Any opportunity to shop for a boat.

I think that every trip should be traveled in such a fashion so that one can visit/look at a sailboat that is for sale.  I had the pleasure of creating such an opportunity last week while visiting Naples, Florida.  I knew I would be around marinas while in Florida.  I knew I would be able to "look" at some sailboats.  I did not know that I would actually be looking at a boat that meets my criteria for my next boat. 

While flipping through Southwinds Magazine, I found a O'day 28 tucked away in the back classifieds under "late listings".   At first glance it met several of my criteria: Wheel steering, 6 feet of headroom, enclosed head, roller furling, and at a fair price.  The fact it was in sunny Naples was just a bonus.  Time for a road trip.

I was in Florida with fellow Rotary Members from Danville, Indiana.  Monday morning, some of them were flying home.  I volunteered to take them to the airport.  This put me 45 minutes closer to the O'day.  After dropping them off I was only a hour and a half away.  I was on my way to Cortez, FL.

The boat was listed by Cortez Yacht Sales.  Upon arrival I met George, and we were off to see the boat.  We drove to some condos on the canal and met up with the German owner.  He was opening up the boat as we arrived.  "May I?", I asked.  In perfect English the German invited me aboard and excused himself allowing me time to get to know the boat. 

George rambled on about the features of the boat, while I was busy sticking my head in the bilge and everywhere else it would fit.  After about a half hour, I was thanking George for his time and I was back in the truck with a two hour drive to contemplate the purchase.  Could I get the boat up to Kentucky Lake in 7 days?  Could I find a slip on short notice in Naples?  Was it going to cost me an arm and a leg?  It was all the way in Florid too.

After two hours, I was hungry and tired.  Those Rotarians sure can party and the short night was catching up to me.  I decided that at the end of the month I was planning on attending Strictly Sail Chicago and I would wait to see what the local boat brokers have to offer.

So it is on to another adventure on the 28th.  The whole family will be attending Strictly Sail.  We will be looking at boats and dreaming of the places we will go.