Hi to all fellows sailors!
My name is Chacko (English version for easier pronunciation LOL) and I'm from the
Netherlands.
3 years ago I bought my “dream boat” – it’s rather a
project, lots of
work still needs to be done. She was built in 1963 and was intended for the
Bermuda race.
She is really a very beautiful and fast
boat - 39 ft
sloop made by Maquit.
But my own procrastination and other personal circumstances delayed this big dream of my life - to have a cruising lifestyle and maybe end up in DR in the future.
But I finally did it - got my stuff together, now
shipping to Ft. Lauderdale a nice
dinghy, new
engine for my
boat “Jezebel”,
generator,
power tools, etc. I’ve already booked my flight and will arrive in
Miami on April 5th this year, of course.
My boat is at the moment located in Ft. Lauderdale at a private
dock nearby 1131-6 SW 9 ave. (that’s where I’ve bought it and visited her only once since)
So, I am still new to the area and don’t know anybody in Ft. Lauderdale to whom I can turn for an
advice and maybe even help.
I am looking now for an affordable dry
dock in Ft Lauderdale – place where I can Do-It-Myself I am quite experienced myself in every kind of boat works/fixing – mechanical,
electrical, etc. and would be glad to offer my best
service to anyone who needs - in gratitude for your help and
advice.
I intend to tow her with my
dinghy to the nearest Marina by myself. (Maybe one of you can give me a hand with that?) or maybe advice me about affordable boat tow
service in Ft.Lauderdale.
As far as a dry dock amenities, I’ve found only these places:
Banyan Bay Marine Center - a Full Service Marina - Rates
Diy – Do It Yourself | Anglers Avenue Marine Center | Fort Lauderdale Marina
Amenities at our Marina in Ft. Lauderdale - Hurricane Boat Storage | Marina Road Boat Yard
Basically, I am looking for a
cheap marina with a dry dock in Ft Lauderdale –
DIY.
Anyone knows of a better place maybe? I would really appreciate your advice. Due to all recent huge expenses and travel costs, my
budget is getting kind of low.
Above
marinas don’t offer “liveaboard”, so I would like to ask if any of you - who lives in Ft. Lauderdale can offer me a short-term stay (maybe a week) at you place, whatever it is – your boat, house, or just putting my tent in your backyard - for moderate
price or in exchange for my services.
I have plenty of sailing experience – for several years in the past I was a
Captain of my own
charter business on my previous sailboat “Loveda” near
Barcelona in
Spain. My hobby besides sailing - is rebuilding/restoration of antique cars and houses’
renovation (it was my business actually) Yes, I have a lot of expertise in all kinds of
repairs and I am highly regarded by people (and customers) in my country
for multiple skills and quality of
work.
I look so much forward to this big change in my life and joining this happy and so friendly sailing community! J I would greatly appreciate any advice and/or help from any of you.
There is still some work to be done before I start cruising
live-aboard lifestyle, but as soon as I have my boat on the dry dock, I can do it myself in short time.
There is not anymore an
engine in it, so I need to:
-Install the engine
-a dry dock
lift the boat for
-cleaning underwater
hull
-new
anti fouling
-check/replace thru-hull mushrooms valves
-check/repair
rudder construction
-check/repair prob-shaft bearing
Pending technical condition I estimate 7 day's work. And then – just sail away to the
Dominican Republic, maybe cruising the Caribbeans and further…
I would be very grateful for any advice or help.
Kindest regards,
Chackey