Date: 18 April 2017. Buying a Big Boat (part 1)

© janice142
 

Quite frequently folks ask me questions about boating. Now you should know I am not an expert. I am simply out here living life, making mistakes and learning all the time. For me understanding new concepts and applying them aboard Seaweed is a large part of the pleasure. I cannot imagine a worse nightmare than sitting in an apartment, isolated from the world at my age. I want to be out here doing things. If you are like me, boating might be for you too.
 

Often I wonder why other people chose this life. For self, I was a boat brat so for me this is coming home so to speak. New friends Pete and Deb shared "we got talking to a couple from the UK who had spent the last 18 years on a boat, doing winters in the Caribbean and a new thought started to form...."
 

This is what folks imagine: Ron on Doodle Bug	This is another aspect of life afloat: Hiring mechanics is costly.   Nobody likes waiting for a job to be completed. It is not just the money. Time is important too!

A sundeck trawler heads south along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in St. Pete.

There is nothing like a full moon rising. Moonlight at anchor is soothing for the soul.

Even as we sit here quietly at the dock, enjoying our drinks, things are breaking.

What Caltexflanc said regarding things breaking is true. I took Seaweed out last week and all was well. When I started her up a couple days ago the water pump wasn't discharging water. I believe a fan belt adjustment is needed.
 

Such is life afloat. Owning an older home prepares you for this sort of thing I suspect. Stuff breaks from time to time. It is a given and it really does not matter if you have a brand new boat or an older one.
 

I enjoy the challenges most of the time.
 

I also pick EVERYTHING up at the close of repairs EVERY SINGLE DAY.

For me, living in clutter and chaos is not conducive to happiness. Being able to Start Fresh makes the repairs less onerous. I know some can live with disorder. I cannot. The visual stimulus of an unfinished job would weigh on my mind and fill my thoughts. Putting everything away solves that, and makes me happy.
 

I have heard that law enforcement looks less favorably
on those boats that appear chaotic and disorganized.

Pete said "if you can't find the right place to live, live somewhere you can move at will...." He is correct. I find new vistas wonderful. And I do not have to go far. Even around the bend of a river gives a whole new perspective.

I will be exploring the area on this chart. ↓ Perhaps the same area may suit your fancy too.

For a larger copy of the above chart #411, click HERE (5000x4102) and 7.41MB

I suspect some may wish to immediately start living at anchor as I have done. I would encourage you to begin boating life at a marina. Try a series of marinas until you find the one that best satisfies your happiness quotient.
 

While you are learning about this life having others close by who share the same world will be helpful in getting acclimated. More experienced boaters are a true benefit to folks like me. I have gleaned a lot from incredibly smart and generous yachtsmen.
 

Sunset at C-Quarters Marina in Carrabelle.

Having women friends is important to us gals. You will find a lot of menfolk who will help you trouble shoot everything and anything. Many will even know what they are talking about. NOT all.

Always check advice against Calder's tome. As an independent boater you will want your own copy of Calder's Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual 4the Edition aboard your boat. I have used it to troubleshoot Beast (the gasoline engine) and lots of other times too. The first repair it allows you to do will pay for the price of the book.
 

Be sure to buy the fourth edition. It is the latest. I upgraded thanks to a Cruising Kitty gift via PayPal. (Contributions are always appreciated.)

This one I passed along to a neighbor. I am very happy too. The newest has lots more on solar integration.

As you can see, mine had a lot of hard use before I gave it away.

I purchased Calder's when I first bought my Seaweed. It is literally the bible for repairs. Even though the book does not cover gasoline engines (just diesel) it was clear enough that I could extrapolate what I needed and make my Beast go again. It is that good.
 

If you are worried about "learning" that book, do not bother. Study it when you have a problem. That is when you will go through the diagrams and checklists to figure it out. This is not rocket science.
 

I do not believe it necessary to "know it all" prior to living on a boat.
The Capable of Learning article tells my philosophy on boat life.

There are way too many old timer sailors out here who say ridiculous things like "you have to know every system" and "I built it so I can fix it"...  Though in theory that sounds wonderful the reality is no one can know everything. Technology changes and newer better products come along.
 

As long as you're capable of learning, you will be fine. And Calder's Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual 4the Edition is a big part of that. Buy the book once you have your boat chosen. There is no need to get it ahead of time.
 

Thanks for reading. Part Two will be uploaded shortly.

I'd love to hear what your wishes are for your Last Boat.
And, have you decided on particular Dream Boat or are you still looking?
 

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Categories: Boats, Books, Characters, Gear, Locations, Recommendations, Relationships,

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