What Is Wrong with Me ?

[unbusted67]

I am now into my second week of boat ownership, I am about $3500 deeper in debt than I was the day I bought the boat, the boat is a mess and up on jack stands at the yard, it leaks from the deck, I had to use the fire extinguisher on the "heater" today, there is a clanking noise from the transmission, my knuckles look like I've been in a fight, my back is completely tweaked, I just quit my job, I've sailed the boat for about 45 minutes, I almost stalled in front of the ferry because of a clogged fuel filter, I got eaten alive by mosquitoes and almost froze to death on my first night aboard, the head is backing up, the autopilot is busted.

I am having an absolute blast. I am 31 years old, I don't want a career, I don't want babies, I don't want to go back to college. All I want to do is own a cruising sailboat and I do now. Thank God for dreams and for the potential for them to come true.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

I am now into my second week of boat ownership, I am about $3500 deeper in debt than I was the day I bought the boat, the boat is a mess and up on jack stands at the yard, it leaks from the deck, I had to use the fire extinguisher on the "heater" today, there is a clanking noise from the transmission, my knuckles look like I've been in a fight, my back is completely tweaked, I just quit my job, I've sailed the boat for about 45 minutes, I almost stalled in front of the ferry because of a clogged fuel filter, I got eaten alive by mosquitoes and almost froze to death on my first night aboard, the head is backing up, the autopilot is busted.

I am having an absolute blast. I am 31 years old, I don't want a career, I don't want babies, I don't want to go back to college. All I want to do is own a cruising sailboat and I do now. Thank God for dreams and for the potential for them to come true.

I dont know whats wrong with you !!seem normal enough to me..DVC

[David M]

So whats the problem? Bleeding knuckles and all, a lot of people would love to be able to trade places.

[callmecrazy]

You better make that heater project the top priority It's gonna be a long winter...

[zeehag]

i dont read anything out of the ordinary in the life of a sailboat owner.. nothing is wrong withye--- find skeeter repellant you can use--i like cedar and citronella oil in my oil lamps while not too cold out to be able to keep open the ports some....nice warm hoodie and a book and you are in good shape--oh yeah--lap rug/throw blanket/whatever ye call warmies ye put on legs as you use puter or read....fin dn seal the leaks in deck and ports and such --all is awesome, aint it!!??
oh yeah, and a hot toddy will warm ye---even cocoa with schnapps..isnt that a peppermint patty? coffee with cinnamon schnapps--- hot soup....is all good.
dont forget the warm sox...

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by tropicalescape

I dont know whats wrong with you !!seem normal enough to me..DVC

Ha ha it's a rhetorical question. My point is that it would seem that everything is going wrong with this boat yet I am still having a really fun time.

[eastendsailor]

Originally Posted by David M

So whats the problem? Bleeding knuckles and all, a lot of people would love to be able to trade places.

The cost of freedom!

[S/V Alchemy]

In Year One, I chipped the stem and blew up my Atomic 4 because I didn't open a seacock. In Year Two, I learned how to rebuild and install an Atomic 4. 13 years in, I'm rebuilding a 41 footer in anticipation of a five-year voyage.

To quote Dan Savage, "it gets better".

[Blue Stocking]

Deck leaks--close the hatches
heater fire--then it is providing heat, eh?
clanking noise--if it a Hurth, when it don't clank, it is aproblem
bleeding knuckles-- "hazing" to a sailor
tweaked back--muscles you haven't used yet
no job--just lucky, ain't you
ferry--he is off course
clogged filter--its a sailboat, filter is only only a stage prop.
mosquitoes followed you from shore--got nothing to do with sailing
near froze--so the fridge is working, eh?
head clogged--get Exlax--or prunes
autopilot?? why the hell aren't you helming the boat

Your life is good.

[bangkaboat]

I hear ya, bud!

I've got a mile of wire, sized & placed, but where's the friggin' terminals I bought yesterday? I'm chopping stuff off the priority list, eyeing the 13th on the calendar - single up & head for shake down - throwing money around like a Beverly Hills debutante & waking up every morning with enough pain to make me think I'm still working at the drydocks/shipyards. That's why I only have enough strength & wakefulness to drink beer & cruise CF, right now. Like an idiot will, tomorrow I'll get up & do it all over again... and, so will you! LOL

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Deck leaks--close the hatches
heater fire--then it is providing heat, eh?
clanking noise--if it a Hurth, when it don't clank, it is aproblem
bleeding knuckles-- "hazing" to a sailor
tweaked back--muscles you haven't used yet
no job--just lucky, ain't you
ferry--he is off course
clogged filter--its a sailboat, filter is only only a stage prop.
mosquitoes followed you from shore--got nothing to do with sailing
near froze--so the fridge is working, eh?
head clogged--get Exlax--or prunes
autopilot?? why the hell aren't you helming the boat

Your life is good.

Ha Ha I love this, well put.

Originally Posted by bangkaboat

I hear ya, bud!

I've got a mile of wire, sized & placed, but where's the friggin' terminals I bought yesterday? I'm chopping stuff off the priority list, eyeing the 13th on the calendar - single up & head for shake down - throwing money around like a Beverly Hills debutante & waking up every morning with enough pain to make me think I'm still working at the drydocks/shipyards. That's why I only have enough strength & wakefulness to drink beer & cruise CF, right now. Like an idiot will, tomorrow I'll get up & do it all over again... and, so will you! LOL

It sounds like yo are on my schedule. I was on the boat till 4 am last night running propane hose all the way round the back of the cockpit and crawling around the steering gear. I was awake again at 8 am running through the mental checklist. It's like having a new born isn't it? Good luck in fitting out.

[MichaelC]

Don't listen to these dreamers. Sell your wreck, get a job, work 60 hrs per week, get a mortgage, give your soul to the man, be responsible. Is that what you wanted to hear? So are you complaining or what? Welcome to the Brotherhood. Sisterhood? Personhood? whatever ....

[David_Old_Jersey]

$3500? only another $20k to go.

Unless you hit problems...........

[Mike Banks]

I found that Flashtack fixed leaks and plastic closeable conduits were great for re-routing wires and fitting new ones.

Beware of the blocked flue in diesel heaters.

Freedom--dont you just love it?

Mike

[sailorboy1]

All I hear is that you are working too slow These are normally week 1 items and you already have pushed them out into week 2.

Better get with it!