WHAT NEXT?

25 Nov 13
Kandahar, Afghanistan

A Floor Plan of the Boat.  Owner's Suite Forward, Guest Suite Aft.

Galley Starboard Aft, Salon Area Mid-Ship with Settee Port, Dining Starboard.

Well, we got the actual copy of the survey…..no surprises.  Everything was just as we had expected based on Dahleen’s observations and discussions with the surveyor.  I was able to capture some of his pictures of the interior and put them below on the blog. 

What’s next?  We are getting a few informational things cleared up through the broker (i.e., surveyor could get the CD player to play…he admitted it was probably user error.  He also couldn’t find the control switches for the inverter) .  Then, the next thing is for me to see the boat in February, then close in May.

We are working on transporting from Ohio to Deltaville, VA on the Chesapeake and checking on the cost of a bottom job.  The current bottom paint is less than a year old, but isn’t recommended for salt water, or warmer climates.  We don’t plan on staying in the cold weather any longer than we have to….LOL   I haven’t decided on getting that done before we transport or after we get it to the yard in VA.  Guess I will get quotes from both yards and decide from there. 

Since the weather is so cold in Cleveland now and the boat was already on the yard for winter stowing, we didn’t do a sea trial yet.  We won’t do that until we splash in the Chesapeake in June (hopefully).  The broker is going to set aside a substantial amount of money in escrow for issues that may come up with engine, transmission, A/C, freshwater systems, etc.  I don’t expect any issues since the boat has had little use and has been maintained to a high standard, but you never know.

We have much to do before we can push away from the dock and begin cruising.  Sometimes, it becomes overwhelming…..then I just think about the end result and it’s all good.  In reality, we have from June until December to do what we need to do, but we would like to be heading south toward the Bahamas in October. 

One of the things that took me a while to get used to while cruising before was the lack of a real urgency to get things done.  We have no schedule; we don’t HAVE to be anywhere at any particular time; we are totally dependent upon the weather conditions for our travel schedule anyway, so, why stress?  After being out there away from the rat race for a few months you finally start to realize this and begin to chill out a little.  Until then, it is a forced exercise…..especially for me, a type-A, slightly OCD, semi-control-freak-kinda person. 

LOL.

Be careful out there….there are a lot of stupid people, and you can’t fix stupid.  You could get hurt.  

 Forward Owner's Suite.....Poor Quality Pic, Sorry.

 Settee in the Salon Area

 Salon/Dining Table With Plenty of Seating

L-Shaped Galley in Starboard Aft Corner

 A Nice View of the Salon Area...Table Lowers to Create Another Berth if Needed

 Dining Area

Nav Station Located Just Aft of the Sette on Port Side

SURVEY COMPLETE !!!

21 Nov 13

Kandahar, Afghanistan

WOOOT!!!  It is done!!  

Though it kinda sucks being half a world away while the inspection on your next home (boat) is going on, it is done and was very successful.  The boat is in excellent (pristine) condition, with only very minor normal wear and tear issues. 

Dahleen was able to be present for the survey and this was the first time that either of us had seen the boat.  I had gotten very good information from the broker, who had nothing but glowing things to say about the boat and the previous owner (yeah, I know, what would you expect).  Terry had sold the boat to the PO when it was new and was intimately familiar with both the boat and the owner.  The PO is very meticulous and had maintained the boat continuously at a very high standard.  Terry has been very honest and fair in dealing with us, and I fully expected the boat to be just as he described it.  According to Dahleen, it was better, actually. 

The hull shines like new money; brand-new, never-installed set of $17k sails (yes, I saw the invoice); all new electronics’ teak was very well maintained; the interior was almost like a new boat; 3 batteries less than 2 years old; upholstery was virtually unused (this is both a blessing and a curse, as we don’t particularly like the texture or color of the fabric and had planned on having it all re-done.  Now I will hate to do that since it is in such good condition.)  It is a one-owner, fresh-water, lightly-used boat with almost everything we needed and wanted in a cruising yacht.  I already have the watermaker and generator ready to install (bought new for our previous boat). 

I have included some pictures of the exterior….the interior pictures didn’t turn out too well as the boat was covered and the pics were a little too dark.  I will post those at a later date.

BOAT UNDER CONTRACT AND...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD !

16 Nov 2013

Kandahar, Afghanistan

 Dahleen at Farmer's Cay, Exumas - 2006

Well, we have a deal !!!  In principle, anyway.  There are some contingencies, naturally.  It is contingent upon an acceptable survey and upon a visual inspection by me (Greg) in Feb.  Thank you to broker and seller for working this part out !!

The more we hear about the boat, the more we are impressed with it.  The broker says it is in superb condition and that the seller had ordered a $17k set of sails a few months ago that will be included in the deal.  He also just upgraded (replaced) ALL the electronics on the boat….autopilot, wind and speed instruments, 2 chart-plotters, AIS radio, etc., etc.  We are stoked! 

We are trying to not get too excited until after Dahleen has actually seen the boat and the survey is complete.  The survey is set for the 21^st and Dahleen will fly up and see the boat and be present for the survey.  We can’t do a sea trial since the boat is hauled (out of the water) for winter storage.  That will be done on my June break. 

Last, but certainly not least, I want to wish my Dad a Happy Birthday.  Wow, 88 years the Lord has given you on this earth.  I can assure you that you haven't wasted them.  You have two adult children who owe you so much........a big thanks for all you have done for us.  I am very fortunate to have had you as my Father, you are a hard-working person of integrity, someone who was always there, raising and teaching me the to live right way.  I hope to have soaked up those some of those traits that you taught so diligently.  I so wish I could be there to celebrate with you. I love you and miss you much.    

Stay tuned, and remember…..you can’t fix stupid, but you can vote it out of office!

NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE

12 Nov 2013

Kandahar, Afghanistan

Off to Explore-Exumas, 2006

Could it be?  After searching for 2+ years?  We may have found our next home (on water).  Only time will tell.  After several back and forth offers/counter-offers, we are getting closer….so close that we expect it to happen.  We must admit, the seller has been flexible and the broker has been great.  We have even felt that he was interested in making both the seller and the buyer happy.

We expect to hear from the broker within the next few hours and then it's forward from there.  The search for a surveyor has already begun and we think that we have found our guy.  After googling for a surveyor in the area the boat is located, we went to several different sailing forums to read their thoughts and comments.  One particular surveyor kept being mentioned as being VERY thorough, and was even described by one guy as “a seller’s 

nightmare”.  While we certainly don't have a desire to hire someone that will make the process difficult, it is important to us that we get someone who is thorough and unbiased.  The reason this is important to us is because the deal may be done before I (Greg) get a chance to actually see the boat.  I am scheduled to come back to the States on break in Feb, but the deal may be done by then.  That is another point of negotiation.