Rock and a hard place!

I must say I never thought I would conceder selling Namaste to buy another boat on this trip, especially here, after I’ve worked so hard, but let me explain.

The 50’ sailboat that I’m looking at is a “fixer” and one that I’ve dreamed of owning for many many years. I’ve never considered trying to own one because they all sell for over $220,000. The boat that I’m looking at is beautiful beautiful, beautiful! The people that own it are stuck between a rock and a hard place; they owe 80k to the bank. The boats decks are shot and a bulkhead needs replacing, she needs a lot of TLC and has been neglected, just like Namaste was. To 99% of the people out there this would be the headache boat from hell and not worth the money even on a good day. But I…, your truly, am a mechanic (no need the motor is good), glass guy, carpenter, rigger, electrician and so on. My education putting my boat together has really given me some serious skills and I could turn this boat around. The bank has assessed the situation and is willing to settle for 45k. I have two people interested in Namaste and I’m really wondering if I should go for it. If I do I’d have to go back to the states (Florida).  I would want to take off-shore delivery and get the boat to Colombia for repairs. Good skilled labor is around $1.50 an hour and with the help of a few guys I could knock out the deck project in about 4-6 weeks (lots of grinding) with minimal material cost. Once the decks were sound and watertight I would address the other problems. I’m confident I could have her turned around in 6-8 months and have a beautiful 4 stateroom yacht that I could charter and use for my “make a wish” concept.

My head has really been spinning. I don’t see this as a possible setback but an opportunity to “step up” Project BlueSphere, and do some good along the way. The logs would shift to a “this old boat” flavor for a while and blossom into a humanitarian effort. I’ve actually been thinking of combining charters with needy foreign kids to bring Americans closer to people of other nations. I think we are a bit segregated and people might enjoy the experience and opportunity to help others.

Please send me your comments (negative or positive), I don’t know what direction to go. If the interested buyers (in Namaste) don’t make a decision within a few weeks I will set sail for the Cook Islands even if I feel I’m leaving a good opportunity in my wake. I know many of you think I’m out of my mind to be near penniless (under 1k) and conceder buying a 50’ sailboat but that’s the attitude that got me out here to begin with.

Maybe I’m just dreaming too hard and should go to sea?

Peace, Love, and who knows what?

– Alex