Is this my new boat?

[Gary B]

Jeepers!! I have an opportunity to buy something close to my 'dream' cruising boat - at least in the sense of having all the equipment, all the capabilities, and all in reasonable shape. The boat has been around the world. It's also big - bigger than anything I had planned on for some time if ever - officially 44 feet but that includes a 4 foot bowsprit and about two feet of reverse transom (like most modern sailboats.

Because of the unique situation, I think I could be moved onto my 'someday' boat in a month or two, IFF I'm ready to quit talking about sailing, and commit. This is one of those decision points - to leap three years or more ahead of my 'plan', or walk away, buy a house and wonder if that was my opportunity for freedom in the remaining years of my life.

The boat is untraditional in many ways. It was designed and built by someone after my own heart for 'belt and suspenders construction' with dual redundant everything. One might say it's an "engineer's boat" - only someone with the geeky nature (as I have) would be comfortable with the number of electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems. And that's why I have this opportunity.

I'd love to have other sailors in the Southern New England area to drop by and take a look. The boat is an education just to look at it. Message me privately if you are interested.

[Veranda]

Gary, First off......no boat is ever finished...ever.

Second, You will go and see the boat in person before you get too involved won't you?

Good luck, just try not to fall in love too quickly.

Bill

[Gary B]

I just talked to the broker. I'm going to make an offer, and he thinks it will go. It will cost less than finishing the boat I have now.

[Liv]

What a beautiful vessel. Opportunity knocks and are you going to take it?
Sometimes in life one can not turn it down a new option because when we do, life takes us into a different path and the question arrises " did I miss out on what could have been "?
We're all getting older and when we don't do the things we want to do now, will there be another go at it??

[Gary B]

These are all good info - please keep it coming! I want to see all perspectives before I leap into anything.

[Gary B]

A valid and useful point, but it's cold molded with 8 oz. fiberglass so it's not like a plain wood boat - no caulking, etc. I have a friend who learned from a wooden boat builder that "a wood boat will take 2 hours per week for every ten feet of length to maintain". I would think that number actually goes up as the cube (volume), once you get over a certain size. However, I don't think this qualifies as a wood boat in that sense.

[Gary B]

I thought I posted this already but it seems to have disappeared: That's the OLD price. :)

[Veranda]

I dunno man, I just read the bulk of the ad and I think thats a lot of money for what boils down to a wood boat. Be patient, you could do better......

[Gary B]

To expand, Veranda, while I didn't say it so plainly I think that you have expressed my dilemma. It's like saying, "I want to go to the moon someday" to all your friends for several years, than having someone come up and saying, "Here's your ticket. The flight's in five minutes, be on it. The next flight is in five years - if ever."

[Gary B]

hole == den == grave - could be. Eek! I'll be talking to the broker tomorrow, I think....

[Veranda]

Or just go back into my hole and think about what might have been?

Sounds like a Freudian slip..........for going to your grave wondering what might have been.