Looking For Ideas - May Give Up

[Manateeman]

Sorry to learn of all your problems. If I knew more I could suggest things. Where roughly is the boat. In the water? Can you motor it or does it need to be towed. What needs to be done to finish. Does it need to be on land?
Just so many questions it’s difficult to say more.
I hope your friend with depression improves.
Mark

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Manateeman

Sorry to learn of all your problems. If I knew more I could suggest things. Where roughly is the boat. In the water? Can you motor it or does it need to be towed. What needs to be done to finish. Does it need to be on land?
Just so many questions it’s difficult to say more.
I hope your friend with depression improves.
Mark

Boat is in the Stuart Florida area.

It’s in the water.

It motors just fine, but I need to make some new motor mounts.

Needs the interior done, permanent doors made and installed, some hurricane damage spots fixed, chainplates, rig put up, indoor sailing control center made and installed with winches, rope clutches, needs a good deck cleaning, then more wiring, plumbing, etc, which is easy stuff I kind of enjoy doing.

Doesn’t need to be on land at all. No zincs, no through hulls, by design. No underwater metals. So it can be in the water indefinitely. Just needs a bottom scrub from time to time and new anti fouling occasionally.

[Chotu]

One random thought crosses my mind waking up today.

I’ve been doing some adventure motorcycle riding in the mountains and what strikes me is the simplicity of it all. I have storage about the size of the inside of a full size dishwasher for all clothing, food, shelter, meds, spares, tools, sleeping gear.

Granted you can stop at a hotel if you’re fed up with all the hassles, but it’s just so simple.

I’ve always been a big proponent of getting as much waterline as you can possibly afford so it is a better ride, but I am now seeing some of the value in simplicity.

On my boat, I am thinking... what if I just completed the shower that’s basically done, and main living area in the salon first, sleeping on the couch (settee)? I already have a so-so galley down I had put in for charters when I had planned to use the boat that way. It’s functional and actually quite a bit larger than most galleys with an 8cuft refrigerator and freezer. I have a larger chest freezer running off solar. I have a porta potty. Is there any reason I real need to finish everything perfectly before I start using the boat?

Maybe what I need is to not worry about finishing things perfectly and get sailing. Put the effort and money into the rig and make slight improvements here and there on the interior of the hulls later, as I go. If it’s even necessary.

I do have to be able to filter my interior air and air condition it, as well as heat it. But if I can make the space smaller for now just using the bridge deck, galley and existing head, that gets a lot easier. I’d only have to climate control the bridge deck. I could wall that off from the hulls using fabric, forgetting about finishing down in the hulls and get out there sooner.

Some have commented on my perfectionist ways. I thank you for these comments and take them as a compliment. But the perfect boat I dream of is probably also what’s holding me back. Maybe it’s better to “just go now” the best I can.

The bridge deck area of a 50’ cat is still absolutely enormous as a space to live in and travel. It’s like I’m shrinking the boat down, but having my cake and eating it too. It’s still 50ft lwl, 25’ beam and will be even lighter this way.

Maybe this is the way to go? Instead of all that luxury... simplicity and shrinking down the living area?

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by Andrea7413

I apologize, I didn't read every post but most of them. I just wanted to throw this out there, ignore this if it's not relevant. I've got my boat at Delaware City Marina on the hard. They charge $72/ft per year for dry storage. They do allow people to work on their boats in the yard. I'm leaving in two weeks to go out there and do a little work on mine before moving aboard full time.

He has a 25’ wide catamaran. Tim’s lift is 18’ wide. I know because I was considering a cat to keep there at 17’ wide.

We spent a few years at that marina.

I love Brewers work, I have a Brewer Murray 33.

