Burger Yachts

[Freeebird]

Should I start polishing my resume, you might need a little help!

Walt Hoover

You know where to find me, Walt.

 

[Freeebird]

Here is what Willy was referencing through a mutual friend. From Facebook…

Just finalized everything about the trip. Canceled the hotel and booked myself a BMW.

I figured it only proper I show up in a spiffy car as a prospective jumbo yacht owner.

You may now call me by my new chosen nickname, Biff. Once I get my yacht purchased, I will be in search for my dream mate, Muffy. We shall sail the seven seas and dine on cracked crab and caviar while sipping champagne on the veranda.

Nah, caviar sucks, and I’m not much on champagne. FWIW the Bimmer was on special and cost no more than one of those dreadful little cars driven by peasants.

I shall now retire to my freshly made bed upon this cute little boat complete with properly positioned linens.

Tah y’all. I’m sleepy. Off to Steinhatchee at 07:30. It’s gonna be another great day.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The Bimmer was on sale, so I figured what the heck?

No Captain hat for me, but at least use a current pic.

Tootles, Willy. I’ll send you a jar of Grey Poupon for Christmas.

Who's that guy in the background??

 

[Freeebird]

Who's that guy in the background??

That’s PopTart. He’s one of the three musketeers on this little boat ride from Nashville to Longboat Key.

That pic was from a restaurant visit when we overnighted at Grand Harbor at the mouth of the Tenn-Tom. Been a fun trip short of the fuel cooler issue in Apalachicola. In Steinhatchee now and heading south pre/dawn.

 

[Freeebird]

Here’s the entire shot. Our waitress loved me, just like the one in Carrabelle yesterday evening.

When we got back to the boat with our to-go desserts, PopTart came up to the salon and asked me, “What did you promise that waitress?”

He saw she had given me TWO slices of peanut butter pie. Yes, I messed with her like I do everyone I meet. As for the promise, I dont promise and tell. She is actually a very nice married lady and the daughter of a tug boat Captain.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

You have "Pop Tart" and Sleepy Joe has "Corn Pop".

 

[Freeebird]

You have "Pop Tart" and Sleepy Joe has "Corn Pop".

We’re SkyBoy, PopTart and Freebird.

They say I’m crazy but I have a giood time, life’s been good to me so far

 

[Freeebird]

It occurred to me I should explain the PopTart thing. I met Rick through Dave several years ago, and we became friends. Imagine that.

He brought a stash of Poptart’s aboard the boat but didn’t share. I reminded him of the MASH episode where Frank Burns had a stash of chocolate bars on a bus trip and gave him that nickname.

My nickname assignments tend to stick. Ain’t that right, Yachtsman Willy?

Gotta wonder sometimes.

 

[Freeebird]

Can’t seem to stay asleep tonight.

Wheel in my head keeps on turning. I know where I’ll be tomorrow

In Steinhatchee and heading out pre-dawn to wherever we get when we drop anchor. The Steinhatchee stop wasn’t on the agenda when I booked my flight to Baltimore for Wednesday, so I’ll be jumping ship in Clearwater on Wednesday morning.

SkyBoy is good with it, and he and PopTard are more than capable of getting my most favorite Hatteras to Longboat Key without me. Just hope they don’t lose… never mind.

Here’s a shot of Benaghetto on the dock where she is properly tied… three times. We moved twice to accommodate the marina and then another looper. Dave’s 60MY is as sweet as they get. If I walk through the doors and find that Broward to be anything like this boat, my objectivity may sail right out the window.

 

[Freeebird]

Almost forgot to share.

Shot this yesterday morning coming through East Pass. Timing is everything with these dolphin shots. Some things you just never grow tired off.

Almost time for my alarm to go off.

https://youtu.be/OHMfMbr4C-k?si=xebZNRhKQqUB9PT8

 

[JD5652]

Pretty work Capt!

Can't count the number of dolphin shows we've gotten on Miss Maggie. I tend to think they like the sound of the two stroke Detroits....

 

[Freeebird]

Caught broker in several lies. The trip is off.

Stay tuned.

 

[Glory]

It is sad how often that happens.

 

[Freeebird]

It is sad how often that happens.

Yep. I’m not sure what they think it will accomplish.

This one knows me and knows this isn’t my first rodeo. With that, I didn’t ask my usual question which tends to cut through the salesman “ship”.

What am I going to find with this boat that will have me throwing you off the dock?

That generally leads to a laugh and the truth.

 

[Freeebird]

Oh yeah, I’m back on the hunt and have found three Hatt’s that check my boxes. I had four until my longtime friend and fellow HOF’er, Pat Bustle, let me know another broker had misrepresented a 70CPMY in Key West. I was set to look at it next week.

He saved me a trip and saved that broker a swim.

 

[Freeebird]

To get you up to speed, I texted the broker this morning to see if maintenance records/receipts were on the boat. Then it became obvious there was miscommunication about her already being on the boat or at least in the vicinity. When she said “we” moved the boat 60 miles with no issues, I think it logical to assume that she was part of the we.

She then informed me she was waiting to book a flight from FLL until I said I wanted the boat. Red flag #1.

I then asked if there were something I was going to see which would have me reject the boat. “It needs hull paint”. Red flag #2

When confronted, she said it just needed paint in spots. When I asked why that wasn’t done while the boat was on the hard, I was met by a different version of events than was previously shared. Red flag #3

From there, it continued to unravel with yet more contradictions and a whole new story as to why the previous buyer didn’t complete the deal. After a few more conversations, I asked if I were wasting my time coming to look at the boat. “This may not be the boat for you”.

This after asking how old the photos were that she sent. “The boat has been sitting in a marina for years”. This despite the fact she didn’t answer earlier questions as to how long it had been since the boat ran. How much and how old is the fuel.

It became almost comical with furthe revelations that contradicted what she sent earlier, but it was anything but comical given I had booked non-refundable flights and would be charged a late termination fee for cancelling the rental car. She invited me to sue her for my out of pocket expenses to that point, so as a southern gentleman, it would be impolite of me to refuse said invitation. It’s not like I’m not in FLL on a regular basis.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I’ll send you a jar of Grey Poupon for Christmas.

Hey Randull. I hope yer tossing capscacian dipped shrimp to the porpae! Mustard being what it is, feel free to send me the good stuff. A few jars will be good and Ill think about you with every bite! https://www.amazon.com/BORNIER-Orga...ocphy=9019117&hvtargid=pla-943362812559&psc=1

 

[Freeebird]

I’m back to looking at Hatt’s in the 70’ range. I guess I’ve lost my Biff status, so Muffy has left the building.

 

[SeaEric]

Caught broker in several lies. The trip is off.

Stay tuned.

The date stamped photos from 2015 were troubling.

 

[motoryacht lover]

Freeebird there was a (Brownish color) 61 Tollycraft on FB a week or so ago. Don’t know if you could do a search or not and find it’. I thought you expressed and interest in one of these at some point. It might have been under motoryachts for sale.