I joined the forum in 2014 when we almost bought a used GB3480
power cat. That
purchase was envisaged jointly with a partner who had to back out at the last moment due to
medical issues. Irrespective, I had caught the bug, kept the fires burning and continued researching
boats that may be appropriate. At the
Seattle Boat Show this week I signed for a production slot on a new Aspen C120 for
delivery in Spring 2019. This
boat is the ideal size for our planned usage of extended cruises with friends. All reports indicate that this 42.5 foot
boat is very
fuel efficient; very stable and of very high quality. I will not be fully committed until the PO is signed and the initial downpayment is due in ~30 days. I would thus appreciate any inputs from more experienced boaters.
I am a very fit and active 73 year old who has limited recent
boating experience. I spent 3 summers with the Canadian
Navy while going to university and am thus a fully qualified naval officer; but that was >50years ago. My recent pleasure
boating experience is limited to being an active passenger on friends'
boats and a season with Sailtime on a Cruisers 360 for which all the
training (safety, boat handling,
radio, etc.) had to be completed by certified professionals. Usage included ~ a dozen days on
Lake Ontario and a
cruise up the Trent-Severin
canal up to Lake Simcoe. My future boating plans can be summarized as follows:
-- One season cruising the
Pacific Northwest
-- Boat will then be trucked from
Seattle to
Fort Lauderdale
-- Two season around
Florida & the
Caribbean
-- All or part of the Great Loop (our main home is in Toronto)
-- Put the boat up
for sale after 4-5 years.
My wife thinks that I am a crazy old man to undertake something like this at this stage of our lives (we have been married 50 years); but she will not stand in my way. Conversely, I believe that it is my last window of opportunity (been on my bucket list for >15 years).
I would appreciate considered opinions on an old guy taking on such a new adventure from anyone out there willing to share.
Klaus