Bitten by the boat bug

Boats shrink fast. If you're thinking 32-36 go 36. These are good boats for much of the use you're anticipating, but these are not open ocean boats ("occasional week-long trips up and down the Eastern coastline"). Watch the weather very closely if you venture off shore; also in the Ches. There's enough nice inside cruising areas in your area and the ICW to keep you entertained for years.
I'm in the process of helping a guy put together a partnership on a his next boat. My caution is to cross the T's and dot the i's before getting too far into the process. Treat it as you would a business partnership. Often you'll find one partner uses the boat more than others. It's not far (and causes friction) in that situation when everybody is paying equal shares, also if one guy tends to find the boat left with empty fuel tanks.
One thing I've found with older Carvers is soft decks. Take a walk up to the bow when looking. When you find a good candidate be sure to have it surveyed. Make sure that all partners take a basic boating course and then take a couple of boat handling lessons. Good luck, have fun & stay safe.

Intracoastal Waterway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracoastal_Waterway

Boat bug bites are not often fatal but they carry the risk of long term side effects. The symptoms are powerful and often debilitating, they require large doses of cash and specialist procedures at facilities with costly diagnostic and treatment services.

There is no vaccine for this viral syndrome to date but repeated exposure will produce an immune response that helps to reduce the impact of future episodes. Complete cures are rare but the literature includes examples of patients who, after suffering a particularly difficult case, have managed to resist all subsequent exposure to the virus.

Hi,

Things must be quiet in the Office this morning to be able to come up with a masterpiece like that

Whatta ya know... it's been a sickness all along. And I thought boats were a form of therapy! As K1 said... a masterpiece Marmot!

If you can edit that post, you should change the word "patients" to victims. A patient is someone who is aware of a problem and has sought help for the condition. The rest of us are simply victims who are probably completely unaware that we carry the virus. There are many here who actively promote the spread of this costly pandemic.

I've just checked with my HMO.

Nope, no cover for that but I've met a lawyer who says we may win a Class Action.

I wish! Today is one of those days that requires full Level A contamination protection.



It's another boat that should be cocooned and decontaminated before the CBC (Center for Boating Control) declares it and all who sail on it as threats to nautical security.

But, I am pleased to say that the best palliative available (remember, there is no antidote) is only a few docks away so the boating life is still better than the alternatives.

I think it's time to put this to rest but let's close with another boating cliche for the newly infected... "Life's pretty dry without a boat."

May I suggest widening your possibilities. My friend died suddenly and his 1988 Chris Craft 501 is for sale. It is 50 feet and handles well. The engines are recently refurbed (6V92 Detroit Diesels). The boat is located on the Tennessee River in Florence Alabama (Wilson Lake). It would be a good buy. Send me a private message if interested.
C. Watrisge

So That Explains It!

Now I know why I've been spending so much time on here and ************** lately. I've got a disease!

No. Experience is the medication that cures you of the disease. Then you get addicted to the medication. It often takes a strong wife to break the addiction, but even that is usually only temporary. Relapse is common.

Back to the question at hand.

When you wrote about weekend trips, you didn't mention how many people would be aboard. If you are looking for something with 2 berths, I have to assume there would be 2 couples, or a family.

I can tell you that the boat shrinks quickly over the course of a weekend. I have a 37' Carver (2001 Voyager), and my wife and I are comfortable when spending up to 4-5 days. With another couple, I could see problems arising.

When looking at a boat in the 32-36 foot range, you may get two berths, but one is liable to be either a twin size or bunk beds. If you want 2 reasonable sized beds, you'll have to go aft cabin or go bigger. I would recommend look at the 40 aft cabins. It's a buyers market and there are plenty of boats out there. Don't settle.

Partnership problems: 1) "I figured we would simply swap berths". How often do we even swap sides with our mates? One partner will surely end up with the master SR most of the time. Possibly buying in at a slightly higher cost for that would be a way of eliminating that bone of contention rather than debating it each time you go out.
2) "each time we went out". Consider the potential inequities when not all go out at the same time or as often.
There are many others. Boat partnerships often end friendships. More partners; better the odds. This is the time to address potential points of conflicts...in writing.

My brother and I discussed a partnership a few times. Some items that you may want to address is:

Travel dates - Do you always go out together? What if they want a personal trip the same week/weekend that you want to go? Do you divide the calendar up evenly and barter for available time?

Maintenance - Who pays for what? Split the fuel? Each pays for their individual trips? What about engine tuning and maintenance? What if something breaks when you're out? Is it routine maintenance or do you foot the bill? What if it's the transmission? What about unintentional damage? What if someone hits you while you're out alone? Who pays the deductible? What if one couple don't pay their fair share? "Hey...the generator died while you were on it...that's your $3,500 replacement, not ours. We never use the gennie anyway..."

Provisions - Who supplies dishes, sheets, towels, food, beer, etc. What if the other couple (never you guys ) don't wash linens or towels? What if you want the cabinets arranged ABC and they want it XYZ? Who's in charge of filling the water tanks or pumping out the head? Who washes the boat? "Sorry, can you catch it this weekend...after all, you're the one who's going out"

Not to say it can't work, but friendship is friendship and business is business. Spell it out early and get it in writing BEFORE the purchase. My brother and I are always on the same page, but we decided not to do it because our wives mix like cats and vacuums.

It may be the best thing you've ever done and make everyone the best of friends. There's nothing better than sitting out on the hook, enjoying a cool beverage with good friends while watching a sunset.

Best of luck!

as do ANY form of business dealings ...

on the other hand ...

success is relative ... the greater the success, the more the relatives.