Andrea's Comments

Hello,
This is great. Just got on board and like it already. I was thinking maybe I can find some boats and captains to get hooked up with here.

Thanks for your interest in my boat search and sending the Alberg page which I've put in my "favorites."

I haven't been out to actually look at a boat for months. "Life" has a way of intruding....trying to finalize a couple of business projects hasn't been easy. Caught up in the boss's divorce (as signator to all the business bank accounts I've had to attend depositions, court hearings etc. and spend days preparing paperwork to support it all). Most importantly has been gathering the paperwork needed to obtain a "pensionado" visa in Panama. The whole reason for looking for the "right" boat is to sail down there from Fort Lauderdale.

Though I peruse the various "boats for sale" sources regularly nothing has hit the nerve that would make me get in the car and go check one out. It's not so much that there aren't a lot of sailboats available, it's just that there are so few that are, for me, worth looking at. In my search for my sweet Nancy Dawson, I learned that there are a LOT of boats I DON'T want to own, and having spent over 30 years working on boats professionally as a captain and repairing them I don't have that compelling desire to just be out on the water.

To wrap this up, it seems that most of the people that have boats for sale are totally unrealistic as to what their boats are actually worth. Their attitude is "I spent X number of dollars when I bought it (almost surely at an unrealistic price in the first place) and X number of dollars since then." Well, so what? As it sits there now it's generally worth a lot LESS. But love is in the eye of the beholder.

However, I'm not discouraged. My next boat is out there. I just haven't found it yet.

When is it? Not sure i'm up for a road trip any time soon :-( Miss you guys!

Hi Andrea, The race was SO much fun. When they invited me to stay and race on Sunday it took little convincing, so I stayed and raced on Sunday as well. It was fantastic to be out on the water in a sailboat again. We placed second in the cruising class- I am going to do the Boston Harbor Islands regatta with them on Sept 27th. Thanks for encouraging me! Can't wait to see you and catch up :-) ~Sharon

We are also looking forward to this weekend!!

I will most likely stop at Trader Joe's this week. We plan to leave on Thursday night, so I may end up going there on Wednesday. It depends on our dinner plans.

Thanks for your nice comments on my plans. I've started the paperwork for getting a resident's visa in Panama last week.

The boat search is slow. When I was searching for Nancy Dawson years ago one thing I learned....there are a lot of boats out there that aren't worth looking at for what I have in mind. My Kaiser 26 (Hull 24 of 26 built) was an exceptional find.

I really like that Aloha except for that spade rudder. At a minimum I'd want it attached to a real sturdy skeg. But the interior is proof positive that you don't need a huge boat to cruise in style and comfort.

Thanks for the Chefs at Sea tip. I just signed up for that group. Your trip to Maine sounded like lots of fun. We are leaving Portland in the AM for Booth Bay. Haven't had any lobster yet but am looking forward to it.

Hi Andrea. We are in Portland right now. It has been a little rainy and a lot cooler than we are used to in August but still nice. Looking forward to having some lobster soon.

I dont know how I got invited ,but I'm stoked to be a member of such a network that is aimed at what I'm totally dreaming of doing,CRUISING!!!!!I dream of it when I sleep I dream of it when I'm working and all moments in between. I will live the cruising lifestyle someday, OH yes I will!!!!Thanks----Tad

Thank you Andrea

Thanks for the invite! We're (well, I'm) working on finishing up the outside of the shed (Rose is at her parents). Got the railroad ties, topsoil, mulch, then, oh wait, IT'S POURING AND LIGHTNING OUT. Awesome!

Hope you guys are ok in the storm! Talk to you soon...

You didnt get to go sailing on your Bday?? pffft...well that's just not right ..perhaps your friends need to make that up to you by getting you back out on the water as soon as possible! *LOL*. All kidding aside, hope yours was a truly good one ...even if it wasnt spent on the water! Cheers!

GT IS REALLY NICE THIS TIME OF YEAR. LESS THAN 20 BOATS IN THE ENTIRE HARBOR. I'M ANCHORED DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE ENTRANCE TO LK VICTORIA, ABOUT A QUARTER MILE TRIP. I LIKE YOUR PICS.

NICE BLOG. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! I GOT YOU THE SAME THING I GAVE YOU LAST YEAR, BUT THE COLOR IS DIFFERENT. HELLO FROM GEORGE TOWN, BAHAMAS

Somebody have a Birthday ??? Hmmmm..must be you ...Happy belated Bday from the Gulf Coast of Texas !!! (And many MANY more!)

Happy Birthday Andrea, belated wishes but still filled with good wishes! I love the videos of that scary sailing day with P & D....Hope the waters are calmer now...

Oh, and Happy (belated) Birthday!

Thanks so much! Your's are great too! Some are "postcard perfect!"
Would you be interested in sending me some to feature in the "Cruising Photo of the Week" in the Cruising Compass? I'd love to show them off. Email them to Comments@cruisingcompass.com.

Andrea, Happy Birthday!!!