[Manateeman]

New day, new way. Grab a coffee and let’s get started. Timeline. You have 30 days to get out? That’s enough time considering the boat is in the water. I’d identify a bail out spot or two. Green Cove or Rocky Smith. You can always move later. Break this whole thing down into bite size chunks and do them one at a time. There are a lot of boatbuilders further up north who have mom and pop yards. Fishermen always need repairs and are always short on money. They know a lot about where to get things done. When I began working in boatbuilding, there were no travel lifts, no Brownell stands. On the bayou, they build boats in the water after the hull is done and their workshops are tents. It can be done.
Near Reedville VA, there was a DIY boatyard where one young man built wooden fishing boats. One of the nicest guys you would ever meet. Boatbuilders like this are a tradition. Watermen. There are always young people looking for work after finishing wood boat school. They read and can see videos and have you to look over the work. Your boat floats. It can move. That gives you a million options.
You don’t live with a crew who wants to build a pizza bazooka to scare off ice bears while you still need to step the mast. They think way too far ahead. Don’t fall into that trap. Pick one thing a day to accomplish and do it.
Captain Mark

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Chotu

One random thought crosses my mind waking up today.

I’ve been doing some adventure motorcycle riding in the mountains and what strikes me is the simplicity of it all. I have storage about the size of the inside of a full size dishwasher for all clothing, food, shelter, meds, spares, tools, sleeping gear.

Granted you can stop at a hotel if you’re fed up with all the hassles, but it’s just so simple.

I’ve always been a big proponent of getting as much waterline as you can possibly afford so it is a better ride, but I am now seeing some of the value in simplicity.

On my boat, I am thinking... what if I just completed the shower that’s basically done, and main living area in the salon first, sleeping on the couch (settee)? I already have a so-so galley down I had put in for charters when I had planned to use the boat that way. It’s functional and actually quite a bit larger than most galleys with an 8cuft refrigerator and freezer. I have a larger chest freezer running off solar. I have a porta potty. Is there any reason I real need to finish everything perfectly before I start using the boat?

Maybe what I need is to not worry about finishing things perfectly and get sailing. Put the effort and money into the rig and make slight improvements here and there on the interior of the hulls later, as I go. If it’s even necessary.

I do have to be able to filter my interior air and air condition it, as well as heat it. But if I can make the space smaller for now just using the bridge deck, galley and existing head, that gets a lot easier. I’d only have to climate control the bridge deck. I could wall that off from the hulls using fabric, forgetting about finishing down in the hulls and get out there sooner.

Some have commented on my perfectionist ways. I thank you for these comments and take them as a compliment. But the perfect boat I dream of is probably also what’s holding me back. Maybe it’s better to “just go now” the best I can.

The bridge deck area of a 50’ cat is still absolutely enormous as a space to live in and travel. It’s like I’m shrinking the boat down, but having my cake and eating it too. It’s still 50ft lwl, 25’ beam and will be even lighter this way.

Maybe this is the way to go? Instead of all that luxury... simplicity and shrinking down the living area?

That's an option. Start with the basics, start using the boat and add the rest as you go based on what you find yourself needing or when it's convenient to knock something off the list.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Chotu

I’ve been doing some adventure motorcycle riding in the mountains and what strikes me is the simplicity of it all. I have storage about the size of the inside of a full size dishwasher for all clothing, food, shelter, meds, spares, tools, sleeping gear.

Granted you can stop at a hotel if you’re fed up with all the hassles, but it’s just so simple.

That sort of describes our current "cruising" and how we travel, so you're preaching to the choir there. Simplicity; the minimum needed to go. Then go.

Maybe what I need is to not worry about finishing things perfectly and get sailing. Put the effort and money into the rig and make slight improvements here and there on the interior of the hulls later, as I go.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Hold your calls please, we have a winner.

I think that's the best approach for ensuring that you are actually getting some payoff for all that you've put into this. Enjoying the boat AND continuing to improve it. Hope this is possible and you get some solid enjoyment very soon.

[EngineerRetired]

It sounds as if you are my mirror image. I am from the mid-west and have lived on my acreage in the country for nearly 30 years as I worked as an engineering/management consultant.

I broke my butt to make the place exactly what I wanted for a retirement home with my wife. Life took a sudden left turn, (serious health issues on my part that my wife could not deal with). Everything changed and by that I mean the "dream" was suddenly not possible and it had lost the attraction and love affair I had with my farm.

