Backtracking to the Beginning

It is tough to sit here (Inauguration Day for our new president) and think back, almost a year, to the beginning of my search for my boat. During the time that I cared for Mom, after Dad passed, I had made one trip down to Annapolis and looked at boats, with my niece and her husband and baby. I recall that I knew nothing about what I wanted, but was most impressed with a Amel 46, shown to us by its owner after the broker departed. I recall standing on one 45 footer, at the aft cockpit helm, and feeling the fear that I couldn't possibly handle anything this large. The Amel was a wonderful boat and I will never forget looking thru her and listening to the owner's adventures. He was too old to work the winches and had bought a Super Marimu, a boat which I would sail a year later, as guest of Paul and Joyce on Lady H, from Norfolk Va to St Maarten.

Later that year, I found a Beneteau First 42 on line for sale in NC, and drove down to see her. She had been around the world, and I thought that I had found a 'Chevy' that had done it and could do it, and that settled me into looking at Beneteau's. Perhaps too light, but certainly faster than many cruisers. Anyway, that lead me in that direction, and I continued to search online for First's. I watched and read about equipment and tried to learn what I wanted in a boat. I typed out and kept current a list of what I was looking for.

During the time I cared for Mom, I bought a lot of books on cruising and sailing, as well as some tapes. The tapes were very disappointing, as they had little info of substance, but I read the books cover to cover. Some were better than others, but they reinforced my my list of equipment. I think a lot were out of date as far as today's cruising style, but I gleened a lot of info, at least to file away for reference. I skipped some of the parts on food, thinking that I would read them later when onboard and living on a boat.

Jump forward to January '08. I took a trip down to Ft Lauderdale and looked at 5 boats listed. I tied myself to one broker to show me all five, and, although he was a nice guy and knowledgeable, I didn't like some of the things that happened over that long weekend. When I found myself driving out to his home to meet him and follow him to the last boat, I realized I didnt like doing it this way. I met his aged mother-in-law who said he wasnt home, and had to have coffee with his wife, all before departing to look at the boat.

A month later, I flew to St. Pete to look at 3 Cabo Rico's that were the same age but at different locations. I dealt with the listing agent for each. Calling about a 4th boat, I met Mike Pearce over the phone, and he had a 5th boat to show me, if I would take the time. A 1980'ish Morgan 462. I drove away from the 3rd Cabo Rico, feeling guilty that I was going to waste Mike's time, because I knew I was going to make an offer on it. And then I met the Morgan, and everything changed. She was out of the price range I had been looking at, but could be bought for less. Listed for 109,000 now, she had been on the market for much more 6 months before, and the owner had turned down an offer of 110,000. She had everything on my list but solar panels and a swim platform. I bought her from a wonderful fellow, who made the sale as smooth and cordial as anyone could possibly done. I returned and Mike moved her to his brokerage slip in Salt Creek, in Tampa Bay. And within a week living on board, I fell in love with my fat lady and I am so happy with her, so far.

Laptop is getting warm and my fingers are getting tired. More later....