A Little Less Landlocked

The purchase has been completed.  Insurance has been secured.  We are now the new owners of a 1983 Hunter 34 sailboat.  This was a interesting process.

If you ask my wife what my favorite pastime is, she will say it is looking at sailboats.  I spend a great deal of time on Craigslist, Sailing Texas and Sailboat Listings looking for the right boat for our family.  Having owned various sailboats in the past, there is a long list of things that the next sailboat must have for our sailing needs. Some of these needs are for me and some for my wife and some for the kids.  Either way it means countless hours looking at boats on the internet.  It is a misconception thinking that any boat would be the perfect fit for  our needs or have all the gear that we would be interested in.   Really, all you are looking for is the boat that has the things that are highest on your priority list and the other things you can add or change later.

So that is what I found.  A Hunter 34 was for sale on Craigslist.  It was priced well below actual value.  So, the first thing to cross your mind is, "What is wrong with this boat?".  Then to make matters worse, a local broker listed the same boat on Craigslist for almost 10k more than the asking price on the previous Craigslist ad.  My RED flags were going crazy.  I contacted the seller.  I find out that he is not local and that he is needed in sell the boat that he just purchased in June.  (Another Red Flag)   He said that the broker made the second Craigslist ad without his knowledge.  (Green Flag... but I still contacted the Broker to verify this story.)  So end the end, the owner posted the boat with a low price to create a bidding war between interested parties.

After checking on the fact that the owner was representing the boat in the actual condition and without any problems or liens, then we were free to try to out bid other buyers.  The day we first seen the boat, there was already an offer in hand.  After several offers back and forth, we out lasted the others and the boat was ours.   A quick sea trial and the papers were signed.

The Dreams of a Landlocked Sailor are a little less landlocked.  The boat is berthed on Lake Michigan in Michigan City, Indiana.  Lake Michigan is connected to most waterways of the world.  Time for this sailor to think outside the lake.

Sell Your Boat to Me.

It is two hours before I have to get up to drive another two hours to Michigan City to take a look at a boat that is for sale.  The excitement always gets to me and I have a hard time sleeping.  You might say, "But, It's just a boat." However, to me it is freedom, relaxation and time I get to spend with my family. 

There are a few other things that I am excited for as well.  This boat has stand up headroom.  Something that you miss in a 23 footer with only 4 and a half foot clearance.  Next, I am tired for lugging the old port-a-pot to shore to dump. (It's a crappy job, but someone has to do it and with all girls in the household that fall on me.  I did not even get to vote.)  This boat has a storage tank and can be pumped out at the marina. The Hunter 34 has wheel steering that my wife and I learned to sail with. I am glad to have had a boat with tiller steering in the past to help me get a better connection with the wind and water, because with a tiller, it does FEEL different.  In the past, the girls wanted to being friends sailing with us. Now, there would be plenty of room. The 34 sleeps 7.  So, as she sits in the water and I await seeing her, she meets my criteria for the next boat.

All that stuff is fine and dandy, but a waste if left day and night at the dock.  I have a plan. Actually, it is a five year plan.  First, complete the purchase of the Hunter and secure storage for winter and a slip for next summer. Over the next three summers, take a months vacation to explore Door County, Traverse Bay, and Mackinac. In the forth year, we will take two months to take the boat through the St. Lawerence seaway, down the ICW to berth the boat in Florida for year five. The last year of my five year plan will see us take several trips from Florida to the Bahamas. This will help build our confidence to cruising and off shore passages. I look forward to getting to know this boat. I am sure we can learn from each other. 

So, in the end, I just need the current owner to sell ME his boat. I know we are not the only ones interested in her. I just know we are the best fit for her.  What about after the five year plan is up?  I am thinking, further south....

Palm Tree Therapy II

The west wind is bringing the salty smell of the ocean over the sand and mixing with the cool music of the islands.  Terra Cotta roofs reflect the warm Caribbean sun.  People are laughing and talking, but you don't really every hear any of the words spoken.  It's palm tree paradise.

There is no cell coverage and no wi-fi.  There is just palm tree coverage.  Tall towers of palm trees offering the perfect amount of sun and shade at the exact same time.  As the wind passes the leaves, you can actually hear them whispering to you.  "Welcome to the islands", they are saying.