Now, I am so looking forward to finalizing the sale of the farm, buying the cat I want and starting a completely new chapter in my book of life.

This will be the third time I've done so and looking back I don't regret the changes but accepting that the "dream" just wasn't realistic any more or just too dang hard to keep working at is the hardest part. Once accepted, you will look forward to the "next chapter".

As for travel, I tell EVERYONE, there is more to see in North America than any one person could ever manage to get around to. I personally traveled (35K miles) by motor home (38') for a year and barely made a dent. Of course staying in the best weather all the time was a huge plus.

I truly wish you the absolute best with whatever you decide!!!

Erwin

[MicHughV]

Chotu,

Don't give up.

As one that has built his own boat, I learned that you can only eat the elephant one bite at a time.

It took me around three years to splash mine. At that time, I had no funds for electronics or even an inboard diesel, but I took off anyway. No engine, no electronics, no fridge, etc, small fiberglass dink with 2 hp outboard.

I had a blast, My maiden voyage was to the B'mas. Despite my lack of funds and gear....I had the time of my life. Seriously had a wonderful time. I was there for around three months and simply learned to make do with what I had and never missed the things I didn't have.

It took several more years for the funds to arrive for me to add the diesel, fridge, electronics, etc. It all came in bits and pieces, but never stopped me from going anywhere, and despite having all these new toys on the boat, future trips were no more satisfactory than the first.

From the time I started to build my boat, it took probably ten years for me to get it to the point I considered " finished"......

I have my own medical issues too....but I set these aside most of the time.

While I was there, I came across an elderly couple that both had been diagnosed with some or other terminal ailment and had been given 6 months to live. They didn't have a lot of money, but they said, to hell with it, lets go out in style, and bought a cheap rickety old boat and headed for the B'mas. The cruising community embraced them. When I passed thru' the B'mas several years later, they were still there, going strong.

50' is a lot of boat. Seriously, a lot of boat. I know a guy that started to build a Roberts 53.....he is still at it...40 years later.....hasn't really gone anywhere, as he is constantly working on it.

Just take a time out....6 months....6 years....what does it matter...just go....... !!!!

[Chotu]

These are some great responses. Thank you for sharing these.

You know, the thing about boats is that I feel isolated out there. Because you have the shoreline, and then whatever you can get to nearby the Shoreline and that’s it. After a lifetime of living on them and traveling on them, it just gets boring looking at the beach all the time. Ha ha. I know that doesn’t sound right to a lot of people who are just starting out, but we all want what we don’t have. That’s just human nature. Similar to how people from Europe went to go visit the United States and vice a versa. Similar to how people from Los Angeles want to go to New York. And people from New York want to go to Los Angeles.

The thing that attracts me to RVs is that they are like a boat that goes everywhere away from the shoreline. However, I don’t think I want to have both. It’s too much. That’s letting your toys own you in my situation. I’m sure it works for others, but I think it’s too many things to fix for me. Too much storage to pay for.

So I have a crazy idea. I have really been enjoying adventure motorcycling around in the mountains. I’m doing it on a tiny little bike. I think I’d like to bring this bike with me. On the boat. It weighs under 300 pounds. This way I could still get to the mountains , to people I might want to see, things like that. I know this sounds a little crazy, but I like to sort of have a complete idea in my head before I start something. And I think I’d like to somehow attach a crane and be able to move this thing on and off of a dock. When I am traveling, I might pop it off onto a public dock and use it to go inland somewhere. Or, if I take a slip somewhere or a mooring, I could pop it off at the fuel dock or whatever, and stick it up in the parking lot if I am staying somewhere for a long time.

Or maybe have some kind of special dinghy that I used to bring it back-and-forth. I don’t know yet. No details are fleshed out.

To me, it’s either that, or just don’t go boating anymore. There is that emotional side to this where I am just bored of islands and beaches. I’m not sure if this is just a ramble. Lol it might be. But I really don’t have many other people to talk to about these things.

