voyage!

Jennifer

Jinx! (Part 1 of The Top Secret Steps of Buying a Boat)

I know, I know.  I don't technically own the boat yet, and I could be tempting the fates by assuming all will go thru, blah blahsidy blah.  I'm not a Tempting of the Fates kinda girl.  I'm more of a Ask the Universe for What You Want and Boom! It'll Happen kinda girl.  Anyway, I have been reading sailing blogs for a couple of years and often get frustrated when the writer chooses not to share all the details of that time between picking a boat and closing on the sucker (I get it - I just want to read about it!).  How am I supposed to learn anything if people don't blog about it!?!  (um, that's kind of a joke - see, I know I can learn things from places other than sailing blogs...) So here I am, documenting the purchase of a boat - good or bad you need to know the nitty gritty details, right?

Here's the low down:  (Keep in mind that we're starting from ground zero here - we don't even know how to sail yet!  This is just what we've learned up to this point)

1. Figure out what you really NEED in a boat - then find the smallest, most affordable version you can handle. It took us 2 years to travel from wanting a motor yacht to a trawler to a catamaran to this monohull...
2. Find that boat! As soon as we knew exactly what we were looking for, it showed up.  Thanks Universe :)
3. Make an offer (- good rule of thumb seems to be 10% less than listing price, but that may be something I've learned in haggling in general)
4. Put 10% of agreed upon price down via an escrow account with the Broker.  We went back and forth a couple of times before we agreed on a price (this 10% is to be wired to the account in most cases, and completely refundable to you if you change your mind at any time before signing the Acceptance of Vessel form)
5. Arrange for a survey/sea trial - find a surveyor that is certified with SAMS or NAMS in case the insurance/financing requires this.  Try to get referrals!  
6. Schedule a haul out at near by marina that coincides with Surveyor's schedule (Duh, they need to coincide, but I had to be told this.  Sometimes common sense is not so common.)
7. Apparently the broker/seller handles the hiring of a Captain to move the boat for haul out/sea trial
8. Arrange financing (if necessary) This will take a few weeks to close - just like a mortgage.  They will need a copy of the survey in order to close the deal.
9. Arrange insurance (they will also need a copy of your survey)
10. Arrange a slip for your new boat at a local marina!

We've completed almost all 10 of these items so far.  Just a few more details to be handled and then the waiting part kicks in.  Our survey/sea trial is scheduled in a couple of weeks, then closing is a couple of weeks after that.  Then we have to get our new floating home home!  We are still looking for a Captain for this, but have a couple of options lined up, I think.

I'll be doing another post after closing to list the rest of the steps - after I learn them ;)  In the meantime, I DO have photos and videos that I'm hanging onto for later posts.  Be patient - it'll happen!