Boat name = new blog location!

We named the boat!  Ok, so we're RE-naming the boat.  Ok, so my mom's friend re-named the boat...  Details.

Because of that, we're settling in over at http://sailinglunasea.blogspot.com

I've already imported all of the entries to the other blog.  I'll be working on graphics/tweaking the blog over the next week or so, but that's where you'll need to go for all future updates.

Thanks for following along on our craziness, and I really hope this is not too much of an inconvenience!

Jennifer

Jinx! (Part 1 of The Top Secret Steps of Buying a Boat)

I know, I know.  I don't technically own the boat yet, and I could be tempting the fates by assuming all will go thru, blah blahsidy blah.  I'm not a Tempting of the Fates kinda girl.  I'm more of a Ask the Universe for What You Want and Boom! It'll Happen kinda girl.  Anyway, I have been reading sailing blogs for a couple of years and often get frustrated when the writer chooses not to share all the details of that time between picking a boat and closing on the sucker (I get it - I just want to read about it!).  How am I supposed to learn anything if people don't blog about it!?!  (um, that's kind of a joke - see, I know I can learn things from places other than sailing blogs...) So here I am, documenting the purchase of a boat - good or bad you need to know the nitty gritty details, right?

Here's the low down:  (Keep in mind that we're starting from ground zero here - we don't even know how to sail yet!  This is just what we've learned up to this point)

1. Figure out what you really NEED in a boat - then find the smallest, most affordable version you can handle. It took us 2 years to travel from wanting a motor yacht to a trawler to a catamaran to this monohull...
2. Find that boat! As soon as we knew exactly what we were looking for, it showed up.  Thanks Universe :)
3. Make an offer (- good rule of thumb seems to be 10% less than listing price, but that may be something I've learned in haggling in general)
4. Put 10% of agreed upon price down via an escrow account with the Broker.  We went back and forth a couple of times before we agreed on a price (this 10% is to be wired to the account in most cases, and completely refundable to you if you change your mind at any time before signing the Acceptance of Vessel form)
5. Arrange for a survey/sea trial - find a surveyor that is certified with SAMS or NAMS in case the insurance/financing requires this.  Try to get referrals!  
6. Schedule a haul out at near by marina that coincides with Surveyor's schedule (Duh, they need to coincide, but I had to be told this.  Sometimes common sense is not so common.)
7. Apparently the broker/seller handles the hiring of a Captain to move the boat for haul out/sea trial
8. Arrange financing (if necessary) This will take a few weeks to close - just like a mortgage.  They will need a copy of the survey in order to close the deal.
9. Arrange insurance (they will also need a copy of your survey)
10. Arrange a slip for your new boat at a local marina!

We've completed almost all 10 of these items so far.  Just a few more details to be handled and then the waiting part kicks in.  Our survey/sea trial is scheduled in a couple of weeks, then closing is a couple of weeks after that.  Then we have to get our new floating home home!  We are still looking for a Captain for this, but have a couple of options lined up, I think.

I'll be doing another post after closing to list the rest of the steps - after I learn them ;)  In the meantime, I DO have photos and videos that I'm hanging onto for later posts.  Be patient - it'll happen!

Still learning...

It's been ages since we posted, but there's really no news.  We've spent the months researching boats and deciding the best path for us.  Still trying to figure out if we want to buy our own boat right out of the gate (dock?), or perhaps to work on a boat for that hands-on experience that we both crave.  I'm leaning toward working on someone's boat for a while - even if only for a short, temporary time frame.  I'm pretty darn sure the learning curve is going to be steep and priceless.

On the positive side we've been chatting with some locals about sailing lessons.  Neither has a boat, but they've got extensive knowledge in sailing.  We'll figure out those pesky boat details when the time comes.  Just to know we've got convenient/intelligent brains to pick is a relief!

We're also educating ourselves on potential income generators.  Sure would suck to finally get out to sea only to realize we're eating rice and fish for eons.  We don't expect to be as cushy-cozy as we are now, but look forward to the excitement of the changes, regardless.

I'm back to working on my Culinary degree and find myself mentally making modifications to recipes and taking note of cooking techniques that will work well on boats.  It's becoming a constant subconscious exercise in our daily lives to compare everything we do to how we can do it on a boat.  I think that's a good start ;)

Thanks for checking in.  Feel free to ask questions, follow the blog or offer some advice.  We're trying to soak up as much info as we can while we fulfill our land obligations!

We're still here!

Not much going on boat-wise in the past week or so.  We looked at the Lagoon, and loved it.  We're continuing to shop - new boats are being added to Yachtworld every week.  I'm continuing to bombard my broker with random questions (What does Not Available for Sale in the US really mean...?)

So we're still here, alive and kickin' and looking for "our boat".  I'd love to hear from you.  Feel free to follow us via any of the methods posted along the right side of the page.  I'd hate for you to miss an update when something REALLY happens!  ;)

Penalties at the 40' line

We're still boat searching.  It has slowed down considerably - and as we continue to narrow our window on brand and model, the key question has become length.  

Here's where I need some help.  We're shooting for a 38' + size, but I've read snippets here and there about increased fees for docking, customs etc.  But that's just it - only snippets.  Hints at higher costs, but no concrete evidence.  So I'm on the prowl for information.  Is it true that something magical happens after 39' and that we should be charged accordingly?  Should I stick to searches for 38' and 39' catamarans?  Or is it just more boating folklore floating around on the web?

