We are not aboard during Hurricane Sandy. I get to sit here and hear the wind gusts flap my window screens. Good friends are aboard and keeping us all posted on Facebook. So far, the worst is finding out that there is some leaking happening but that will be fixed. The piers are close to being underwater and surely will be after Sandy comes ashore.
Wishing all luck and safety during this storm.
Survey and Renters
Tonight the husband uses up my Marriott points to stay free overnight in order to sleep well and arrive on time for the boat survey, tomorrow morning. Our soon-to-be boat is located about four hours north of us, so the husband will drive up tonight, have hotel waffles for breakfast, and participate in the survey and sea trial. We are hopeful that all is well, especially the engine. One of the considerations of this boat is that she has over 3000 hours on the engine. Everything else looks good, but we believe that we are able to offer and get accepted at a lower price because of the engine hours. We can work on the engine in the future, should it sound and run well right now.
My job has been advertising and communicating with possible renters for our townhouse. So far, two have really shown interest to learn more about the house. Some anxiety has attacked thinking of myself becoming a landlord, especially working through lease and application documents. I do not like and avoid conflict, so I've been praying to St. Anthony (the saint/finder of lost things) ... St. Anthony, St. Anthony, St. Anthony, Please find good people who are the right people to rent our house. Mabye he's already sent them. We'll see.
Feel very blessed, though, that we are underway on this new life and adventure. As a good friend of mine says, you just never know what's around the corner. Keep your eyes and your heart open. Things arrive when you need them.
My job has been advertising and communicating with possible renters for our townhouse. So far, two have really shown interest to learn more about the house. Some anxiety has attacked thinking of myself becoming a landlord, especially working through lease and application documents. I do not like and avoid conflict, so I've been praying to St. Anthony (the saint/finder of lost things) ... St. Anthony, St. Anthony, St. Anthony, Please find good people who are the right people to rent our house. Mabye he's already sent them. We'll see.
Feel very blessed, though, that we are underway on this new life and adventure. As a good friend of mine says, you just never know what's around the corner. Keep your eyes and your heart open. Things arrive when you need them.
And this one's just right!
One nice boat had a single aft cabin that located directly under the cockpit. My first thought was - Bang! - when waking quickly and sitting up after a crazy dream. Another was without shower (not a problem for me) which for my husband is a non-negotiable. A hot shower aboard in the winter is a great experience for him. A third boat had an engine with low hours, was in our price range, had the creature comforts we both wanted but the lack of care over the years and the dreadful cushion fabric didn't sit well with me. I understood that buying a boat at the price we wanted would mean compromise and clean-up but the boat just didn't feel right.
Truth be told, I also wasn't 100% about moving aboard again. I like my house, bathtub, backyard, big tv, sewing room, etc. I like having my family come to stay with me and being able to have breakfast together. There's things that are really nice to have.
With a long, good talk with a friend, I came to think realistically about the divergent path that lay ahead. I read a statement about when you want something, it's good to think about how many hours of your life that thing will cost you (if it's $90, how many hours of work is that?) The house is a thing, it will cost 30 years of working. Additionally, my family visits only a few times a year. Being aboard again means that living with one income is feasible. One job means that we can travel more (to see my family) and we have a way to travel on the water. The path toward the boat is more about experience and meaning. Once I decided on that path, things started to fall into place. Steps in the process have occurred seamlessly - including finding our boat.
She has creature comforts (including a place to store my sewing machine and a drop down salon table that is big enough to sew on). The cushions are a cool blue and in great condition. One thing we really liked about this boat is that she's ready for us to move aboard :) No scrubbing with Grease Lighting or immediate cushion replacement.
The galley has a drop down refrigerator, a compartment for a trash basket, a gas stove, and lots of storage. Underway, the tightness of the galley's space will assist me in successfully making sandwiches. In some boats, the galley is wide open and it's difficult to stay in one place. I agree with my mom who loves the way canisters can sit down along the perimeter of the galley. I can have one to store our tea, our sugar, our flour, our quinoa and rice. This will allow me to continue shopping locally at the health food store where I can buy the amount that I need - not a big box that would have to find its own place to live.
