Our Boat Buying Trip

Lori & I flew to Florida on December 2nd to look at boats.  We had no intention of buying....just looking.  On December 7th we found a boat (Mainship 40 Double Cabin Motor Yacht) that was exactly what we were looking for...something that had good bones but needed enough work that it put the price within our budget. 

We then went searching for a marina where we could keep the boat.  We found the Royal Palm Marina and seriously began thinking that our dream could become a reality.

We flew back to Ohio on December 9th and in the middle of a snow storm we decided to pursue our dream of cruising in the sun.  The boat owners accepted our offer and so it was back to Florida on December 16th to perform the hull survey, engine survey, the haul-out and the sea trial.

From left to right: Greg, boat broker; Lori and Dave, proud new boat owners; David, Engine Surveyor; Mike, hull Surveyor.

Ben, the old boat owner and me watching the haul out.  Man....she sure is big "on the hard".

From the left: Me, Greg (boat broker) and Captain Randy.  We hired Catain Randy to help us motor the Phase II  (her new name) to Royal Palm Marina.  We made the journey from Saint Pete to Englewood in 7 hours.

So here we are....nestled into our slip after a long journey.  Man we have soooooo much to learn about cruising, navigation, electronics, diesel engines, heads, generators, etc. etc. etc.

Our front yard.

Our back yard.