The therapy is happy trees and happy people.  Happy people are more attractive and no wonder we are attracted to the places where palm trees grow.  They just make us happy.  Tall Trees, cold drinks and strangers who are friends that we just have not met yet.  Welcome to the Palm Tree state of mind.

Half Time Report

Time presses on and half a year has passed.  So NOT close to being on the water, you would think that my foot was nailed to the ground. 

The warm spring caused the sailing itch to come early and burn longer. Now, summer is in full swing and it is time for some family travel. I hope that things will free up for us to complete a winter charter to the BVI for my 40th birthday.

Our boat has been for sale for a few months and there is hope of a sale just after July 4th. Then on to the prospects of searching out a new sailboat just in time to tuck her in for the winter and dream of her launch. So much to do in so little time. Half time is the time to buck up and learn from the first half. Now is the time to finalized the game plan and get to work. Time to sail on. 

Weekday Sailors.

Weekday sailors.... Where are they?  I have been in a beach view condo over looking the mouth of the Savannah River and Atlantic Ocean for a week now and there has only been two sailboats to cruise by.  One was a 30+ foot cruiser and the other a Hobie Mirage.  All other vessels have been commercial barges.

The weather on Tybee Island has been gorgeous for our spring break.  Perfect weather, Perfect wind, Perfect water, so where are the boats.  I thought for sure that there would be sailboats abound this week.  Alas, none to speak of to be found.  I have spent my days at the beach reading Cruising World and daydreaming of the day to cast off the lines and say goodbye to reality.  You would think that others would have the same idea and would be out sailing.  So I just sit and wonder what is on those container ships. (I think they are loaded with ink pins, koozies and watches).

All in all we are having a good time on Tybee.  The kids stay busy and I have WiFi.  Life is good.  We have seen dolphins each day.... JUST no sailboats.

Hurry-cane Season

No, that is no typo. It is an accurate description of the pace of land life. The "Hurry Up". The, "I have to go her and do that, so I can then go and do this other thing". Lately, there have been two speeds at our house, Hurry up and Faster. We seem to go 100 miles per hour.

Every week and every day. There is work, kids activities and school, social activities (mostly the kids social life, Mom and Dad don't have a life. Lol) and other engagements. In between is the dream of moving a bit slower, say 4 knots. Life is better at 4 knots. Everything slows down. Food tastes better and the beers are smoother. Excuse the expression, but, at 4 knots everyone is in the same boat and there is nowhere else to be. I call it, "Going nowhere fast". When on the boat, if the weather is not favorable, then you wait it out. It makes no since to go. Just slow down and wait it out, will not put you or your boat in jepardy. One must be able to create an open ended schedule to achieve the optimal relaxation.

 I must leave you with these fast and furious words. I write this post while waiting for the kids to finish cheerleading practice, only to then to go drop off one of their friends, do homework, cook dinner, throw in some laundry and kiss the wife, then do it all again tomorrow. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result. Folks, it is time to start thinking different. Beware, there is a NOAA alert for the Hurry-cane season.

Who are we fooling. It's about the Rum.

What is the sailor's drink of choice?  Rum.  Does the sailor drink rum because they sail, or do they sail because they drink rum?  The age old question.  But, really.... Who are we fooling.  If a sailor can combine things that he loves the more enjoyable the experience, but be responsible.

I love to read sailing blogs about sailing.  I found a article written in 2006 that combines the love for sailing and the love for rum.  Two of my favorite things.  You can check it out the the Cruising World website here.  It is well written and witty.  I have read this many times and it makes me smile each time.  

What sailor would be worth his salt, if he were drinking any rum other than Sailor Jerry.  This rum is made in the Caribbean and is dedicated to the craftmanship of Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins.  He was a man who lived by his own rules.  Norman once said, "Good work is not cheap and cheap work is not good".  I can vouch for his rum, it IS worth the price.  

At the end of every sail, sailors will always find a reason to celebrate.  The Sundowner is the evening event that brings all sailors in an anchorage together for that celebration.  Take your pick of Rum recipes that can be enjoyed at anchor and shared with your fellow sailor.

As for me tonight I have a problem with Sailor Jerry Rum.... I am out!