Date: 1 January 2018. Advice for the
Vintage Boater.
© janice142
Prequel: I took off the
month of December. A lot was accomplished. Still more items
were added to The List. At times it seemed like my prop was spinning
while
Seaweed remained in neutral.
On the other hand I did get
many things tidied away to my satisfaction. All in all,
progress was made. I got some time at anchor which always
cheers my spirit.
The St. Pete boat show was
AMAZING. I'll tell you about that later. |
Last month I received the nicest note from a gent who can be
considered vintage. Grover asked "Do you know where there is a
trawler like yours for sale?" Alas I do not. That however
is not necessarily a bad thing. I believe there are alternatives
that should be considered if limited mobility is an issue. These
options are often less costly than my own Seaweed. Details follow.

The problem is that there are not a lot of Schucker mini-trawlers in
existence. As far as I know just six of my model were built. I
believe only three still exist. One was in Canada and another here
in the Tampa area. Plus mine of course. They are rare and priced
accordingly.
For many
folks of a certain age (and that includes me!) I have come to
believe a houseboat is an option to consider. This is why:
None of us is
getting any younger. If I'd known I was going to
live so long I'd have taken better care of myself. But I didn't.
My knees are not-so-good.

Now I'm not like the mallard, hobbling around on one
leg... not yet!
I've had three knee surgeries, two on the left knee and one on my
right. Climbing over the transom is not easy. It is painful. That is
exactly why I am determined to get a tuna door cut into the transom
of Seaweed as soon as possible.
At this
point I have yet to acquire the hardware required for the tuna door
job. I need two heavy-duty hinges plus a latching system of some
sort. Those items are on my List. Once they are in my hands, then I
can get the work done. I'm looking forward to that happening.

A tuna door in the transom of Manatee
↑ allows easy access to the
boat's
interior.
Some openings fold down (see above) while most open like a door.
Because we are not getting any younger I suggest folks
who have had medical issues look for a houseboat. A small (under
30') houseboat would be on one level. That means no steps. For
someone as physically phfitt as myself, that sounds just about
perfect.
And frankly I would not be
concerned what sort of power plant is aboard the houseboat. Any
motor is fine. At that size you don't need a massive go-fast
engine. Rip whatever is there out and replace it with a brand new 25hp
outboard. One and done so to speak.

Bottom Feeder ↑ has an outboard propulsion system. She
cruised
all the way from Minnesota to Florida then up the east coast of
America.
Slap an outboard (25hp) on the transom of a
houseboat and call her
Good Enough. Don't wait!
On lousy days when the weather is kicking, you will
stay in port. Just like my Seaweed, houseboats are not designed
for crossing oceans or rough waters. They are coastal vessels. I am
happiest at anchor in protected coves. Decadence works for me.
Though years ago I did dream of
sailing beyond the horizon I am quite happy with my life.

Me on S/V Gypsy which belongs to Joanne and Glenn.
They sail on a MacGregor 26.
Many of us wake up one day only to realize the years have slipped by far too quickly.
We
wake up one morning and rue lost opportunities. Don't let that be
you.
Say the three
little words I long to hear: Let's go cruising.
I'd love to learn what your dream boat would be.
And, are you living aboard your Last Boat at present?
COMMENTS:
© 2018, 2020
Categories:
Boats,
Characters,
Wild Things,
Paralyzed by
Planning (includes sundries list) ~
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