If it's true - that certainly narrows my searches and helps me focus.  If it's just another tall tale of the seas, well, I'd entertain the possibility of another few feet!

 Cat haulout   Image from Cruiser's Forum 

*The longer the boat is, the wider it is - the longer and wider it it, the more it costs to haul out of the water!  And once you hit a certain (TBD by more research) width, it seriously limits your choices of marinas throughout the world.

One Step Closer...

While it may not seem like a huge step, it is a significant (potentially life saving) step for us.

We headed up to Chattanooga for the weekend - he went camping/mtn biking with the boys and I stayed with a friend and her husband and got my craft on.  It was a great weekend all around.  On the way home we decided we'd stop in Macon to check out Divers Supply.

Diver's Supply is a  giant  SCUBA supply store - boasting that it's the biggest in the area.  (They laughingly admitted they were the ONLY scuba store in the area when we called 'em on it.)  We really just planned to poke around and see if there were any good deals going on.  We've been diving for 19 years on gear picked up (very used) at a pawn shop.  Since we've had it for 2 decades, and it was broken in when we got it - I have no idea how old it actually is.  Most of it is still in great working condition - and as our lives depend on it when we're diving, that's a good thing.  Unfortunately, last summer my BC sprung a leak.  A BC is a buoyancy compensator - and is basically the vest that you see divers wearing.  The air tank attaches to the back, and the regulator (that crucial hose that sends air to your mouth) is tied in as well.  The BC is inflatable and helps you maintain neutral buoyancy while under water.  Needless to say, when your BC has a leak, there's a problem.

This little beauty is mine.

Just so happens Diver's Supply is a ScubaPro dealer - and we've had our eyes on some ScubaPro gear for quite some time.  And after this weekend's little shopping spree, I can now lay my eyes on that gear anytime I want.  Yes - we grabbed 2 complete sets of new gear, and we're thrilled!  I can't wait to use it - I may even put it all on and go jump in the pool just to try it out.  Our next big dive trip is not scheduled until December and I really don't think I'll be waiting that long to test it all out.  The only thing we're missing is dive computers.  We'll add those soon - but we needed to put in some more research on that subject.

So glad to have the new gear - and I can only hope that this gear holds up as well as the pawn shop sets did.  Because it's ScubaPro - I'm pretty sure we'll easily get decades of use!

Where IS she?!?

Holy Bujeezus.  I am not a shopper.  I know our boat is out there, and she'll show up when it's time.  That's just how this crazy Universe works.  But shopping for her is getting old.  Maybe it's time for a sunshine break!  

Happy happy Friday everybody!

Saloon or Salon?

Hey guys!

Not a lot going on boat-wise this week.  I've got a little birdie offering to get me on a Lagoon 380 for a peek.  This one is not for sale, but I'd certainly like to see the layout.  We're at that crucial point where we're trying to decide if a 38' is big enough, or if we should suck it up and go for a 40'.

We're strongly leaning toward casual chartering/liveaboard.  Not a "oh crap we've gotta fill the calendar" sort of chartering - more of a "hey, my friend says you do tours" sort of way.  Laid back 1/2 day, full day, or dinner tours - with MackDaddy food, of course.

If that plan holds, we would like to have a little more space in the Salon.  Or is it saloon?  I see it both ways, and I've gotta say it drives me nuts.  Either way, it's technically the dining/hang out area inside the boat.    Of course, the maximum number of paying guests at any one time is 6, so maybe the right 38' would work.

See - I told you there's not much going on this week.

I think I'll take advantage of the short news day to let you know that I love comments (feel free to chime in below!) and it would be great if you would follow this blog.  There are at least 4 ways to keep up with updates - just scroll along the right and left columns here and choose whichever one works for you.  I'd hate for you to miss something important - you know, when we start getting a little more adventurous and junk.

Thanks for reading!

The New Blog!

Welcome to the New Blog!

If you've been following my other blog (it's total randomness of my life) then you know I was out to start this blog.  I'm going to be documenting our boat buying purchase from start to sail - and hopefully beyond!

Brief Backstory:

My husband and I are already working on plans for our "Retirement" - or 2nd career, as we like to call it.  Our Current Plan is to find a boat that is possible to live on - and maybe even use commercially.  Maybe we'll hire out for day trips, dinner tours, etc. Or maybe we'll just bum around the Caribbean.  We don't know - but by golly, I'll be tracking the plan whatever it is!

Timeline:  Well, that's up in the air.  We have so many decisions to make, and we're going to take our time.  We have a kid in college and don't plan to ditch her for the sea life anytime soon.  (perhaps to her dismay ;)  Not to mention - we're no where near "old enough" to retire...

So what are some of our initial decisions?  You'd be surprised at how many questions are running around in our brains! (it's a little crazy in there, so I'll spare you and try to condense)

What type of boat?

What's the name of our boat?

What size of boat?

What exactly are we going to use this sucker for?

Uh, how do you sail...?

New vs Used vs Really Old and need of repair?

I think I'd like to take a little time on each of these topics - so now we know what sort of posts we're looking at for the next week at least :)

Thanks for checking out the blog - and please feel free chime in often.  Are you planning to set sail?  Have you already done it?  Does the thought terrify you?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!