starting new

[chriskilmer]

Thank You, LauraLee.

Recharged my batteries in SE Oklahoma with a very dear friend. She flew on the Vomit Comet....many times, in her time in the USAF. This time around, she gave me the opportunity to hold dinosaur poop!

Presently camping in Shreveport, LA. Should have the gulf coast in site tomorrow for sure.

[Hudson Force]

Chris, I'm in northeast Florida and, opposite from you, I've recently moved from long term cruising to the shore. Even while ashore I haven't lost my desire keep by belongings at a minimum. I have five books that I found valuable while cruising:
Nigel Calder - Marine Diesel Engines
Nigel Calder - Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Guide
Wing - Boatowner's Illustrated Handbook of Wiring
Beyn - The 12 Volt Doctor's Practical Hanbook
Thiel - Outboard Motor Care & Preventative Maintenance
If you have an interest in these books, that I found very valuable as a coastal cruiser for many years, send me a private message with a mailing destination and I send them to you. If you find any not to your liking please pass them on. Best wishes for your cruising days ahead!

[chriskilmer]

Hudson,
How thoughtful. Thank You so much. I have some of those. Missing the marine diesel engines. I downsized my books to what was necessary....Marine related, informational. Still have 2 heavy box full of books.

I’m in Florida!!!

Dental appt Monday. Tentatively looking at a Cabo Rico thats on the hard, in a few days. Otherwise, waiting through hurricane season, and staying with an old friend.

My truck is still full of belongings and boating related things, just waiting for a new place to call home.

[Auspicious]

Chris,

Thanks for keep us up to date as you approach the next phase of your life. Best wishes to you.

sail fast and eat well, dave

[chriskilmer]

Owner accepted the offer. 1989 Caliber 38. Sloop (going to convert to cutter), 5kw diesel gen., cockpit enclosure, pullman birth, two staterooms, two heads, two showers? Subject to engine oil analysis, survey of course.

Definite reality check!!!

[barnakiel]

Looks a lot of volume for 38'. You will live comfortably!


Good luck!



b.

[contrail]

I, too, am in the midst of a change....and a boat to boat downsizing....my seller accepted my offer yesterday.....and am also finding change to something new very exciting and invigorating. I just happened on this thread, read all of it, and thank everyone, particularly the OP, for a most inspiring read. Cheers

[chriskilmer]

Thank You for the kind words. Best of luck to you, Contrail.

[chriskilmer]

Blisters. A lot of them. That was after scraping off all the barnacles. Then issues with the furler way up the masthead during sea trial. very Old standing rigging, useless running rigging. Everything else seemed to work ok. Seller was nice enough. However, It was clear he didn't sail her, and didn’t perform needed hull ongoing maintenance. After a day researching, decided not take on someone else's problem. I wasted some money, but maybe a good learning experience.

[LittleWing77]

Good call, Chris!

You want to be sailing this Winter, not hauling and doing a full osmosis repair on the entire bottom. [Nightmare! ]

Marshall your resources and keep looking.

Fair winds,
LittleWing77

Anybody know of any boats in CF Members' Florida marinas that might be for sale but not on Yachtworld, etc.? Cabo Rico 34/36, Pacific Seacraft 34, Bayfield 36 preferred... Please PM Chris if you would like to assist.

[chriskilmer]

Littlewing, thanks....and yes to the above.

[chriskilmer]

Quick update. Up late, having a glass of wine in my Army buddy’s florida room. Listening to a David Bowie tribute to Queen.

It’s true, the market is hot. It’s hard to nail down a good surveyor, everyone is booked 3 weeks out. The Good Old Boats are gone. Was going to wait for the winter influx to Fl. However, found another Caliber 38. It’s big, but 5’ draft and I love this boat! Survey soon. If all goes well, will get comfortable with, then head to Marathon. Not to Party, but to regroup, and prepare for a grand East coast tour next spring/summer.

In the meantime, participated in my stepdaughter’s wedding in Virginia! She’s a Warrant Officer III Army, and very proud of her.

[Auspicious]

Best wishes Chris. Congratulations on your stepdaughter's marriage.

Glad you are keeping us up to date. Let me/us know if I/we can help.

[chriskilmer]

Ok, found another Caliber 38! Don’t ask me why I love these boats. However, check this out. My broker (Stan, in the thick of it with the development of the Valiant boat lineage) arranged for us to see one in Venice, Fl. We checked it out, both liked it. Arranged a survey. The sellers broker is one of THE BUILDERS, George McCreary! He stays the 6 hrs or so for the survey, helped with the surveyor climbing mast. Took the helm on the sea trial (in the gulf of Mexico, Fresh breeze of 15-18 kts.). Showed me some areas that needed correction soon. Gave advice on sailplans, cutter rig, head config (2 heads, maybe change one to compost, which...forward head, no discharge thru hull). How many questions could you come up with given the chance to meet the guy who BUILT your boat? Of course I ambushed him! And he’s a nice guy.

So, with the knowledge that I might have a boat, came the arduous task of pimping yourself for a slip.

Spent the better part of 9 hrs, no lunch break, exploring Tampa area and many, many marinas. In search of the elusive empty boatslip. Was denied because of lack of empty spots, liveaboard population reached, or because that particular community didn’t allow it. Got put on waiting lists. More than one marina had Canadian boats for sale, their owners unable to come down. One East Indian beach hotel/slip guy on Treasure Island did want to buy my truck (not for sale).

One marina office had a younger girl who was most helpful, and a lives on a boat herself! Put me on a list (of course), but gave me her compilation of liveaboard places to check out. After yet more rejections, The last place Hiliary told me to check worked out!

Safe Harbor Regatta Point, Palmetto, Fl. Not inexpensive, but at this point what do you do? I signed a 3 month lease. Maybe gives me more incentive to get the Caliber 38 in cruising condition and also get to know her. Decent water depth, weather protection, and a VERY nice cruising liveaboard community. I Celebrated (or rather had a drink/dinner to digest it all). Ended up meeting two more liveaboard ladies with their own boats.

Kind of jumped the gun slipwise. Still don’t officially have a boat. However, it was the end of the month. Of October. In Florida. Slips (moorings, too) are getting very difficult to find.

I’m hoping the Mars retrograde Littlewing77 mentioned is done. I’m exhausted.

[Auspicious]

Congratulations Chris. I hope everything goes well. Let me know if you want help with USCG Documentation or FCC radio licenses. It's really easy to do yourself; no need to pay for a service. I can walk you through remotely. Backlog at NVDC is 8 or 9 weeks so you'll want to keep the old documentation from the previous owner, bill of sale, and a copy of your documentation application. On the other hand the FCC system is online and I just got a customer all set up in a day. There are some fine points that can save a little trouble and money (two zeros, not three zeros) I can help you with on the radio side.