Looks Like It's Going To Happen

        Attended the survey of the boat a week or so ago and it went well. As in any 13 year old boat there were a number of items that need to be addressed and the sellers have agreed to make the repairs. Nothing major at all. The yacht surveyor that I hired indicated that the major systems (engines, transmissions, hull integrity, through-hulls, electronics, air conditioners, generator, appliances) all were in excellent working order. For being 13 years old this boat had surprisingly few hours on the engines and generator. That can be good---and that can be bad. If a boat just sits around and doesn't get some regular usage, gaskets, seals etc may "dry out'" All of the "moving parts" checked out just fine despite a rather vigorous sea trial and I learned that the brokerage people that were holding this boat had been using it fairly regularly while waiting on a buyer---that's a good thing. So, it looks like it's going to go through and we will close on the 28th of October, take off for Florida and take possession. We've already reserved a slip at one of our favorite marinas in Marathon--White Marlin Marina--(see earlier posts--early like in 2015) on a month-to-month basis and we will base out of there while we rediscover the Keys.

        But---before we can begin our exploring we need to acquire a new dinghy/yacht tender. Often yachts are sold with their tenders as part of the deal--this one was not, so we'll stop off in Naples or Ft. Lauderdale or Miami to look for a new tender. WOW! have those things gone up in price since we last ventured on the water--and there are very few, if any, used ones available. They have always been a very hot commodity.

        Needless to say, Diane and I are extremely excited and ready to renew our affinity for blue waters and white sand beaches. We pray (and ask for yours) that our health and vitality remain good and we can enjoy to the fullest this new stage in our lives. It was our realization, as we sat on that deck in Vail, that we only probably had a few years left to be able to do this, that led to a rather spontaneous (and surprising) decision to go forward. Wish us good luck.