For the last several months I’ve been casually perusing Craigslist and even eBay looking for my next sailboat. It’s kinda like the new car fever I’ve been experiencing lately too, I guess. I’d been thinking that I should try and get a another sailboat that doesn’t need a lot of work; something that someone else has already done most, if not all, of the refitting and repairing.
I would see a boat fitting my criteria and then imagine how much more I’d be able to use it. Primarily because one item of my criteria is that it’s already located on a lake closer to where I live. Currently, I’m about an hour drive away from my Hunter 25 on Eagle Mountain Lake, so I’ve been thinking I should find something closer. I’ve been fantasizing about having a (my) boat so close I could use it a couple times every week.
Why not just move my Hunter you might ask? I considered that, but then discovered it would cost me about $900, almost the entire amount I initially paid for the boat just to move it across the DFW metroplex to Joe Pool Lake which is only eight minutes away from home.
Unable to find an available boat already located on Joe Pool, my search area widened to include Grapevine Lake, Lewisville Lake and even Lake Ray Hubbard. All of these are good sailing lakes, but they’re just about the same distance away as Eagle Mountain. At that point I realized I was just searching for anything to replace what I had (at the time) decided was basically an albatross that I might never get around to finishing.
I say all of that to say this: I’ve now come to the realization that the best boat for me right now is the one I already have! When I got my head out of the clouds and cleared up from the allure of getting a new-to-me boat, I knew there’s not really a whole lot left to do on my refit. Basically if I replace the carpet on the interior hull walls and the cushions I’ll be just about finished.
I know at some point in the future I’ll want and need a more spacious boat, especially considering my long-term plans and goals, but I’ve decided that in the meantime I need to just enjoy the boat I already have and not focus so much on trying to replace her [just yet]. She’s still a good boat…and my first. 🙂
Can anyone out there relate to what I’m feeling here? Experienced the same thing at one time or another? How’d you deal with it? Let me know in the comments…
Mike
There is no such thing as a “turnkey” boat, whether it’s a cruiser, racer, or weekend sailor. You could easily end up going from the frying pan into the fire. Unless you’re making a major change like going to a full time cruising boat or moving to a trawler like we will almost certainly do some day, you’re better off with the one on which you worked so hard. Don’t give up now when you’re so close to the finish line.
Deb
SV Kintala
http://www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com
You’re so right Deb. I appreciate the comments! Thanks!
We are on boat number two. We thought we were getting one that would need less project time and give us more sailing time…yeah not so much. At least this one is big enough to weekend on and has air conditioning to ward off the Texas heat while we work on projects.
Ha, yeah, I’ve talked to several people who confirm that no matter what boat you have, there’s always going to be a never-ending project list!
It’s always tempting to get a bigger boat. I’m very new to this and already on my second boat, 3rd if you include a sailing dinghy. The second was a major refit project, too far away and never saw the water during my stewardship. This one has been in and I’m keen to get her back in this month. I totally agree with you, the best boat IS the one you have, especially if it is already where it’s meant to be – in the water.
Whenever I get the new-to-me boat fever, I get Bob of Volkscruiser in my head telling me small boats, small problems.
My Centaur is certainly adequate for the two of us now. I hope that it will even take us away from it all.
I’ve definitely enjoyed Volkscruiser’s words of wisdom numerous times!