Another major like about this boat was that she is lined with wood inside. Our last boat had a liner that quickly could be overrun with mold or dirt. The wood makes it feel like home and it's a breeze to take care of. In each of the berths, we have ample storage in hanging lockers and drawers. This will assist with work clothes and accessories. Everything will have its own place.
No picture for this, but the head has a shampoo and conditioner dispenser. We can squirt our hair items in there instead of having to store big bottles. The owners of this boat really did a nice job of taking care of her for us. I look forward to continuing the job.
Truth be told, I also wasn't 100% about moving aboard again. I like my house, bathtub, backyard, big tv, sewing room, etc. I like having my family come to stay with me and being able to have breakfast together. There's things that are really nice to have.
With a long, good talk with a friend, I came to think realistically about the divergent path that lay ahead. I read a statement about when you want something, it's good to think about how many hours of your life that thing will cost you (if it's $90, how many hours of work is that?) The house is a thing, it will cost 30 years of working. Additionally, my family visits only a few times a year. Being aboard again means that living with one income is feasible. One job means that we can travel more (to see my family) and we have a way to travel on the water. The path toward the boat is more about experience and meaning. Once I decided on that path, things started to fall into place. Steps in the process have occurred seamlessly - including finding our boat.
She has creature comforts (including a place to store my sewing machine and a drop down salon table that is big enough to sew on). The cushions are a cool blue and in great condition. One thing we really liked about this boat is that she's ready for us to move aboard :) No scrubbing with Grease Lighting or immediate cushion replacement.
The galley has a drop down refrigerator, a compartment for a trash basket, a gas stove, and lots of storage. Underway, the tightness of the galley's space will assist me in successfully making sandwiches. In some boats, the galley is wide open and it's difficult to stay in one place. I agree with my mom who loves the way canisters can sit down along the perimeter of the galley. I can have one to store our tea, our sugar, our flour, our quinoa and rice. This will allow me to continue shopping locally at the health food store where I can buy the amount that I need - not a big box that would have to find its own place to live.
Another major like about this boat was that she is lined with wood inside. Our last boat had a liner that quickly could be overrun with mold or dirt. The wood makes it feel like home and it's a breeze to take care of. In each of the berths, we have ample storage in hanging lockers and drawers. This will assist with work clothes and accessories. Everything will have its own place.
No picture for this, but the head has a shampoo and conditioner dispenser. We can squirt our hair items in there instead of having to store big bottles. The owners of this boat really did a nice job of taking care of her for us. I look forward to continuing the job.
Still looking...
Looked at a beautiful boat this past weekend. A 35 foot, older boat that had an immaculate interior, on-board heater and many creature comforts as the current owner lives aboard. Yet, again, much work to be done on the exterior and the comforts inside did not include a full size berth or a shower (two things that my husband deems neccessary). We'll look at another, a bit more expensive, boat this weekend.
Hopefully we're getting close to finding the one.... winter's coming and I'd like to be settled and warm!
Hopefully we're getting close to finding the one.... winter's coming and I'd like to be settled and warm!
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| The pooch during his first marina winter. |
Looking out for Ms. Right
Our trip to see a possible liveaboard boat was successful. The boat we looked at needs a lot of work, but for a low price we could take on that work and be able to afford it. There is rot beneath the floorboards, the boat desperately needs new cushions, there are some chain plate and upper deck issues, and the teak inside is thirsty for some TLC. We made an offer that we think is fair, considering the time, work and money that we would have to invest into the boat to get her where we need her to be. We're just waiting on the owner's response.
My favorite characteristic of this boat is the onboard liquor and wine cabinet.
As we wait for the offer's response, we are still looking for other options. I have a few things that I like to see in other possibilities.
I like newer cushions.
I also like a clean head. This one, below, has a separate little area for the shower. I like that.
My favorite characteristic of this boat is the onboard liquor and wine cabinet.
As we wait for the offer's response, we are still looking for other options. I have a few things that I like to see in other possibilities.
I like newer cushions.
I also like a clean head. This one, below, has a separate little area for the shower. I like that.
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