I know, it’s funny…, why should I be stressed right?
I always get stressed before a trip. I was a stress monster leaving Panama to cross the Pacific, and as well when I started my journey in 2003. Now I have a whole new boat and a family. It’s just part of it I guess, I hope I don’t drive Sam out of her mind, God knows I tax her sometimes. She is turning out to be a natural when it comes to varnish, she has the patience and temperament for it.
Sam and I drove up to Jacksonville the other day to pick up my little motor from my friend Bobby. We drove up with my buddy Eric and his girlfriend Susan. It was about 4 and a half hours each way but so worth it. I love this little engine. Funny to think I was about to pitch it in the sea a few months back. It uses about an 1/8 of a gallon an hour and is just over 4 horse power. I’m going to load it up with my 130 amp electromaxx alternator and smart charger. My entire electric system makes sense to me now. Eventually we are going to get a 12 volt water maker. The nice thing about this is If I do need to burn diesel to charge my bank I can do it quite conservatively. 
I have a desulfator and I’m excited to get it connected. It’s a small unit and may take a few months to condition the batteries but once I get them up to par they should stay on top of the situation.
Man the weather stinks. I don’t think we will be leaving at the end of the week as a big cold front will be going through the area later in the week.
Here is a tale of a great deal. A guy contacted me through the internet because he just bought a 1973 Cheoy Lee MidShipman. He had a bunch of questions and he is in for a good amount of work. His boat has the original masts but guess what he paid for it? FIVE GRAND! So if you are planning on getting a boat and have the money go shopping before the market turns around. The business at the boat shows is starting to pick up and the screaming deals will not be around too much longer.
Cheers.
Sail far and live slowly.
– Alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
Type about screaming deals… my fully-loaded-but-nothing-works ’74 Cal Cruising 35 Cutter… cost me $9,000 and change.
Radar, watermaker, diesel gen, solar panels, wind gen, windlass, etc.
Of course it doesn’t look as pretty as a Cheoy Lee (or any traditionally-style sailboat, for that matter), and it has to be put back together, but my checkbook is dancing a jig.
There is a GORGEOUS Al Mason designed 30′ cruiser for $6,000 in Cedar Key. All mahogany, teak, and bronze…
You have heard to old saying: When you think you have it bad, just look around! For me now, stress is them comming to fill my propane tank AGAIN to the tune of $7-800.00 Damn, that would get me along way on the water!Those days are comming soon, and I hope this is the last time I fill this damn tank for about 8 years !!!! Approx. six or seven months and we are out of here !!!
Peace love and maple syrup (only six more weeks till season)………. Dean
Your ship / home is looking better every picture. Since I too have a boat with a lot of teak to varnish, i had seen the advertisement about using MOS epoxy instead and then coating with a UV protectant. What are your thoughts? Will it save all the time of correcting all the repairs, chipping and general stuff that comes along with varnish? CAn’t wait to see you in the Bahamas!
Alex:
Yep, the heart is pumpin’. I can hear it in your words. Good for you. I found a Endeavor 43 sitin’ in Boot Key. I’m heading down there tomorrow and check her out. I need a deck under my feet soon. Two months as of today I’ve been boatless. No way to run a charter business. In fact, I just took a 3 day charter for March. The last thing I said to him was, “By the way, I don’t have a boat, but I’ll have one by then.” All he could say, was, “Now that concerns me a little.” Very funny way to finish out a sale. I also told him to hold the deposit and I’d be in touch…
Just crawling out onto a limb and hoping God grows a tree under me…
Stay in touch, and I’ll catch you on Skype.
Capt. Paul
s/v…
Jmullins
I’ve glassed over most of the teak that is not protected by the bimini. We are restoring the cockpit to original beauty and making the rest of the boat practical. I’m not a big varnish guy so I dont want to answer the question. I like to think I only have opinions about topics I’m familiar with :)
Capt Paul, If you dont have your boat in time you could always throw the charter my way :) Good luck with finding your boat mate. Not having a boat is a horrible place for me so I don’t envy you.
Cheers.
Here are some smoke’n deals for you:
#1 is a 1971 Mariner 31, hull #96 in Port Charlotte for $4,000. It’s 90% rebuilt. Needs the rig re-stepped as they replaced the main mast with an aluminum one. All the rigging is present. Also needs a head job on the 4.107. Almost all new wiring, batteries, etc. Re-done decks and frames. Gorgeous design- see http://www.marineryachts.com/ and click on “Owners” to see a lot of pictures of these boats (and read how most of them need the work that has already been done to this one). The owner is Captain Bill- phone: 941-627-6861 e-mail: captbill.armiger@gmail.com
Pictures available here: http://www.seafarer-research-center.com/1971mariner31
#2 is a 1977 Al Mason designed 30′ sloop / cutter in Crystal River (or was it Cedar Key?) for $6,000. In the words of the owner:
she is a real beautiful, no phony “pirate ship”, a, true classic. needs some underdeck work. decks have leaked before. she is powered by a quick-starting 25hp Volvo diesel, auto-pilot, vhf, danforth compass, full awning, lots of sails, s/s fuel tank, 30gal water. all water on foot pump, in galley and head. roller furler, sails, rigging and mast all in good condition, heavy duty mast with double spreaders, a sweet cruiser. hull is African mahogany, stripped plank, and epoxy sealed glued and bronze pinned, all hardware and fasteners in bronze. boat has new bottom job, 3 gallons of Trinidad bottom paint. new zincs etc.. good battery bank and charger, solar panel. she draws 4’8″ with a full keel made of lead. the boat was hand made in solomine’s island, in maryland. the cabins, decks and interior is teak. she sleeps 4, enclosed head with holding tank. hanging locker doors and all cabinets have hand cained doors. 6’6″head room in cabin. she has no mattresses in berths. i am selling her since i have two boats, and i have decided to keep my 37ft tayana cutter. or finish her “:TLC”, and sail her or sell her. the mason was purchased to have a boat to sail while i was working on my 37ft boat. and that would be easier to sell esprit. i wish i could keep them both, but the dockage is hurting my retirement check. thanks, stephen fsfredericks@gatorworks.com
pictures available here: http://www.seafarer-research-center.com/1977mason30
Time to buy???
Thanks for your kind explanation of my Mariner 31. It is still for sale although not aggressively promoted. As the weather hopefully turns to spring visions of sailing the waters around Florida and the Bahamas starts to turn to an itch. I find myself considering not selling it. If I should step the mast in the next 4 weeks I’m out of here. But. for now I’, still entertaining offers. My number posted is incorrect. I can be reached at 941-276-5977. Thanks Capt Bill
The stress is them comming to fill my propane tank AGAIN to the tune of $7-800.00 Damn, that would get me along way on the water!Those days are comming soon, and I hope this is the last time I fill this damn tank …