[rslifkin]

Your boat is big enough that you could definitely find a way to carry a motorcycle or other land transportation on it. You'll just need to build a setup to hoist the bike on and off, plus a way to secure it and cover it to keep salt spray off.

[MicHughV]

Chotu,

Like you, I also tried the biking thing. Growing up, I rode a variety of British and Japanese bikes but a Harley was never on my radar screen.

In later years, on a whim, I stopped by a HD store, and the rest, as they, is history. The HD has a cult like following, and before I knew it, I was knee deep in it. I kept the boat, but also rode a lot, eventually health and vision issues, decided the matter for me and I had to sell my beloved HD.

It was good break from the boating scene for me, but boating doesn't require quite the same the physical abilities as biking, and it didn't take long for me to embrace my sailing life again.

Which touches on another point. Sailing affords me the option of going diving. This is a wonderful sport, which will knock you back into shape in no time. Once I'm cruising, I spend a fair amount of time in the water.

And finally, there is fishing. Who doesn't like fresh fish. I was fortunate to run into some really good fishermen that showed me the ropes so to speak. These days, fish is on the menu several times a week.

I'm trying to get you fired up here......seriously....if I can do it....so can you...most anyone can fall into a rut or be overwhelmed by some or other project. I get it, a boat building project takes on a life of it's own and pretty soon it becomes your life. This is the time to step back, say whoa, I have other priorities that also need attention.

Tomorrow will be another day......the boat will still be there....the islands will still be there....and you will get there......

[MicHughV]

Chotu,

I want to finish up with this. Some years ago, I got whammied by a brain stem stroke. Dr's told me it would be a nursing home, feeding tube in my chest and wheel chair for me.

Ha, well, I'm still here..no nursing home, no feeding tube nor wheelchair for me thank you very much. Still going strong.

The human spirit is an enduring thing. Believe in yourself. I've followed many of your build threads for a while, you've got more zip than any ten people I know.

Me, I won't ever give up. Until the day comes when I see someone actually throwing dirt over my face, I'll keep going.

If I can do it.....you can do it....

[Sand crab]

I second the minimalist aspect. Last year during the Covid shut downI built a cabover camper for my truck. No plumbing. Theres a porta potty and solar for a tiny inverter for charging the phone and laptop. I went all over the PNW, Olympic and Rainer NPs and the beaches.
I recently purchased an EBike. It does 20mph on its own and also has a 20 mile range. If you are pedaling then you can go faster and further. It weighs 69 pounds. I really like it.

[Nani Kai]

Originally Posted by Chotu

....

But, what sort of north are you thinking? Too far up and it gets very expensive/regulated as well as unworkable in the winter. I’d also hope for some hurricane protection, power at a dock, a place to park an RV next to the boat since the boat isn’t liveable. And not to break the bank. A tall order, I know.

Chotu, my sincerest empathy for your situation. Like others here on CF I have read your building adventures with respect for your dogged persistence and out of the box thinking mixed with the occassional "oh, no" when things took a negative turn. And you've certainly had your fair share of negative turns. This latest one sounds ominous. Wishing you the best.

As for marinas further North, we have had our boat at Brunswick landing marina for almost two years now. Good, reasonable people, good service, fair prices. Great hurricane protection and best location IMO for southerly cruising as it's the marina furthest south along the east coast that is still out of the hurricane box. Dependable power at the dock, you can most definitely work on your boat in the slip, parking for your RV (depending on how big) and very reasonable fees and some nice amenities: free beer in the captain's lounge, free laundry, excellent give and take library, ice on site for purchase, good fuel, pump out service, etc. The only limitation would be in getting help on site for the work you want to have done. The yard there is not capable of hauling your boat. However St. Mary's boat yard is only a short run away and could accommodate your vessel on the hard. I believe they also have the expertise to help with your projects although I don't yet have personal experience with them. I do plan to haul our boat there in November to take care of a few issues before we cruise south this season.

Good luck with resolving your difficulties.