This is a blog featuring my personal stories of food, gardening, yachting, photography, travel and life.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

New Form of Travel Update!

A lot has happened since my blog entry a couple of days ago. My goodness, what you have to do to buy a boat. It is almost overwhelming except that in the end you own a boat which is pretty cool.

In our case, the entire negotiation over the boat our hearts were set on took only one afternoon and a couple of phone calls. We got a deal we are very happy with and that others have told us was a very good deal indeed. So, we have, barring any unforeseen circumstances surrounding the survey of the boat, become boat owners.

Next Wednesday we drive down to Seattle to do the sea trial and survey. The survey is a close inspection of all parts of the boat from keel to life jackets, fire extinguishers to motor mounts. Then the boat is hauled out of the water (no easy feat on a 32') and the bottom will be pressure washed, inspected and if all looks good, the zincs replaced. Then back in the water and return to the marina.

At that point we should have a very good idea whether we will either proceed or back out. Too many expensive fix-its and we may have to drop the deal. If things aren't too bad and can be fixed either easily or over time, then we proceed.

After feeling a pang of buyers remorse I began thinking about the advantages of owning a yacht like this. Think about it this way. Ever dream about owning a summer or winter place, a mountain cabin, a cottage overlooking the sea, a place on a deserted island? Well, take your pick. With a boat you own a moving summer home. Don't like it here? Move over there. Tired of going to the same spot every year? Go somewhere else. Just pull up the anchor and go!

Oh, yeah, you do have to fill it with fuel. You do have to do engine maintenance from time to time, haul it out of the water and work on the bottom. But what getaway wouldn't have some upkeep or other costs involved? But the beauty of a yacht is that you take your shelter with you and in the pacific northwest there are endless sheltered coves, resorts, quaint island towns, and deserted islands for you to explore. And if that isn't far flung enough for you, well, head for Alaska or the Oregon, or California coasts or even Mexico.

Oh, I'm not planning any long range trips to the south or even Alaska. There are a lifetime of discoveries right here in our backyard--The San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands of Canada.

Am I just trying to justify the purchase? Oh, I suppose that is true to a certain extent. But I am looking forward to it. Besides the travel, the time on the water, the discoveries I'd never find without the benefit of the boat, I am also looking forward to the learning opportunities. That yacht has a whole host of electronic devices used for safety, fish finding, gauging depth, keeping track of other craft and showing you how to get where you want to go.

The depth finder is important due to the changing tides up here and to make sure there is plenty of water between your keel and the bottom. The RADAR keeps an eye on the proximity
of other craft at night and in low visability. The GPS plotter gives you a heading and the best way to get from point A to point B using colorful, realistic computer generated maps. Of course, the compass is right there in front of you as well. I look forward to learning how to use these instruments.

I also look forward to learning about all the other details that are critical to knowing your way around a boat and the sea. Bouys, navigation devices, weather stations, planning the trip, dealing with VHS radio calls, and no doubt a whole host of things I haven't begun to think about.

We have signed up for a Coast Guard Auxiliary Class beginning in August and my broker, who is a boating instructor, has very kindly offered to give me some basic instruction in the use of my boat. Add to that the friends whose many years of experience on Puget Sound I will definately tap into and I think we will be in good hands as we embark on this new adventure in our lives. Wish me luck!

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