They say the happiest day in a boaters life is the day he buys his boat - and the day he sells that boat is the saddest (and or happiest again).
Patience Two is no longer my boat due to a long list of reasons and decisions made in the past. I hope the new owner gets as much joy (or more if possible) from her and Mary and I did in the past five years.
On to happier times. I can't be boat free, it's not in my nature. When we decided to give P2 a new home Mary and I were already looking for a replacement. We do of course still intend to retire from this rat race and go cruise down south for a couple of years.
Our replacement, we decided, needed to be a heavy 40ish foot center cockpit sailboat. We figured we'd look over the winter - maybe charter one or two out of Florida and maybe come next spring we'd buy one - after we scoped out all the various makes and models. It was a nine month plan - which for me translates to oh - nine days.
Here's our new boat.
It's a 1987 Irwin 38 Center Cockpit. It's immaculate, it's exactly what we wanted in a cruiser.
So, the happiest and saddest day of my life happened so close together I don't know if I'm coming or going.
When you find what you want - why keep looking for the next best deal?
Now you know why I name my boats Patience. We are still noodling the new name for the Irwin - I'm favoring Patience Too (she'll be the third Patience).
She doesn't have a lot of add on's or upgrades which to me is perfect. I'd rather not take out (for instance) a 20 year old radar installation and put in a new, modern HD radar; I'd rather just install the new system (half the work).
She needs an autopilot, updated sensors (speed, depth, wind sensors), solar, maybe a generator, and maybe a refridge upgrade - but she sails like a locomotive on a track. We made 5.1 kts at 45 degrees off the wind - in all of 8 knots of true wind speed. I'll take that in a cruising boat and sail happy.
The good part is - you faithful readers (both of you) get to laugh at my sweat equity as I post the process.
I'll heave up a few more photo's in the coming days.
